[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S3154]]



 REGARDING FLOOR PRIVILEGES FOR DISABLED PERSONS REQUIRING SUPPORTING 
                                SERVICES

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have been working this morning with all 
Senators, including the distinguished Democratic leader, to resolve a 
matter that emerged yesterday with regard to permitting access to the 
Senate floor of guide dogs and other equipment needed by disabled 
individuals. The resolution I am about to offer will allow the Sergeant 
at Arms to work immediately with staffers who have the need for guide 
dogs to be able to access the floor on a case-by-case basis. The 
resolution also calls for the Committee on Rules and Administration to 
consider a formal change in the Senate rules to address the situation. 
A permanent resolution is expected to be brought out of the committee 
before the full Senate so that we can have a formal rule on how matters 
of this nature will be handled.
  Again, I thank all Senators involved for their thoughtfulness in 
addressing the matter immediately. I think it is the right thing to do, 
and I am pleased that with today's action, assuming we can get this 
agreed to, the Senate will address an inequity that has been brought 
before us and we will remove roadblocks in the way of individuals 
helping us to serve the American people in the Senate.
  The chairman of the Rules Committee has been involved in this 
discussion, the ranking member. I believe we have touched bases on both 
sides, and I believe this is an appropriate resolution to an immediate 
problem but also one that can be addressed by the appropriate committee 
so that the rules will be a little clearer as to how this type of 
situation will be addressed in the future.
  Before I ask unanimous consent, I wonder; I see the Democratic 
leader, if he wanted to comment. Would the Senator like me to yield for 
comment before we get unanimous consent?
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I commend the majority leader for his 
expeditious handling of this matter. This has only recently been 
presented as a problem to the body, and I think the manner in which the 
majority leader is handling it represents sensitivity to the issue and 
a recognition for the need for some practical application of our 
current rules. And so I am very supportive of the effort that he and 
his colleagues are making in this regard, and I hope that we can see 
this matter resolved successfully today.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent then that an 
individual with a disability who has or is granted the privilege of the 
Senate floor may bring those supporting services, including service 
dogs, wheelchairs, and interpreters, on the Senate floor, which the 
Senate Sergeant at Arms determines are necessary and appropriate to 
assist the disabled individual in discharging the official duties of 
his or her position until the Committee on Rules and Administration has 
the opportunity to properly consider the matter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is 
so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now send a resolution the desk dealing 
with the same subject and ask that it be appropriately referred.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The resolution will be received and 
appropriately referred.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

                          ____________________