[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 151 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   POSITION ON CLOTURE VOTES ON H.R. 2646 AND DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 
                           CONFERENCE REPORT

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I was not present for the cloture 
votes on October 31, 1997. I would like to record my position, had I 
been present for the votes.
  Had I been present for the cloture vote on H.R. 2646, the Education 
Savings Act for Public and Private Schools, I would have opposed 
cloture. In addition to the many serious public policy implications 
raised by this legislation, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee 
I have serious concerns about the virtually unprecedented manner in 
which it was brought to the floor. After H.R. 2646 was approved by the 
House it was sent directly to the desk, where it was pulled from and 
sent to the floor--completely bypassing the Finance Committee where 
virtually all tax legislation is reviewed.
  The lack of review is particularly distressing given the budget 
implications of H.R. 2646--it would increase spending by $4 billion 
over 10 years. It is both shortsighted and unwise to make major 
modifications in the Tax Code without review by the committee of 
jurisdiction and without first asking a simple question: Are these 
IRA's our highest priority for educational funding? To my way of 
thinking, that question has not been addressed.
  When this bill was immediately considered under a cloture strategy, 
all ability to make any changes in this policy were blocked. That is 
simply unacceptable. This legislation should be considered under a less 
restricted approach. In keeping with the customary Senate approach we 
should conduct a thorough debate with ample opportunity for amendments. 
Anything less should be rejected.
  I should also note my absence for the cloture vote on the Defense 
authorization conference report. Cloture was invoked in an overwhelming 
vote. Had I been present, I too would have cast my vote in favor of 
cloture.
  Mr. President, there are many demands made on the time of a Senator. 
Few are as important or as rewarding as being a part of the life of our 
school children. And on last Friday, when presented with a choice 
between keeping important commitments to Montana students or procedural 
votes in the Senate, I faced a difficult decision. And while I take my 
responsibilities here in Washington very seriously, I decided that I 
needed to be with these Montana students on this occasion. And in this 
particular instance my votes would not have affected the ultimate 
outcome of either vote.

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