[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11631-S11632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             BEING ON TIME

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, in the spirit of legislation I am 
sponsoring with Senator Wyden, I want to make something clear. I want 
to make it a matter of public record that I am putting a hold on the 
nominations for ambassador of individuals being considered for posts in 
Bolivia, Haiti, Jamaica, and Belize. I am also asking to be consulted 
on any unanimous-consent agreements involving the Foreign Service 
promotion list if it should come up for consideration.
  I am taking this step to make it clear to the State Department and 
the administration that the Congress takes the law seriously. Something 
the administration appears not to do. Under the law, the administration 
is required to submit to the Congress on November 1 of each year the 
names of countries that the administration will certify for

[[Page S11632]]

cooperation on drugs. Last year, the administration was late in 
submitting that list. The administration had asked for more time and we 
gave it to them. Although I believe 6 weeks was pushing it.
  The Congress made it clear then, however, that being late was not a 
precedent. We gave the administration an extra month in law. And they 
missed that deadline. They asked for more time last year and we gave it 
to them. We made it clear, though, that giving more time last year was 
not to become an excuse for being tardy in the future.
  This point seems to have gotten lost. This year, again, the 
administration has not submitted the list as required by the law on the 
date specified. And there is no indication just when or if it may 
arrive. This is simply not acceptable. This leisurely approach and 
irresponsible attitude needs an appropriate response.
  It appears we need to get the administration's attention so that they 
will abide by the law. This needs to be done especially on a law 
involving drug control issues at a time of rising teenage use. In the 
spirit, then, of reminding the administration that we in Congress 
actually do mean the things we say in law, I am putting a hold on these 
nominations.
  The countries in question have been on past lists, and therefore 
there is a link to my hold now. That hold will remain in place until 
such time as we receive the list in question. If we do not receive a 
timely response, I may consider adding to my list of holds.
  Let me note, also, that by ``timely response'' I do not mean a 
request for more time. I mean having the list in hand. The November 1 
deadline is not a closely held secret. The fact that the list is due is 
not an annual surprise. Or it shouldn't be. I hope that the 
administration will find it possible to comply with the law, late 
though this response now is. And that they will do the responsible 
thing in the future. I thank you.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Abraham, Mr. Grams, and Mr. D'Amato pertaining to 
the introduction of S. 136 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

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