[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--S. 738

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to consideration of Calendar No. 179, S. 738.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the committee amendment be 
withdrawn, and I understand Senator Hutchison has a substitute 
amendment at the desk, and I would ask for its consideration.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I only do 
so at the request of Senators Kerry and Lautenberg, that they be given 
10 minutes each at some point following the introduction of the 
amendment and comments made by Senators McCain and Hutchison.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I don't know if we should at this time get 
consent in that we would have that time. I think they will have it and 
maybe more if they would like to have it, and we should not and will 
not complete the discussion on it until the Senators have been involved 
in working out this compromise are in the Chamber.
  I would like to say if I could at this point, I thank the chairman of 
the committee of jurisdiction, Senator McCain, for his persistence on 
this matter, and Senator Hutchison, who is chairman of the 
subcommittee, for her efforts in bringing about this compromise. 
Senator Kerry from the committee as well as Senator Breaux have worked 
very hard in developing this compromise.
  I have been involved in this effort now for 3 years, having served as 
chairman of the subcommittee in the previous Congress. I think it is 
very important that we get fundamental reform of Amtrak so that Amtrak 
at least will have a chance to be able to provide good service and do 
it without depending on continuing subsidies from the Federal 
Government forever. They should be able to turn a profit, and I think 
this legislation will make that possible. They should be able to 
contract outwork. They should be able to advertise. There are so many 
basic private sector things that they could do and should have been 
doing before now that would allow them to actually make a profit so 
that we can keep a national rail passenger system. We need a passenger 
system that serves all the country, not just the eastern seaboard, and 
this is a major step in that direction.
  I want to emphasize, though, too, this is required in order to get 
the $2.3 billion that was fenced in the budget agreement for capital 
improvements. And those funds are only for capital improvements, not 
for operating subsidies, makeup of shortfalls in the past or salaries. 
That is not included in this legislation.
  I think we have a good bill. After trying to move it for 2 years, I 
am delighted that the work of a lot of Senators including the Senators 
here now in the Chamber and others that will be here momentarily will 
make this possible. I don't want to delay it any longer for fear 
somebody might have a good idea of one word that might be added.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, at the risk of delaying and only to do 
what the majority leader has just done, I think the Senators who have 
worked on this as hard and as long as they have do deserve the 
commendation just given them not only on that side of the bill but ours 
as well. The Senators have done an extraordinary job, and I only wish 
there were more occasions when on a bipartisan basis we could see this 
kind of leadership and effort put forth. This is a tribute to their 
effort, and I think a very successful one and I think as a result we 
are going to see an overwhelming vote on this legislation as we should 
and I appreciate very much their efforts.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I do want to add, and Senator Daschle will 
want to add, the fact that the ranking member on the committee, Senator 
Hollings, also has been involved in this for quite some time, and he 
has been helpful in bringing it to this conclusion.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the request?
  Mr. DASCHLE. I certainly would add that Senator Hollings, in fact, 
was the last person to sign off on this legislation as is 
understandable. We appreciate very much the early and perpetual effort 
he makes on Amtrak matters, and certainly he deserves that recognition 
as well.
  I thank the majority leader.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Was there an objection to the request from the 
Democratic leader?
  Mr. LOTT. I believe the Chair did not hear objection.
  There was not an objection from the Democratic leader on that 
unanimous consent request to proceed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________