[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Breaux, and Mr. 
        Gorton):
  S. 1415. A bill to reform and restructure the processes by which 
tobacco products are manufactured, marketed, and distributed, to 
prevent the use of tobacco products by minors, to redress the adverse 
health effects of tobacco use, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


                  the universal tobacco settlement act

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce the 
Universal Tobacco Settlement Act. This bill is cosponsored by the 
Commerce Committee Ranking Member Senator Hollings, Senator Gorton, and 
Senator Breaux.
  Mr. President, the bill we are introducing today is the legislative 
version of the Universal Tobacco Settlement agreed upon by the 
attorneys general and the tobacco companies. We hope it will serve as 
the basis of discussion and amendment here in the Senate.
  I want briefly to discuss what this bill is and is not. It is the 
basis for hearings, discussion, and amendment. After this bill is 
introduced, I will ask consent to have it jointly referred to various 
committees of jurisdiction for consideration. As the chairman of the 
Commerce Committee, I intend to hold extensive hearings on this bill 
and use it as the vehicle for amendment.
  First, let me emphasize that this legislation was drafted by Senate 
legislative counsel who was requested to write a bill that would 
implement and mirror the universal tobacco agreement without any 
direction or input from Members and without any alteration from the 
agreement.
  The substance of the bill is not perfect, complete, comprehensive, or 
legislation that could ever be signed into law without considerable 
debate and amendments. None of the cosponsors endorse this bill as 
being the answer to our Nation's problem with tobacco-related death and 
illness. But it can and should serve as a basis to began negotiations 
between all concerned parties.
  The bipartisan group of attorneys general and the tobacco companies 
deserve praise for developing this language. I know it was not easy. 
But much more needs to be done. The Universal Tobacco Settlement 
Agreement presents more questions than it answers. That is why we must 
move the legislative process forward and begin debating substantive 
language.
  I had hoped that the administration would send the Congress 
legislation in this area. I would have liked for the Congress to begin 
considering the proposals developed and advocated by the White House. 
Unfortunately, the White House chose not to take such action. As a 
result, I have chosen to begin this discussion with attorneys general 
agreement.
  There has been one addition to the settlement developed by the 
attorneys general. The universal tobacco settlement did not address the 
issue of tobacco farmers and the communities whose existence and 
economy depends on the growing of tobacco. To address this concern, a 
new title IX has been added to the bill. The text of title IX is the 
language of S. 1310, legislation introduced by Senator Ford. It is my 
hope that with the addition of this language to the bill, we can begin 
the comprehensive debate necessary on this subject.
  Mr. President, let there be no mistake, the Senate takes its role in 
this matter very seriously. Millions of lives have been lost and 
millions more will follow. Every day 3,000 young adults and children 
begin smoking. We cannot and should not allow this to continue. With 
the introduction of this bill we will begin this debate and I am 
hopeful that by early next year we can move forward on the floor on 
this matter.
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