[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                VETERANS

  Mr. BREAUX. Let me make a brief comment. I want to associate my 
comments and feeling with the earlier remarks of the distinguished 
Democratic leader, Senator Daschle, with regard to his comments about 
this bill and the use of funds in the highway legislation that could be 
used for veterans disability benefits associated with smoking.
  I was very, very pleased to hear Senator Daschle point out very 
clearly that this issue will be revisited. It needs to be revisited. It 
is unfortunate, I think, that moneys that were going to be available 
for veterans who have suffered disabilities from smoking problems will 
be used for part of this legislation that we just recently passed. But 
I think it is very clear there is a strong feeling among most all 
members of the Commerce Committee that this is an issue that needs to 
be revisited. We need to find the funds to make sure that these types 
of health disabilities are taken care of and that if it is a veterans 
disability associated with their service that they be treated as such. 
I support that. I will be here to do anything that I can to try and 
correct this problem.
  As we deal with the tobacco legislation on the floor, it would seem 
to me this would be, perhaps, a good way of addressing this particular 
issue as a health-related smoking issue. I hope we could find a way 
within the tobacco legislation to address this.
  I stand committed to work with Senator Daschle on finding a way to 
correct this problem. I am quite confident that we will be able to do 
so, and certainly I am committed to do that.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the Senator from Hawaii.

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