[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9137-S9140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. THURMOND (for himself and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 2362. A bill to extend the temporary duty suspension on certain 
textured rolled glass sheets; to the committee on finance.


                      DUTY SUSPENSION LEGISLATION

 Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, today I introduce, along with 
Senator

[[Page S9138]]

Hollings, a bill which will suspend the duty imposed on certain 
textured rolled glass sheets. Currently, this glass is not manufactured 
in the United States nor is a substitute readily available. Therefore, 
suspending the duty on this item would not adversely affect domestic 
industries.
  I hope the Senate will consider this measure expeditiously.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2362

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. TEXTURED ROLLED GLASS SHEETS.

       Subheading 9902.70.03 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
     the United States is amended by striking ``12/31/98'' and 
     insert ``12/31/2001''.

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, today, I, along with Senator 
Thurmond, introduce duty suspension legislation designed to continue 
the importation of certain rolled glass into the United States duty 
free. This product is not manufactured in the United States. Upon 
importation, the rolled glass will be further manufactured in a 
facility at Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
  I believe that this duty suspension will assist with employment in 
South Carolina. This facility manufactures glass-ceramic cooktops for 
the North American appliance industry. Continuation of this duty 
suspension will allow for the most efficient manufacture of this high 
end product in South Carolina.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2365. A bill to amend the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 to 
promote competition and privatization in satellite communications, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.


       international satellite communications reform act of 1998

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
``International Satellite Communications Reform Act of 1998,'' a bill 
to update our nation's policies regarding the provision of 
international satellite services.
  During the final days of the First Session of the 105th Congress, I 
announced that I would engage in an effort to eliminate outdated 
regulations and foster competition in the global satellite market. 
Since that time, I have met with industry representatives and officials 
from the Administration, and my office has conducted a series of open 
briefings intended to fully educate Members and their staff on the 
competing interests and opposing views surrounding this complicated 
debate. The ``International Satellite Communications Reform Act of 
1998'' represents the culmination of a great deal of hard work, and I 
would like to thank the Members and staff, industry representatives, 
and Administration officials who worked with me to develop a consensus 
bill for their efforts. It is my intention to hold a hearing on this 
legislation when the Senate returns in early September.
  Currently, the satellite policies of the United States are based upon 
the Communications Satellite Act of 1962, a bill drafted in the midst 
of the Cold War, when the United States was engaged in the ``Space 
Race'' with the Soviet Union. At that time, America wanted to 
demonstrate to the rest of the world its commitment to the peaceful 
uses of outer space and to bring the benefits of space technology to 
all the people of the world.
  In that effort, we have succeeded magnificently. The 1962 Act led to 
the formation of Comsat Corporation, and then later of INTELSAT, which 
today provides global connectivity from the United States to virtually 
every point on the globe. The 1962 Act has paid the United States 
enormous dividends, to the point where the policy framework established 
by Congress in 1962 has been eclipsed by the success of these ventures, 
and by the development of healthy marketplace competition.
  The ``International Satellite Communications Reform Act of 1998'' is 
designed to establish a new policy framework for international 
satellite communications for the 21st Century. It is designed to build 
on the success of the 1962 Act in a manner that preserves the benefits 
of that Act, while unleashing the power of private enterprise to 
provide new and innovative services to the people of the world.
  The ``International Satellite Communications Reform Act of 1998'' 
will help to bring about the privatization of INTELSAT and Inmarsat, so 
that market forces may shape the services and prices available to 
American consumers. This bill is also designed to open foreign markets 
to competition--but to do so in a way that does not harm consumers nor 
reduce the number of competitors in the marketplace. It requires that 
all satellite service providers be subject to the same regulatory 
requirements while preserving lifeline services to those countries that 
do not generate enough revenues to entice the entrepreneurs to offer 
service. This will ensure that universal service and global 
connectivity will always be available to U.S. consumers.
  Achieving the goal of drafting a thoughtful, balanced bill was not 
easy. I have worked with my colleagues on the Commerce Committee to 
draft a bill that is fair in its approach, consistent with our 
international obligations, and which maintains universal service. At 
the same time the bill relies upon free enterprise, market forces, and 
competition.
  In my view, the ``International Satellite Communications Reform Act 
of 1998'' builds upon the successes of the 1962 Act, while recognizing 
that satellite technology has been successfully commercialized and that 
the old policy framework is no longer appropriate.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring this 
legislation, in which I have tried to balance competing policy 
objectives. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to 
enact this legislation, and update our international satellite policy 
for the 21st Century.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Conrad, 
        Mr. Bryan, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Bumpers, Ms. Snowe, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
        Daschle, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 2366. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
that housing assistance provided under the Native American Housing 
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 shall be treated for 
purposes of the low-income housing credit in the same manner as 
comparable assistance; to the Committee on Finance.


    LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR INDIAN TRIBES

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
which will correct an unintended oversight in the federal 
administration of Native American housing programs, allowing Indian 
tribes to once again access Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) for 
housing development in some of this nation's most under-served 
communities. Joining me as original cosponsors of this bill are 
Senators Inhofe, Baucus, Conrad, Bryan, Kerry, Bumpers, Snowe, Boxer, 
Daschle, Burns and Inouye.
  In the 104th Congress, the Native American Housing Assistance and 
Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) was signed into law, separating Indian 
housing from public housing and providing block grants to tribes and 
their tribally designated housing authorities. Prior to passage of 
NAHASDA, Indian tribes receiving HOME block grant funds were able to 
use those funds to leverage the Low Income Housing Tax Credits 
distributed by states on a competitive basis. Unfortunately, unlike 
HOME funds, block grants to tribes under the new NAHASDA are defined as 
federal funds and cannot be used for accessing LIHTCs.
  The fact that tribes cannot use their new block grant funds to access 
a program (LIHTC) which they formerly could access is an unintended 
consequence of taking Indian Housing out of Public Housing at HUD and 
setting up the otherwise productive and much needed NAHASDA system. The 
legislation I am introducing today is limited in scope and redefines 
NAHASDA funds, restoring tribal eligibility for the LIHTC by putting 
NAHASDA funds on the same footing as HOME funds. With this technical 
correction, there would be no change to the LIHTC programs--tribes 
would compete for LIHTCs with all other entities at the

[[Page S9139]]

state level, just as they did prior to NAHASDA.
  This technical corrections legislation is a minor but much needed fix 
to a valuable program that will restore equity to housing development 
across the country. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority has 
enthusiastically endorsed this legislation out of concern for equitable 
treatment of every resident of our state and to reinforce the proven 
success of the LIHTC program for housing development in rural and lower 
income communities.
  I have joined many of my colleagues in past efforts to preserve and 
increase the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program which benefits every 
state, and I ask my colleagues to recognize the importance of 
maintaining fairness in access to this program emphasized through this 
legislation and encourage my colleagues to support passage of this 
vital legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2366

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CERTAIN NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
                   DISREGARDED IN DETERMINING WHETHER BUILDING IS 
                   FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED FOR PURPOSES OF THE LOW-
                   INCOME HOUSING CREDIT.

       (a) In General.--Subparagraph (E) of section 42(i)(2) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to determination 
     of whether building is federally subsidized) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or native american housing assistance'' 
     after ``home assistance'' in the subparagraph heading, and
       (2) by inserting ``or the Native American Housing 
     Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (as in effect 
     on October 1, 1997)'' after ``this subparagraph)'' in clause 
     (i).
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to periods after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DODD:
  S. 2367. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue 
a certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel Amici; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


         certificate of documentation for the vessel ``amici''

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation to waive the 
1920 Merchant Marine Act, commonly known as the Jones Act, to allow 
Coastal Cruisers, LLC to operate the 1983 Singapore-built vessel Amici.
  Coastal Cruisers, LLC is a family-owned business in Branford, 
Connecticut that wishes to offer charters of Long Island Sound, Block 
Island Sound, and the Thimble Islands, among other destinations in the 
United States. The Amici is equipped to carry only up to six people 
and, therefore, does not pose any threat to larger U.S. shipping 
interests.
  Prior to the Amici's purchase, the owners secured counsel to purchase 
the vessel and to establish the corporation Coastal Cruisers, LLC. They 
were aware that the vessel was foreign-built, although they had no 
knowledge of the Jones Act's restrictions on foreign-built vessels 
sailing between U.S. ports. Much to the owners' dismay, they were 
informed by the Coast Guard that their services would be in violation 
of the Jones Act only after they had applied for a vessel 
documentation.
  Coastal Cruisers, LLC clearly presented its intentions to use the 
boat for cruising purposes to several parties involved in its 
acquisition, including the insurance company from which it was 
purchased and the seller, who himself is a captain with an unrestricted 
operating license. These parties failed to inform Coastal Cruisers, LLC 
about the Jones Act and the restrictions it would face in its endeavor. 
Coastal Cruisers, LLC never willfully intended to violate the Jones 
Act, a law about which it possessed no knowledge. Based upon these 
facts, Mr. President, I believe a waiver should be granted.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2367

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION.

       Notwithstanding section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 
     (46 U.S.C. App. 883), section 8 of the Act of June 19, 1886 
     (24 Stat. 81, chapter 421; 46 U.S.C. App. 289), and sections 
     12106 and 12108 of title 46, United States Code, the 
     Secretary of Transportation may issue a certificate of 
     documentation with appropriate endorsement for employment in 
     the coastwise trade for the vessel AMICI, United States 
     official number 658055.

                         ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS


                                 S. 375

  At the request of Mr. McCain, the name of the Senator from South 
Carolina (Mr. Thurmond) was added as a cosponsor of S. 375, a bill to 
amend title II of the Social Security Act to restore the link between 
the maximum amount of earnings by blind individuals permitted without 
demonstrating ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and the 
exempt amount permitted in determining excess earnings under the 
earnings test.


                                S. 1822

  At the request of Mr. Hutchinson, his name was added as a cosponsor 
of S. 1822, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize 
provision of care to veterans treated with nasopharyngeal radium 
irradiation.


                                S. 1924

  At the request of Mr. Mack, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mr. 
Graham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1924, a bill to restore the 
standards used for determining whether technical workers are not 
employees as in effect before the Tax Reform Act of 1986.


                                S. 1993

  At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from Colorado 
(Mr. Allard) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1993, a bill to amend title 
XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the formula used to 
determine costs limits for home health agencies under medicare program, 
and for other purposes.


                                S. 1994

  At the request of Mr. McCain, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 
1994, a bill to assist States in providing individuals a credit against 
State income taxes or a comparable benefit for contributions to 
charitable organizations working to prevent or reduce poverty and to 
protect and encourage donations to charitable organizations.


                                S. 1995

  At the request of Mr. McCain, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 
1995, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the 
designation of renewal communities, and for other purposes.


                                S. 1996

  At the request of Mr. McCain, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 
1996, a bill to provide flexibility to certain local educational 
agencies that develop voluntary public and private parental choice 
programs under title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965.


                                S. 2035

  At the request of Mr. Baucus, the name of the Senator from Colorado 
(Mr. Allard) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2035, a bill to amend title 
39, United States Code, to establish guidelines for the relocation, 
closing, or consolidation of post offices, and for other purposes.
  At the request of Mr. Leahy, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 
2035, supra.


                                S. 2078

  At the request of Mr. Grassley, the name of the Senator from Texas 
(Mr. Gramm) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2078, a bill to amend the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for Farm and Ranch Risk 
Management Accounts, and for other purposes.


                                S. 2154

  At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the name of the Senator from South 
Carolina (Mr. Hollings) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2154, a bill to 
promote research to identify and evaluate the health effects of 
silicone breast implants, and to ensure that women and their doctors 
receive accurate information about such implants.


                                S. 2209

  At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from 
California (Mrs. Feinstein) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2209, a bill 
to reduce class size in the early grades and to provide for teacher 
quality improvement.


                                S. 2217

  At the request of Mr. Frist, the name of the Senator from Michigan

[[Page S9140]]

(Mr. Abraham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2217, a bill to provide 
for continuation of the Federal research investment in a fiscally 
sustainable way, and for other purposes.


                                S. 2256

  At the request of Mr. Kerry, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. 
Inouye) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2256, a bill to provide an 
authorized strength for commissioned officers of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Corps, and for other purposes.


                                S. 2259

  At the request of Mr. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from North 
Carolina (Mr. Faircloth) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2259, A bill to 
amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make certain changes 
related to payments for graduate medical education under the medicare 
program.


                                S. 2296

  At the request of Mr. Mack, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mr. 
Graham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2296, a bill to amend the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the limitation on the amount of 
receipts attributable to military property which may be treated as 
exempt foreign trade income.


                                S. 2330

  At the request of Mr. Nickles, the name of the Senator from Colorado 
(Mr. Campbell) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2330, a bill to improve 
the access and choice of patients to quality, affordable health care.


                                S. 2337

  At the request of Mr. Smith, the name of the Senator from Colorado 
(Mr. Allard) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2337, a bill to establish a 
system of registries of temporary agricultural workers to provide for a 
sufficient supply of such workers and to amend the Immigration and 
Nationality Act to streamline procedures for the admission and 
extension of stay of nonimmigrant agricultural workers, and for other 
purposes.


                                S. 2352

  At the request of Mr. Leahy, the name of the Senator from Michigan 
(Mr. Abraham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2352, a bill to protect 
the privacy rights of patients.


                                S. 2354

  At the request of Mr. Bond, the name of the Senator from South 
Carolina (Mr. Thurmond) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2354, a bill to 
amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to impose a moratorium on 
the implementation of the per beneficiary limits under the interim 
payment system for home health agencies, and to modify the standards 
for calculating the per visit cost limits and the rates for prospective 
payment systems under the medicare home health benefit to achieve fair 
reimbursement payment rates, and for other purposes.


                                S. 2358

  At the request of Mr. Rockefeller, the names of the Senator from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Feingold), the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Wellstone), 
the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. 
Biden), and the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer) were added as 
cosponsors of S. 2358, a bill to provide for the establishment of a 
service-connection for illnesses associated with service in the Persian 
Gulf War, to extend and enhance certain health care authorities 
relating to such service, and for other purposes.


                    Senate Concurrent Resolution 109

  At the request of Mr. Coverdell, the name of the Senator from South 
Carolina (Mr. Thurmond) was added as a cosponsor of Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 109, a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the 
Congress that executive departments and agencies must maintain the 
division of governmental responsibilities between the national 
government and the States that was intended by the framers of the 
Constitution, and must ensure that the principles of federalism 
established by the framers guide the executive departments and agencies 
in the formulation and implementation of policies.


                         Senate Resolution 210

  At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Nevada 
(Mr. Bryan) was added as a cosponsor of Senate Resolution 210, a 
resolution designating the week of June 22, 1998 through June 28, 1998 
as ``National Mosquito Control Awareness Week''.


                           Amendment No. 3249

  At the request of Mr. Hutchinson the names of the Senator from 
Michigan (Mr. Abraham), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Brownback), the 
Senator from Arizona (Mr. McCain), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Inhofe), the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Grams), the Senator from New 
Hampshire (Mr. Smith), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms), the 
Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. 
Coats), the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Sessions), the Senator from 
Georgia (Mr. Coverdell), and the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) were 
added as cosponsors of Amendment No. 3249 proposed to S. 2312, an 
original bill making appropriations for the Treasury Department, the 
United States Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, 
and certain Independent Agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 1999, and for other purposes.

                          ____________________