[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1126-D1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                          Thursday, October 8, 1998

[[Page D1126]]


                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      The House agreed to H. Res. 581, authorizing the Committee on the 
      Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the 
      impeachment of the President of the United States.
      Senate passed Internet Tax Freedom Act.
      Senate agreed to VA/HUD Appropriations Conference Report, 
      Intelligence Authorizations Conference Report, Carl D. Perkins 
      Tech-Prep Education Act Conference Report.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S11831-S12089
Measures Introduced: Nineteen bills and four resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 2577-2595, S. Res. 292 and 293, and S. Con. 
Res. 125 and 126.
  Page S11970
Measures Reported: Reports were made as follows:
  S. 109, to provide Federal housing assistance to Native Hawaiians, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 105-380)
  Report to accompany S. 777, to authorize the construction of the 
Lewis and Clark Rural Water System and to authorize assistance to the 
Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, for 
planning and construction of the water supply system, passed by the 
Senate. (S. Rept. No. 105-381)
  Special report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees 
of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 1999''. (S. Rept. No. 105-382)
  S. Res. 260, expressing the sense of the Senate that October 11, 
1998, should be designated as ``National Children's Day''.
  S. Res. 271, designating October 16, 1998, as ``National Mammography 
Day''.
  S. 2024, to increase the penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine 
in order to equalize those penalties with the penalties for trafficking 
in crack cocaine.
  S. Con. Res. 83, remembering the life of George Washington and his 
contributions to the Nation.
Pages S11968-69
Measures Passed:
  Internet Tax Freedom Act: By 96 yeas to 2 nays (Vote No. 308), Senate 
passed S. 442, to establish a national policy against State and local 
government interference with interstate commerce on the Internet or 
interactive computer services, and to exercise Congressional 
jurisdiction over interstate commerce by establishing a moratorium on 
the imposition of exactions that would interfere with the free flow of 
commerce via the Internet, after taking action on further amendments 
proposed thereto, as follows:
  Pages S11847-65
Adopted:
  McCain/Wyden Modified Amendment No. 3719, to make changes in the 
moratorium provision, as amended.
Page S11847
  McCain/Wyden Modified Amendment No. 3711, to define the term 
``discriminatory tax''.
Pages S11847-53
  Also, Amendment No. 3718, agreed to on October 7, 1998, was further 
modified.
Page S11853
  Aviator Continuation Pay: Senate passed S. 2584, to provide aviator 
continuation pay for military members killed in Operation Desert 
Shield.
  Page S11902
  Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building: Committee on Rules and 
Administration was discharged from further consideration of S. Con. 
Res. 120, to redesignate the United States Capitol Police headquarters 
building located at 119 D Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C., as the 
``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building'', and the resolution was 
then agreed to.
  Pages S12035-36

[[Page D1127]]

  Noncitizen Benefit Clarification: Senate passed H.R. 4558, to make 
technical amendments to clarify the provision of benefits for 
noncitizens, and to improve the provision of unemployment insurance, 
child support, and supplemental security income benefits, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S12036
  Vietnam Veterans of America 20th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. 
Res. 207, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the 
Vietnam Veterans of America.
  Pages S12043-44
  Torture Victims Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 4309, to provide a 
comprehensive program of support for victims of torture, after agreeing 
to the following amendment proposed thereto:
  Page S12044
  Jeffords (for Grams) Amendment No. 3792, to provide funds for 
assistance for domestic centers and programs for the treatment of 
victims of torture.
Page S12044
  Persian Gulf War Veterans Act: Senate passed S. 2358, to provide for 
the establishment of a presumption of service-connection for illnesses 
associated with service in the Persian Gulf War, and to extend and 
enhance certain health care authorities relating to such service, after 
agreeing to committee amendments.
  Pages S12044-51
  Next Generation Internet Research Act: Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration 
of H.R. 3332, to amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1999 and 2000 for the Next 
Generation Internet program, to require the Advisory Committee on High-
Performance Computing and Communications, Information Technology, and 
the Next Generation Internet to monitor and give advice concerning the 
development and implementation of the Next Generation Internet program 
and report to the President and the Congress on its activities, and the 
bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                        Pages S12051-52
  Federal Research Investment Act: Senate passed S. 2217, to provide 
for continuation of the Federal research investment in a fiscally 
sustainable way, after agreeing to a committee amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
  Pages S12052-54
  Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act: Senate passed S. 2238, to reform 
unfair and anticompetitive practices in the professional boxing 
industry, after agreeing to a committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  Pages S12054-56
  Automated Entry-Exit Control System Extension: Senate passed H.R. 
4658, to extend the date by which an automated entry-exit control 
system must be developed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S12056
  Drug Free Borders Act: Senate passed H.R. 3809, to authorize 
appropriations for the United States Customs Service for fiscal years 
2000 and 2001, after agreeing to a committee amendment in the nature of 
a substitute.
  Pages S12056-59
  Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act: Senate passed H.R. 
3903, to provide for an exchange of lands located near Gustavus, 
Alaska, after taking action on the following amendment proposed 
thereto:
  Page S12061
  Jeffords (for Murkowski) Amendment No. 3794, to make technical and 
clarifying changes.
Page S12061
  Mahatma Gandhi Memorial: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4284, to authorize 
the Government of India to establish a memorial to honor Mahatma Gandhi 
in the District of Columbia, and the bill was then passed, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Pages S12061-62
  National Observances: Senate passed S. 2524, to clarify without 
substantive change laws related to Patriotic and National Observances, 
Ceremonies, and Organizations and to improve the United States Code. 
                                                            Page S12062
  Community-Designed Charter Schools: Committee on Labor and Human 
Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2616, to 
amend titles VI and X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to improve and expand charter schools, and the bill was then 
passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                            Page S12069
  Jeffords (for Coats) Amendment No. 3795, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Page S12069
  Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act: Senate passed S. 1970, 
to require the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to 
provide assistance in the conservation of neotropical migratory birds, 
after withdrawing the committee amendments, and agreeing to the 
following amendment proposed thereto:
  Pages S12069-73
  Jeffords (for Chafee) Amendment No. 3796, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Pages S12071-73
  Black Patriots Foundation: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
was discharged from further consideration of S. 2427, to amend the 
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the 
legislative authority for the Black Patriots Foundation to establish a 
commemorative work, and the bill was then passed.
  Page S12073

[[Page D1128]]

  Water Resources Development Act: Senate passed S. 2131, to provide 
for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to 
authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for 
improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, after agreeing 
to a committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the 
following amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S12073-87
  Jeffords (for Chafee) Amendment No. 3798, to make certain technical 
corrections.
Pages S12083-87
  Jeffords (for Chafee) Amendment No. 3799, to provide for further 
water resource programs.
Pages S12083-87
  Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act: Senate passed S. 361, to amend 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the sale, import, and 
export of products labeled as containing endangered species, after 
agreeing to a committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and 
the following amendment proposed thereto:
  Pages S12087-89
  Jeffords (for Chafee) Amendment No. 3797, of a technical nature. 
                                                            Page S12088
  Ireland Cultural and Training Program: Senate passed H.R. 4293, to 
establish a cultural and training program for disadvantaged individuals 
from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, clearing the measure 
for the President.
  Page S12089
Passage Vitiated: Senate vitiated passage of the following bills:
  Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act: H.R. 3903, to 
provide for an exchange of lands located near Gustavus, Alaska. (Passed 
October, 2, 1998)
  Page S12061
  Lewis and Clark Rural Water System Act: S. 777, to authorize the 
construction of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System and to authorize 
assistance to the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc., a nonprofit 
corporation, for planning and construction of the water supply system. 
(Passed October 7, 1998.)
  Page S12036
Freedom From Religious Persecution Act: Senate began consideration of 
H.R. 2431, to establish an Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring, 
and to provide for the imposition of sanctions against countries 
engaged in a pattern of religious persecution, taking action on the 
following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                     Pages S11907-11, S11942-52, S11960
Adopted:
  Nickles Amendment No. 3789, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                     Pages S11907-11, S11942-52, S11960
  Prior to this action, the cloture motion was vitiated.
Page S11907
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing further 
consideration of the bill on Friday, October 9, 1998, with a vote to 
occur thereon at 9:45 a.m.
Page S11885
Financial Services Act: Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 10, to 
enhance competition in the financial services industry by providing a 
prudential framework for the affiliation of banks, securities firms, 
and other financial service providers, with a committee amendment in 
the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S11912-42, S11960
VA/HUD Appropriations Conference Report: By 96 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 
307), Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 4194, making 
appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and 
Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, 
commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 1999, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                        Pages S11833-47
Head Start/Low-Income Energy Assistance/Community Services Block Grant 
Authorizations--Conference Report: Senate agreed to the conference 
report on S. 2206, to amend the Head Start Act, the Low-Income Home 
Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant 
Act to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, and to 
establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for 
persons with limited means to accumulate assets.
  Pages S11865-72
WIPO Copyright Treaties Implementation Act-Conference Report: Senate 
agreed to the conference report on H.R. 2281, to amend title 17, United 
States Code, to implement the World Intellectual Property Organization 
Copyright Treaty and Performances and Phonograms Treaty, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Pages S11887-92
Intelligence Authorizations Conference Report: Senate agreed to the 
conference report on H.R. 3694, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 1999 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the 
Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Pages S11902-07
Carl D. Perkins Tech-Prep Education Act Conference Report: Senate 
agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1853, to amend the Carl D. 
Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. 
                                                        Pages S12034-35
Crime Identification Technology Act: Senate concurred in the amendment 
of the House to S. 2022, to provide for the improvement of interstate 
criminal justice identification, information, communications, and 
forensics, clearing the measure for the President.
  Pages S12036-43

[[Page D1129]]

Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act: Senate concurred in the 
amendments of the House to S. 417, to extend energy conservation 
programs under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act through September 
30, 2002, with the following amendment:
  Pages S12059-61
  Jeffords (for Murkowski/Akaka) Amendment No. 3793, to extend certain 
programs under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the Energy 
Conservation and Production Act.
Pages S12060-61
Commercial Space Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to 
the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1702, to encourage the development 
of a commercial space industry in the United States, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Pages S12064-69
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 57 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 309EX), William A. Fletcher, of 
California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. 
                                                        Pages S11872-85
  Robert Bruce King, of West Virginia, to be United States Circuit 
Judge for the Fourth Circuit.
  H. Dean Buttram, Jr., of Alabama, to be United States District Judge 
for the Northern District of Alabama.
  Inge Prytz Johnson, of Alabama, to be United States District Judge 
for the Northern District of Alabama.
Page S11884
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  John A. Moran, of Virginia, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for 
the term expiring June 30, 2000.
  Kenneth M. Bresnahan, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Department of Labor.
  Timothy F. Geithner, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of the 
Treasury.
  Gary Gensler, of Maryland, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury.
  Edwin M. Truman, of Maryland, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the 
Treasury.
  Timothy Fields, Jr., of Virginia, to be Assistant Administrator, 
Office of Solid Waste, Environmental Protection Agency.
Page S11885
Nominations Withdrawn:Senate received notification of the withdrawal of 
the following nomination:
  John A. Moran, of Virginia, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner, 
which was sent to the Senate on October 5, 1998.
Page S11885
Messages From the House:
  Page S11966
Measures Referred:
  Pages S11966-67
Communications:
  Pages S11967-68
Petitions:
  Psage S11968
Executive Reports of Committees:
  Page S11969-70
Statements on Introduced Bills:
  Pages S11971-89
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages S11990-91
Amendments Submitted:
  Pages S11992-S12015
Authority for Committees:
  Page S12015
Additional Statements:
  Pages S12015-27
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--309) 
                                        Pages S11847, S11857-58, S11884
Recess: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and recessed at 9:20 p.m., until 
9:30 a.m., on Friday, October 9, 1998. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S11885.)