[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S303-S304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, very shortly we will be joined by the 
minority leader, Senator Daschle, who will speak to the issue at hand. 
Of course, the issue is one that is positively dwarfed by the events 
that will occur in this Chamber later this evening. It is very 
difficult to stand here in the context of the impeachment trial and to 
speak of legislation, but I think we would be remiss in our 
responsibilities to the American people if we did not realize that 
although the impeachment trial is an important constitutional 
responsibility, we have other responsibilities to the American people, 
as well.
  The Democratic package, leadership package, of legislation speaks to 
specific issues which many families across America consider paramount 
in their lives. I think it is a very realistic and a very forward-
looking approach to the problems which challenge us. It addresses the 
day-to-day issues that matter the most to the American people: Health 
care, education, income security, crime, child care, a safe and stable 
food supply, and other critical issues.
  I am sorry to report that the last Congress--the last 2 years of 
Congress

[[Page S304]]

on Capitol Hill--was largely unproductive. The results of the last 
national election, I think, verified the fact that most people were 
disappointed by the outcome of the 105th Congress. There were so many 
opportunities missed in that Congress, so many chances to make real 
changes to improve life in America that were squandered. We failed to 
address patients' rights, we failed to reduce tobacco use by our 
children, we failed to reform the sorry state of campaign financing, 
and increase the minimum wage. In each instance, we were stymied by the 
other side of the aisle that simply did not want to deal with these 
issues.
  It appears that the only issue of great moment--and I say that 
advisedly--was the decision to rename Washington National Airport after 
our former President, Ronald Reagan. Sadly, many of my colleagues in 
the Senate, once they had achieved that, decided to go straight to the 
airport and catch a plane and go home instead of sticking around and 
working on the issues for which we were called to Washington.
  I think the American people have other things on their minds, and I 
think they are looking to us for leadership.
  I am happy at this point to yield the floor to the Democratic leader, 
our minority leader in the U.S. Senate, who will speak to the agenda 
which we will try to forcefully address during this session of 
Congress.

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