[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3764-S3765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TAX BENEFITS

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the clerk will 
report.
  The legislative assistant read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1376) to extend the tax benefits available 
     with respect to services performed in a combat zone to 
     services performed in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 
     (Serbia/Montenegro) and certain other areas, and for other 
     purposes.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise in support of the military tax-
filing fairness bill that passed the Senate earlier today. This is an 
important signal of support to send to our troops in the Balkans as 
they fight against the forces of ethnic cleansing, mass murder, and 
genocide. All Americans should be proud of the dedication and 
professionalism shown by our military personnel in the ongoing NATO 
operation.
  While I am very pleased that we were able to pass this legislation, I 
am disappointed that I was unable to offer an amendment that would call 
on Secretary Cohen to do everything in his power to ensure that both 
parents in dual military couples are not deployed into a combat area.
  As the number of United States personnel slated for the Balkans 
increases--and as there is an increased possibility of a Reserve call-
up--I am concerned that situations may arise where children will have 
to watch both of their parents deployed in combat. It is difficult 
enough for children to watch one parent go off to war. It is 
unacceptable that they should have to see both of their parents put in 
harm's way.
  I hope that we will have the opportunity to discuss this matter 
further

[[Page S3765]]

and to come up with a solution that protects our children while 
maintaining our military effectiveness.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the pending 
legislation.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There appears to be a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the third reading of the 
bill.
  The bill was read a third time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Shall the bill pass? On this 
question, the yeas and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the 
roll.
  The legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. 
Hutchinson) and the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Campbell) are 
necessarily absent.
  Mr. REID. I announce that the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer) 
and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy) are necessarily absent.
  I also announce that the Senator from New York (Mr. Moynihan) is 
absent due to surgery.
  I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from 
Vermont (Mr. Leahy) and the Senator from New York (Mr. Moynihan) would 
each vote ``aye.''
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Santorum). Are there any other Senators in 
the Chamber desiring to vote?
  The result was announced--yeas 95, nays 0, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 87 Leg.]

                                YEAS--95

     Abraham
     Akaka
     Allard
     Ashcroft
     Baucus
     Bayh
     Bennett
     Biden
     Bingaman
     Bond
     Breaux
     Brownback
     Bryan
     Bunning
     Burns
     Byrd
     Chafee
     Cleland
     Cochran
     Collins
     Conrad
     Coverdell
     Craig
     Crapo
     Daschle
     DeWine
     Dodd
     Domenici
     Dorgan
     Durbin
     Edwards
     Enzi
     Feingold
     Feinstein
     Fitzgerald
     Frist
     Gorton
     Graham
     Gramm
     Grams
     Grassley
     Gregg
     Hagel
     Harkin
     Hatch
     Helms
     Hollings
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Inouye
     Jeffords
     Johnson
     Kennedy
     Kerrey
     Kerry
     Kohl
     Kyl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lincoln
     Lott
     Lugar
     Mack
     McCain
     McConnell
     Mikulski
     Murkowski
     Murray
     Nickles
     Reed
     Reid
     Robb
     Roberts
     Rockefeller
     Roth
     Santorum
     Sarbanes
     Schumer
     Sessions
     Shelby
     Smith (NH)
     Smith (OR)
     Snowe
     Specter
     Stevens
     Thomas
     Thompson
     Thurmond
     Torricelli
     Voinovich
     Warner
     Wellstone
     Wyden

                             NOT VOTING--5

     Boxer
     Campbell
     Hutchinson
     Leahy
     Moynihan
  The bill (H.R. 1376) was passed.
 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, if today I were not in my home 
state of Arkansas, I would surely be on the floor of the Senate casting 
an affirmative vote for H.R. 1376. I believe this Congress should pass 
this important legislation unanimously, so that it can be quickly sent 
to the President for enrollment into public law.
  Any time the men and women of our great country choose to wear our 
nation's uniform, they are making a statement. They are saying that 
principles like duty, honor and freedom are more important than 
personal gain and personal comfort. Any reasonable action the Congress 
can undertake to ease the Federal burden weighing on our soldiers, 
sailors, airmen and marines is one that should be considered and acted 
upon quickly.
  Recognizing the area around Kosovo, where our military is deployed 
under orders from the President, as a hazardous duty area for Internal 
Revenue code purposes will grant service members a small degree of 
relief. Allowing service members an additional 180 days to file their 
federal income tax return, and exempting a portion of their income from 
taxation may be only a small gesture of support, but it is one that has 
already been earned.
  I will continue to keep the men and women participating in Operation 
Allied Force in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to their 
safe and speedy return.
  Mr. GRAMS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Smith of Oregon). The Senator from 
Minnesota is recognized.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, may I ask the order of business on the 
floor?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 60 minutes.
  Mr. GRAMS. Thank you, very much.

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