[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9996-S9997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Warner, Mr. Robb, 
        and Mr. Akaka):
  S. 1472. A bill to amend chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, United States 
Code, to modify employee contributions to the Civil Service Retirement 
System and the Federal Employees Retirement System to the percentages 
in effect before the statutory temporary increase in calendar year 
1999, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.


         Federal Employee Retirement Contributions Act of 1999

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am again pleased to join with my 
colleagues, Senators Mikulski, Warner, Robb and Akaka, in introducing 
the Federal Employee Retirement Contributions Act of 1999. This bill 
makes a technical correction to legislation introduced last week that 
would return Federal employee retirement contribution rates to their 
1998 levels, effective January 1st, 2000. It is my belief that the 
temporarily increased retirement contributions enacted as part of the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997 represent an unfair penalty against Federal 
workers at a time when budget surpluses are predicted into the next ten 
years.
  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. 1472

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Employee Retirement 
     Contributions Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. DEDUCTIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND DEPOSITS.

       (a) Civil Service Retirement System.--The table under 
     section 8334(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the matter relating to an employee by striking:

       

 ``7.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   7.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     7  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``7  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (2) in the matter relating to a Member or employee for 
     Congressional employee service by striking:

       

 ``7.9  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
     8  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
   7.5  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

 ``7.5  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (3) in the matter relating to a Member for Member service 
     by striking:

       

 ``8.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   8.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     8  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``8  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (4) in the matter relating to a law enforcement officer for 
     law enforcement service and firefighter for firefighter 
     service by striking:

       

 ``7.9  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
     8  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
   7.5  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

 ``7.5  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (5) in the matter relating to a bankruptcy judge by 
     striking:

       

 ``8.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   8.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     8  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``8  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (6) in the matter relating to a judge of the United States 
     Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for service as a judge 
     of that court by striking:

       

 ``8.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   8.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     8  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``8  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (7) in the matter relating to a United States magistrate by 
     striking:

       

 ``8.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   8.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     8  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``8  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (8) in the matter relating to a Court of Federal Claims 
     judge by striking:

       

 ``8.4  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
   8.5  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
     8  After December 31, 2002.'';
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   ``8  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

       (9) in the matter relating to the Capitol Police by 
     striking:

       

 ``7.9  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
     8  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
   7.5  After December 31, 2002.''.
 

     and inserting the following:

       

 ``7.5  After December 31, 1999.'';
 

     and
       (10) in the matter relating to a nuclear material courier 
     by striking:

       

 ``7.9  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
     8  January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
   7.5  After December 31, 2002.''.
 

     and inserting the following:

       

   7.5  After December 31, 1999.''.
 

       (b) Federal Employees' Retirement System.--Section 8422(a) 
     of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for 
     civilian service shall be as follows:

       

``Employee............................       7  January 1, 1987, to
                                                 December 31, 1998.
                                          7.25  January 1, 1999, to
                                                 December 31, 1999.
                                             7  After December 31, 1999.
Congressional employee................     7.5  January 1, 1987, to
                                                 December 31, 1998.
                                          7.75  January 1, 1999, to
                                                 December 31, 1999.
                                           7.5  After December 31, 1999.
Member................................     7.5  January 1, 1987, to
                                                 December 31, 1998.
                                          7.75  January 1, 1999, to
                                                 December 31, 1999.
                                           7.5  After December 31, 1999.
Law enforcement officer, firefighter,      7.5  January 1, 1987, to
 member of the Capitol Police, or air            December 31, 1998.
 traffic controller.

[[Page S9997]]

 
                                          7.75  January 1, 1999, to
                                                 December 31, 1999.
                                           7.5  After December 31, 1999.
Nuclear materials courier.............       7  January 1, 1987, to the
                                                 day before the date of
                                                 enactment of the strom
                                                 Thurmond National
                                                 Defense Authorization
                                                 Act for Fiscal Year
                                                 1999.
                                          7.75  The date of enactment of
                                                 the Strom Thurmond
                                                 National Defense
                                                 Authorization Act for
                                                 Fiscal Year 1999 to
                                                 December 31, 1998.
                                          7.75  January 1, 1999, to
                                                 December 31, 1999.
                                           7.5  After December 31,
                                                 1999.''.
 

     SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO MILITARY AND 
                   VOLUNTEER SERVICE UNDER FERS.

       (a) Military Service.--Section 8422(e)(6) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(6) The percentage of basic pay under section 204 of 
     title 37 payable under paragraph (1), with respect to any 
     period of military service performed during January 1, 1999, 
     through December 31, 1999, shall be 3.25 percent.''.
       (b) Volunteer Service.--Section 8422(f)(4) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) The percentage of the readjustment allowance or 
     stipend (as the case may be) payable under paragraph (1), 
     with respect to any period of volunteer service performed 
     during January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, shall be 
     3.25 percent.''.

     SEC. 4. OTHER FEDERAL RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

       (a) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability 
     System.--
       (1) Deductions, withholdings, and deposits.--Section 
     7001(c)(2) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 
     105-33; 111 Stat. 659) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Individual deductions, withholdings, and deposits.--
     Notwithstanding section 211(a)(1) of the Central Intelligence 
     Agency Retirement Act (50 U.S.C. 2021(a)(1)) beginning on 
     January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, the percentage 
     deducted and withheld from the basic pay of an employee 
     participating in the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement 
     and Disability System shall be 7.25 percent.''.
       (2) Military service.--Section 252(h)(1)(A) of the Central 
     Intelligence Agency Retirement Act (50 U.S.C. 2082(h)(1)(A)), 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(h)(1)(A) Each participant who has performed military 
     service before the date of separation on which entitlement to 
     an annuity under this title is based may pay to the Agency an 
     amount equal to 7 percent of the amount of basic pay paid 
     under section 204 of title 37, United States Code, to the 
     participant for each period of military service after 
     December 1956; except, the amount to be paid for military 
     service performed beginning on January 1, 1999, through 
     December 31, 1999, shall be 7.25 percent of basic pay.''.
       (b) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7001(d)(2) of the Balanced Budget 
     Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33; 111 Stat. 660) is amended by 
     striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 805(a)(1) of the 
     Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4045(a)(1)), beginning 
     on January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, the amount 
     withheld and deducted from the basic pay of a participant in 
     the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System shall be 
     7.25 percent.
       ``(B) Foreign service criminal investigators/inspectors of 
     the office of the inspector general, agency for international 
     development.--Notwithstanding section 805(a)(2) of the 
     Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4045(a)(2)), beginning 
     on January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, the amount 
     withheld and deducted from the basic pay of an eligible 
     Foreign Service criminal investigator/inspector of the Office 
     of the Inspector General, Agency for International 
     Development participating in the Foreign Service Retirement 
     and Disability System shall be 7.75 percent.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 805(d)(1) of the Foreign 
     Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4045(d)(1)) is amended in the 
     table in the matter following subparagraph (B) by striking:

       

``January 1, 1970, through December 31, 1998, inclusive                7
January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, inclusive               7.25
January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, inclusive                7.4
January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2002, inclusive                7.5
After December 31, 2002                                             7''.
 

     and inserting the following:

       

``January 1, 1970, through December 31, 1998, inclusive                7
January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, inclusive               7.25
After December 31, 1999                                            7.''.
 

       (c) Foreign Service Pension System.--
       (1) In general.--Section 856(a)(2) of the Foreign Service 
     Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4071e(a)(2)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2) The applicable percentage under this subsection shall 
     be as follows:

       

 ``7.5  Before January 1, 1999.
  7.75  January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
   7.5  After December 31, 1999.''.
 

       (2) Volunteer service.--Section 854(c)(1) of the Foreign 
     Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4071c(c)(1)) is amended by 
     striking all after ``volunteer service;'' and inserting 
     ``except, the amount to be paid for volunteer service 
     beginning on January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, 
     shall be 3.25 percent.''.

     SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect on December 31, 1999.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. ROBB (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Lugar, 
        Mr. Torricelli, Ms. Snowe, and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 1473. A bill to amend section 2007 of the Social Security Act to 
provide grant funding for additional Empowerment Zones, Enterprise 
Communities, and Strategic Planning Communities, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Finance.


            EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES ACT

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today 
important legislation that will help low-income rural and urban areas 
nationwide reinvigorate their communities.
  The Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Act will fully fund 
the Round II Enterprise Zones authorized by Congress in 1997. The 
Enterprise Zones/Enterprise Community (EZ/ECs) concept combines tax 
credits and social service grants to promote long-term economic 
revitalization. The most important aspect of Enterprise Zones are their 
inclusive approach--by design--so local government, the private sector 
and non-profit and civic groups together create a vision and a plan to 
implement that vision, with the federal government playing a supportive 
role rather than the lead role.
  I'm sure many Senators can point with pride to the successes within 
their own states, but I'd like to take a moment to talk about the 
Norfolk-Portsmouth Enterprise Zone (EZ) in my state of Virginia. The 
Norfolk-Portsmouth EZ won its new designation in 1997. One of the many 
services Norfolk-Portsmouth provides through Norfolk Works, Inc. the 
entity implementing the many activities of the EZ, are GED classes and 
job training and apprenticeship programs. There's even a Multi-media 
Training Course, which includes an 15-week internship at a media 
company. Norfolk Works also recruits and screen applicants for jobs. 
And they don't do this alone: Norfolk Works coordinates with many 
agencies, organizations and businesses to help the residents within the 
Norfolk-Portsmouth Zone. Already, the Norfolk Works has produced 
impressive results--from May 1995 to June 1999, 60 percent of those 
completing training are employed with another 16% involved in 
additional training.
  The success of the Norfolk-Portsmouth Enterprise Zone is just one 
example of the promise and results of Enterprise Zones. But unlike 
Round I EZ/ECs, Round II EZ/ECs did not receive the Social Service 
Block Grant (SSBG) that provides resources for social services such as 
job training and child care which complements the tax incentives and 
bonding authority already approved.
  Communities competed for these designations with the understanding 
that Congress would give them the full funding to implement their 
vision. We have a responsibility to fulfill our obligations to these 
communities, that worked very hard to win the resources to make their 
vision a reality.
  I look forward to working with our colleagues to fulfill this 
promise.

                          ____________________