[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE NEW MILLENNIUM CLASSROOMS ACT

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to engage in a brief 
colloquy with the Majority Leader regarding the New Millennium 
Classrooms Act. Last week, the Abraham-Wyden New Millennium Classrooms 
Act amendment the the Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999 was cleared on both 
sides of the aisle and accepted by the full United States Senate. This 
bill provided tax incentives for businesses to donate both new and used 
computers to K-12 schools and senior centers. The Senate's approval of 
this amendment demonstrates our strong commitment to provide school 
children--especially those children who live in impoverished areas--
access to up-to-date computer technology and the Internet. 
Unfortunately, despite the Senate's strong support for this measure, I 
understand that it was opposed by the House conferees to the Taxpayer 
Refund Act.
  Mr. LOTT. The Senator from Michigan is correct. The New Millennium 
Classrooms Act was not included in the House-passed tax bill, and was 
later omitted from the final tax conference report at the request of 
House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer. I would say that to the 
Senator from Michigan that your New Millennim Classrooms Act remains a 
top legislative priority for our Senate Republican High Tech Task 
Force. Accordingly, I will continue to work with you to find a way to 
secure final Congressional approval of this important pro-technology, 
pro-education initiative.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. I thank the Majority Leader for his support.

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