[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14971-S14975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TICKET TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999--CONFERENCE 
                           REPORT--Continued

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I am pleased with the progress we have made 
in two very important areas on issues that will affect the lives of 
Americans everywhere. This legislation--the Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act of 1999--will go a long way toward improving 
the quality of life for millions of Americans with disabilities. At the 
same time, important provisions within this legislation--provisions 
that extend important tax and trade relief provisions--will bring 
meaningful relief and increased opportunities to individuals and 
families. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act will 
help Americans with disabilities live richer, more productive lives. 
Its core purpose is to assist disabled individuals in returning to 
work. It removes the real risk many people with disabilities face of 
losing their health insurance, and it provides new ways of helping them 
find and keep meaningful employment.
  Is there any question how important this is?
  Millions of Americans with disabilities are waiting for the vote. 
They are waiting to be freed from a disability system that stifles 
initiative and thwarts productivity rather than rewarding them--a 
system that tells individuals with disabilities that if they leave 
their homes and try to find productive employment they will lose their 
access to health insurance. The current system isn't right, Mr. 
President. It isn't productive. And it certainly is not ennobling.
  Under current law, if a person with a disability wants to return to 
work--even taking a job with modest earnings--he or she will jeopardize 
access to insurance coverage through the Medicaid and Medicare 
programs. And as many individuals with disabilities have difficulties 
securing private sector insurance coverage, losing access to Medicaid 
or Medicare is not an option. In fact, it's a tragic consequence for 
many people with medical conditions that demand ongoing treatment. As a 
result, the only recourse these individuals have is to forego the 
opportunity to work--to build and grow professionally and personally--
and to stay at home.
  No one, Mr. President, should be forced to choose between health care 
and employment. Robbing an individual of the opportunity to work 
becomes a double tragedy in the life of someone who is living with a 
disability. It's been said that work is the process by which dreams 
become realities. It is the process by which idle visions become 
dynamic achievements. Work spells the difference in the life of a man 
or woman. It stretches minds, utilizes skills and lifts us from 
mediocrity.
  No one should have to choose between health care and work, and 
passage of the Work Incentives Improvement Act will make that choice 
unnecessary. By acting on this legislation today, the Senate will offer 
new promise to millions of Americans with disabilities. This 
legislation will help promote their independence and personal growth. 
It will help restore confidence and meaning in their lives--and greater 
security in the lives of their families.
  But this legislation is not about big government. We do not tell the 
states what they must do. There are no mandates. And we do not tell 
individuals with disabilities what they must do. We create options. We 
create choices. And choice is the essence of independence, isn't it?
  The unemployment rate among working-age adults with severe 
disabilities is nearly 75 percent. What a tragic consequence of errant 
public policy that discourages those who can and want to work from 
attaining their desires. It's my firm belief that this number will come 
down--it will come down dramatically as we pass this law allowing them 
to return to the workplace. My belief is based in part on the fact that 
over 300 groups of disability advocates, health care providers, and 
insurers endorse this change and are anxiously waiting for us to act.

  These groups and individuals are not the only Americans watching what 
we do here today. Along with them, are countless other who are looking 
to this legislation to extend important tax and trade relief provisions 
that are included in the work incentives bill.
  These provisions are ``must do'' business. Like appropriations, 
extenders are provisions that we have an obligation to address before 
we conclude this session. They are necessary fixes to our Tax Code, and 
will go a long way toward helping families and creating greater 
economic opportunity in our communities.
  Among the important provisions contained in these extenders is one 
that excludes nonrefundable tax credits from the alternative minimum 
tax (``AMT''). This change alone will insure that middle-income 
families receive the benefits of the $500 per child tax credit, the 
HOPE Scholarship credit, the Lifetime Learning credit, the adoption 
credit, and the dependent care tax credit. In this legislation, such 
relief is extended through December 31, 2002.
  Another important provision in this legislation extends and expands 
the tax credit for production of energy from wind and closed loop 
biomass. This important alternative energy provision expired on June 
30, 1999. In this legislation, the tax credit is expanded to cover 
poultry litter-based biomass, and it is extended through December 31, 
2001. For my home State of Delaware and many other poultry producing 
regions, this provision provides an important option for the 
disposition of poultry litter in a way that will be beneficial and 
productive.
  Other important expiring tax provisions included in this legislation 
are a 5-year extension and enhancement of the research and development 
tax credit and the tax-free treatment of employer-provided educational 
assistance. I can't overstate how important the R&D credit is to the 
high-tech community and many other important leading American economic 
sectors. The extension offered in this legislation will give businesses 
the certainty they need and will result in more and higher paid jobs 
for American workers. And as far as employer-provided educational 
assistance, I've made it clear that my goal is to make this provision 
permanent and expand it to graduate education. I know this is an 
important goal for Senator Moynihan as well. Over one million workers 
will benefit from this extension, and under this legislation, the 
provision is extended through the end of 2001 for undergraduate 
education.
  But, Mr. President, important extenders do not stop here. This 
legislation will also extend incentives designed to help Americans move 
from welfare to work through the end of 2001. These incentives include 
the work opportunity tax credit and the welfare to work tax credit.
  Other extenders include the active finance exception to Subpart F--a 
provision that puts our banks, insurance, and securities firms on equal 
footing with their foreign competitors in overseas markets--and five 
other important tax provisions that are scheduled to expire. These 
provisions, which are extended through the end of 2001, include the 
``brownfields'' expansing treatment of environmental cleanup costs. In 
addition, the school repair and renovation costs of some school 
districts are met by an extension of the qualified zone academy bond 
program.
  But the provisions included in this legislation are not limited to 
tax relief. We also include some important trade issues. For example, 
we extend the Generalized System of Preferences, as well as Trade 
Adjustment Assistance programs. Both of these trade provisions are 
extended through the end of 2001. Beyond these, there are several 
revenue raising provisions that we've included. Most of these, I am 
pleased to report, close loopholes in the Tax Code raising some $3 
billion in return.
  When all is said and done with this legislation, Mr. President, I am 
pleased that the tax relief in this bill amounts to a net tax of $15.8 
billion over 5 years and $18.4 billion over 10.

[[Page S14972]]

  There's no question that what have before us is a dynamic piece of 
legislation. From providing hope and opportunity to Americans with 
disabilities to extending and expanding important tax provisions for 
individuals and families, this is a comprehensive package. It has been 
carefully constructed, debated, and addressed in conference. It include 
that efforts of many of our colleagues and countless hours of staff 
work.
  I want to thank several Senators who have worked closely with me over 
the past year to bring the work incentives bill to the floor--Senators 
Moynihan, Jeffords, Kennedy, and Bunning. Passage of the Work 
Incentives Improvement Act has been one of my top health care 
priorities during this Congress. It would have been impossible without 
close, productive, bipartisan cooperation. Likewise, the effort we've 
made to address the important tax and trade extenders. Without the work 
and cooperation of my distinguished friend and the Finance Committee's 
Ranking Democratic Member, Senator Moynihan, we wouldn't be here today 
with a conference agreement.
  In closing, let me also mention that there are two provisions in this 
bill outside the Finance Committee's jurisdiction, one dealing with the 
organ donor and the other dealing with a NOAA procurement matter. I ask 
my colleagues to join us in seeing that all of these important 
provisions are passed into law.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from New York is 
recognized.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I do wish there were more Members 
present that we might rise in a general applause to the Senator from 
Delaware, chairman of the Finance Committee. I refer to him as our 
revered colleague. This legislation could not be here, most of it would 
not have been conceived, without him. It is a triumph against what has 
become our procedures that it is here today and will shortly be 
approved.
  Millions of Americans who will not know that he has done this will 
benefit from what he has done, and that, for him, will be sufficient 
knowledge and reward. I want to say that.
  I don't want to speak at length because other Senators wish to join 
in this matter. I simply make two points. One is how very much I 
appreciate the chairman's mention of the importance of providing 
employer education assistance for graduate students. Go to any major 
metropolis in this country, any area where there is a college, and find 
night schools where young America and not so young come to acquire 
further skills and greater economic capacity.
  Nothing could be more clearly in our national interests. It will go 
on whether we have a tax credit or not, but on the margins, it is 
important, first, recognizing the need for new skills, recognizing the 
need for developing new areas. Send our own employees to graduate 
school. Let them get this further degree while they are on the job, 
come back, be promoted, earn more, and be more valuable.
  I spoke with our friend, the House majority leader, Mr. Armey. Of 
course he is a distinguished economist. He noted the last 5 years he 
was teaching, he was teaching at night school and teaching people who 
wanted to be there. They didn't have to be there to play soccer--put it 
that way.
  I would secondly like to note, and I know the chairman would agree, 
absent from our measure today are two matters reported from the 
Committee on Finance: The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act of 1999 and 
the Caribbean Basin Initiative. They came out of the Finance Committee 
as near matter unanimous as can be--under our chairman, things come out 
of our committee unanimous. We did not suceed given the complexities of 
these negotiations this time. We will be back. I hope these matters 
will be addressed. I know on our side of the aisle, if you will, in the 
House, Representative Rangel, the ranking member in Ways and Means, my 
counterpart, very much hopes this will happen, and so do I.
  Mr. President, I would briefly note, for the Record, some important 
provision in this legislation.
  With regard to tax extenders, this bill extends the research and 
experimentation credit for five years and it extends all other 
provisions through December 31, 2001. Extending these provisions as 
long as possible was simply the right thing to do--providing certainty 
to employers and workers.
  Might I add that some of these provisions are vitally important to 
working families. If we do not, for instance, pass the alternative 
minimum tax provision, approximately 1.1 million Americans will lose 
part or all of the $500 child credit, the HOPE scholarship credit, or 
other non-refundable credits. We also, rightfully so, extend the 
Welfare-to-work and the Work opportunity credits.
  I would also like to clarify two matters with respect to a provision 
based on S. 213, which I introduced on January 19, 1999--and which is 
known as the rum cover-over provision. I am very pleased that we were 
able to increase from $10.50 to $13.25 the amount of excise taxes on 
rum that is transferred to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 
Unfortunately, procedural obstacles required a delay in most of the 
transfer from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2001. Instead, up to $20 
million will be transferred 15 days after enactment. The remainder of 
the amount will not, however, be transferred until after September 30, 
2000. However, our distinguished Finance Committee Chairman, Senator 
Roth, and Chairman Archer from the House Ways and Means Committee have 
made a commitment that, to the extend possible, the delayed payments 
will be accelerated, or interest on the delayed amounts will be 
provided for in the Africa and CBI legislation next year.
  With respect to the second matter, the rum cover-over provision, as 
passed by this body on October 29, 1999, included an additional 
transfer of 50 cents from the government of Puerto Rico to the National 
Historic Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico--the purpose of which is the 
protection and enhancement of the natural resources of Puerto Rico. 
Unfortunately, the 50 cent transfer is not included in the legislation 
before us today. However, it is my understanding that the Governor of 
Puerto Rico, the Honorable Pedro Rossello, has made the commitment to 
transfer one-sixth (45 cents), of the increase provided by this 
legislation, to the Trust. I applaud the Governor for his commitment.
  I am also very pleased that this legislation would remedy some of the 
barriers and disincentives that individuals enrolled in Federal 
disability programs face in returning to work. Many disabled Americans 
do not return to work because they must lose their health care coverage 
and because they have inadequate access to employment and 
rehabilitation services.
  In 1986, we took our first step to remove obstacles facing disabled 
Americans who want to work. Our former Finance Committee Chairman and 
Majority Leader--Senator Dole--introduced the Employment Opportunities 
for Disabled Americans Act to make permanent a demonstration project 
that enabled Supplemental Security Income--or ``SSI'' recipients to 
maintain Medicaid benefits during a transition to work. I was an 
original co-sponsor of the bill which was enacted on November 11, 1986. 
Building on that first step and other subsequent initiatives, Senators 
Jeffords, Kennedy, Roth and I introduced this work incentives bill in 
the Senate on January 28th of this year. The legislation has enjoyed 
overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the Senate 99-0 on June 16th 
and the House 412-9 on October 19.
  The bill addresses an issue of paramount concern: how to encourage 
disabled individuals to return to work. Currently, less than one-half 
of one percent of individuals receiving disability benefits now leave 
the rolls and return to work. A survey by the National Organization on 
Disability found that only 29 percent of all disabled adults are 
employed full-time or part-time, compared to 79 percent of the non-
disabled adult population. The disabled find it difficult to work 
because if they earn income above a certain level, they lose their 
disability benefits and their health care coverage. In fact, witnesses 
testifying before the Finance Committee cited the potential loss of 
health care coverage as the primary obstacle between the disabled and 
their ability to work.
  This legislation tries to remove this barrier by guaranteeing that 
working individuals with disabilities can maintain their Medicare and 
Medicaid coverage for a longer period of time. Under

[[Page S14973]]

current law, Social Security disability beneficiaries, who go back to 
work and earn a modest income, may only continue their Medicare 
coverage for four years. This legislation would permit disabled workers 
to retain their Medicare coverage for an additional four and a half 
years.
  Two important Medicaid provisions are included in this bill. The 
first would permit more lower-income disabled workers to pay premiums 
and buy into the Medicaid program. The second establishes a 
demonstration project that would provide Medicaid coverage to persons 
likely to become disabled without medical treatment. This is good 
common-sense policy: providing preventive health coverage to working 
individuals with serious medical conditions before such conditions 
worsen to a disabling level.
  This legislation does more than just extend greater health care 
coverage to the disabled. Through a program called ``Ticket to Work,'' 
it would make it easier for disabled workers to access coordinated 
vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance services. It 
provides grants to States to develop the program infrastructure and to 
perform the outreach necessary to help disabled individuals to work. 
The legislation would also ensure that a mere return to work does not 
automatically trigger eligibility reviews that could result in being 
removed form the disability rolls. In addition, it would streamline the 
process for individuals to be reinstated for disability benefits, if 
they are unable to continue working.
  Lastly, the bill funds Social Security demonstration projects on how 
best to encourage disabled individuals to return to work. For example, 
one innovative project will determine whether a sliding-scale reduction 
of disability benefits by $1 for every $2 earned would make it easier 
to go back to work. Such a result seems far more reasonable than the 
current situation where workers who earn income above a statutory limit 
lose their disability benefits entirely.
  The overwhelming support for his legislation is not surprising given 
its simple and universal goal: providing disabled Americans the 
opportunity they deserve to work and contribute to the fullest of their 
ability. For Americans with disabilities, enacting this legislation 
would take a great step forward in removing the many barriers they face 
in returning to work.
  Before I conclude, Mr. President, I did want to mention that 
regrettably, this bill includes an extraneous provision delaying 
implementation of a new regulation to improve the Nation's system of 
allocating human organs for transplant.
  Mr. President, I thank the Chairman for his commitment to this tax 
extenders and work incentive legislation. I would also like to thank 
the staffs of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Senate Finance 
Committee and the House Way and Means and Commerce Committees. Now, 
let's go home.
  Mr. ROTH. I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished Senator from 
Vermont.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. May the Chair ascertain how many minutes?
  Mr. ROTH. I yield 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from Vermont is 
recognized for 5 minutes.


                         Privilege of the Floor

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, first I ask unanimous consent Lu Zeph 
and Tom Valuck, fellows on my staff, be granted the privilege of the 
floor during consideration of the conference report.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I see the Senator from Iowa, with whom I 
have worked all these years, was here just a moment ago. I would like 
to wish him a happy 60th birthday. I am sure all of us would like to 
join in that, and I will move on now and get to the purpose of being 
here today.
  Mr. President, I am thrilled that the Senate will soon send to the 
President the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. This landmark 
legislation will open doors to jobs across the country for disabled 
Americans.
  As we all know, the Federal Government often sets policies with the 
best of intentions, and the least of common sense. There are lots of 
examples, but today's policy for disability benefits takes the prize.
  If you are disabled and don't work, you have access to federally 
funded health care. If you are disabled and you do work, you lose 
access to federally funded health care. Does it make any sense to you? 
No, it does not to me, either.
  Access to health care is important to everyone, of course, but to 
severely disabled people it is absolutely vital for the everyday needs 
of life. And the price tag for this care can be astronomical.
  Three years ago, this paradox was brought to my attention, and I 
began the process of trying to figure out how we could solve it.
  I realized that, unless and until we gave individuals with 
disabilities access to health care, they would not, could not work to 
their full potential. That is why I am so proud that we are on the 
verge of changing the law that will, at last, change the lives of 9.5 
million individuals with disabilities who have been waiting, pleading 
that we take this step.
  These millions of Americans want and will use the job training and 
job placement assistance that this legislation authorizes. They will 
benefit from the advice and guidance that will be available on the 
complicated work incentives options in Federal law. They will go to 
work, work longer hours, work more hours, and seek advancement knowing 
that their health care will be there when they need it.
  For those who look beyond what this legislation means in human terms, 
to its monetary applications, I say, you will see results. The taxpayer 
rolls will expand. Use of Federal and State public assistance programs 
will decrease. Data on the health care needs and costs of working 
individuals with severe disabilities will be collected. Private 
employers and their insurers will have data from which they may 
calculate risks and craft health care insurance options for employees 
with disabilities.
  This conference report represents sound federal policy. Last night 
our colleagues in the House, on a vote of 418 to 2, endorsed this 
policy. We must do the same. Let us celebrate and confirm the consensus 
we have achieved. Individuals with disabilities are waiting to show us 
how they are ready, willing, and able to join the workforce, support 
their families, and contribute to their communities and our national 
economy.
  The action we are taking is the next logical step in our efforts to 
ensure that disabled Americans can fully participate in our society. In 
1975 we guaranteed each child with a disability a free appropriate 
education through the precursor to the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act. In 1978, we prohibited discrimination based on 
disability in all services, programs, and employment offered by or 
through the federal government. In 1988, for the first time, we 
recognized and addressed the need to provide assistive technology to 
individuals with disabilities.
  And in 1990, we enacted the most comprehensive civil rights law for 
individuals with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  Each of these actions was a building block toward true independence 
for individuals with disabilities.
  But the promise of employment rights under the ADA was an empty one 
for millions of Americans who couldn't afford to take advantage of 
their rights. Today, we are making good on that promise.
  I want to again commend the principal cosponsors of this legislation, 
Senators Kennedy, Roth, and Moynihan for their incredible 
contributions. Five months ago, the four of us joined President Clinton 
in a room just off the Senate floor to call for enactment of this 
legislation.
  I was confident then that the day would soon come, and I am elated 
that it finally has. It is the end of the session, we are all tired, 
and some tempers are frayed. But Mr. President, as we conclude our work 
for the year and return to our states, this is one accomplishment of 
which we can all be proud.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
  The distinguished Senator from New York.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I have the pleasure to yield up to 15 
minutes to my good and old friend, the senior Senator from 
Massachusetts, who has been so instrumental in this matter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from Massachusetts 
is recognized for up to 15 minutes.

[[Page S14974]]

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I join with Senator Moynihan and Senator 
Roth in commending our colleagues on the Finance Committee for their 
strong work in helping bring us to where we are today. I thank them for 
their leadership.
  I would especially like to acknowledge Senator Jeffords, who has been 
instrumental in the development of the legislation. And I, all of us on 
this side and throughout the Senate and across the country always 
recognize the real leader on all of the disability issues, our friend 
from Iowa, Senator Harkin, who has had a lifetime of commitment on the 
issues of promoting the interests of disabled Americans. The Senate 
will welcome his comments this afternoon.
  Today, Congress will complete action on the Ticket to Work and the 
Work Incentives Improvement Act, and this important legislation will go 
at long last to the White House. When President Clinton signs this bill 
into law, he will truly be signing a modern Declaration of Independence 
for millions of men and women with disabilities in communities across 
the country who will have a priceless new opportunity to fulfill their 
hopes and dreams of living independent and productive lives.
  We know how far we have come in the ongoing battle over many decades 
to ensure that people with disabilities have the independence they need 
to be participating members of their communities.
  Mr. President, 67 years ago this month we elected a disabled American 
to the highest office in the land. He became one of the greatest 
Presidents, but Franklin Roosevelt was compelled by the prevailing 
attitudes of his time to conceal his disability as much as possible. 
The World War II Generation began to change all that. The 1950s showed 
the Nation a new class of people--people with disabilities--as veterans 
returned from the war to an inaccessible society. Each decade since 
then has brought significant progress.
  In the 1960s, Congress responded with new architectural standards so 
we could build a society of which everyone could be a part.
  The 1970s convinced us that full participation in society was needed, 
not only for disabled veterans but for disabled children and family 
members and for those injured in everyday accidents. Congress responded 
with a range of federally funded programs which improved the lives of 
people with mental retardation, supported the rights of children with 
disabilities to go to school, ensured the right of people with 
disabilities to vote, and gave people with disabilities greater access 
to health care.
  The 1980s brought a new realization that when we are talking about 
assisting people with disabilities, we must not look only to Federal 
programs, but to the private sector as well. Congress again responded 
by guaranteeing fair housing opportunities for people with 
disabilities, by ensuring access to air travel, and making 
telecommunication advances available for people who are hard of hearing 
or deaf.
  The 1990s brought us the Americans with Disabilities Act, which 
promised every disabled citizen a new and better life, in which 
disability would no longer put an end to the American dream.
  But too often, for too many Americans, the promise of the ADA has 
been unfulfilled. Now, with this legislation, we will finally link 
civil rights clearly with health care. It isn't civil and it isn't 
right to send a person to work without the health care they need and 
deserve.
  As Bob Dole stated in his eloquent testimony to the Finance Committee 
earlier this year, this issue is about people going to work--``it is 
about dignity and opportunity and all the things we talk about, when we 
talk about being an American.''
  Millions of disabled men and women in this country want to work and 
are able to work. But they have been denied the opportunity to work 
because they lack access to needed health care. As result, the Nation 
has been denied their talents and their contributions to our 
communities.
  Current laws are an anachronism. Modern medicine and modern 
technology make it easier than ever before for disabled persons to have 
productive lives and careers. Current laws are often a greater obstacle 
to that goal than their disability itself. It's ridiculous that we 
punish disabled persons who dare to take a job by penalizing them 
financially, by taking away their health insurance lifeline, and by 
placing other unfair obstacles in their path.
  Currently, there are approximately 9 million working-age adults who 
receive disability benefits, many of whom could take jobs if they could 
keep their governmentally financed health benefits. A national survey 
earlier this year showed that, while 76 percent of people with 
disabilities wanted to work, nearly 75 percent are unemployed. Of those 
receiving benefits, only \1/2\ of 1% leave the disability roles to 
return to work.
  Disability groups have estimated that about 2 million of the 8 
million would consider forgoing disability payments and take jobs as a 
result of this legislation.
  The estimated cost of this new program would be recouped if only 
70,000 people leave the disability benefit roles. If 210,000 of them 
take jobs, the government would actually save $1 billion annually in 
disability payments.
  That 210,000 constitutes only 10% of the number of people who the 
disability community believe will avail themselves of this program. If 
their estimates are even close to accurate, the savings to the Federal 
Government could eventually approach $10 billion per year. Far more 
important that the savings is the impact on people's lives. It is about 
dignity. It is about opportunity that is by far the most important 
charge.
  Today is a new beginning for persons with disabilities in their 
pursuit of the American dream. This bill corrects the injustice they 
have unfairly suffered.
  The Work Incentives Improvement Act removes these unfair barriers to 
work that face so many Americans with disabilities:
  In makes health insurance available and affordable when a disabled 
person goes to work, or develops a significant disability while 
working.
  It gives people with disabilities greater access to the services they 
need to become successfully employed.
  It phases out the loss of cash benefits as income rises, instead of 
the unfair sudden cut-off that workers with disabilities face today.
  It places work incentive planners in communities, rather than in 
bureaucracies, to help workers with disabilities learn how to obtain 
the employment services and support they need.
  Many leaders in communities throughout the country have worked long 
and hard and well to help us reach this milestone. They are consumers, 
family members, citizens, and advocates. They showed us how current job 
programs for people with disabilities are failing them and forcing them 
into poverty.
  In all the time I have been in the Senate, I doubt if there has 
really been a single piece of legislation that has so coherently 
reflected the common concerns of a constituency and all of that 
constituency worked so effectively on recommendations to the Congress 
of the United States.
  We have worked together for many months to develop effective ways to 
right these wrongs. And to all of them I say, thank you for helping us 
to achieve this needed legislation. It truly represents legislation of 
the people, by the people and for the people. It is all of you who have 
been the fearless, tireless warriors for justice.
  When we think of citizens with disabilities, we tend to think of men 
and women and children who are disabled from birth. But fewer than 15% 
of all people with disabilities are born with their disabilities. A 
bicycle accident or a serious fall or a serious illness can suddenly 
disable the healthiest and most physically able person.
  In the long run, this legislation may be more important than any 
other action we have taken in this Congress.
  I say that very sincerely. In the long run, this legislation may be 
the most important piece of legislation we have passed in this 
Congress. Its offers a new and better life to large numbers of our 
fellow citizens. Disability need no longer end the American dream. That 
was the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act a decade ago, 
and this legislation dramatically strengthens our fulfillment of that 
promise.
  This bill has a human face. It is for Alice in Oklahoma, who was 
disabled because of multiple sclerosis and receives SSDI benefits. She 
will now be able to get personal assistance to work

[[Page S14975]]

and live in here community. No longer will she have to use all of her 
savings and half of her wages to pay for personal assistance and 
prescription drugs. No longer will she be left in poverty.
  This bill is for Tammy in Indiana, who has cerebral palsy and uses a 
wheelchair and works part-time at Wal-Mart. No longer will she be 
forced to restrict her hours of work. Her goals of becoming a 
productive citizen will no longer be denied--because now she will have 
access to the health care she needs.
  This bill is for Abby in Massachusetts, who is six years old and has 
mental retardation. Her parents are very concerned about her future. 
Already, she has been denied coverage by two health insurance firms 
because of the diagnosis is of mental retardation. Without Medicaid, 
her parents would be bankrupted by her current medical bills. Now when 
Abby enters the work force, she will not have to live in poverty or 
lose her Medicaid coverage. All that will change, and she will have a 
fair opportunity to work and prosper.

  This bill is for many other citizens whose stories are told in this 
diary, called ``A Day in the Life of a Person with a Disability.''
  Disabled people are not unable. Our goal in this legislation is to 
banish the stereotypes, to reform and improve existing disability 
programs, so that they genuinely encourage and support every disabled 
person's dream to work and live independently, and be a productive and 
contributing member of their community. That goal should be the 
birthright of all Americans--and with this legislation, we are taking a 
giant step toward that goal.
  A story from the debate on the Americans with Disabilities Act 
illustrates the point. A postmaster in a town was told that he must 
make his post office accessible. The building had 20 steep steps 
leading up to a revolving door at the only entrance. The postmaster 
questioned the need to make such costly repairs. He said, ``I've been 
here for thirty-five years, and in all that time, I've yet to see a 
single customer come in here in a wheelchair.'' As the Americans with 
Disabilities Act has proved so well, if you build the ramp, they will 
come, and they will find their field of dreams. This bill builds new 
ramps, and vast numbers of the disabled will now come--to work.
  The road to economic prosperity and the right to a decent wage must 
be more accessible to all Americans--no matter how many steps stand in 
the way. That is our goal in this legislation. It is the right thing to 
do, and it is the cost effective thing to do. And now we are finally 
doing it.
  Eliminating these barriers to work will help disabled Americans to 
achieve self-sufficiency. We are a better and stronger and fairer 
country when we open the door of opportunity to all Americans, and 
enable them to be equal partners in the American dream. For millions of 
Americans with disabilities, this bill is a declaration of independence 
that can make the American dream come true. Now, when we say ``equal 
opportunity for all,'' it will be clear that we mean all.
  No one in America should lose their medial coverage--which can mean 
the difference between life and death--if they go to work. No one in 
this country should have to choose between buying a decent meal and 
buying the medication they need.
  Nearly a year ago, President Clinton signed an executive order to 
increase employment and health care coverage for people with 
disabilities. Today, with strong bipartisan support, Congress is 
demonstrating its commitment to our fellow disabled citizens. But our 
work is far from done.
  This bill is only the first step in the major reform of the Social 
Security disability programs that will enable individuals with 
disabilities to have the rights and privileges that all other Americans 
enjoy; 54 million Americans with disabilities are waiting for our 
action. We will not stop today, we will not stop tomorrow, we will not 
ever stop until America works for all Americans.
  Mr. President, in these final moments, I especially commend President 
Clinton, Vice President Gore, and Secretary Shalala. President Clinton 
made this one of his top priorities over this year and during these 
final negotiations. He understands the importance of this legislation, 
and this was a matter of central importance to him and his Presidency.
  I also thank John Podesta and Chris Jennings who saw this through to 
the very end.
  I commend the many Senate staff members whose skilled assistance 
contributed so much to the achievement: Jennifer Baxendale, Alec 
Vachon, and Frank Polk of Senator Roth's staff; Kristin Testa, John 
Resnick, Edwin Park, and David Podoff of Senator Moynihan's staff; Pat 
Morrissey, Lu Zeph, Chris Crowley, Jim Downing, and Mark Powden of 
Senator Jeffords' staff; Connie Garner--a special thanks to Connie 
Garner--Jim Manley, Jonathan Press, Jeffrey Teitz, and Michael Myers of 
my own staff; and the many other staff members of the Health Committee 
and the Finance Committee.
  No longer will disabled Americans be left out and left behind. The 
Ticket to Work and the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 is an 
act of courage, an act of community, and, above all, an act of hope for 
the future. I urge its passage, and I reserve the remainder of the time 
of the Senator from New York.
  Mr. ROTH addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Grams). The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from New 
Mexico.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized for 
10 minutes.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Thank you very much, I say to Senator Roth.
  I might say, on the bill that we are speaking to, the Ticket to Work 
and Work Incentives Improvement Act, I do not know how many Senators 
have ever had a disabled person who is holding a job and getting a 
paycheck. Come and see them. A disabled person who is holding a job and 
just got a paycheck--and you get to visit with them--they are glowing. 
They are filled with pride that they are able to work. Actually, it is 
the best therapy in the world for a disabled person to have a job.
  I happen to know that from personal experience in my own family. But 
I have seen it in scores of faces of people who come and tell me as 
disabled people that they are working and they are getting a paycheck.
  The U.S. Government, probably because it did not understand what it 
was doing, decided that we would help disabled people who were not 
working with health insurance, either under Medicare or Medicaid. Then 
what a cruel hoax, as soon as they started working and making 
sufficient money, as low as $700 a month, they started losing their 
health care coverage, and they began to wonder and their parents began 
to wonder, why did they ever take a job?
  For some, they did not even make any net profit out of getting a job. 
Because if they are cut off from health care, some of them have to pay 
their entire paycheck to take care of their illness. That is just not 
right. Frankly, it was a hard issue in terms of drafting something that 
could work, and I compliment everybody that worked on this bill. I 
think it is a very important day today.
  In fact, I am sorry it is getting passed along with a great deal of 
other legislation because the importance of it might very well get 
lost. Sometimes a long debate on a bill is meritorious, for the country 
finds out what we are doing. They are not necessarily going to find out 
about this bill because we did not use a lot of time today. But I asked 
the distinguished chairman if I could use a few moments and he gave it 
to me. Now, if the Senate would bear with me, I just want to take the 
remaining time I have, and how much is that?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 7 minutes remaining.

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