[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 137 (Friday, October 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11293-S11294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CARA LEGISLATION

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print in the 
Record page 19 of the specific legislation authorizing the CARA 
legislation, which establishes a program affecting the Outer 
Continental Shelf revenue stream.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       ``(8) The term `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' 
     means all amounts received by the United States from each 
     leased tract or portion of a leased tract lying seaward of 
     the zone defined and governed by section 8(g) of this Act, or 
     lying within such zone but to which section 8(g) does not 
     apply, the geographic center of which lies within a distance 
     of 200 miles from any part of the coastline of any Coastal 
     State, including bonus bids, rents, royalties (including 
     payments for royalties taken in kind and sold), net profit 
     share payments, and related late payment interest. Such term 
     does not include any revenues from a leased tract or portion 
     of a leased tract that is included within any area of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf where a moratorium on new leasing was 
     in effect as of January 1, 2000, unless the lease was issued 
     prior to the establishment of the moratorium and was in 
     production on January 1, 2000.

                           *   *   *   *   *

       11(a) The term ``Secretary'' means Secretary of Commerce.

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, the purpose of my reference is that I 
happen to be chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee 
which historically has had jurisdiction over Outer Continental Shelf 
activities. I was one of the major drafters of this legislation, along 
with Representative Don Young in the House of Representatives.
  In moving this legislation through yesterday morning, we found a 
significant change had been made in the legislation and that the 
jurisdiction had been moved from the Energy Committee to Commerce and 
taken from Interior and transferred over to the Secretary of Commerce.
  I know this cannot be seen, but there are handwritten notations at 
the end that simply say: ``11(a) the term 'Secretary' means Secretary 
of Commerce.''

[[Page S11294]]

  There are extraordinary things done in late times around here. This 
was done at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning the day before yesterday, and 
no one can identify who did it. But the bill was filed, the order has 
been made, and there is absolutely nothing we can do other than 
question the authenticity of someone who would simply change the 
legislation, not initial it, have no identification. I have checked 
with the Appropriations Committee. I have checked with the Members of 
the House involved. Nobody owns up to changing the designation of the 
CARA bill from the Energy Committee in the Department of Interior over 
to the Commerce Committee and the Secretary of Commerce.
  The bill has been filed. As a consequence, the question is, What can 
we do about it? The President may veto the legislation. We may have 
another opportunity.
  On the other hand, we did have a colloquy by Senator Lott, Senator 
Daschle, Senator Byrd, Senator Stevens, and myself. I think it 
addresses the reality that the best thing we can do is get out of here. 
I know the Presiding Officer would agree. But as we look at what we are 
coming back to tomorrow, a single vote on a continuing resolution for 1 
day--and another one on Sunday--it seems to be an effort in futility.
  But in any event, Mr. President, I thank you for being patient, and 
particularly the staff, as well, who probably had hoped this Senator 
would not show up when he walked in the door.

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