[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S42-S43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESERVATIONS ABOUT S. RES. 8
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, it is no secret that I have had serious
reservations about this resolution. Let me first make a commitment to
Majority Leader Daschle and soon-to-be Majority Leader Lott that I will
certainly work with them and all Members of the Senate to make sure it
works. I have the greatest respect for them, and I have the greatest
respect for the Presiding Officer, the Senator from Hawaii, Mr. Akaka,
who is, in my opinion, Mr. Civility in the Senate.
I have stated in the past that what is vitally important for us to be
successful in the Congress is that we need a greater return of civility
and working together and trusting each other. This resolution I have
had problems with because it is difficult for me to see how two people
can drive a car at the same time or have their hands on the steering
wheel at the same time.
Also, the way I look at the precedents of the Senate, it is not
consistent. When the Senate was organized on January 7, 1953, there was
an equal number--the Senate was equally divided 48-48, with 48
Republicans and 47 Democrats; the Independent was convening with the
Democrats, I think. The resolution said there was an equally divided
Senate, but it also gave a majority of one on 15 committees.
I am troubled by breaking the precedent of the Senate. I think it is
important that we work together. I compliment the leaders because they
have been working together. It is incumbent upon us to make this work.
Not everybody is happy with the resolution, but this is the Senate. I
think it is vitally important for our country that President-elect Bush
and we get things done. It is going to be a test. It is a test that I
will certainly commit to do everything I can to make it successful. I
see some challenges. Any committee you look at, if you have an equal
number--most committees have an odd number, so if you have disputes,
one group or the other is going to win. We are going to try to run
committees on equal numbers. That will be a challenge for Democrats and
Republicans, and it will be incumbent upon all of us to work together.
While I am not totally satisfied with this resolution, I commit to the
leaders to help make it successful.
I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the resolution of organization
of the Senate in 1953 be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the 83d Congress, 1st Session, Senate Report, No. 1, Jan. 7
(legislative day, Jan. 6), 1953]
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE
[To accompany S. Res. 18]
The Committee on Rules and Administration, to whom was
referred the resolution (S. Res. 18) proposing changes in the
number of certain standing committees, having considered
same, report thereon favorably with an amendment, and
recommend that the resolution, as amended, be agreed to by
the Senate.
This resolution would accomplish the following changes in
the Senate rules affecting certain standing committees as
follows:
1. To increase 10 standing committees by 2 members each (1
majority, 1 minority), and to reduce 5 similarly.
2. To permit 18 Senators of the majority and 3 of the
minority to serve on four standing committees--Civil Service,
District of Columbia, Public Works, or Government Operations.
(Present rules do not include Civil Service or Public Works
and do not recognize the minority.)
This will present the following committee picture:
15 members instead of 13 (9):
Agriculture
Armed Services
Banking and Currency
Finance
Foreign Relations
Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Judiciary
Labor and Public Welfare
Interior and Insular Affairs
11 members instead of 13 (5):
Civil Service
District of Columbia
Government Operations
Public Works
Rules and Administration
23 members instead of 21 (1):
Appropriations
The proposal
1. Creates 20 new positions in the more desired committees
(10 each for majority and minority) without increasing total
number of committees.
2. Makes committee size more nearly reflect committee
workload and thereby adjusts burdens and responsibilities
more equally to all Senators and all committees.
3. Establishes a minimum margin of 1 for the majority party
in each of the Senate's 15 committees, which present rules do
not, in an evenly divided Senate. This can be seen from the
following:
Present committee structure
1 committee of 21....................................................21
14 committees of 13.................................................182
________
Total committee positions.......................................203
2 assignments for each of 96 Senators requires......................192
________
Leaving for members serving on 3 committees......................11
Which does not provide the necessary minimum of 15 for
control of 15 committees in an evenly divided Senate.
Proposed committee structure
1 committee of 23....................................................23
9 committees of 15..................................................135
5 committees of 11...................................................55
________
Total committee positions.......................................213
2 assignments for each of 96 Senators requires......................192
________
Leaving for members serving on 3 committees......................21
Which divided 18 to the majority and 3 to the minority
gives the margin of 15 for the majority to have the minimum 1
on each of 15 committees.
4. Permits continuity and experience for both parties on
the committees which, in the past, have tended to be loaded
with new Senators.
5. Insures better use of senatorial talent, industry, and
ability, for both majority and minority.
In summary
1. The plan meets the necessary mechanics of an evenly
divided Senate.
2. It opens the door for new Senators on major committees.
3. It retains the values of long Senate service.
4. It dispossesses no one, has distinct advantages for
majority and minority.
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
[[Page S43]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Massachusetts is recognized.
____________________