[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.

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