[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12136-S12138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE SENATE SCHEDULE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, we have just completed our caucus. I know 
the Republicans were caucusing. I am not sure whether they have 
completed or not. I want to report to the Senate about our current 
circumstances and what the schedule might be for the remainder of the 
week.
  Senator Lott and I have been discussing the current schedule and our 
circumstances involving the railroad retirement bill. My hope is that 
we can move to proceed to the bill sometime within the next hour. If 
that is the case, it is my intention to file cloture on the bill at 
some point this evening.
  It is also my intention that we seek unanimous consent to vote on 
cloture on Monday. We will not be in session on Saturday, but we will 
be on Monday. We will also entertain amendments. It is my understanding 
that Senator Lott may be recognized to offer an amendment, and we will 
have a debate on that amendment tomorrow and on Monday.
  My expectation is that there will not be any votes tonight or 
tomorrow but that we will have votes on Monday at approximately 5 
o'clock.
  Senator Murray reports to me that the Transportation conference 
report has now been completed, and it is my hope that we can vote on 
the Transportation conference report perhaps as early as Monday. If not 
Monday, then on Tuesday. My hope is that if we can achieve cloture on 
the railroad retirement bill on Monday, we can bring debate on the bill 
to a close by Wednesday.
  It is then my intention, as I have said on several occasions, to make 
a motion to proceed to the farm bill. That is a must-pass piece of 
legislation. It is my hope and expectation that we can complete our 
work on that, maybe even as early as the end of next week.
  I also note that we have made the decision over the course of the 
last few hours, and in consultation with Senator Lott as well as our 
caucus, that we will be in session and voting the week of December 10. 
That has been an open question until now. But we have now made that 
decision. Our expectation is we will be voting every day the week after 
next. Senators ought to be on hand and prepared to vote all week. Of 
course, it may be that we will have to vote and be in session the week 
after that. But clearly, for the next 2 weeks the Senate will be in 
session and Senators need to be prepared to be on the floor and voting, 
to accommodate the remaining schedule we have for the remainder of this 
session of Congress.
  I also presented to the caucus what amounts to an informal agreement 
on how we will proceed on the economic stimulus bill. I am pleased to 
report that our caucus has agreed with the proposal that has been 
presented to me by the Speaker, as we consider how to proceed on the 
economic stimulus bill. If we can reach a procedural agreement tonight, 
it is my expectation we can move to substantive negotiations on the 
economic stimulus bill tomorrow morning. It is my hope we can work on 
it through the weekend, if that is possible, in order to try to 
expedite our work on that bill and our efforts to reach some final 
agreement early next week.
  The procedural agreement would call for consideration of the Senate 
Finance Committee bill, the House-passed economic stimulus bill, and 
other issues relating to those two bills. We do not exclusively limit 
our consideration of economic stimulus to those two vehicles. There are 
a lot of other issues out there.
  Senator Durbin in particular has expressed to the caucus on numerous 
occasions, and here on the floor, how important it is that we consider 
a payroll tax holiday. That is an issue I have indicated I am 
particularly interested in and intrigued with. I don't know whether or 
not we have the ability to work it into the agreement. I know Senator 
Domenici has expressed an interest in the proposal, and Senator Lott 
has noted his support for the proposal.
  On our side, I don't think there has been any more ardent a 
supporter, any more articulate an advocate of the so-called payroll tax 
holiday than the distinguished senior Senator from Illinois. I applaud 
him and appreciate his tutorial to the caucus on the issue. He has been 
able to bring us to a better understanding of how it would work. I must 
say I am indebted to him for all of his work in advocating that 
particular issue.
  But my point is that that, along with other vehicles, is going to be 
considered as we debate the issue in the hope that we can bring some 
resolution to our negotiations sometime early next week.
  I see the Senator standing. I am happy to yield to him.
  (Ms. STABENOW assumed the Chair.)
  Mr. DURBIN. I thank the leader for his kind remarks.
  I hope that in the course of this economic recovery or economic 
stimulus package we can still stick to our principles that what we do 
will help the economy, help the right people in the economy, and not do 
any long-term damage to the economy.
  I think this proposed Federal payroll tax holiday, month-long 
holiday, meets the criteria. Frankly, it will go to workers across 
America who draw a paycheck. They will see it on payday. It will come 
as quickly as we can pass the bill and enact it into law. That is money 
that families can use for important purchases at the end of the year. 
It is money that will go right into the economy and spark some growth 
and some activity that we really do need. It is also money that is 
going to go to workers, to those making incomes up to $80,000--$80,400 
is the limit on the Federal payroll tax. So that really gives it to 
working families.
  In addition, it is focused to help small businesses because I think 
forgiving this tax for employers will say to small businesses, we are 
going to help you meet some of your expenses, whether they are health 
insurance premiums or security needs, for your business after September 
11.
  I have spoken to Senator Domenici. I thank my friend and the majority 
leader for his reference. I hope in the course of this conference, 
putting together the stimulus and recovery package, that this can be 
included.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I thank the Senator from Illinois. His comments make my 
point. He is not only knowledgeable and articulate on the issue, but he 
has certainly persisted in ensuring that this piece of legislation be 
considered along with many others.
  Madam President, there are several key areas the Democratic caucus--
and it goes to the point raised by the Senator from Illinois--will be 
advocating.
  First and foremost, I want to emphasize again because I feel the need 
every

[[Page S12137]]

time we talk about economic stimulus to ensure that people understand 
our real priority. Our priority, first and foremost, is to help the 
7.5, now almost 8 million workers who are unemployed.
  In the last recession, we extended employment benefits four times. We 
have to consider the fact that those weeks are running out now, for 
those who are eligible for unemployment assistance, and we have to 
extend it again this time.
  But we also have to understand that 54 percent of those who are 
unemployed today are not entitled to unemployment benefits, so we have 
to broaden eligibility. That is certainly going to be a key area for us 
as we attempt to negotiate some successful solution.
  I would say as well that none of them can afford health benefits.
  When you are given a few hundred dollars a month in unemployment, it 
is almost impossible--after you have paid the rent, after you have paid 
for the groceries and the heating bills and other necessities of the 
family--to buy health insurance. We have to assist these unemployed 
workers to pay for their health care during the time they are 
unemployed as well. That would be a priority for us.
  We also will try to ensure that the issue of rebates is addressed for 
those who pay a lot of payroll tax but were not entitled to an income-
tax rebate last year. That ought to be on the table, and we will be 
talking about that.
  Business tax relief is also something we care a lot about. The 
expensing for small business is something for which we are going to 
fight.
  We are also going to try to assure additional depreciation for all 
businesses. The high-tech community said that is one of the most 
important issues for them. That will be a priority for us.
  We have a number of very key issues we hope to present to our House 
colleagues. But I also remind all of my colleagues that whatever we do 
on the finance side--whatever we do on the revenue side--is only half 
of our interest. There is an economic stimulus involved here. It is our 
interest to pass homeland security as well--Senator Byrd and I have 
been meeting all day long--as we consider the Byrd amendment to ensure 
that homeland security is part of economic stimulus as we take up the 
Defense appropriations bill early next week.
  Just as soon as that bill comes over to the Senate, we will take it 
up in committee. Senator Byrd will be offering his amendment on 
homeland security. It is my hope we can get a bipartisan vote on that 
as well.
  Nothing will stimulate this economy faster than raising people's 
confidence about their own security. Nothing will help them more in 
that regard than if we increase law enforcement assistance and provide 
ways in which to ensure, on bioterrorism and all the other potential 
possibilities for attacks to our national security, we are more 
prepared than we are today.
  That, too, is economic stimulus. That, too, is part of our plan. But 
that will be running on a separate track. I want to emphasize how 
critical we think that piece is, and how important it is to our long-
term resolution. They have to go hand in glove. They are going to run 
in tandem. We are going to be taking both of these sequentially, and 
both are important to us.
  I make that point, as we have made it before on the Senate floor.
  I appreciate very much the interest of all Senators.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, will the majority leader yield for a 
question?
  Mr. DASCHLE. Yes. I yield the floor.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I would like to ask the majority leader if 
he would entertain a question. I would like to inquire further of the 
majority leader on this subject of the farm bill. I know it was the 
stated intent of the majority leader to attempt to offer a motion to 
proceed to the farm bill this week, perhaps midweek, late in the week, 
yesterday, or today. I know that was thwarted by the filibuster on the 
motion to proceed to the bill that the Senate was prepared to debate. 
The majority leader was unable to make the motion to proceed to the 
farm bill. The filibuster we have had and cloture vote that was 
required now puts us into next week.
  The majority leader indicated it is still his intention to file a 
cloture motion to proceed following the disposition of the bill that is 
on the floor.
  Is that correct?
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the Senator is absolutely correct. I have 
noted on several occasions my intention to move to the farm bill just 
as soon as we complete our work on the railroad retirement bill. It can 
be next Monday or Tuesday. It can be whenever we finish. But we will 
move to that bill next. We have to move to it.
  These are must-pass pieces of legislation that have to be done. We 
can take them in any order. But it is my intention to follow through 
with the order that I have already announced, which is to complete our 
work on the farm bill next.
  We will have the Defense appropriations bill, the stimulus bill, and 
the terrorist insurance bill. All of those have to be addressed.
  But as I noted--I see the chairman of the Agriculture Committee in 
the Chamber--the farm bill will be the next bill after the railroad 
retirement bill.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, if the Senator will yield for just another 
moment, that is a reassuring answer. I know how strongly the majority 
leader feels about the need to write a farm bill.
  I observe that the House of Representatives has passed a farm bill. 
We have now passed one out of the committee under the leadership of 
Senator Harkin. We need to get it to the floor of the Senate and then 
to conference.
  The goal here is to get a bill on the President's desk for signature. 
This is about family farmers hanging on by their financial fingertips 
and struggling to survive. It is our obligation to get this done.
  I know it is not the fault of the majority leader. It was his full 
intention to bring that to the floor. It would have been on the floor 
today had we not faced the filibuster.
  I wanted to, once again, ask. And I received the answer that I 
expected I would. The majority leader is a strong advocate of family 
farms and the need for a better farm program. I am deeply reassured by 
that answer. I look forward to being here with the majority leader and 
with the chairman of the Agriculture Committee fighting hard for a farm 
bill that will give family farmers in this country a decent chance to 
survive.
  I thank the majority leader for his answers.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the Senator from North Dakota and I have 
been through a lot of legislative battles over the years on rural 
issues. As he has noted, nothing is more important to rural America 
than passage of this bill to allow us to go to conference first and to 
allow us to resolve the outstanding issues that remain between the 
House and the Senate membership on farm policy so we can get the bill 
to the President in time to provide all the assurance and confidence we 
can to farmers and ranchers all over this country. We understand their 
economic plight.
  I note, as the Senator from North Dakota has on several occasions, 
that last month--the month of October--we saw the single biggest 1-
month depression in prices that we have seen in all the time the 
Department of Agriculture has been keeping records. We have never seen 
the prices plummet as dramatically in 1 month as we saw them plummet 
last month.
  If there is no other reason to move forward on farm legislation than 
that, it would be enough.
  I am hopeful that people understand the urgency of the issue--the 
urgency of the issue of completing our work on the bill in time to go 
to conference, resolve our differences, and enact it into the law.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
  Mr. DASCHLE. I am happy to yield.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I congratulate the majority leader for 
defining our schedule. It makes our lives more definite. I think we 
have the schedule outlined. As I heard the majority leader say, we are 
going to be in session starting Monday with votes, perhaps over the 
next weekend, and the next weekend until we finish.
  Regarding the Agriculture bill--the farm bill--I think the Senator 
from Iowa has done an outstanding job not only in the product that came 
out of the committee but his willingness to take on issues that are so 
important. Everybody in America is affected by this farm bill. The 
conservation provisions in this bill are the best we have ever had, and 
they are getting better.

[[Page S12138]]

  I think this farm bill is so important because of the problems the 
Dakotas, Nebraska, and Iowa have. The farm bill is so important. This 
bill affects the whole country. It is not just a farm bill.
  I also say to the majority leader that I was given a statement by 
Senators as I walked into this Chamber indicating that Alamo and 
National car rental companies have filed for bankruptcy. This is really 
astounding. These two large rental car companies filed for bankruptcy.
  I have had a number of conversations and meetings with the 
distinguished majority leader about companies and individuals who 
depend on tourism. For 30 States in the United States, their No. 1, No. 
2, or No. 3 most important economic force is tourism.
  I know the majority leader has stated publicly--and I appreciate it 
very much--that one of the items we are going to be looking at in an 
economic stimulus package is how the tourism industry can be helped. It 
is in such desperate shape--helping rental car companies and other 
entities that so depend on tourism.
  I am very happy that there has been a framework developed. We can 
move forward. This is not inventing the wheel. In fact, we have done 
this before on very important issues since September 11. It will go 
down in history as remarkably good legislation. We have done it on four 
occasions. We did it with the appropriations for New York City, plus 
the $20 billion for added defense for the country. We did it with 
airport security and antiterrorism. There is one other that I can't 
remember.
  That sets the framework for doing some good work on the stimulus 
package.
  I hope the leader will do something about this. I believe we will be 
very successful in working it out.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished assistant 
Democratic leader for his comments. He is absolutely right. The tourism 
industry has been very hard hit. This is yet another indication of the 
difficult time they are having. I wasn't aware that these two companies 
declared bankruptcy. But it certainly illustrates yet another instance 
of just how difficult a time many of these companies are experiencing.
  So I appreciate his comment and especially appreciate so much his 
sensitivity to the agricultural situation. He noted he does not have a 
lot of farmers, but he has been extremely supportive and understanding 
about the farm situation. I appreciate that very much.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. I say to the majority leader, we don't have a lot of 
farmers; we have a lot of people who eat the food.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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