[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2222-S2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 51--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                          GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                               S. Res. 51

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

       (a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, 
     and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such 
     rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, 
     and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 
     of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Governmental Affairs (referred to in this 
     resolution as the ``committee'') is authorized from March 1, 
     2003, through February 28, 2005, in its discretion--
       (1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the 
     Senate;
       (2) to employ personnel; and
       (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       (b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2003.--The 
     expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2003, 
     through September 30, 2003, under this section shall not 
     exceed $4,764,738, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
       (c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2004 Period.--The expenses of 
     the committee for the period October 1, 2003, through 
     September 30, 2004, under this section shall not exceed 
     $8,387,779, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
       (d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2005.--For the 
     period October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, expenses 
     of the committee under this section shall not exceed 
     $3,576,035, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946); and
       (2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of that Act).

     SEC. 2. REPORTING LEGISLATION.

       The committee shall report its findings, together with such 
     recommendations for legislation as it deems advisable, to the 
     Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later than 
     February 28, 2005.

     SEC. 3. EXPENSES; AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS; AND INVESTIGATIONS.

       (a) Expenses of the Committee.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any 
     expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid 
     from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved 
     by the chairman of the committee.
       (2) Vouchers not required.--Vouchers shall not be required 
     for--
       (A) the disbursement of salaries of employees of the 
     committee who are paid at an annual rate;
       (B) the payment of telecommunications expenses provided by 
     the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;
       (C) the payment of stationery supplies purchased through 
     the Keeper of Stationery;
       (D) payments to the Postmaster of the Senate;
       (E) the payment of metered charges on copying equipment 
     provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and 
     Doorkeeper;
       (F) the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic 
     Services; or
       (G) for payment of franked and mass mail costs by the 
     Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
       (b) Agency Contributions.--There are authorized such sums 
     as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the 
     compensation of employees of the committee for the period 
     March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003, for the period 
     October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004, and for the 
     period October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, to be paid 
     from the appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries 
     and Investigations'' of the Senate.
       (c) Investigations.--
       (1) In general.--The committee, or any duly authorized 
     subcommittee of the committee, is authorized to study or 
     investigate--
       (A) the efficiency and economy of operations of all 
     branches of the Government including the possible existence 
     of fraud, misfeasance, malfeasance, collusion, mismanagement, 
     incompetence, corruption, or unethical practices, waste, 
     extravagance, conflicts of interest, and the improper 
     expenditure of Government funds in transactions, contracts, 
     and activities of the Government or of Government officials 
     and employees and any and all such improper practices between 
     Government personnel and corporations, individuals, 
     companies, or persons affiliated therewith, doing business 
     with the Government; and the compliance or noncompliance of 
     such corporations, companies, or individuals or other 
     entities with the rules, regulations, and laws governing the 
     various governmental agencies and its relationships with the 
     public;
       (B) the extent to which criminal or other improper 
     practices or activities are, or have been, engaged in the 
     field of labor-management relations or in groups or 
     organizations of employees or employers, to the detriment of 
     interests of the public, employers, or employees, and to 
     determine whether any changes are required in the laws of the 
     United States in order to protect such interests against the 
     occurrence of such practices or activities;
       (C) organized criminal activity which may operate in or 
     otherwise utilize the facilities of interstate or 
     international commerce in furtherance of any transactions and 
     the manner and extent to which, and the identity of the 
     persons, firms, or corporations, or other entities by whom 
     such utilization is being made, and further, to study and 
     investigate the manner in which and the extent to which 
     persons engaged in organized criminal activity have 
     infiltrated lawful business enterprise, and to study the 
     adequacy of Federal laws to prevent the operations of 
     organized crime in interstate or international commerce; and 
     to determine whether any changes are required in the laws of 
     the United States in order to protect the public against such 
     practices or activities;
       (D) all other aspects of crime and lawlessness within the 
     United States which have an impact upon or affect the 
     national health, welfare, and safety; including but not 
     limited to investment fraud schemes, commodity and security 
     fraud, computer fraud, and the use of offshore banking and 
     corporate facilities to carry out criminal objectives;
       (E) the efficiency and economy of operations of all 
     branches and functions of the Government with particular 
     reference to--
       (i) the effectiveness of present national security methods, 
     staffing, and processes as tested against the requirements 
     imposed by the rapidly mounting complexity of national 
     security problems;
       (ii) the capacity of present national security staffing, 
     methods, and processes to make full use of the Nation's 
     resources of knowledge and talents;
       (iii) the adequacy of present intergovernmental relations 
     between the United States and international organizations 
     principally concerned with national security of which the 
     United States is a member; and
       (iv) legislative and other proposals to improve these 
     methods, processes, and relationships;
       (F) the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all 
     agencies and departments of the Government involved in the 
     control and management of energy shortages including, but not 
     limited to, their performance with respect to--
       (i) the collection and dissemination of accurate statistics 
     on fuel demand and supply;
       (ii) the implementation of effective energy conservation 
     measures;
       (iii) the pricing of energy in all forms;
       (iv) coordination of energy programs with State and local 
     government;
       (v) control of exports of scarce fuels;
       (vi) the management of tax, import, pricing, and other 
     policies affecting energy supplies;
       (vii) maintenance of the independent sector of the 
     petroleum industry as a strong competitive force;
       (viii) the allocation of fuels in short supply by public 
     and private entities;
       (ix) the management of energy supplies owned or controlled 
     by the Government;
       (x) relations with other oil producing and consuming 
     countries;
       (xi) the monitoring of compliance by governments, 
     corporations, or individuals with the laws and regulations 
     governing the allocation, conservation, or pricing of energy 
     supplies; and
       (xii) research into the discovery and development of 
     alternative energy supplies; and
       (G) the efficiency and economy of all branches and 
     functions of Government with particular references to the 
     operations and management of Federal regulatory policies and 
     programs.
       (2) Extent of inquiries.--In carrying out the duties 
     provided in paragraph (1), the inquiries of this committee or 
     any subcommittee of the committee shall not be construed to 
     be limited to the records, functions, and operations of any 
     particular branch of the Government and may extend to the 
     records and activities of any persons, corporation, or other 
     entity.

[[Page S2223]]

       (3) Special committee authority.--For the purposes of this 
     subsection, the committee, or any duly authorized 
     subcommittee of the committee, or its chairman, or any other 
     member of the committee or subcommittee designated by the 
     chairman, from March 1, 2003, through February 28, 2005, is 
     authorized, in its, his, or their discretion--
       (A) to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of 
     witnesses and production of correspondence, books, papers, 
     and documents;
       (B) to hold hearings;
       (C) to sit and act at any time or place during the 
     sessions, recess, and adjournment periods of the Senate;
       (D) to administer oaths; and
       (E) to take testimony, either orally or by sworn statement, 
     or, in the case of staff members of the Committee and the 
     Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, by deposition in 
     accordance with the Committee Rules of Procedure.
       (4) Authority of other committees.--Nothing contained in 
     this subsection shall affect or impair the exercise of any 
     other standing committee of the Senate of any power, or the 
     discharge by such committee of any duty, conferred or imposed 
     upon it by the Standing Rules of the Senate or by the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.
       (5) Subpoena authority.--All subpoenas and related legal 
     processes of the committee and its subcommittee authorized 
     under S. Res. 54, agreed to March 8, 2001 (107th Congress) 
     are authorized to continue.
                                 ______
                                 

SENATE RESOLUTION 52--RECOGNIZING THE SOCIAL PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE AND 
  NEGLECT, AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE 
                                PROBLEM

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Craig, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Lott, Mr. Dorgan, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Domenici, Mr. 
Specter, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Allen) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 52

       Whereas approximately 3,000,000 reports of suspected or 
     known child abuse and neglect involving 5,000,000 American 
     children are made to child protective service agencies each 
     year;
       Whereas 588,000 American children are unable to live safely 
     with their families and are placed in foster homes and 
     institutions;
       Whereas it is estimated that more than 1,200 children, 85 
     percent of whom are under the age of 6 years and 44 percent 
     of whom are under the age of 1 year, lose their lives as a 
     direct result of abuse and neglect every year in America;
       Whereas this tragic social problem results in human and 
     economic costs due to its relationship to crime and 
     delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and 
     welfare dependency; and
       Whereas Childhelp USA has initiated a ``Day of Hope'' to be 
     observed on Wednesday, April 2, 2003, during Child Abuse 
     Prevention Month, to focus public awareness on this social 
     ill: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) all Americans should keep the victims of child abuse 
     and neglect in their thoughts and prayers;
       (B) all Americans should seek to break the cycle of child 
     abuse and neglect and to give these victimized children hope 
     for the future; and
       (C) the faith community, nonprofit organizations, and 
     volunteers across America should recommit themselves and 
     mobilize their resources to assist these abused and neglected 
     children; and
       (2) the Senate--
       (A) supports the goals and ideas of the ``Day of Hope'', 
     which was initiated by Childhelp USA and will be observed on 
     April 2, 2003, as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month; and
       (B) commends Childhelp USA for all of its efforts on behalf 
     of abused and neglected children throughout the United 
     States.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution 
declaring Wednesday, April 2, 2003, as a National Day of Hope dedicated 
to remembering the victims of child abuse and neglect and recognizing 
Childhelp USA for initiating such a day. I am pleased to be joined in 
this effort by my colleagues Senators Craig, Lincoln, Hatch, Lott, 
Dorgan, Landrieu, Kohl, Inhofe, Domenici, Specter, Biden, and Allen who 
are original cosponsors of the resolution.
  This resolution is similar to one I introduced in the 107th Congress, 
S. Res. 132, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on May 22, 
2002. It expresses the sense of Congress that we must break the cycle 
of child abuse and neglect by mobilizing all our resources including 
the faith community, non-profit organizations and volunteers.
  The resolution also recognizes Childhelp USA for focusing its efforts 
on prevention and research as well as on treatment. Childhelp USA is 
one of our oldest national organizations dedicated to meeting the needs 
of abused and neglected children. Childhelp and many other non-profits 
or faith-based organizations nationwide are performing a vital service 
to these children that they would not have otherwise, and they are to 
be commended for their efforts.
  More than 3 million children are reported as suspected victims of 
child abuse and neglect each year. That is 3 million children too many. 
And, it is estimated that more than 1200 children lose their lives as a 
direct result of abuse and neglect every year. That is not acceptable. 
We must do something to change these disturbing statistics.
  I know first-hand the importance of having help when it is needed. 
The National Day of Hope Resolution calls on each of us to renew our 
duty and responsibility to the vulnerable children and families caught 
in the cycle of child abuse and neglect.
  While we are encouraged by the efforts of many organizations 
nationwide, more needs to be done. That is why we urge our colleagues 
to act quickly on this resolution so we can move another step closer to 
erasing the horror of child abuse from our Nation's history.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 53--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                           VETERANS' AFFAIRS

  Mr. SPECTER submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                               S. Res. 53

       Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
     functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdictions under rule XXV of such 
     rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, 
     and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 
     of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized from March 1, 
     2003, through September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003, through 
     September 30, 2004; and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 
     2005, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the 
     contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and 
     (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       Sec. 2. (a) The expenses of the committee for period March 
     1, 2003, through September 30, 2003, under this resolution 
     shall not exceed $1,112,475, of which amount (1) not to 
     exceed $59,000 may be expended for the procurement of the 
     services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof 
     (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $5,900 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (b) For the period October 1, 2003, through September 30, 
     2004, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $1,958,451, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $100,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(I) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $10,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (c) For the period October 1, 2004, through February 28, 
     2005, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $834,987, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $42,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $4,200 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       Sec. 3. The committee shall report its findings, together 
     with such recommendation for legislation as it deems 
     advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, 
     but not later than February 28, 2004, and February 28, 2005, 
     respectively.
       Sec. 4. Expenses of the committeed under this resolution 
     shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon 
     vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee, except 
     that vouchers shall not be required for (1) the disbursement 
     of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for 
     the

[[Page S2224]]

     payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the 
     Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or (3) 
     for the payment stationery supplies purchased through the 
     Keeper of Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) for 
     payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) for 
     the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided 
     by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United 
     States Senate, or (6) for the payment of Senate Recording and 
     Photographic Services, or (7) for payment of franked and mass 
     mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United 
     States Senate.
       Sec. 5. There are authorized such sums as may be necessary 
     for agency contributions related to the compensation of 
     employees of the committee from March 1, 2003, through 
     September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003, through September 30, 
     2004; and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, to be 
     paid from the appropriations account for ``Expenses of 
     Inquiries and Investigations.''
                                 ______
                                 

      SENATE RESOLUTION 54--TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS TO CERTAIN 
   CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTAIN CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH 
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS, CERTAIN SENATE GIFT REPORTS, AND SENATE AND JOINT 
                          COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Harkin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Rules and Administration:

                               S. Res. 54

       Whereas it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) it is often burdensome, difficult, and time-consuming 
     for citizens to obtain access to public records of the United 
     States Congress;
       (2) congressional documents that are placed in the 
     Congressional Record are made available to the public 
     electronically by the Superintendent of Documents under the 
     direction of the Public Printer;
       (3) other congressional documents are also made available 
     electronically on websites maintained by Members of Congress 
     and Committees of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives;
       (4) a wide range of public records of the Congress remain 
     inaccessible to the public;
       (5) the public should have easy and timely access, 
     including electronic access, to public records of the 
     Congress;
       (6) the Congress should use new technologies to enhance 
     public access to public records of the Congress; and
       (7) an informed electorate is the most precious asset of 
     any democracy; and
       Whereas it is the sense of the Senate that it will foster 
     democracy--
       (1) to ensure public access to public records of the 
     Congress;
       (2) to improve public access to public records of the 
     Congress; and
       (3) to enhance the electronic public access, including 
     access via the Internet, to public records of the Congress: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate shall 
     make information available to the public in accordance with 
     the provisions of this resolution.

     SEC. 2. AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN CRS INFORMATION.

       (a) Availability of Information.--
       (1) In general.--The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Congressional Research 
     Service, shall make available through a centralized 
     electronic system, for purposes of access and retrieval by 
     the public under section 4 of this resolution, all 
     information described in paragraph (2) that is available 
     through the Congressional Research Service website.
       (2) Information to be made available.--The information to 
     be made available under paragraph (1) is:
       (A) Congressional Research Service Issue Briefs.
       (B) Congressional Research Service Reports that are 
     available to Members of Congress through the Congressional 
     Research Service website.
       (C) Congressional Research Service Authorization of 
     Appropriations Products and Appropriations Products.
       (b) Limitations.--
       (1) Confidential information.--Subsection (a) does not 
     apply to--
       (A) any information that is confidential, as determined 
     by--
       (i) the Director; or
       (ii) the head of a Federal department or agency that 
     provided the information to the Congressional Research 
     Service; or
       (B) any documents that are the product of an individual, 
     office, or committee research request (other than a document 
     described in subsection (a)(2)).
       (2) Redaction and revision.--In carrying out this section, 
     the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, in consultation with the 
     Director of the Congressional Research Service, may--
       (A) remove from the information required to be made 
     available under subsection (a) the name and phone number of, 
     and any other information regarding, an employee of the 
     Congressional Research Service;
       (B) remove from the information required to be made 
     available under subsection (a) any material for which the 
     Director determines that making it available under subsection 
     (a) may infringe the copyright of a work protected under 
     title 17, United States Code; and
       (C) make any changes in the information required to be made 
     available under subsection (a) that the Director determines 
     necessary to ensure that the information is accurate and 
     current.
       (c) Manner.--The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Congressional Research 
     Service, shall make the information required under this 
     section available in a manner that is practical and 
     reasonable.

     SEC. 3. PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE SENATE.

       (a) In general.--The Secretary of the Senate, through the 
     Office of Public Records and in accordance with such 
     standards as the Secretary may prescribe, shall make reports 
     required under paragraph 2(a)(1)(B) and paragraph 4(b) of 
     Rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate available on 
     the Internet for purposes of access and retrieval by the 
     public within 10 days (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 
     excepted) after they are received.
       (b) Directory.--The Superintendent of Documents, under the 
     Direction of the Public Printer in the Government Printing 
     Office, shall include information about the documents made 
     available on the Internet under this section in the 
     electronic directory of Federal electronic information 
     required by section 4101(a)(1) of title 44, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 4. METHOD OF ACCESS.

       (a) In General.--The information required to be made 
     available to the public on the Internet under this resolution 
     shall be made available as follows:
       (1) CRS information.--Public access to information made 
     available under section 2 shall be provided through the 
     websites maintained by Members and Committees of the Senate.
       (2) Public records.--Public access to information made 
     available under section 3 by the Secretary of the Senate's 
     Office of Public Records shall be provided through the United 
     States Senate website.
       (b) Editorial Responsibility for CRS Reports Online.--The 
     Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate is responsible for maintaining 
     and updating the information made available on the Internet 
     under section 2.

     SEC. 5. CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE MATERIALS.

       It is the sense of the Senate that each standing and 
     special Committee of the Senate and each Joint Committee of 
     the Congress, in accordance with such rules as the committee 
     may adopt, should provide access via the Internet to 
     publicly-available committee information, documents, and 
     proceedings, including bills, reports, and official 
     transcripts of committee meetings that are open to the 
     public.

     SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION.

       The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate shall establish the 
     database described in section 2(a) within 6 months after the 
     date of adoption of this resolution.

     SEC. 7. GAO STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Beginning 1 year after the date on which 
     the database described in section 2(a) is established, the 
     Sergeant-at-Arms shall request the Comptroller General to 
     examine the cost of implementing this resolution, other than 
     this section, with particular attention to the cost of 
     establishing and maintaining the database and submit a report 
     within 6 months thereafter. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall ask 
     the Comptroller General to include in the report 
     recommendations on how to make operations under this 
     resolution more cost-effective, and such other 
     recommendations for administrative changes or changes in law, 
     as the Comptroller General may determine to be appropriate.
       (b) Delivery.--The Sergeant-at-Arms shall transmit a copy 
     of the Comptroller General's report under subsection (a) to--
       (1) the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration;
       (2) the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation;
       (3) the Senate Committee on the Judiciary; and
       (4) the Joint Committee of the Congress on the Library of 
     Congress.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by 
Senators Leahy, Lieberman, and Harkin in submitting a resolution to 
make Congressional Research Service, CRS, reports, and other Senate 
documents, accessible over the Internet to the American people.
  CRS is well-known for producing high quality reports and issue briefs 
that are concise, factual, and unbiased--a rarity in Washington. Many 
of us rely on the work of CRS to make decisions on a wide variety of 
diverse legislative proposals, such as formulating policies on homeland 
security, determining the implications of war with Iraq, contemplating 
the future of the Internet, developing health care reform, and 
analyzing tax policy. Also, we routinely send CRS reports to our 
constituents in order to help them understand the important issues of 
our time.
  The sponsors of this resolution believe that it is important for the 
public

[[Page S2225]]

to have access to these CRS reports. The American public paid over $81 
million to fund CRS's operations in fiscal year 2002 alone. The 
informational reports covered by this resolution are not confidential 
or classified, and the public deserves to have access to them.
  By making these reports publicly available, the Senate will better 
serve an important function in helping to inform their constituents. 
Members of the public will be able to read these CRS products and 
receive a concise summary of issues that concern them. These reports 
also will help voters make decisions and petition their legislators on 
how to best represent them.
  Currently, corporations, universities, and other well-heeled entities 
often hire former Members of Congress as lobbyists to get access to 
these reports. However, the general public does not have access to 
these reports. Instead, the public has to obtain these reports through 
independent companies, such as Penny Hill Press, which charges almost 
$30 for each report. Otherwise, they must search through a variety of 
government and non-government web sites for outdated reports or get 
them from their Members of Congress through the mail. It is not fair 
for the American people to have to pay a third party or search all over 
the web for products for which they have already footed the bill.
  This resolution is drafted to set up a system for distributing CRS 
Reports that is similar to a pilot program ongoing in the House of 
Representatives. Under our resolution, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms 
would establish and maintain a system for distribution of CRS 
documents. The public would only be able to access these documents 
through Senators' or Senate Committees' web pages. This system would 
allow Senators and Committee Chairmen to be able to choose which 
documents are made available to the public through their web page.
  This resolution also includes other safeguards to ensure that CRS is 
able to carry out its mission. Confidential information and reports 
done for confidential research requests would not be made available to 
the public. The resolution provides authorization for the Senate 
Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the names of CRS employees from these 
products to prevent the public from distracting CRS employees. In 
addition, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms would be authorized to remove 
copyrighted information from the publicly-available reports. This 
resolution would ensure that the CRS' mission is not altered in any 
way, and that it cannot be open to liability suits.
  Finally, we recognize that cost concerns had been raised about prior 
versions of this legislation introduced in past Congresses. Yet, our 
understanding is that the House system of distribution has been 
achieved at a relatively low cost. We have designed this resolution to 
eliminate the cost burden to CRS by shifting the operation and 
maintenance of the system over to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. In 
addition, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is directed to ask the General 
Accounting Office, GAO, to evaluate the program after one year to 
explore how to make the operations more cost-effective.
  The resolution also would require the Senate Office of Public Records 
to put other selected documents related to Members' receipt of 
honoraria and travel reimbursement on the Internet. We have already 
voted to make this information available to the public. Unfortunately, 
the public can only get access to this information by personally 
visiting an office in the Hart building. This resolution would allow 
our constituents throughout the country to access this information more 
readily.
  This resolution has been endorsed by many groups, including the 
Project on Government Oversight, the Congressional Accountability 
Project, Intel, Computer & Communications Industry Association, the 
Center for Democracy and Technology, the American Library Association, 
SeeBeyond Technology Corporation, and others. I ask unanimous consent 
that these letters of support be printed in the Record.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. The Internet offers 
a unique opportunity to allow the American people to have everyday 
access to important information about their government.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                    SeeBeyond,

                                    Reston, VA, February 11, 2003.
     Senator John McCain,
     Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, 
         U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCain: We are writing to express our support 
     for the Congressional Openness Act that allows constituents 
     easier and faster access to information through the Internet, 
     and to urge quick Senate passage of the bill.
       SeeBeyond is a software technology company that enables 
     Government agencies to communicate and share vital 
     information in real time to other federal agencies, state and 
     local Governments and most importantly constituents.
       The bill allows better ways for the Government to share 
     information, documents and proceedings, including bills, 
     reports and transcripts of committee meetings that educate 
     the public, and we commend your efforts to further the 
     Federal Government's work in this area.
       We are pleased to offer you our support of this legislation 
     and to encourage its swift passage by the full Senate.
           Sincerely,

                                               Sam Maccherola,

                                    Vice President, Public Sector,
     SeeBeyond Technology Corp.
                                  ____

                                      Congressional Accountability


                                                      Project,

                                  Portland, OR, February 11, 2003.
     Senator John McCain,
     U.S. Senate, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
     Senator Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators McCain and Leahy: We heartily endorse your 
     resolution to place useful congressional documents on the 
     Internet, including Congressional Research Service (CRS) 
     Reports and Issue Briefs, CRS Authorization and Appropriation 
     products, and Senate gift disclosure reports. This resolution 
     is a simple and inexpensive way to improve our democracy.
       Citizens need access to congressional documents to 
     discharge their civic duties. Regrettable, the 20th Century 
     has come and gone, and yet Congress still has not put many of 
     its most important documents on the Internet. Your resolution 
     will help fix this problem.
       The Congressional Research Service is a taxpayer-funded 
     research arm of Congress. Their research materials are among 
     the best produced by the federal government. They explain, 
     with fairness and clarity, the controversies and complexities 
     surrounding the most pressing issues of our day. This 
     research belongs on the Internet. Taxpayers deserve easy 
     access to the documents we pay for.
       We applaud the resolution's directive that Senate 
     committees should ``provide access via the Internet to 
     publicly-available committee information, documents and 
     proceedings, including bills, reports, and official 
     transcripts of committee meetings that are open to the 
     public.''
       In 1822, James Madison explained why citizens need such 
     information: ``A popular government,'' he wrote, ``without 
     popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a 
     Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge 
     will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be 
     their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which 
     knowledge gives.''
           Sincerely,
         American Association of Law Libraries; American Library 
           Association; American Society of Newspaper Editors; 
           Association of Research Libraries; Center for Democracy 
           and Technology; Center for Digital Democracy; Center 
           for Responsive Politics, Common Cause; Computer & 
           Communications Industry Association; Computer 
           Professionals for Social Responsibility; Congressional 
           Accountability Project; Consumer Federation of America; 
           Consumer Project on Technology; Electronic Frontier 
           Foundation; Electronic Privacy Information Center.
         Federation of American Scientists; Friends of the Earth; 
           Green Party of the United States; Medical Library 
           Association; National Federation of Press Women; 
           National Security Archive; National Taxpayers Union; 
           National Newspaper Association; OMB Watch; Project on 
           Government Oversight; Public Citizen; Reporters 
           Committee for Freedom of the Press; Society of 
           Professional Journalists; Taxpayers for Common Sense; 
           Union of Concerned Scientists; U.S. Public Interest 
           Research Group (USPIRG).

   Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join today with Senator 
McCaine to submit our bipartisan resolution to make Congressional 
Research Service products available over the Internet to the American 
people. I also want to thank the Project on Government Oversight for 
its excellent report on the need for access to CRS information.
  The Congressional Research Service has a well-known reputation for 
producing high-quality reports and information briefs that are 
unbiased, concise and accurate. The taxpayers of this country, who pay 
millions of dollars a year to fund the CRS, deserve

[[Page S2226]]

speedy access to these public resources and have a right to see that 
their money is being spent well.
  The goal of our bipartisan legislation is to allow every citizen the 
same access to the wealth of CRS information as a Member of Congress 
enjoys today. CRS performs invaluable research and produces first-rate 
reports on hundreds of topics. American taxpayers have every right to 
have direct access to these wonderful resources.
  Our legislation ensures that private CRS products will remain 
protected by giving the CRS Director the authority to hold back any 
products that are deemed confidential. Moreover, the Director may 
protect the identity of CRS researchers and any copyrighted material. 
We can do both--protect confidential material and empower our citizens 
through electronic access to invaluable CRS products.
  The Internet offers us a unique opportunity to allow the American 
people to have everyday access to this public information. Our 
bipartisan legislation would harness the power of the Information Age 
to allow average citizens to see these public records of the Senate in 
their official form, in context and without editorial comment.
  All of these reports are ``public'' for only those who can afford to 
hire a lawyer or lobbyist, or who can afford to physically travel to 
Washington to visit the Office of Public Records in the Hart Building 
and read them. Indeed, the Project on Government Oversight reports that 
over 150 registered lobbyists are former Members of Congress who have 
automatic access to CRS documents. That is not very ``public,'' and 
does almost nothing for the average voter in Vermont or the rest of 
this country who does not have easy access to Washington.
  We can do better, and this resolution does better. Under our 
resolution, any citizen in any corner of this country with access to a 
computer at home, at the office or at the public library will be able 
to get on the Internet and get these important congressional documents 
under our resolution. It allows individual citizens to check the facts, 
to make comparisons, and to make up their own minds.
  I commend the senior Senator from Arizona for his leadership on this 
and similar issues. I share his desire for the American people to have 
electronic access to many more congressional resources. I look forward 
to working with him in the coming days to let the information age open 
up the Halls of Congress to all our citizens.
  As Thomas Jefferson wrote, ``Information is the currency of 
democracy.'' Our democracy is stronger if all citizens have equal 
access to at least the ``congressional-type'' of currency, and that is 
something in which Members on both sides of the aisle can celebrate and 
join.
                                 ______
                                 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4--WELCOMING THE EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT OF 
  18 EUROPEAN NATIONS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY 
                        COUNSEL RESOLUTION 1441

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, 
and Mr. Bayh) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                             S. Con. Res. 4

       Whereas on November 8, 2002, the United Nations Security 
     Council approved Security Council Resolution 1441 under 
     Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter by a vote of 15-0, 
     giving Iraq ``a final opportunity to comply with its 
     disarmament obligations'';
       Whereas on November 21, 2002, the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization's North Atlantic Council unanimously approved a 
     declaration stating, ``We deplore Iraq's failure to comply 
     fully with its obligations which were imposed as a necessary 
     step to restore international peace and security and we 
     recall that the Security Council has decided in its 
     resolution to afford Iraq a final opportunity to comply with 
     its disarmament obligations under relevant resolutions of the 
     Council.'';
       Whereas the North Atlantic Council stated, ``NATO Allies 
     stand united in their commitment to take effective action to 
     assist and support the efforts of the United Nations to 
     ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq, without 
     conditions or restrictions, with United Nations Security 
     Council Resolution 1441. We recall that the Security Council 
     in this resolution has warned Iraq that it will face serious 
     consequences as a result of its continued violation of its 
     obligations.'';
       Whereas, on January 30, 2003, the Prime Ministers of 
     Denmark, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the 
     United Kingdom, and the President of the Czech Republic 
     (``The Eight''), issued a declaration regarding Security 
     Council Resolution 1441;
       Whereas in their declaration, The Eight stated, ``The 
     transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the 
     current Iraqi regime's persistent attempts to threaten world 
     security. . . . The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass 
     destruction represent a clear threat to world security. This 
     danger has been explicitly recognized by the United Nations. 
     All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, 
     which was adopted unanimously.'';
       Whereas The Eight stated, ``Resolution 1441 is Saddam 
     Hussein's last chance to disarm using peaceful means. The 
     opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with him. . 
     . . Our governments have a common responsibility to face this 
     threat. . . . [T]he Security Council must maintain its 
     credibility by ensuring full compliance with its resolutions. 
     We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those 
     resolutions. If they are not complied with, the Security 
     Council will lose its credibility and world peace will suffer 
     as a result.'';
       Whereas on February 5, 2003, the Foreign Ministers of 
     Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, 
     Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (``The Ten'') 
     issued a declaration regarding Security Council Resolution 
     1441;
       Whereas in their declaration, The Ten stated, ``[T]he 
     United States [has] presented compelling evidence to the 
     United Nations Security Council detailing Iraq's weapons of 
     mass destruction programs, its active efforts to deceive 
     United Nations inspectors, and its links to international 
     terrorism. . . . The transatlantic community, of which we are 
     a part, must stand together to face the threat posed by the 
     nexus of terrorism and dictators with weapons of mass 
     destruction.'';
       Whereas The Ten stated, ``[I]t has now become clear that 
     Iraq is in material breach of United Nations Security Council 
     resolutions, including United Nations Resolution 1441. . . . 
     The clear and present danger posed by Saddam Hussein's regime 
     requires a united response from the community of democracies. 
     We call upon the United Nations Security Council to take the 
     necessary and appropriate action in response to Iraq's 
     continuing threat to international peace and security.'': 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress welcomes--
       (1) the expression of support from Albania, Bulgaria, 
     Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, 
     Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, 
     Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom 
     for Iraq's full compliance with Security Council Resolution 
     1441; and
       (2) their expression of solidarity with the United States 
     in calling for the demands of the Security Council to be met 
     with regard to Iraq's full disarmament.

                          ____________________