[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16085-S16087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     URGING PASSAGE OF FISCAL YEAR 2004 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, yesterday the House passed the fiscal 
year 2004 omnibus appropriations bill by a bipartisan vote. Republicans 
and Democrats alike joined in adopting this bill. I had hoped today the 
Senate could be given the opportunity to pass this bill which would 
fund a variety of programs critical to the American people and indeed 
the world.
  That does not seem possible now, but the consequences of delay on 
this bill are real and the dangers are great. Many people will be 
affected by this delay. One of the bills included in the omnibus 
appropriations bill is the foreign operations budget. That measure 
includes increases in funds to combat the world's growing AIDS 
epidemic. With the support of Democrats and Republicans alike, $2.4 
billion was added to this bill to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and 
malaria around the world. This money would be used to buy life-giving 
medicines to treat people suffering with AIDS. It will help save the 
lives of mothers, fathers, and their children afflicted by this deadly 
disease of AIDS.
  If they have to wait another month or two, will it make a difference? 
Unfortunately, the stark answer is yes.
  Bono, the founder of Data, a worldwide humanitarian group, has urged 
us to pass this bill now. He knows better than most of us what a delay 
will mean to the people on the ground who wait patiently for our help. 
Can they wait another month or two? Probably not.
  Closer to home, there are others who will suffer if this measure is 
delayed. Our conferees provided an increase of $38 million to provide 
more AIDS drugs domestically through the AIDS drug assistance program 
at the Health and Human Services Department.
  Our Nation's veterans will be among groups hit hardest by a delay on 
this bill.
  Again, on a bipartisan basis, the Senate led the way in providing 
additional funds to make sure America's veterans will get the medical 
treatment they were promised. In my own State of Alaska, some veterans 
have had to wait months for a basic doctor's appointment. 
Unfortunately, the veterans in Alaska are not alone. The waiting lists 
for veterans around the country, from Arizona to West Virginia, North 
Dakota to Florida, are on the rise. As veterans return from Iraq, the 
demand for medical care will increase even more. Coupled with the 1 
percent attrition rate for VA doctors per month--I repeat that, a 1 
percent attrition rate in VA doctors per month--the waiting periods for 
veterans will only get longer with this delay.
  Likewise, without the additional money provided in the bill, 48 
community-based outpatient clinics will be in jeopardy. Since the VA is 
forced to operate under the lower funding level provided in the 
continuing resolution, those clinics cannot open. In addition, pharmacy 
costs are going up for our Nation's veterans. In 2003, drug costs rose 
by a whopping 11 percent. The VA is incurring increased demands for 
prescriptions every month. To cover the high cost of drugs, the VA has 
been forced to cut other high-priority medical programs. They are 
forced by this

[[Page S16086]]

delay to continue operating under last year's lower funding level. So 
the problem, again, will only get worse.
  Some of the older veterans, especially those with whom I served 
during World War II, may be forced to wait longer for long-term care 
because of the delay of this bill. The VA had planned to increase long-
term care by 20 percent with the funds in this bill. I am not sure 
those veterans from World War II can wait additional months for that 
care.
  Worst of all, the VA has raised concerns that the continuing 
resolution may not authorize mandatory compensation and benefit 
payments for veterans which were scheduled to begin in January. So, 
according to that information that we received from the VA, unless we 
pass this bill this week, beginning on New Year's Day, the VA will not 
be able to make the compensation payments to 2.5 million veterans and 
314,000 of their survivors. There remains some confusion about this 
issue.
  Likewise, the VA will not be able to make benefit payments to another 
537,000 veterans. These benefit payments are needs-based pensions and 
sustain veterans with no other means of support. The payments will 
average $790 per person per month. Obviously, those with no income 
cannot wait another month without the money to pay for their rent or 
their food.
  I do not think it is fair to ask disabled veterans, for some of whom 
this is their only income, to wait an additional time. I do not think 
this is how our returning veterans from Iraq should be welcomed home.
  Unfortunately, it is not just our Nation's veterans who will suffer 
as the Government is forced to continue operating under last year's 
levels for another month or two. The Federal Housing Administration at 
HUD has indicated to our committee that its prorated insurance 
authority under this continuing resolution is not enough to meet the 
current projections for either FHA mutual mortgage insurance or the FHA 
general insurance and special risk insurance fund. That means that 
sometime in January the FHA insurance program for single-family and 
multifamily housing will run out of money. Needy families will also be 
forced to wait for the section 8 rent subsidy vouchers. They are living 
in shelters and must stay there for a few more months because we cannot 
bring this bill to a vote.

  Under the continuing resolution, the AmeriCorps Program, which helps 
needy families and communities, would also be in jeopardy. Passage of 
our omnibus bill in January will delay this. Unless we pass this 
omnibus bill in January, there will be a delay in the enrollment of 
tens of thousands of new volunteers.
  The Nation's schoolchildren will also suffer if we do not pass this 
omnibus bill before the end of the year. On a bipartisan basis, the 
conferees agreed to an increase of $2.9 billion for education programs 
to help our Nation's schools. Unfortunately, that money is just not 
available under the continuing resolution, based on last year's 
appropriations. Undoubtedly, now, despite our pledge, some children 
will be left behind.
  Under the continuing resolution, assistance for school districts, 
States, and colleges will also be delayed. For example, the conferees 
provided an increase of $728 million for poor schools under the title I 
grant program which helps disadvantaged children. These moneys are not 
available under the continuing resolution based on last year's level, 
and that money will not be there when the second semester starts the 
first week of January.
  Kids with disabilities are also going to suffer. The conferees 
provided $1.26 billion in new funding to help States meet their 
responsibility for kids with learning disabilities and physical and 
mental challenges. Instead of continuing impressive increases in 
Federal commitment to reaching the 40 percent payment authorized for 
students with disabilities, under the continuing resolution the Federal 
contribution will be frozen at 17.5 percent. This bill would have paid 
40 percent; the continuing resolution provides only 17.5 percent. I do 
not think our Nation's schools should have to wait for this additional 
money, which they should have received back in October shortly after 
the school year began.
  Other education programs will suffer under the continuing resolution. 
New funds for reading, some $57 million, will be delayed; impact aid, 
about $49 billion for children of military families, will be affected; 
$50 million for our Nation's colleges will be in jeopardy. Saddest of 
all, to me, will be the delay in funding for Head Start. We had 
provided an additional $148 million to expand and improve Head Start 
programs around the country. That also will be delayed because the 
money is not within the continuing resolution.
  In addition to the adverse impact on health care for our veterans, 
the continuing resolution will also have a negative effect on health 
care programs for other Americans. Most immediate, this bill provides 
an additional $50 million to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak, which 
is upon us now. It is upon us as I speak. Normally the flu season does 
not begin in earnest until late January, but this year it is early. If 
this measure is delayed, that $50 million will sit in the Treasury 
while Americans go untreated and unvaccinated for the flu. I seriously 
question whether they can wait for January for that flu shot. I hope 
something will be done to meet that very pressing problem.

  Likewise, the $261 million provided in this measure for the Centers 
for Disease Control to combat emerging infectious diseases is also not 
available under the continuing resolution. That means the funds needed 
to combat diseases such as SARS, monkeypox, and hepatitis may not be 
there when they are needed.
  The $122 million the conferees added to strengthen and expand 
community health centers will be delayed under the continuing 
resolution. This medical care to the underserved and uninsured across 
the country should not be delayed, but it will be.
  Similarly, the $1 billion in new money for health research at the 
National Institutes of Health will be delayed under the continuing 
resolution. That is research on heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and 
other killers. It will have to be delayed until the bill is finally 
passed.
  Our omnibus bill also includes an additional $159 million to combat 
substance abuse and mental health diseases. Hundreds of thousands of 
Americans suffering from addiction and mental illness, who could have 
received additional care, will go untreated under the continuing 
resolution. These additional funds could treat thousands of Americans. 
They will not be available now.
  The omnibus bill also funds the Agriculture Department which helps 
feed the Nation. On a bipartisan basis, the conferees agreed to make 
substantial increases in funding for programs to make sure that no 
child goes to bed hungry.
  The conferees provided an additional $3.6 billion over the 2003 
funding level for the Food Stamp Program. That money is continued now 
at the 2003 level--not at the higher level of this bill. In fact, it is 
not enough money to allow every qualified applicant to participate in 
the Food Stamp Program without this bill.
  Not only that, but this bill provides an additional $1 billion in 
reserve funding to provide for any unanticipated increase in program 
participation in food stamps.
  In total, that is an extra $4.6 billion for the Food Stamp Program, 
or just under $400 million a month. That is what is going to be 
delayed--at least $400 million a month.
  This bill cannot possibly get to the President until the end of 
January. It means that almost $800 million will not be available to 
feed hungry families between now and the end of January. It means that 
some families may not have a Christmas dinner.
  Likewise, the conferees provided an additional $837 million over the 
2003 funding level for other child nutrition programs--programs such as 
school lunches, school breakfasts, child and adult food programs, and 
the special milk program. Since this bill has been delayed, that money 
will not be available to help the hungry. A 2-month delay will mean 
about $70 million a month will not be there for those people.
  The omnibus appropriations bill funds the Department of 
Transportation programs for fiscal year 2004, as well as other critical 
programs.
  For example, the conferees agreed to add an additional $1.5 billion 
to complete preparations for the November

[[Page S16087]]

Presidential election. Continued operation under a continuing 
resolution means the full amount of funding will be delayed, along with 
the installation of state-of-the-art voting machines. This is very 
critical to our Nation. We all remember the last election, and we 
pledged to fix that. I do not think it will be possible because of the 
delay of this bill.
  This measure also funds transit programs at $7.3 billion to address 
traffic congestion around the country. It provides $13.9 billion for 
the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the safety of our air 
transportation system. Increases in both programs are now in jeopardy 
because this bill will not pass before the end of the year.
  I have great concerns about the delay in funding for counterterrorism 
that will result in not passing this measure now. The conference report 
includes significant new funding for the Department of the Treasury to 
disrupt the financing of terrorist groups. Delayed funding could hamper 
the ongoing efforts to disrupt the cash-flow to the terrorist groups 
throughout the world.
  The State-Justice-Commerce bill is also included within this omnibus 
measure. If this bill is not adopted, critical funds for the FBI and 
counterterrorism programs will be delayed. In addition, the United 
States would be late in paying its dues to the United Nations 
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, which is due 
January 1.

  The District of Columbia bill is funded in this legislation, 
including the voucher program which was controversial, I will admit. 
But it is to give kids attending failing schools a chance to succeed in 
life. If this voucher program which is now authorized is delayed, it 
probably cannot go into effect the next semester. It is uncertain 
whether the program can be up and running by the next school year 
unless this bill passes before the end of this year.
  Despite reports in the press and some opponents, I think this is a 
bipartisan bill. I don't believe there is a Senator in the Chamber who 
cannot or has not claimed credit for at least one program in this bill. 
It funds programs for Republicans and Democrats alike, and includes 
projects for Senators who are up for election regardless of party. Each 
of these seven bills was worked out largely by the chairman and ranking 
member, a Republican and a Democrat, on each subcommittee. Only a 
handful of these issues were resolved at the full committee level in 
conference.
  Are there provisions in this bill to which the minority object? Yes. 
Does the White House endorse all of what we have done in this bill? 
Absolutely not. Are there sections in the bill that even I oppose? Yes. 
I do oppose some of the provisions. But the bill is the product of 
compromise, and unfortunately, it is a compromise that comes about when 
we are forced to join bills together into an omnibus bill. Senator Byrd 
and I have consistently opposed the concept of omnibus bills, and we 
sought to have bills pass singularly as they should be--13 separate 
appropriations bills.
  I know there are items in here with which Senator Byrd disagrees. As 
I said, I know there are provisions with which I disagree. But the one 
thing I do thank the Senator from West Virginia for is working to try 
to get 13 separate bills. It has not been possible for us to do that. 
We were forced at the last minute to make some concessions to the White 
House and to the House in order to get a bill that the House would pass 
and which the President would sign. Some of those concessions are not 
acceptable to the minority. I understand that. I understand the 
process. Unfortunately, the timing of this bill is such that we had no 
alternative but to make the concessions in order to get the bill to the 
House.
  I had hoped that we would be able to pass it today. I know that is 
not possible. Delay of this bill is going to cause real problems for 
people around this country and around the world, as I said in the 
beginning. It will hit the neediest among us hardest of all. And for 
some, unfortunately, this delay may be a matter of life or death. 
During the season of peace and helping each other, particularly the 
spirit of Christmas and the spirit of bipartisanship, I had hoped the 
2004 omnibus appropriations bill would be able to pass today. I regret 
deeply as chairman of committee that is not possible. I take full 
responsibility for the delay because it was just not possible for us, 
within the rules, to finish the bills and get them to the Senate before 
this time.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia is recognized.

                          ____________________