[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23616]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT REFORM BILL, ENERGY LEGISLATION, AND ANWR

  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to address three issues on 
which we will be voting in the Senate on Monday: The railroad 
retirement reform bill, the comprehensive energy legislation, and the 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge legislation.
  First of all, I would like to express my support for the railroad 
retirement reform bill. As thousands of Georgians who have contacted my 
office in support of this legislation will state, action by the Senate 
on this legislation is long overdue. I was pleased to support the 
cloture vote that occurred yesterday to move to this legislation.
  The House of Representatives passed this legislation more than once 
by overwhelming, bipartisan majorities, and the Senate version has 74 
cosponsors, including my sponsorship. I think this bill should receive 
the same opportunity for a vote. Not only would current and former 
employees benefit from this legislation but also the widows and 
widowers of former employees.
  This legislation is the result of a long effort by both industry and 
labor to reform the railroad retirement system. Not often does Congress 
have the opportunity to vote on a cooperative effort supported by 
virtually everybody affected in the industry. We have that opportunity 
now. We should take advantage of it. We would be remiss to ignore it 
and not support it.
  We have heard from the small numbers of Senators who threaten this 
bill's ability to make it to the President's desk. These same 
colleagues joined me in support of a tax break package earlier this 
year which cost more than $1 trillion. At that time, we supported the 
tax legislation because of the potential economic stimulus it could 
provide. I say reforming the railroad retirement system will also 
provide such stimulus by freeing up funds that could be reinvested in 
the economy by the over 1 million active and retired rail workers and 
their families and the rail companies.
  This country exploded as the railroads moved west. It was the 
physical incarnation of manifest destiny. Since the time these initial 
courageous workers linked this country, hundreds of thousands of 
workers have followed in their footsteps to maintain and expand their 
work. These workers and their families would benefit from this 
legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation and 
provide long overdue reform to the railroad retirement system.
  However, this railroad retirement bill is not the appropriate vehicle 
to address comprehensive energy legislation. It is essential that we 
pass a comprehensive energy bill that, No. 1, provides consumers with 
affordable and reliable energy; No. 2, increases domestic energy 
supplies in a responsible manner; No. 3, invests in energy efficiency 
and renewable energy sources; and, No. 4, protects the environment and 
public health.
  The inclusion of renewable energy sources is vital because I believe 
energy sources, such as wind, geothermal, solar, hydropower, and 
biomass, along with energy-efficient technologies, will help offset 
fuel imports, create numerous employment opportunities, and actually 
enhance export markets.
  Finally, I would like to address my particular concerns about opening 
up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
  Earlier this year, my colleagues who supported ANWR drilling argued 
that U.S. gas prices were out of control and therefore ANWR needed to 
be drilled immediately. Since then, gas prices have fallen 
dramatically, despite the war in Afghanistan. In fact, over the 
Thanksgiving holiday, I returned to Georgia and I routinely saw gas 
prices in Georgia substantially below $1 a gallon. As a matter of fact, 
I did see some prices at 76 cents a gallon. Those prices have not been 
seen at the pumps in more than a year.
  Since September 11, the price per barrel of oil has dropped $12 to 
the current price of $18 per barrel. ANWR does not need to be drilled 
but rather protected so generations from now can see its beauty as we 
see it today.
  I will support efforts to protect ANWR from drilling, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Lieberman, 
is recognized.

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