[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7707-7708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         FSC-ETI AND JOBS BILL

  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, when I came to the United States Senate 
last year, it was with great optimism--with a mission to get real 
results accomplished for my North Carolina constituents and for our 
great Nation. During my tenure in the Department of Transportation, the 
Department of Labor, and the American Red Cross, I was blessed with the 
opportunity to tackle some very important and challenging issues--like 
the sale of Conrail, modernizing the American Red Cross, settling a 
bitter coal strike, transferring Dulles and National airports from 
Federal control to ensure that Dulles' capacity would be doubled and 
the gateway to the Nation's capital would be our beautiful new airport. 
These issues required me to work with colleagues from both sides of the 
aisle at every turn. If I had just tried to work with Republicans when 
tackling these matters, you can bet that nothing would have ever been 
accomplished. These success stories were achieved in a bipartisan and 
constructive manner. I looked forward to the same experience when 
entering this great body last year; however, the pattern of 
obstructionism occurring over the past few months is at a crossroads.
  The opportunity to vote--to even vote--on the following legislation 
has been blocked:
  Medical liability reform: After a comprehensive bipartisan bill was 
blocked last July, two additional targeted attempts to protect access 
to ERs and OB-GYNs were blocked February 24 and April 7.
  A comprehensive Energy bill has been thwarted for 3 years--3 years. 
Passage would not only create an estimated 1 million American jobs but 
also reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Energy tax relief that would 
have created an estimated 650,000 jobs was also blocked on April 7.
  Workforce Investment Act: This legislation, projected to help more 
than 940,000 dislocated workers obtain the training they need to get 
good jobs was passed by both the House and Senate but now my friends 
across the aisle refuse to even appoint conferees.
  There are other examples of blocked legislation: Class action reform, 
Faith based/charities--the Care Act--welfare reform, and the Fair Act--
Asbestos--

[[Page 7708]]

but I want to highlight the legislation that could directly benefit the 
economy. And I use the word ``could'' because unfortunately none of 
this legislation can even get the courtesy of an up or down vote.
  You cannot have it both ways. You cannot come down to the Senate 
floor and deride the administration's economic policies--then, in the 
same day, vote to block job-creating legislation.
  A piece of legislation that underscores this point is S. 1637, the 
JOBS bill. Why in the world would we not be passing this legislation? I 
really want to know the answer so I can tell my constituents, in a 
State that has been hit especially hard by manufacturing job losses. 
Why is there objection to removing tariffs from our companies? Why is 
there objection to cutting taxes on manufacturing companies when they 
need it most? I must be missing something. When a bill is passed out of 
the Finance Committee 19-2--yes 19-2--and it is blocked from coming to 
a vote on two separate, that is simply outrageous.
  Those of us on both sides of the aisle recognize the need to deal 
with the increasing concerns associated with the current 
Extraterriorial Tax Regime ETI. The World Trade Organizations has 
determined that if not repealed, the current rules for exportation 
would necessitate $4 billion in tariffs. If passed, the JOBS bill will 
not only eliminate the WTO's exorbitant tariff imposition; it will also 
replace ETI's tax relief with a tax deduction for domestic 
manufacturers.
  At a time when America's manufacturing industries need immediate 
relief, the benefits of this legislation are clear--and the necessity 
of its passage is obvious. However, Senate Democrats are continuing to 
play petty political games and in so doing, are preventing direct aid 
to our hurting manufacturers. These partisan antics harm our American 
businesses directly--businesses run by men and women who deserve better 
from their elected officials.
  I am particularly focused on this issue because North Carolina has 
areas that are severely affected by the loss of manufacturing jobs, 
mainly in textiles and furniture. This past summer, North Carolina 
experienced the largest layoff in State history when textile giant 
Pillowtex closed its doors forever. The result of Pillowtex's closing 
was 4,400 people losing their jobs in a single day--and eventually 
nearly 5,000 being laid off.
  In eastern North Caroline, layoffs and plant closures have resulted 
in more than 2,200 layoffs since last summer. In just the past few 
months, the western region of North Carolina has lost more than 1,500 
jobs. And in February, 22 of North Carolina's 100 counties had double-
digit unemployment rates. Now there are signs that the situation is 
improving--initial data for March unemployment in North Carolina shows 
that just four counties have double-digit rates--but we must take 
action to help our manufacturers and to ensure upward trends will 
continue.
  Action can begin with final passage of the JOBS bill. This is not the 
time for political games. This is a time for doing what is right for 
the American people--and providing our manufacturers with legislation 
that will directly benefit their businesses. I urge my colleagues to 
allow the final vote on the passage of S. 1637 to protect our companies 
from undo tariffs and excessive taxes.
  Democrats say they want to find a way to rejuvenate our economy and 
prevent more factories from shutting down. If they are truly searching 
for such answers, then why don't they step forward and allow for the 
solution to reach final passage? I am hoping my friends on the other 
side of the aisle will remember the American people who depend on 
Congress and put aside partisan antics and pass good legislation. We 
need to put an end to this obstruction and work together to get things 
done in the Senate.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Kentucky.

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