{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}
CONSENT THE SENATE NOW TURN TO H.R. 4461, THE AGRICULTURE
APPROPRIATIONS BILL. I FURTHERED ASK CONSENT THAT ALL AFTER THE
ENACTING CLAUSE OF H.R. 4661 -- 4461, BE STRICKEN AND THE TEXT
OF S. 2536 WITH A MODIFIED SECTION "B" BE INSERTED IN LIEU
THEREOF AND THAT THE NEW TEXT BE TREATED AS ORIGINAL TEXT FOR
THE PURPOSE OF FURTHER AMENDMENT AND THAT NO POINT OF ORDER BE
WAIVED.
{17:30:37 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. REID: RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST
WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO SENATOR WELLSTONE FOR BEING
SO REASONABLE ON THIS ISSUE AND, AS USUAL, HE HAS SPOTTED THE
ISSUE, IT'S BEEN EXPLAINED TO HIM AND NOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD
ON THIS LEGISLATION.
{17:30:51 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. LOTT: THANK YOU VERY MUCHMENT
{17:30:52 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
{17:30:54 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I KNOW NOW THAT THE MANAGERS ARE READY
TO PROCEED, SENATOR COCHRAN. WE HOPE TO GO FORWARD WITH OPENING
STATEMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED TONIGHT. I
WILL CONSULT WITH SENATOR COCHRAN AND MANAGERS ABOUT HOW TO
PROCEED THROUGHOUT THE BALANCE OF THE NIGHT BUT WE WILL TURN
BACK TO THIS LEGISLATION IN THE MORNING NOT
LATER THAN 9:PO AND WE WILL
HAVE STACKED VOTES -- THE:30 AND WE WIMG HAVE STACKED VOTES
IF ANY ARE REQUIRED AT 2:15 OR
{17:31:27} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
2:30 TOMORROW. WE WILL MAKE IT SPECIFIC LATER. THANK YOU
SENATOR COCHRAN. GOOD LUCK.
{17:31:37 NSP} (THE CLERK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE CLERK: H.R. 4461, AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCY'S PROGRAMS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING IT 0011 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. MR.
COCHRAN: MR. PRESIDENT?
{17:31:48 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI.
{17:31:51 NSP} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. COCHRAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE AGE TO
PRESENT FOR THE SENATE'S -- ABLE TO PRESENT FOR THE SENATE'S
CONSIDERATION S. 2536 THE FISCAL YEAR 2001 AGRICULTURE RURAL
DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS BILL. THIS BILL PROVIDES FISCAL YEAR 2001
FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE, THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND THE
{17:32:21} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE
IS FUNDED BY THE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL. THIS BILL AS
REPORTED PROVIDES FISCAL YEAR 23000 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
AND RESCISSIONS TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY NEEDS RESULTING FROM
NATURAL DISASTERS AND OTHER UNANTICIPATED FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2001 PROVISIONS ARE CONTAINED IN DIVISION A OF
THE REPORTED BILL. IT PROVIDES TOTAL NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY FOR
{17:32:56} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
FISCAL YEAR 2001 OF $75.3 BILLION. THIS IS $295 MILLION LESS
THAN THE FISCAL YEAR 200 ENACTED LEVEL, EXCLUDING EMERGENCY
APPROPRIATIONS AND $.5 BILLION LESS THAN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
-- $1.5 BILLION LEGISLATION THAN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
REQUEST. OVER 80% OF THE TOTAL RECOMMENDED BY THE BILL IS FOR
MAN DA ATTORNEY APPROPRIATIONS OVER WHICH THE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE HAS NO EFFECTIVE CONTROL. THE SPENDING LEVELS FOR
{17:33:33} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THESE PROGRAMS ARE GOVERNED BY AUTHORIZING STATUTES. THE
MANDATORY PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THIS BILL INCLUDE THE COMMODITY
CREDIT CORPORATIONS THE FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION AND
THE FOOD STAMP AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS. PART OF THE TOTAL
RECOMMENDED BY THIS BILL IS FOR DISCRETIONARY PROGRAMS AN
ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET SCORE KEEPING ADJUST
PTMENTS AND PRIOR YEAR SPENDING ACTIONS, THIS BILL RECOMMENDS
{17:34:04} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TOTAL DISCRETIONARY SPENDING OF $14.850 IN BUDGET AUTHORITY AND
$14.925 BILLION IN OUTLAYS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001. THESE AMOUNTS
ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S DISCRETIONARY SPENDING
ALLOCATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL DISCRETIONARY SPENDING
RECOMMENDED BY THIS BILL IS APPROXIMATELY $277 MILLION IN
BUDGET AUTHORITY WEE E. BELOW THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST
LEVEL, AS REESTIMATED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, THE
{17:34:46} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
PRESIDENT'S PROPOSED BUDGET REPUBLIC LIES UPON ADDITIONAL
REVENUES AND SAVINGS TO ACCOMMODATE MUCH HYPER LEVELS OF
SUGGESTED DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
PROPOSES TO GENERATE A NET TOTAL OF $564 MILLION IN COLLECTIONS
FROM NEW USER FEE PROPOSALS AND TO REDIRECT FUNDS FROM ONGOING
PROJECTION AND CONGRESSIONAL INITIATIVES TO PAY FOR
{17:35:18} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES. THIS COMMITTEE DOES NOT HAVE THE
LUXURY OF RELYING UPON REVENUES AND SAVINGS FROM LEGISLATIVE
PROPOSALS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS AND
SIGNED INTO LAW. CONSEQUENTLY WITHIN THE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING
LIMITATIONS ESTABLISHED FOR THIS BILL, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO
AFFORD MANY OF THE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING INCREASES AND NEW
INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND STILL REMAIN
{17:35:53} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CONSISTENT WITH THE BUDGET ACT. FOOD SAFETY TIPS TO BE A VERY
HIGH PRY -- CONTINUES TO BE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR THIS
COMMITTEE. THE BHIL AS RECOMMENDED TO THE SENATE PROVIDES THE
FUNDS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT AMERICAN CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO
HAVE THE SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY IN THE WORLD. NOT ONLY DOES THE
BILL PROVIDE INCREASED FUNDS REQUIREDED FOR MEAT AND POULTRY
INSPECTION ACTIVITIES OF THE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION
SERVICE, IT PROVIDES TOTAL FUNDING OF $377 MILLION, A $53
{17:36:25} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MILLION INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT YEAR LEVEL FOR U.S. D.A. AND
F.D.A. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRESIDENT'S FOOD
SAFETY INITIATIVE. TURNING TO DIVISION B, THIS IS THE EMERGENCY
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS PRO-- PORTION OF THE BILL DRN IT
RECOMMENDS A NET TOTAL -- -- IT RECOMMENDS A NET TOTAL OF $2
{17:37:02} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OIN 2 BILLION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL AND RESCISSIONS FOR THE YEAR
2000 THE CURRENT YEAR. A NUMBER OF THESE PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN
ENACTED INTO LAW AS PART OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT ON THE FISCAL
YEAR 2001 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS ACT. THE
SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT DELETES THOSE PROVISIONS AND MAKES OTHER
ACCOMPANYING TECHNICAL AND CON FORMING CHANGES TO DISTINGUISH B
OF THE REPORTED BILL. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VARIOUS
{17:37:34} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
APPROPRIATIONS SCOMEETS MAY SPEAK TO THOSE UNDER MART B OF THE
BILL UNDER THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. HOWEVER FOR PROGRAMS
AND ACTIVITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ALCHUR
SUBCOMMITTEE, DIVISION B AS MODIFIED RECOMMENDS $1.1 BILLION IN
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR EMERGENCY HOURSING AND RELIEF
TO FARMERS AS A RESULT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HURRICANE AND
OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS ARE INCLUDED. FOR THE FARM SERVICE
{17:38:06} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
AGENCY TO MEET HIGH WORKLOAD DEMANDS, AND TO OFFSET THE ASSESS.
ON PEANUT PRODUCERS FOR PROGRAM LOSSES HAVE NOW BEEN ENACTED
INTO LAW. THE REMAINING EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL RORMTED TO THE SENATE STILL MUST BE
ADDRESSED. THESE ITEMS INCLUDE THE $13 MILLION REQUESTED BY THE
PRESIDENT TO COVER A SHORTFALL IN AVAILABLE FUNDING FOR CROP
{17:38:45} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
INSURANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNTS. $35 MILLION TO SUPPORT ONGOING
ACREAGE ENROLLMENTS IN THE CONSERVATION RESERVE AND WETLANDS
RESERVE PROGRAMS AND AN ADDITIONAL $130 MILLION FOR THE RURAL
COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM. JUST ARTS DEVASTATING TO
PRODUCERS AS LOSSS FROM HURRICANES, DROUGHT AND OTHER NATURAL
DISASTERS ARE LOSSES FROM NEW AND EMERGING DISEASES AND PEST
INFESTATIONS. THE BILL PROVIDES AUTHORITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF
{17:39:18} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
AGRICULTURE TO COME MEN SAIT GROWERS FOR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF
THE PLUMB POX VIRUS WHICH DEVASTATED THE STONE FRUIT INDUSTRY,
CITRUS CANKER, MEXICAN GROUP FLY, GROSS HOPPERS AND MORMON
CRICK ET CETERA AND A NEW PROBLEM PLAGUING THE DEPRA I. GRAPE
INDUSTRY. AN ESTIMATED $443 MILLION IS RECOMMENDED FOR DAIRY
PRODUCERS AND $450 MILLION FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS. MR.
PRESIDENT, THIS APPROPRIATIONS BILL WAS REPORTED BY THE
{17:39:53} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ON MAY 10. IT WAS THE FIRST -- IT
WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE 13 FISCAL YEAR 23000 APPROPRIATIONS
BILLS TO BE REPORTED TO THE SENATE BY THE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANION BILL WAS REPORTED FROM THE
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ABOUT THE SAME TIME, ON MAY 16,
THE HOUSE DID NOT BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL UNTIL JUNE
29. THE HOUSE RESUMED CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL IMMEDIATELY
{17:40:30} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
FOLLOWING THE JULY RECESS, AND PASSED THE BILL ON JULY 111 BY A
VOTE OF 339 TO 82. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 26 LEGISLATIVE DAYS
REMAINING BEFORE THE OCTOBER 1 START OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND IT
IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN EXPEDITE THE SENATE'S CONSIDERATION OF
THIS BILL SO WE CAN GO TO CONFERENCE WITH THE HOUSE, AND GET
THIS BILL TO THE PRESIDENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN, THE RANKING
MEMBER OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, SENATOR KOHL, AS WELL AS OTHER
{17:41:09} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR INTO SUPPORT IN E. AND
COOPERATION IN PUTTING THIS BILL TOGETHER. IT IS NEVER EASY TO
DETERMINE FUNDING PRIORITIES OR TO BALANCE THE MANY COMPETING
AND LEGITIMATE NEEDS THAT CONFRONT AGRICULTURE IN THIS BILL AND
STAY WITHIN THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S REQUIRED SPENDING LIMITATIONS.
BUT I BELIEVE THIS BILL REPRESENTS A RESPONSIBLE FUNDING
{17:41:42} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
RECOMMENDATION, AND I ASK THE SENATORS TO GIVE IT THEIR IT
FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION. MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT
THAT P FOLLOWING -- THAT THE FOLLOWING APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STAFF MEMBERS AND INTEMPERATURES BE GRANTED FLOOR PRIVILEGES
DURING THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL,; 2536, AND NIP VOTES
THAT MAY OCCUR IN RELATION THERETO. REBECCA DAVIS, MAR IS THAT
{17:42:19} (MR. COCHRAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
SCOTT POINDEXTER, HUNT SHIPMAN, LES SPIVEY, CORY KNEEL.
{17:42:33 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
{17:42:42 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.
QUORUM CALL:
{END: 2000/07/18 TIME: 17-45 , Tue. 106TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}
{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}