{ 1998/06/23 TIME: 17-15 , Tue. 105TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}


           SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR FEARS AND CONCERNS ARE. THESE
           TESTS HAVE NOT BROUGHT SECURITY TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN, THEY
           HAVE BROUGHT INSECURITY TO THE REGION, AND THEY HAVE MADE THE
           WORLD A LOT LESS SECURE PLACE. AND NOW WE MUST BOTH STATE THAT
           AND NOW SEEK TO TRY TO PUT THIS GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE TO THE
           EXTENT THOSE TESTS HAVE HELPED TO RELEASE IT. THE MODIFICATIONS
           ARE IMPORTANT MODIFICATIONS, TO MAKE SURE THIS IS AN EVENHANDED
           RESOLUTION, WHICH IT IS, FOLLOWING THE TESTS BY THE TWO

{17:15:36} (MR. LEVIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           COUNTRIES, AND OUR STAFFS HAVE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH YOUR
           TWO STAFFS. WE WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN
           PURSUING THIS AND WE HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS PROMPTLY AND
           TOTALLY ADOPTED BY THIS SENATE.

{17:15:54 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: MR. PRESIDENT?

{17:15:55 NSP} (MR. BROWNBACK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. BROWNBACK: -- MR. BROWNBACK: MR. PRESIDENT?

{17:15:59 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM KANSAS.

{17:16:02 NSP} (MR. BROWNBACK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. BROWNBACK: I MOVE THE ADOPTION ELEVEN LEVY YIELD BACK ALL
           OUR TIME.

{17:16:05 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: ALL TIME IS YIELDING BACK. THE QUESTION
           IS ON THE AMENDMENT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED NO.
           THE AYES APPEAR TO HAVE IT. THE AYES DO HAVE IT. THE AMENDMENT
           IS AGREED TO. THE QUESTION IS NOW ON THE FIRST DEGREE
           AMENDMENT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
           THOSE OPPOSED, NO?
           THE AYES APPEAR TO HAVE IT. THE AYES DO HAVE IT. THE AMENDMENTS

{17:16:30 NSP} (MR. BROWNBACK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           IS AGREED TO. MR. BROWNBACK: MR. PRESIDENT?
           I WANT TO SAY ONE FINAL THING. I APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE
           WORKING WITH US, THE RANKING AND LEADER OF THE COMMITTEE. THANK

{17:16:40 NSP} (MR. LEVIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           YOU VERY MUCH. MR. LEVIN: MR. PRESIDENT?

{17:16:44 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN.

{17:16:46 NSP} (MR. LEVIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LEVIN: I DIDN'T HEAR IF THERE WAS A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.
           IF NOT, I MOVE TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE.

{17:16:50 NSP} (A SENATOR) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           A SENATOR: MOVE TO LAY IT ON THE TABLE.

{17:16:52 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO TABLE IS
           AGREED TO.

{17:16:57 NSP} (MR. THURMOND) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. THURMOND: MR. PRESIDENT, I UNDERSTAND WE ARE DUE BACK ON
           
           THIS BILL AT 12:00 TOMORROW, IS THAT CORRECT?
           THE DEFENSE BILL.

{17:17:03 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THAT'S NOT YET BEEN ORDERED, SENATOR.

{17:17:05 NSP} (MR. THURMOND) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. THURMOND: THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL.

{17:17:08 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IT HAS NOT YET BEEN ORDERED.

{17:17:10 NSP} (MR. THURMOND) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. THURMOND: WE ANTICIPATE BEING BACK 12:00 TOMORROW?

{17:17:16 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THAT'S THE ANTICIPATION.

{17:17:18 NSP} (MR. THURMOND) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. THURMOND: I WOULD LIKE FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ANY AMENDMENTS
           TO OFFER TO COME DOWN AND OFFER THESE AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE GOT
           TO PUSH THIS BILL. THIS IS A VITAL BILL. IT CONCERNS EVERY
           CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS DEFENSE BILL IS VERY, VERY
           IMPORTANT. AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE DELAYED AND CARRIED ON AND
           ON AND ON. THIS WILL SHOW THE WORLD WE STAND FOR A STRONG

{17:17:45 NSP} (MR. LEVIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           DEFENSE. I YIELD THE FLOOR. MR. LEVIN: MR. PRESIDENT?

{17:17:48 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN.

{17:17:51 NSP} (MR. LEVIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LEVIN: LET ME JOIN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE IN URGING
           OUR COLLEAGUES TO BRING AMENDMENTS TO THE FLOOR TOMORROW AS WE
           ANTICIPATE WHEN WE RETURN TO THIS BILL AT AROUND NOON. WE HAVE
           NOW REMOVED A MAJOR ROADBLOCK TO CONSIDERING OTHER AMENDMENTS.
           SO THE FLOOR WILL BE OPEN AT THAT TIME FOR OTHER AMENDMENTS TO
           BE CONSIDERED AND WE HOPE OUR COLLEAGUES WILL BRING THOSE TO
           THE FLR. I NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.

{17:18:34 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE
           
           CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.

{17:19:08} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

{17:19:37 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. COVERDELL: MR. PRESIDENT?

{17:19:40 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM GEORGIA.

{17:19:44 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. COVERDELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I NOW ASK THAT THE CHAIR LAY
           BEFORE THE SENATE THE CONFERENCE REPORT --

{17:19:48 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THERE IS A QUORUM CALL IN PROGRESS.

{17:19:51 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. COVERDELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE
           QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED.

{17:19:53 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. COVERDELL: MR.
           PRESIDENT?
           I NOW ASK THAT THE CHAIR LAY BEFORE THE SENATE THE CONFERENCE
           REPORT TO ACCOMPANY H.R. 2646, THE COVERDELL A+ EDUCATION BILL
           AND IT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EARLIER
           CONSENT AGREEMENT.

{17:20:12 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CLERK WILL
           REPORT.

{17:20:16 NSP} (THE CLERK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE CLERK: THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE ON THE DISAGREE VOTES 0
           OF THE TWO HOUSES ON THE BILL H.R. 2646 TO AMEND INTERNAL
           REVENUE CODE OF 1986 TO ALLOW TAX FREE EXPENDITURES FOR
           EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS AND SO FORTH AND OTHER
           PURPOSES, HAVING MET, HAVE AGREED THAT THE HOUSE RECEDE FROM
           ITS DISAGREEMENT TO THE AMENDMENT OF THE SENATE AND AGREE TO
           THE SAME WITH AN AMENDMENT, SIGNED BY A MAJORITY OF CONFEREES
           ON THE PART OF BOTH HOUSES.

{17:20:42 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM GEORGIA.

{17:20:46 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. COVERDELL: MR. PRESIDENT, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE
           CONFEREES. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND CHAIRMAN ARCHER OF THE
           CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE BROUGHT TO THE
           SENATE -- AS THEY DID THE HOUSE -- A SWEEPING EDUCATION REFORM
           PROPOSAL THAT WILL EFFECT MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF AMERICAN

{17:21:19} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           CHILDREN TRYING TO SUCCESSFULLY OBTAIN A QUALITY EDUCATION. MR.
           PRESIDENT, THEY HAVE OBTAINED A BIPARTISAN APPROACH THAT HAS
           BEEN EMBRACED BY SOME OF THE MORE DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE
           OTHER SIDE WHO WILL SPEAK TO THIS. TO PARAPHRASE SENATOR
           LIEBERMAN IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
           CONFERENCE REPORT, HE SAID IT WAS CLEAR TO HIM THAT REPUBLICAN
           LEADERSHIP HAD REACHED OUT TO HIS PARTY AND TO THE PRESIDENT

{17:21:52} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           AND HE THOUGHT THE TIME HAD COME FOR THEIR SIDE TO REACH OUT AS
           WELL, AND THEREFORE WE NOW BEGIN A DISCUSSION OF THE CONFERENCE
           REPORT ON EDUCATION REFORM IN THE UNITED STATES. MR. PRESIDENT,
           FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, JUST BRIEFLY, THE NUMBER OF
           PEOPLE THAT WILL BE AFFECTED IF WHAT IS CLEARLY GOING TO PASS
           THE SENATE WITH A VERY STRONG VOTE AND HAS PASSED THE HOUSE

{17:22:29} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           ALREADY AND WILL BE SENT TO THE PRESIDENT TO CONSIDER, IS
           SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT. IN THE FIRST CASE, MR. PRESIDENT, SOME
           14 MILLION FAMILIES WILL OPEN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, WHO
           ARE THE PARENTS OF OVER 20 MILLION CHILDREN. THINK ABOUT IT,
           MR. PRESIDENT. THAT'S ABOUT HALF THE SCHOOL POPULATION IN
           KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIARY.
           HALF THE SCHOOL POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. AT THIS

{17:23:06} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           PRECARIOUS TIME, AS WE COME TO A NEW CENTURY, WOULD HAVE A NEW
           TOOL TO USE TO HELP THEM SEE TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN.
           WHAT'S ALWAYS BEEN AMAZING TO ME, MR. PRESIDENT, ABOUT THIS
           PROPOSAL, IS THAT IT IS A VERY -- WHICH THE OTHER SIDE HAS
           POINTED OUT ALMOST RIDICULOUSLY, BUT I WILL COME TO THAT -- IT
           IS A VERY MODEST FORM OF TAX RELIEF, BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE

{17:23:41} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           INTEREST BUILD UP ON THESE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO ACCRUE WITHOUT
           BEING TAXED SO LONG AS THE ACCOUNT IS USED FOR AN EDUCATIONAL
           PURPOSE. THE TAX RELIEF, THEREFORE, FOR THESE EDUCATION SAVINGS
           ACCOUNTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, IS A LITTLE OVER $1 BILLION.
           A BILLION TO $1.3 BILLION. WHAT'S AMAZING IS HOW LITTLE
           INCENTIVE IT TAKES TO MAKE AMERICANS DO HUGE THINGS. BECAUSE

{17:24:15} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THAT LIMITED TAX RELIEF WILL CAUSE THOSE 14 MILLION FAMILIES ON
           BEHALF OF THESE 20 PLUS MILLION CHILDREN TO SAVE OVER $5
           BILLION. OVER TEN YEARS IT WILL CAUSE THEM TO SAVE OVER $12
           BILLION. IT'S JUST AMAZING. IN FACT I WAS JUST READING A REPORT
           WHERE THE SAVINGS RATE IN THE UNITED STATES HAS PLUNGED TO
           3.9%, ONE OF THE LOWEST LEVELS IN A HALF CENTURY. SO THIS
           BECOMES WIN-WIN BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT CAUSE AMERICANS TO

{17:24:52} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           SAVE AND LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, BUT FOR EDUCATION, THE NATION'S
           NUMBER ONE PROBLEM BY EVERYBODY'S ACCOUNT AS WE COME TO THE NEW
           CENTURY. NOW IT DOES A LOT OF OTHER THINGS AS WELL. THE
           CONFERENCE REPORT WILL HELP OVER ONE MILLION STUDENTS DEAL WITH
           THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BECAUSE IT HELPS QUALIFIED STATE
           TUITION PROGRAMS, AND PROTECTS THEM FROM TAX BURDENS THAT MAKES

{17:25:28} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THEM MORE VALUABLE. AND OVER ONE MILLION STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT
           FROM IT. 21 STATES ALREADY HAVE THESE PLANS, AND 17 HAVE THEM
           UNDER CONSIDERATION. IT HAS A COMPONENT IN THE CONFERENCE
           REPORT WHICH CAME OUT OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH

{17:26:01} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           WILL HELP OVER ONE MILLION EMPLOYEES EXPAND THEIR CONTINUING
           EDUCATION -- MR. PRESIDENT, AS I WAS SAYING, IT WILL HELP OVER
           ONE MILLION EMPLOYEES SEEK CONTINUING EDUCATION, BECAUSE IT
           WILL ALLOW EMPLOYERS TO SPEND UP TO $5,250 ON BEHALF OF AN
           EMPLOYEE'S CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND IT IS NOT SEEN AS TAXABLE
           INCOME TO THE EMPLOYEE. SO OVER ONE MILLION EMPLOYEES WILL

{17:26:32} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           BENEFIT FROM IT. IT HAS AN ARBITRAGE REPAID EXCEPTION FOR
           PUBLIC SCHOOL BONDS, WHICH WILL HELP THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC
           SCHOOLS. THE PROVISION THAT WILL INSERTED ON THE SENATE FINANCE
           COMMITTEE FROM SENATOR GRAHAM, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A VERY GOOD
           PROVISION, WHICH WOULD BE BROADER ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, DID
           NOT BECOME A PART OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT, I'M SORRY TO SAY,
           AND I HOPE THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE SENATOR FROM
           FLORIDA TO EXPAND THAT AT HE ANOTHER DATE. IT INCLUDES A

{17:27:08} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           PROVISION THAT WILL ADOPTED BY THE SENATE WITH OVER 100 VOTES
           -- WITH 100 VOTES, THE READING EXLENGS ACT, WHICH AUTHORIZES A
           LITERACY PROGRAM WHICH FOCUSES ON TRAINING TEACHERS TO TEACH
           READING AND SCIENCE TIFKLY PROVEN METHODS LIKE PHONICS. THE
           HOUSE PASSED SIMILAR LANGUAGE UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PRESIDENT OF
           THE UNITED STATES ENDORSED THIS BILL. SO HERE WE HAVE A
           PROVISION THAT RECEIVED TOTAL BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND HAS BEEN

{17:27:41} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           ENDORSED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. IT RETAINED THE
           SAME SEX SCHOOLS PROVISION OF THE SENATOR, KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
           OF TEXAS, WHICH MAKES IT ALLOWABLE USE OF FEDERAL EDUCATION
           DOLLARS TO FUND EDUCATION REFORM PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE
           SAME-GENDER SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS, AS LONG AS COMPARABLE
           EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED FOR STUDENTS OF BOTH
           SEXES. IT KEEPS THE SENATE-PASSED MEASURE, TEACHER-TESTING

{17:28:16} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MERIT PAY BY THE SENATOR FROM NEW YORK. DOLLARS TO THE
           CLASSROOM, WHICH REQUIRES 95% OF FEDERAL EDUCATION DOLLARS TO
           FIND THEIR WAY TO E CLASSROOM BY THE SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS,
           HUTCHINSON. THE STUDENT IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED BY
           THE SENATOR FROM IDAHO, SENATOR KEMPTHORNE. MULTILINK LIFM
           STUDY BY SENATOR MCCAIN, AND  SAFER SCHOOLS BY SENATOR DORGAN.
           MR. PRESIDENT, IN DEFERENCE TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE

{17:28:48} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           COMMITTEE WHO HAS NOW ARRIVED, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR.

{17:28:56 NSP} (MR. ROTH) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. ROTH: I THANK VERY MUCH THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM
           GEORGIA FOR HIS COURTESY. LET ME ONCE AGAIN APPLAUD AND
           CONGRATULATE HIM FOR THE LEADERSHIP HE HAS PROVIDED IN THIS
           MATTER OF EDUCATION, OF HELPING FOR E. ASSURE FOR OUR PARENTS
           THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY THAT IT IS WITHIN REACH FINANCIALLY. I
           THINK THIS LEGISLATION WOULD NEVER HAVE REACHED THIS POINT IF
           IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR ACTIVE LEADERSHIP.

{17:29:25 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE IS RECOGNIZED.

{17:29:30 NSP} (MR. ROTH) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. ROTH: MR. PRESIDENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A
           RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT MAKE
           QUALITY EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS, TO THEIR PARENTS AND
           TO THEIR FAMILIES. TODAY, STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE UNDER AN
           ENORMOUS BURDEN WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING FOR EDUCATION. AND THEY
           ARE SERIOUS AND LEGITIMATE CONCERN ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF
           QUALITY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS AND MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR

{17:30:01} (MR. ROTH) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           SUCCESS. COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE.
{END: 1998/06/23 TIME: 17-30 , Tue.  105TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}