MR. SESSIONS: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE SENATOR FROM
           ALABAMA. SESSION SEGREGATION I WOULD ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL
           BE DISPENSED WITH. AND BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED AS IF IN MORNING
           BUSINESS FOR FIVE MINUTES.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. THE
           SENATOR FROM ALABAMA.
           

           MR. SESSIONS: MR. PRESIDENT, WITH REGARD TO THE RESOLUTION
           WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING EARLIER THIS MORNING AND THE FACT THAT
           FAMILIES ARE CHOOSING TO GIVE UP A SECOND INCOME IN ORDER THAT
           THEY MAY STAY HOME, HAVE A PARENT STAY HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN
           IN L EARLY FORMATIVE YEARS, I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW THOUGHTS
           WITH THIS BODY. AS I TRAVEL MY STATE -- AS I TRAVELED MY STATE
           LAST MONTH AND I DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE, TIME AND TIME AGAIN
           FAMILIES WOULD COME UP TO ME AFTER MY REMARKS AND SAY, "THANYOU

           FOR SAYING THAT. WE MADE THAT EXACT DECISION IN OUR FAMILY. MY
           WIFE HAD WORKED AND SHE DECIDED SHE WANTED TO STAY HOME WITH
           THE CHILDREN WHILE THEY WERE YOUNG. IT HAS COST US A LOT OF
           MONEY. WE DON'T REGRET IT. WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU CONSIDER US TO
           BE RAISING AMERICAN CHILDREN, TOO, AND THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT WE
           OUGHT TO HAVE A FAIR SHAKE IN THAT REGARD." "MY WIFE TAUGHT
           SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN WE HAD CHILDREN, WE MADE A DECISION
           SHE WAS CEASE TEACHING. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A DECENT INCOME, AND

           TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILY. WE WERE NOT RICH, BUT THAT WAS A
           DECISION WE MADE AND WE WERE VERY GLAD THAT WE DID THAT." "IN
           FACT, WE PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR BENEFITS UNDER
           THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A PROGRAM FAVORING LOWER
           INFORM INCOME PEOPLE." AND ADDITIONALLY, I WANTED TO SHARE SOME
           NUMBERS WITH THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY. ACCORDING TO THE MOST
           RECENTLY AVAILABLE DATA FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU, A DRAMATICALLY
           DIFFERENT PICTURE IS SHOWING UP THAN THE ONE THAT MANY WOULD

           PROJECT. THE FACTS SHOW THAT ALTHOUGH DAY CARE USE DID INCREASE
           RAPIDLY DURING -- THROUGH THE 1980'S, THE INCREASE IN THE USE
           OF DAY CARE HAS COME TO A HALT. THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN
           UNDER AGE FIVE WITH EMPLOYED MOTHERS NEARLY DOUBLES FROM THE
           MID-1970'S THROUGH 1988. BUT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, MATERNAL
           EMPLOYMENT REMAINED FIXED. IN 1994, THE LAST YEAR REPORTED BY
           THE CENSUS, THE PERCENTAGE OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH EMPLOYED

           MOTHERS WAS STILL 52%, THE SAME AS IT WAS IN 1988. SO, I WOULD
           JUST SAY, I THINK MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE PEOPLE I
           ASSOCIATE WITH, MY CHILDREN HAVE GONE TO SCHOOL WITH, MY
           PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS ARE THAT PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THE
           MENTALITY THAT IT'S ALWAYS BEST FOR BOTH PARENTS TO WORK. AND
           THEY'RE MAKING DIFFERENT DECISIONS. IT'S TIMEER US TO HAVE
           GOVERNMENT -- IT'S TIME FOR US TO HAVE GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT
           REFLECTS THAT. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
           THIS RESOLUTION IS RECEIVING. I THINK IT REFLECTS A SERIOUS

           REEVALUATION ON BEHALF OF THIS CONGRESS OF HOW TO SPEND MONEY
           IN AID OF CHILDREN, AND I SOLICIT THE SUPPORT OF ALL SENATORS
           FOR THIS RESOLUTION. MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. A

           SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE SENATOR FROM
           NEW JERSEY.
           

           MR. LAUTENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO
           CLARIFY WHERE WE ARE, WHAT THE SCHEDULE CALLS FOR, IF I CAN
           HAVE THAT, PLEASE.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATE WILL BE VOTING ON THE
           SESSION'S AMENDMENT, NUMBER
           
           2166, AT 10:30. THE REMAINING TIME IS UNDER YOUR CONTROL.
           

           MR. LAUTENBERG: OKAY. WELL, MR. PRESIDENT, I'M PLEASED TO
           SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT THAT THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM
           ALABAMA OFFERS BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL SHARE THE VIEW THAT IF A
           PARENT CAN STAY AT HOME, A MOTHER CAN STAY AT HOME, TYPICALLY,
           THEN THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO, AND THERE OUGHT NOT BE ANY
           DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THAT KIND OF A POLICY OR PROGRAM. BUT

           PEOPLE ARE FORCED, BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE ON INCOMES, TO LOOK
           FOR OFTEN THE SECOND OR EVEN THE THIRD JOB IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
           AND SO, AS WE EXAMINE THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL PROMOTE THE PARENT
           AT HOME, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THIS AMENDMENT AS AN
           INDICATION OF WHERE WE ALL STAND. IT'S SIMPLY, THE AMENDMENT,
           AS I SEE IT SIMPLY AFFIRMS THE VIEW THAT FAMILIES SHOULD NOT BE

           PUNISHED FOR THEIR CHILD-CARE CHOICE. THERE IS NO BETTER BABY
           SITTER, NO BETTER CAREGIVER THAN THE MOTHER'S CHILD. I DON'T
           THINK ANYBODY IS GOING TO DISAGREE WITH IT. MR. PRESIDENT,
           DEMOCRATS ARE PROUD OF OUR LONG RECORD OF HELPING FAMILIES WITH
           A STAY-AT-HOME PARENT TO MAKE ENDS MEET. WHEN YOU GET TO A
           PARTICULAR VINTAGE, KIND OF LIKE MINE -- ADVANCED MIDDLE-AGE, I

           THINK WE CALL IT -- IT WAS SO TYPICAL, REGARDLESS OF THE
           DIFFICULTY THAT EXISTED FINANCIALLY IN THE HOUSEHOLD. SOMEHOW
           OR OTHER IT ALL CAME TOGETHER. MY MOTHER WAS WIDOWED WHEN SHE
           WAS 36. I HAD ALREADY ENLISTED IN THE ARMY, AND I HAD A LITTLE
           SISTER AT HOME, AND MOM MANAGED TO TAKE CARE OF MY SISTER, GET
           A MODEST ALLOTMENT FROM MY MILITARY PAY, AND AT THE SAME TIME
           HAVE A JOB, AND SHE MADE ALL THOSE ARRANGEMENTS AND MY SISTER

           WAS NEVER NEGLECTED AND GREW UP A HAPPY AND FULFILLED PERSON,
           AS DID MY MOTHER AND MYSELF. SO -- BUT THINGS ARE DIFFERENT
           NOW. WE LIVE IN A PRESSURE-COOKER WORLD WHERE PEOPLE JUST CAN'T
           SEEM TO GET BY UNLESS THERE ARE MULTIPLE JOBS IN THE HOUSEHOLD
           FOR THE MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILY. IT'S NOT UNTYPICAL. SO DEMOCRATS,
           MAYBE WE KIND OF HARKEN BACK TO A DIFFERENT DAY AND SAY, WELL,
           THOSE WERE THE PROPER KINDS OF FUNCTIONS TO BE GOING ON IN THE

           HOUSEHOLD. THINGS WERE MODEST, BUT PEOPLE ACCEPTED THEIR FATE
           AND TRIED TO WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF IT. IN 1993, WHAT WE TRIED
           TO DO WAS TO ESTABLISH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A FAMILY TO TAKE
           CARE OF THEIR KIDS. WE SECURED AN EXPANSION OF THE
           EARNED-INCOME TAX CREDIT, GIVING A REFUND TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO
           JUST DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IN 1996, WE
           SECURED AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE. LAST YEAR WE WON THE

           $500 $500-PER-CHILD TAX CREDIT. NOW, ALL OF THESE INITIATIVES
           PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF AMERICAN WORKERS, AND I, AS A
           DEMOCRAT, AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE DEMOCRAT, WERE HAPPY TO SEE
           THAT. THIS IS NOT TO SUGGEST THAT MANY OF OUR REPUBLICAN
           FRIENDS WERE NOT HAPPY. BUT IT PUT A DEMOCRATIC STAMP ON THESE
           PROGRAMS, AND I'M SURE AGAIN MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE
           OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE SUPPORT IT. AND THESE THINGS HAVE MADE
           A REAL DIFFERENCE. WILL THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT SIGNED

           INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS GIVEN THE PARENTS -- GIVEN
           PARENTS THE FLEXIBILITY TO TAKE TIME OFF TO CARE FOR A NEWBORN
           OR A SICK CHILD. AND SO, MR. PRESIDENT, WHEN IT COMES TO
           HELPING WORKING MOMS, I THINK WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND
           ONCE AGAIN I COMMEND SENATOR SESSIONS FOR OFFERING THIS
           AMENDMENT. I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT IT, AND I YIELD THE FLOOR.

           MR. SESSIONS: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ALABAMA.
           

           MR. SESSIONS: I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE
           SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY FOR HIS SUPPORT AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO
           ADD AS ORIGINAL COSPONSORS OF THIS LEGISLATION THE NAMES OF
           SENATOR ROTH AND KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON. THEY HAD HE EA ASKED TO
           BE CO COSPONSORED. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THEY BE ADDED
           AS COSPONSORS.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
           

           MR. SESSIONS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT. I YIELD THE

           FLOOR. MR. SMITH: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM OREGON.
           

           MR. SMITH: I WONDER IF SENATOR LAUTENBERG -- IF C.I.A. DROP
           THREE AMENDMENTS NOW, NOT SPEAKING TO THEM, BUT JUST ALLOWING
           THEM TO BE READ IN.
           

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I'D HAVE NO OBJECTION THE
           SENATOR FROM OREGON DROPPING IN HIS AMENDMENTS.
           
           BUT WE ARE ON A 10:30 SCHEDULE AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
           WE PRESERVE THAT SCHEDULE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD THE FLOOR
           TO THE SENATOR FROM OREGON.
           

           MR. SMITH: I SEND AN AMENDMENT TO THE DESK AND ASK FOR ITS
           IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
           

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

           THE CLERK: MR. SMITH PROPOSES AN AMENDMENT NUMBERED 21789 --
           2179. AT THE APPROPRIATE AIRX INSERT THE FOLLOWING NEW
           
           SECTION: SENSE OF THE SENATE ON SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES. MAY
           FINDINGS --
           

           MR. SMITH: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT FURTHER
           READING OF THE AMENDMENT BE DISPENSED WITH.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
           

           MR. SMITH: BRIEFLY, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS AMENDMENT IS A VERY
           SIMPLE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON SOCIAL SECURITY THAT SAYS THAT
           WHEN WE ACT ON IT -- TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY, WE WILL NOT BE
           DOING SO BY INCREASING SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES. MR. PRESIDENT, I
           ASK THAT I INTRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT.
           

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

           THE CLERK: MR. SMITH PROPOSES AN AMENDMENT NUMBERED 2180. AT
           THE END OF TITLE 3, ADD THE
           
           FOLLOWING: GENERAL PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF MARIJUANA FOR
           MEDICINAL PURPOSES.
           

           MR. SMITH: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT FURTHER READING BE
           DISPENSED WITH.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
           

           MR. SMITH: BRIEFLY, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS A SENSE OF THE
           SENATE AMENDMENT ON AN ISSUE THAT HAS BECOME OF GREAT CONCERN
           TO ME AND TO MANY IN MY STATE. THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
           FOR MEDICAL USE. AND I WILL SPEAK TO THIS LATER. MR. PRESIDENT,
           I ASK THAT I BE ALLOWED TO INTRODUCE ONE ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT.
           

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

           THE CLERK: THE SENATOR FROM OREGON, MR. SMITH, PROPOSES AN
           AMENDMENT NUMBERED 2181. ON PAGE 53, STRIKE LINES 1-22
           UNDERSTAND INSERT THE
           
           FOLLOWING: SENSE OF THE SENATE ON PRICE INCREASE ON TO BE A
           PRODUCTS.
           

           MR. SMITH: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT FURTHER
           READING BE DISPENSED WITH.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
           

           MR. SMITH: BRIEFLY, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS AMENDMENT IS A SENSE OF
           THE SENATE REGARDING THE USE OF TOBACCO REVENUES TO RESTORE THE
           SOLVENCY OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. AN AMENDMENT SIMILAR TO THE
           ONE THAT SENATOR LAUTENBERG INTRODUCED IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
           THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I YIELD BACK THE FLOOR.
           

           MR. SESSIONS: THE QUESTION IS NOW ON AMENDMENT NUMBER 2166,
           EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE. THE YEAS AND NAYS HAVE BEEN
           OURDED -- HAVE BEEN ORDERED. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.
           
{END: 1998/03/31 TIME: 10-30 , Tue.  105TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}