Date: Fri, 13 Aug 1993 02:53:11 -0400 (EDT) From: Larry <[l j k] at [access.digex.net]> Subject: Congressional Report Congressional Report August 12, 1993 Issue 2 ********************************************************************* ** ** ** Thanks to everyone who wrote back after the first newsletter. ** ** I sincerely appreciate your input and will try to adjust the ** ** content to meet your needs. By the way, once Congress is back ** ** in session, I will be devoting more space to upcoming legis- ** ** lation, floor votes, and significant committee actions. ** ** ** ** Let me hear from you! :-) ** ********************************************************************* Hot Issues After the Summer Recess Ends Congress will have a full plate when it comes back into session on September 7th, but two issues stand out: Health care reform and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Although interested parties are furiously pushing to have one or the other considered the top priority, it appears at this point that First Lady Hillary Clinton will have enough influence to push NAFTA out of the way and send health care to the top of the legislative agenda. In fact, the White House distributed a briefing book to Members of Congress just before recess entitled "Health Care Update -- The Need for Health Care Reform." According to the Washington Post (8/11), "the tome...tells lawmakers everything they'll need to know about how to sell the administration's proposed reforms." Predictions: grueling fight over health care reform produces modest changes; NAFTA dies in the shadows. 1994 Senate Outlook Last week's budget vote may make it more difficult for Democrats to retain control of the Senate in 1994. The Democrats already have a tough road ahead of them based on numbers alone -- there are 21 Democrats up for re-election in 1994, but only 13 Republicans. Compounding the problem for the Democrats is the historical voting trend against Senators from the President's party and the political weakness of several Democratic Senators. Roll Call (8/9) rates five Democratic seats in danger of being picked up by the Republicans -- Deconcini (AZ), Mathews (TN), Metzenbaum (OH), Riegle (MI), & Robb (VA) -- but only puts two Republican seats in that category -- Durenberger (MN) & Wallop (WY). Democrats Wofford (PA) and Lautenberg (NJ) may also be vulnerable, along with Republican Gorton (WA). Democrats may be able to pick up an open seat in Missouri, where incumbent Republican John Danforth is stepping down. "Reinventing Government" Update Vice President Gore's task force on reinventing government is running into some roadblocks in Congress. The task force was set up to root out and eliminate government waste and inefficiency and is scheduled to deliver its report on September 7. But the Washington Times (8/12) reports that Members of Congress are quietly fighting to protect their favorite bureaucracies. The Times article states that "the appropriations bills moving through Congress are sprinkled with dozens of provisions to block agency consolidations, office closings and employee reductions." Some examples: ordering that the anthracite coal reclamation program at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., be staffed by at least 16 people; requiring the Postal Service not to close any rural or small post offices; blocking transfer of the Human Nutrition Information Service from the Department of Agriculture to the Food and Drug Administration. Speaker Foley to resign??? In early July, there was heavy speculation that Speaker Tom Foley (D-WA) would resign to become Ambassador to Great Britain. Although Foley denied that he was going to resign, Rep. Charlie Rose (D-NC) began campaigning for the post. Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) quickly threw his hat in the ring and began lining up support from other House Democrats. Interestingly enough, the campaigning has intensified even though Foley was not appointed ambassador. Roll Call (8/9) recently reported that Rep. Rose is setting up a "leadership PAC", which allows Members of Congress to make campaign contributions to other Members. Leadership PACs are frequently used by Congressional leaders to generate goodwill among the rank-and-file Members who elect them to their posts. In anticipation of the battle for Speaker, CQ's Congressional Monitor (8/6) reports that Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has begun to campaign for Majority Whip (the #3 leadership slot). The Majority Whip's post is currently held by Rep. Dave Bonior (D-MI), but it is assumed that Bonior will try for the Majority Leader post if Foley does indeed resign. Other potential challengers for leadership slots are Reps. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Barbara Kennelly (D-CT), Butler Derrick (D-SC), and John Lewis (D-GA). House GOP Offers Sanctuary to Defecting Democrats The thirteen Democratic chairmen who voted against Clinton's budget package have been harshly criticized by less senior Democrats, some of whom are calling for the defectors to be stripped of the chairmanships. In response to this, some House Republicans are encouraging the chairmen to switch parties by assuring them that they will retain their seniority after the switch. Roll Call (8/12) reports that Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-NY) wrote a letter to Sonny Montgomery, Chairman of the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, saying "Sonny, should you and other members be driven from your party by that left wing, I want you to know th at you and your philosophy would be more than welcome on our side of the aisle. As a matter of fact, in your case, should you lose the chairmanship of Veteran's Affairs, I would, as the senior ranking Republican on that committee, be willing to step aside and let you assume the ranking position, should you decide to join our side of the aisle."