CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
June 26, 1968
Page 18842
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I call to the attention of the distinguished Senator from Rhode Island an item contained in the bill which is of interest and concern to the distinguished Senator from West Virginia [Mr. RANDOLPH] and the distinguished Senator from Kentucky [Mr. COOPER].
The item has to do with a supplemental appropriation for air pollution and the Public Health Service. The item was called to my attention after third reading this afternoon. It is of some concern to me for reasons that I will try to state very briefly.
The item is for $8 million for research into the effects on health of oxides of sulfur. Last year's Air Quality Act of 1967 -- which represented I think an important, recent departure in the fight on air pollution -- included as a key provision a stepped-up program of research designed to roll back the technological limitation which at the present time makes it difficult to control some of the most serious pollutants.
One of the most serious air pollutants is the oxides of sulfur. This problem is of concern to the distinguished Senator from West Virginia because it involves coal. It is of concern to the distinguished Senator from Kentucky for the same reason. But it is of concern to all of us because this is one pollutant which we have not yet found the technological means to control effectively.
It is this pollutant which has been responsible for deaths from air pollution incidents in the little town of Donora, Pa., and in New York City.
As part of last year's act, we thought it was terribly important to include authorization for a stepped-up program of research aimed at pollutants of this seriousness.
I understand, of course, the reasons why this item was deleted. It is in a sense a new effort, and as we search for means to bring the budget within the limitations which we have imposed, it is natural to focus our attention upon these new programs.
May I say, recognizing that third reading has come and gone, that my purpose in raising the point now is in connection with the HEW appropriations bill which is today, I understand, pending on the floor of the House and will come before our Appropriations Committee soon for consideration.
I hope that by stressing the importance of this point to our colleagues on the floor this afternoon, we might focus the committee's attention on it more effectively as they consider the HEW appropriation bill.
Mr. PASTORE. Mr. President, I suggest that in addition, the Senator from Maine and the Senator from West Virginia should write a letter to the Honorable LISTER HILL, the chairman of the subcommittee. The committee is now holding hearings. I understand that they will be ready for a markup of the bill within 2 or 3 days.
I think that it would be an excellent idea to spell this matter out in the letter and ask that it be included in the bill. I suggest further that if the Senators wish to appear before the committee, they might ask for an invitation, and I think that they will accomplish their purpose.
Mr. MUSKIE. I thank the Senator. We will undertake to do that.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
Mr. PASTORE. I yield.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Mr. President, I noted in connection with the requests for funds for the Public Health Service in this bill, that the House Appropriations Committee stated, due to the fact that the fiscal year is so near to an end, that the committee will consider the need for a program expansion in connection with the regular Health, Education, and Welfare appropriations bill for 1969.
I think that we do have to confront the fact that the House committee cut approximately $20 million from the bill. About 75 percent of that $20 million would be applied to research and development activities connected with the Air Quality Act, with particular emphasis on pollution from fuels combustion and vehicles.
The requested funds would give us an improved and a very necessary program for the prevention and control of polluted air. Certainly $8 million is a valid request.
I do know that the members of the Committee on Public Works and of the Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution, chaired by the able Senator from Maine [Mr. MUSKIE], are very conscious of their responsibility to the Senate and their responsibility to the American people concerning this problem of the cleansing of air, which is so vital to the health and welfare of our society.
My colleague, the able Senator from Kentucky [Mr. COOPER], is knowledgeable on this point. I do not wish to detain the Senate, but perhaps the Senator from Kentucky could add something to the debate at this point. I am not suggesting that he speak if he does not care to do so. However, the Senator and I have discussed the matter before.
Mr. COOPER.. Mr. President, I do not want to detain the Senate. I join with the Senators from West Virginia and Maine in emphasizing the necessity of appropriations if any progress is to be made at all in the control of air pollution. It is one field in which, as the Senator from Maine and the Senator from West Virginia have noted, we have not as yet been able to define and find methods by which to eliminate the pollution of air by certain types of fuels, chiefly coal fuels.
This must be accomplished before any real progress can be made in this field. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the congressional committees agree that it would take an initial appropriation of $8 million to make a start toward getting the equipment with which to perform the kinds of testing that must be performed.
As has been said, the House said with respect to this matter that because it is so near to July 1, it would be useless to provide these funds in the pending bill.
They did say, however, that they would take the matter into account in the bill for 1969. Whether by oversight or otherwise, they have not done so. Unless this is done on the floor today, the last place in which it can be done is in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
I will not go further into the matter except to say that the distinguished Senator from Maine who, I think, initiated this program of air quality control which has been implemented in the committee chaired by the Senator from West Virginia, would agree that no progress can be made in this field unless the funds are provided with which to find a method by which sulfur oxide can be eliminated.
Mr. PASTORE. Mr. President, the House has considered the item in the supplemental bill. Had it been brought to my attention, I would have recommended to my committee that they restore it and bring the matter back to conference. However, facing the facts of life as they are, I think we would have been in a less strategic position had I done that than if we were to bring it up in the regular bill.
The reason I say that is that the supplemental deficiency bill is intended only for emergency measures. Further if we are going to adjourn, as I hope, by August 3, we have 1 more month remaining. The regular appropriations bill is coming up. We will have a chance to obtain the money in the regular appropriations bill. We will have a much better chance then because there is a resentment on the part of those in the House, and I am afraid even on the part of members of the Senate subcommittee, to having the Senate subcommittee usurp their powers.
They would rather pass on these matters themselves, and I believe they have a reasonable reason for it. Personally, I would rather have them do it. I believe if the Senator sends the letter I suggested to Senator HILL and the latter considers the matter, and the interested Senators appear before his committee and urge it upon the committee, that procedure would have a better chance of succeeding than by attempting to restore it on the floor of the Senate. For that reason, I do not believe the Senator has lost anything by not having tried to restore it on the floor of the Senate.
Do I make my position clear?
Mr. RANDOLPH. I thank my distinguished colleague for indicating an appropriate method by which he believes we can bring this matter to the attention of the Appropriations Committee and we will do as he has suggested. The letter will be written and the appearances will be made before the committee.
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
Mr. PASTORE. I yield.
Mr. JAVITS. I am the ranking minority member of the subcommittee to which the Senator will be writing. I have heard the colloquy. I can assure the Senator that I will call the matter to Senator HILL's attention and that we will give it every sympathetic consideration.
Mr. RANDOLPH. I thank the Senator from New York.