COMMERCE, BUSINESS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Farm economy: emergency action to bolster (S. Res.393), 3005,3006,3008

Farm economy: budgetary impact of proposed emergency action to bolster, 3006, 3008

Agricultural commodities: expansion of exports, 3006

3005, 3006, 3008; February 9, 1978; During debate on S. Res. 393, a sense of the Senate resolution setting forth the Senate’s view that farm income should be bolstered by changes in the farm program, Muskie emphasizes that the resolution is an expression of concern only, not a measure to establish policy, because the costs associated with a major expansion of the farm program would breach the budgetary spending ceilings for fiscal year 1978. This debate took place against the background of a threatened farmers’ "strike" which began in Colorado in the fall of 1977 and was gathering steam across the wheat belt states.

Emergency Agricultural Act: enact (H.R. 6782), 7744-7746, 7749-7754, 7759, 7761-7763, 7767-7769, 7772, 7782, 7785, 7786

Agricultural products: emergency assistance to farmers (H.R. 6782), 7744-7746, 7749-7754, 7759, 7761-7763, 7767-7769, 7772, 7782, 7785, 7786, 8039, 8040

Raisins: permit marketing orders to include provisions concerning marketing promotion, including paid advertisement (H.R. 6782), 7744-7746, 7749-7754, 7759, 7761-7763, 7767-7769, 7772, 7782 7785, 7786

Report: Waiver of Section 402(a) of Congressional Budget Act With Respect to Consideration of H.R. 6782, Com. on Budget, 7747

Agricultural products: budget waiver (S. Res. 415) for consideration of H.R. 6782, 7747

Agricultural products: budget waiver (S. Res. 419) for consideration of S. 2481, parity prices for 1978 crops, 7747

Letter: Estimates of proposed parity prices for farmers under H.R. 6782, Alice M. Rivlin for CBO, 7751

Emergency Agricultural Act: time limitation agreement, 7752

Emergency Agricultural Act: debate procedure 7753, 7754

Table: Comparison of records of Senate Republicans and Democrats on 11 key votes, 7761, 7762

Report: Cost estimate of S. 2481 — Flexible Parity Act, CBO, 7786, 7787

Analysis: Estimated Effects of S. 2481 and H.R. 6782, Parity Prices for Agricultural Products, 7788

Exports: administration's policy of increasing, as a means of offsetting decline of dollar, 8039, 8040

Foreign trade: detrimental impact of reduced agricultural exports, 8039, 8040

Agricultural commodities: decline on farm production to affect export of, 8039, 8040

Saudis Link Oil Prices to a Stable Dollar, Hobart Rowen, Washington Post, 8039

Agriculture: balance of payment effects of set-aside Program, 8039, 8040

Inflation: impact of enacted emergency assistance to farmers, 8040

Emergency Agricultural Act: inflationary impact, 8040

7744-7746; March 21, 1978; As debate opens on H. R. 6782, the Emergency Agricultural Act, Muskie notes that the bill, which has broad budgetary implications, has reached the Senate accompanied by amendments of which he was unaware and for which he was therefore unable to develop budgetary cost figures.

7749-7754; March 21, 1978; In the continuing debate on H.R. 6782, the Emergency Agricultural Act, Muskie and others debate the best structure for a time agreement allowing sufficient time for amendments and debate.

7759; March 21, 1978; As the debate continues, with Muskie having been allotted time to make his arguments, he grants time to a colleague, Senator Clark (D-Pennsylvania) whose schedule requires him to leave the Senate floor early. Muskie does not make a substantive statement himself.

7761-7763; March 21, 1978; Muskie argues that granting every constituency its demands is a sure way to damage or destroy the entire budget process, and that this is precisely what the Senate is engaged upon in its effort to expand an already expansionary agriculture bill. At this time, the preceding five years’ worth of higher oil prices, spot shortages and massive inflation had had a substantial economic effect on virtually all groups in the society, and the "emergency" agriculture bill was a reaction to a farmers’ protest which brought hundreds of farmers to Washington, some driving farm tractors which snarled city traffic, to directly lobby their congressional representatives. The Washington lobbying effort culminated several months of threatened farm strikes, tractor parades into cities around the country, and one episode in which farmers released 82 goats and a variety of chickens on the steps of the Capitol building.

7767-7769; March 21, 1978; In the continued debate, Muskie provides what figures he can on the anticipated economic costs of the combined Dole (R-Kansas) and Talmadge (D-Georgia) farm proposals, and discusses the likely reserve stocks that may prove inadequate in the event of a low crop yield.

7772; March 21, 1979; As Senators come to the Chamber in preparation for the vote, Muskie and Dole (R-Kansas) both summarize their arguments on the Dole amendment.

7782; March 21, 1978; Muskie takes part in a brief discussion of an Eagleton (D-Missouri) amendment which proposes that the Agriculture Secretary use his authority ensure that farm prices reach the level anticipated in the bill if the land set aside program fails to achieve those prices by reducing supply sufficiently.

7785, 7786, 7787, 7788; March 21, 1978; As the debate continues, Muskie presents a budgetary analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, which outlines the likely effects of the underlying Talmadge proposal, with the addition of the Dole amendment to it.

8039-8040; March 22, 1978; Muskie notes that in its approval of the farm bill the previous day, the Senate has signaled that it will continue to avoid all anti-inflationary action in a bid to help different economic sectors make up what they have lost to inflation, and points out that this is a self-defeating cycle which itself fuels inflation.

Agricultural products: emergency assistance to farmers (H.R. 6782), conference report, 9383, 9384, 9387, 9388, 9390-9394, 9396, 9397

Agriculture: raisin orders, flexible parities, upland cotton and grain release prices (H.R. 6782), conference report, 9383, 9384, 9387, 9388, 9390-9394, 9396, 9397

Farm relief proposal: budgetary impact, 9383, 9384, 9387, 9388, 9390-9394

Letter: Emergency farm legislation, President Carter, 9388

New Features of Federal Farm Program, Dept. of Agriculture, 9389

Letter: Economic impact of farm relief legislation, Alice M. Rivlin for CBO, 9392

9383, 9384; April 10, 1978; The debate on the conference report on the Emergency Agriculture Act, H.R.6782, opens with a dispute between Talmadge (D- Georgia) and Muskie over whether the Senate should suspend the Budget Act in order to bring up and consider the conference report, with Muskie making the argument that the budget process will mean nothing if it can simply be set aside whenever it requires action opposed by a majority of the Senate, and that procedures within the law to waive one or another section of the law by majority vote are a much preferable way to proceed..

9387, 9388, 9390-9394; April 10, 1978; As the debate on the emergency farm bill conference continues, Muskie makes the argument that if the budget procedures can be set aside whenever they become inconvenient, they might as well not exist, and the more substantive claim that the conference report would have the effect of increasing the rate of inflation of the food supply, before he engages in a brief debate with McGovern (D- South Dakota).

9396, 9397; April 10, 1978; As the debate begins to wind down, Muskie debates Dole (R-Kansas) who claims that the figures Muskie is using are deliberately set to leave the impression that the bill’s cost is $6 billion, a figure he says can’t be substantiated.

Inflation: program to control, 9849

Carter, President: program to control inflation, 9849

Carter on Inflation, Haynes Johnson, Washington Post, 9849

Inflation Control Program, President Carter, American Society of Newspaper Editors, 9850

9849, 9850; April 12, 1978; Muskie responds to a recent Carter speech on inflation, restating some of the arguments he made in the debate on the agriculture bill, and provides the text of the Carter speech. By 1978, inflationary price and wage increases had so infected the U.S. economy that it appeared impossible to curb the inexorable rise in the cost of living, while at the same time, every sector of the economy was striving to make up its losses in whatever manner it could Carter’s speech was a response to a palpable feeling that inflation was seriously out of control.

Air transportation: develop system which relies on competitive market forces to determine quality and price (S. 2493), 10695

10695; April 19, 1978; Muskie makes a statement hailing airline deregulation as a means of giving free market forces an opportunity to improve air travel services, and in addition, reduce the inflationary pressures in the economy which stem from government regulations. At this time, the Civil Aeronautics Board established air fares and allocated landing rights at the nation’s airports, a state of affairs that barred the entry of new carriers into the market.

Agricultural Credit Assistance Act: enact (S. 2146), 11871-11875

Agricultural Credit Assistance Act: amend bill to enact (S. 2146), 11875

Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: amend (S. 2146), 11875

Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: amend (S. 2146), 11871-11875

11871-11875; May 1, 1978; Muskie says the farm credit bill, S. 2146, sets sounder policy than the earlier agriculture bill and has his support, except for two issues he raises with the floor manager, Senator Allen (D- Alabama). He questions the hike in the rural water and waste disposal program which is well beyond what the budget resolution anticipates, and he questions the creation of a permanent 3 percent interest rate on farmers’ disaster loans, particularly at a time when federal lending is in need of further attention. He and Allen reach agreement to extend the 3 percent loan rate for one year, instead of making it permanent, and the amendment to that effect is accepted on a voice vote.

Public works on rivers: authorize certain for navigational purposes (H.R. 8309), 12375, 12376

Maine: rivers exempted from waterway user charges,12376

12375, 12376; May 3, 1978; In the course of debate over H.R. 8309, a public works bill dealing with navigation on U.S. waterways, Muskie seeks, in a colloquy with Domenici (R-New Mexico) to ascertain that an amendment proposed by Domenici would not apply to any of the rivers in Maine.

Curtis, Kenneth: nomination, 15253

15253; May 24, 1978; Muskie makes a brief statement on the nomination of former Maine Governor, Ken Curtis to be a U.S. member of the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada. The Commission is a bilateral body first established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, which seeks to adjudicate questions arising about joint waterways, the Great Lakes, and the Air Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada.

Dept. of Transportation: appropriations (H. R. 12933), 18699, 18706

Magnuson, Senator: tribute, 18706

Magnuson, Senator: stringent guidelines of Com, on Appropriations, 18706

Com. on Appropriations: leadership in controlling Federal spending, 18706

18698; June 23, 1978; Muskie speaks on H.R. 12933, the appropriation for the Department of Transportation, noting that it comes well within budget guidelines and that although additional demands might arise later in the year, the Appropriations Committee has left room for such supplementals to be considered.

18706; June 23, 1978; Muskie says he will mark the first passage of the regular 1979 appropriations bills as being the first such measure to be reported under the Appropriations Committee’s new Chairman, Magnuson (D-Washington), and says the start made on keeping spending down augers well for the future.

Potato futures: prohibit trading on commodity exchanges (see S. 508), 18748

Potato futures: prohibit trading (S. 508), 18784

Commodities: prohibit trading of potato futures (S 508), 18784

18748; June 23, 1978; Muskie becomes cosponsor of S. 508, a Church (D- Idaho) proposal to prohibit trading in potato futures on commodity exchanges.

18784; June 23, 1978; Muskie makes a brief statement about S. 508, a bill of which he is a cosponsor, which would ban trading in potato futures. In May, 1976, a massive default on deliveries of 50 million pounds of potatoes on Maine potato contracts, the largest such default in the country’s history at the time, had resulted in Maine growers being owed $2 million as a result of price manipulation in the futures markets.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, established in 1974 and beginning work in May 1975, was established in large part to oversee the futures exchanges and to limit the price manipulations to which these markets were particularly susceptible, but farmers in Maine were still demanding that futures trading be ended.

Firearms: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms proposed registration, 19117

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms: regulations on gun registration, 19117

Dept. of Treasury, Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies: appropriations (H.R. 12930), 19117, 19122

19117; June 27, 1978; Muskie notes that a proposed amendment to cut funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) would not affect the implementation of firearms regulations, but would severely undermine the agency’s work with state and local law enforcement in enforcing alcohol and tobacco tariffs, and says he will oppose the amendment.

Citing its authority under the 1968 Gun Control Act, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in March proposed regulations to require every U.S.-made gun to carry a serial number, to require dealers, manufacturers and importers to submit quarterly reports on the disposition of each firearm, and to require notification within 24 hours of the theft of any firearm. Predictable opposition to these regulations by the National Rifle Association and like-minded lobbying groups made the regulations highly controversial, and the Congress responded by cutting the agency’s budget and prohibiting the implementation of such regulations.

19122; June 27, 1978; Muskie says the spending figures in the Treasury appropriations bill, H.R. 12930, are in line with budget resolution numbers, but cautions that subsequent additional costs, such as the civil service pay raise will impose pressure on the final appropriation, if the Congress wants to keep the deficit to $59 billion.

Commodity Exchange Act: extend (S. 2391), 20392

20392; July 12, 1978; Muskie speaks in support of a new provision in the Commodity Exchange Act, S. 2391, which would create a National Commission on the Effect of Futures Markets on Farm Income, and which would specifically require at least four farm producers to be appointed as members, saying it would be good for this body to hold field hearings, and that Maine potato farmers would give plenty of first-hand testimony about their experiences with futures trading.

Regional Rail Reorganization Act: authorizing purchase of additional Series A preferred stock: (S. 2798), 23616

23616; August 1, 1978; Muskie speaks briefly on S. 2798, a bill which authorizes federal purchase of Series A preferred stock in Con Rail, and mentions in particular that he is pleased that the bill emphasizes the expectation that the federal government will be fully repaid for its investment.

Small Business and Small Business Investment Acts: amend (H.R. 11445), 23849

Disaster loans: make interest rate equal cost of money to the Government, 23849

Small Business and Small Business Investment Act, amend (H.R. 11445), 23849, 23851, 23853

23849; August 2, 1978; In the course of considering the Small Business Investment Act, H.R. 11445, Muskie offers an amendment to reduce the authorization levels for loan guarantees, which is accepted by Nelson (D-Wisconsin), the floor manager, along with another amendment to alter the interest rate on disaster loans to the cost of money to the government, in place of the deep subsidy that the original bill contained, which passes on a roll call vote.

Depts. of State, Justice, Commerce, and agencies: appropriations (H.R. 12934), 24104, 24138, 24151

Dept. of Justice: additional positions for criminal division, 24104

Table: Depts. of State, Justice, and Commerce appropriations (H.R. 12934), 24151

24104; August 3, 1978; In connection with the appropriations bill for the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce, H.R. 12934, Muskie speaks in favor of an amendment adding funding for Justice Department criminal fraud lawyers as an effective way to reduce losses of tax dollars through abuse and fraud.

24138; August 3, 1978; Muskie asks for reassurance that the personnel deployment at the Economic Development Administration will not have the effect of eliminating state EDA officials, and receives such assurance from Hollings (D-South Carolina).

24151; August 3, 1978; Muskie notes that although the State, Justice, Commerce appropriation, H.R. 12934, is not outside the guidelines of the first budget resolution, nonetheless, certain disaster loan funds from prior years are adding to spending pressures, and reiterates that it is important that all authorizing bills be reported by May 15, to prevent inadvertent overspending.

Agriculture, rural development, and related agencies: appropriations (H.R. 13125), 25342

School milk program: funding, 25342

Table: Dept. of Agriculture allocations (selected data), 25342

25342; August 10, 1978; Muskie speaks briefly on H.R. 13125, the Agriculture appropriations bill, noting that while it is slightly above its budget target for budget authority, it is within the target for outlays, which means that some other area of the budget will have to suffer a slight loss to make up for the additional budget authority.

Federal Public Transportation Act: amend bill to enact (S. 2441), 25387, 32149

25387; August 10, 1978; Notice only of introduction of Amendment No. 3458 to S. 2441, the Urban Mass Transportation Authorizations, a Muskie-Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) amendment to provide new authorizations through fiscal year 1982. The text of the amendment is not shown.

32149; September 28, 1978: Muskie calls up his proposed amendment No. 3458, to S. 2441, the Federal Public Transportation Act, and agrees to withhold debate on it while some technical amendments are considered, and pending the arrival of the lead opponent of his amendment, Brooke (R-Massachusetts).

Highways: transportation of energy-related resources, 27110

Energy-related resources: road maintenance, transportation, 27110

Highways: authorize federally assisted programs through 1980 (S. 3073), 27110, 27117-27119

Highways: authorize federally assisted programs through 1980 (see S. 3073), 27129

27110; August 21, 1978; During debate on S. 3073, Muskie opposes a Huddleston (D-Kentucky) amendment to create a new category of highway spending exclusively for what he called energy-related road damage, which was generally defined as damage caused by overweight coal trucks. Muskie points out that to do this would eliminate any incentive for the states to improve their policing of highway weight limits, and that states with major coal mining industries gain revenues from that activity, which can more appropriately be directed to the energy infrastructure if that is needed. At this time, various parochial funding needs were redesigned as "energy-" related categories.

27117; August 21, 1978; Muskie outlines the budgetary implications of the spending contemplated in S. 3073, the highway bill, warning that an increase in the federal share of funding bridges that are not part of the interstate system has the potential for triggering a major increase in federal spending without any corresponding rise in state and local contribution, and urges that the spending of the highway trust fund’s revenues not outrun the fund’s anticipated income.

27129; August 21; Bentsen (D- Texas) lists the cosponsors of the highway bill, S. 3073, and Muskie’s name is among those shown. There is no Muskie text.

Maine Agriculture — Hathaway Succeeds in Restoring Full Funding for Agriculture Program, David Bright Bangor (Maine) News, 27282

27282; August 22, 1978; Muskie applauds the success of his Maine colleague, Hathaway (D- Maine) in securing funding for the Agriculture Conservation program, the only major agriculture aid program in Maine. Hathaway was at this time in the middle of a tight reelection battle, and Muskie was helping his colleague as much as he could.

Public works program: instructing Senate conferees on House-passed appropriations (H. Con. Res. 683) (see S. Res. 562), 29157

Congressional budget: instructing Senate conferees on House-passed local public works appropriations (H. Con. Res. 683) (see S. Res. 562), 29157

Public works program: instructing Senate conferees on House-passed appropriations, H. Con. Res. 683 (S. Res. 562), 29157, 29158, 29329, 29391, 29191, 29394-29396, 29398, 29403

Congressional budget: instructing Senate conferees on House-passed local public works appropriations, H. Con. Res. 683 (S. Res. 562), 29157, 29158, 29391, 29392, 29394-29396, 29398, 29403

29157, 29158; September 13, 1978; Muskie introduces a resolution, S. Res. 562, which takes the form of a Senate instruction to Senate conferees on the second budget resolution to stand firm against the creation of a $2 billion local public works program for which the Senate provided no funds. The House-Senate conflict over this public works program was a reflection of the fact that the previously-existing public works programs were not universally seen as necessary in an economy where unemployment had dropped by more than 3 percentage points, while Members of the House whose districts benefitted from the funding were extremely reluctant to see it eliminated. The Carter Administration, whose urban initiative had largely failed in the Congress, fought for this $2 billion as the final piece of what it could call an urban program. Because of the makeup of the Senate, which is not automatically attuned to the needs of urban areas, there was considerable hostility to this extension of what was supposed to be an emergency public works bill, along with strong concerns about further fueling inflation.

   

29329; This page reflects House proceedings in which Muskie’s name does not appear.

29391, 29392; September 14, 1978; Muskie opens debate on H. Con. Res. 683, a resolution by which the Senate would instruct its conferees to hold firm against the addition of a $2 billion public works program within the budget guidelines for the second budget resolution. He explains that he initially supported the proposal as a means of helping relieve the structurally unemployed, but that Senate and House amendments to it have now rendered it a duplication of CETA programs, and have limited the number of jobs for the structurally unemployed.

29394-29396; September 14, 1978; As the debate on H. Con. Res. 683 continues, Muskie counters the points made by supporters of the public works program, who are primarily the Senators from New York, supporters of urban programs.

29398; September 14, 1978; Senators supporting and opposing the public works program lay out their arguments, and Muskie explains how his view has changed as the scope and nature of the proposed program has been changed in the House and the Senate.

29403; September 14, 1978; Final arguments are made on the resolution to instruct Senate conferees to reject the $2 billion public works program, and it passes on a vote of 63 to 21.

Urban Mass Transportation Act: appropriations (S.2441), 32149, 32153, 32155, 32156, 32158, 32159, 32162, 32163

Federal Public Transportation Act: enact (S. 2441), 32149, 32153, 32155, 32156, 32158, 32159, 32162, 32163

Table: Transit operating statistics for major urbanized areas, 32163, 32164

32149; September 28, 1978: Muskie calls up his proposed amendment No. 3458, to S. 2441, the Federal Public Transportation Act, and agrees to withhold debate on it while some technical amendments are considered, and pending the arrival of the lead opponent of his amendment, Brooke (R-Massachusetts).

32153; September 28, 1978; Muskie yields to Morgan (D-North Carolina) for a brief amendment which is uncontroversial, while the Senate awaits the arrival of Brooke (R-Massachusetts).

32155, 32156, 32158, 32159, 32162, 32163; September 28, 1978; Muskie opens debate on his amendment to S. 2441, the mass transit bill, describing the budgetary costs the bill itself entails and in particular, the provision which his amendment would strike, that would substantially increase the federal share of mass transit operating costs, while providing no incentive to cities to keep such costs under control.

Small Business and Small Business Investment Act, amend (H.R. 11445), conference report, 35458-35463

Report: SBA Interest Rates Compared With Borrowing Costs, by, 35460

SBA Disaster Loan Subsidies, 35460

SBA Forgiveness Grants and Interest Rates, 35461

35458-35463; October 11, 1978; Muskie speaks in strong opposition to the conference report on the Small Business Act amendments, H.R. 11445, which he says has come back with worse provisions from conference than the version the Senate passed, because it continues for four years a deep interest subsidy on disaster loans which has the effect of creating an incentive for persons eligible for such loans to borrow the money, whether they need it or not. He says he is urging the President to veto the bill.

Sugar stabilization act: enact (H.R.7200, 13750), 36235

36235; October 12, 1978; Muskie makes a statement in opposition to the price supports in the Sugar Stabilization Act, H.R. 7200, arguing that it will have the effect of increasing food price inflation by a full percentage point in the future, at a time when Congress should be seeking for ways to reduce inflationary pressures.

Mass transportation: conference report an H.R.11733, appropriations for construction, 37490

Highways: conference report on H.R. 11733, appropriations for construction, 37490

37490; October 14, 1978; Muskie makes a statement on H.R. 11733, the conference report on the Surface Transportation Act, pointing out that although several provisions retained at the insistence of House conferees warrant continued attention, the overall conference agreement is acceptable and should be passed.

ENERGY

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project: environmental impact statement effects, 1556

Case for Dickey-Lincoln, John Goodwin, Portland (Maine) Telegram, 1556-1558

1556-1558; January 31, 1978; Muskie notes that a preliminary Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project has been greeted by opponents of that project as fuel for more arguments against it, and points out that most of the claims have been considered in the past and are not persuasive. Muskie was a strong proponent of the project throughout his Senate career, because he believed it would give the state of Maine and northern New England a basic source of renewable, environmentally defensible energy supply.

Energy emergencies: funding for assistance income families, 1739

1739; February 1, 1978; During debate on H.R. 9375, a supplemental appropriation, Muskie argues for the funding the bill would provide to assistance for energy costs to low-income families, pointing out that three states have already asked permission to shift weatherization funds to emergency assistance, and that there is a danger of low-income families being cut off from natural gas and other heating sources for inability to pay. At this time, as the nation tried to accommodate the strains that high energy costs were creating throughout the economy, utilities still were experimenting with different ways of serving the low-income.

Richard Hill, an Alternative Energy Iconoclast, Maine Times (publication), 6479

6479; March 10, 1978; Muskie says that a Maine professor who is working on the development of a clean burning wood stove has a sophisticated and insightful view of the whole question of alternative energy sources. At this time, a substantial amount of public hysteria was being generated by arguments over solar power and other "non-polluting" alternatives, and many Americans were under the somewhat misty illusion that it was only a matter of time before such low-cost and clean technologies were being deployed everywhere.

Energy Conservation is a Family Affair, Bangor (Maine) Telegram energy supplement, 6493

Telegram: Energy Section National Award Winner, Bangor (Maine) Telegram, 6493

Dept. of Energy: Energy conservation promotion award to Bangor (Maine) Telegram, 6493

Johnson, Sanders R.: tribute on energy conservation promotion award for Bangor (Maine) Telegram, 6493

National Newspaper Association: energy conservation promotion award to Bangor (Maine) Telegram, 6493

Bangor (Maine) Telegram: Dept. of Energy and National Newspaper Association award for energy conservation promotion, 6493

6493; March 10, 1978; Muskie says a Maine newspaper, the Maine Sunday Telegram, has won an award for its special publication on state-level energy conservation, supply management and alternative energy sources.

Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project: potential conflict with endangered species, 21601

Endangered Species Act: amend (S. 2899), 21601

21601; July 19, 1978; During debate on S. 2899, the proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, Muskie makes a brief statement about the current status of the furbish lousewort, a plant which some claimed had been thought extinct, but colonies of which were discovered in the course of the environmental study that took place in the area of the proposed Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project in northern Maine. The plant is one of the genus Pedicularis, which has about 500 members, a member of the snapdragon family of plants, and was later found to be growing in New Brunswick, Canada, as well as at other locations in northern Maine, but at the time of its "discovery", opponents of the hydroelectric project did their best to paint the finding as a significant and new environmental issue demanding further study and delay. The plant was named for Kate Furbish, a botanical artist, who also classified and recorded the native flora of Maine at the turn of the 20^th century.

Oil entitlements: east coast allocation, 24882, 25066, 25090, 25091

24882; August 8, 1978; During the course of debate on H. R. 12932, the Department of Interior appropriations bill, Johnston (D-Louisiana) introduces an amendment designed to prevent any increase in the allocation of residual oil or refined oil products permitted to any importer under the terms of the 1973 Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act, an allocation system designed to equalize the costs of oil products to citizens nationwide. Muskie and others engage in a procedural discussion relating to how much time the amendment would need for debate, and a unanimous consent agreement is finally reached.

25066; August 9, 1978; Muskie makes a brief budget statement about H.R. 12932, the Interior Department appropriation, saying it fits within the budget ceiling and reflects the continuing need to hold down spending in order to reduce inflationary pressures.

25090, 25091; August 9, 1978; In response to a lengthy statement by Weicker (R-Connecticut), Muskie points out that the failure of the East Coast to obtain an oil refinery has more to do with opposition from the oil industry and the oil producing states than environmentalists.

Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project: funding, 25351, 25357

Public works: appropriations for water and power development and energy research (H.R.12928) 25351, 25357

Dickey-Lincoln Hydroelectric Project, Maine. 25352-25356

Table: Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project economic analysis (selected data), 25356, 25357

Letter: Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project: Robert V. Clark for Eastern Maine Electric Co-operative, 25356

Letter: Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project: by, 25358

Public works: appropriations for water and power development and energy research (H.R.12928), 25359

25351; August 10, 1978; Muskie speaks in favor of H.R. 12928, the water and power appropriations bill, which includes funding to continue preconstruction study of the proposed Dickey-Lincoln hydro power project in northern Maine, a long-sought goal to which Muskie paid a great deal of attention over the years.

25357, 25359; August 10, 1978; During consideration of H.R. 12928, Leahy (D-Vermont) moves to strip the funding for Dickey-Lincoln from the water and energy appropriation, but in the face of Muskie’s opposition does not insist on a recorded vote.

Outer Continental Shelf. management of oil and natural gas (S. 9), conference report, 27264

Oil and natural gas: protection of marine and coastal environment (S. 9), conference report, 27264

27264; August 22, 1978; In comments on the conference report on S. 9, the Outer Continental Shelf Act, Muskie draws the distinction between the roles of the Interior Department, which is authorized to regulate oil and gas development on the outer continental shelf, and the duties of the Environmental Protection Agency, which is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the Clean Air Act.

Analysis: Natural Gas Compromise, CBO, 28584

Natural gas pricing: conference report (H.R. 5289), 28584

28584; September 8, 1978; Muskie provides the Senate an analysis of the natural gas pricing provisions in the conference report on H.R. 5289, which examines the likely effects of the changes on consumer prices, on the behavior of large-scale consumers, and overall inflation, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office. At this time, natural gas sold in the interstate market was subject to direct federal price regulation, and as a result, supplies on the interstate market had become more scarce, while prices in the unregulated intrastate markets were much higher. Producers argued that they were entitled to a higher price for their product, but those Members of Congress whose constituents were consumers of interstate gas claimed that deregulating the interstate market in one step would be a massive cost increase for consumers, an unwarranted windfall for producers, and a major contribution to the overall rate of inflation. As a result, the natural gas pricing bill was designed to gradually deregulate natural gas prices by 1985.

Natural Gas Compromise — Cost of Delay, Washington Post, by, 28893

28893; September 12, 1978; Ribicoff (D- Connecticut) suggests that an article Muskie wrote for the morning’s Washington Post on the natural gas pricing compromise sets forth the costs of further delay in reaching agreement on a natural gas pricing policy.

Cortina, Joe; conference report on H. R. 5289, relief, 31840-31842

Energy: conference report on H.R. 5289, policy, 31840-31942

Natural gas: conference report on National Energy Policy Act (H.R. 5289), 31840-31842

31840-31842; September 27, 1978; Muskie makes the argument that the natural gas conference report strikes a reasonable middle ground in a field where it is impossible to give any side of the argument all that is asked, and that it deserves to be passed to provide a basis of pricing clarity for domestic industry and consumers, and to demonstrate to international markets that the American government is willing to take the necessary steps to develop a realistic energy policy. At this time, a sudden drop in the dollar’s value was making more than one economist predict that the OPEC oil cartel would react by another round of oil price increases, a danger which was acutely felt in this period.

Dept. of Interior and related agencies: appropriations (H R 12932), conference report, 34492, 34497

Letter: Oil import regulations, to Sec. of Energy Schlesinger, by, 34492-34494

Residual Oil Entitlements Program, Senator Brooke, 34492

Oil: residual fuel entitlements program, 34497

34492, 34497; October 7, 1978; Muskie is shown as a signatory on a letter signed by a group of Senators to the Secretary of Energy, James Schlesinger, arguing for a national policy with respect to oil refineries, and outlining the principles they have agreed upon for such a national policy.

Muskie also commented briefly on the budgetary impacts of the bill, alongside its effects on supplies in New England and other areas, as well as providing a somewhat more formal statement to the same effect.

At this time, with the sudden and massive hike in the price of imported oil, there was enormous public pressure to penalize the big oil companies in some way, because they were seen to be complicit with the OPEC nations in artificially raising oil prices. In the Congress, this impulse took the form of establishing different classes of oil and determining their prices, and to some extent, their approved buyers. A system grew up that distinguished "old" oil from "stripper" well oil, and "new" oil from newly drilled wells, and alongside it a policy of purchase entitlements for those portions of the nation most susceptible to economic harm because of higher dependence on imported oil. The entire pricing structure had a tendency to proliferate into ever-more-fine distinctions in an effort to be "fair" to all parts of the nation. This factor is the principal reason that energy policy during these years became increasingly difficult to establish.

Bicycle parts: suspend duty on (H.R. 5263),37452

Energy Tax Act: enact (H.R. 5263), 37452

37452; October 14, 1978; Muskie makes a statement on the conference report on H.R. 5263, the Energy Tax Act, saying that because it is designed to help consumers who have taken action to conserve energy he will vote for it, but warning that because it also contains tax benefits of $1 billion, including benefits to energy producers, it reduces the amount of tax relief available by that sum.

ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, WILDLIFE

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Letter: Clean Water Act Amendments clarification on hazardous substance spills, exchange with Dept. of State, 5491, 5492

Memorandum: Clean Water Act Amendments Intent Regarding Oil/Hazardous Substance Discharges, 5492

5491, 5492; March 3, 1978; Muskie notes that he has been in correspondence with the Secretary of State about the legislative intent of provisions in the Clean Water Act dealing with oil and other hazardous substance spills beyond the 12-mile territorial limit of the United States, and provides copies of that correspondence to clarify the issue.

Oil spill: establish liability fund (see S. 2900), 9790

9790; April 12, 1978; Notice only of Muskie’s introduction of S. 2900, a bill that would establish a clean up and liability fund for oil spills.

Oil spill: establish liability fund (S. 2900), 9805

Text: S. 2900, Oil Spill Liability Fund and Compensation Act, 9806

Analysis: Oil Spill Liability Fund and Compensation Act (S. 2900), 9809

9805; April 12, 1978; Muskie says he is introducing S. 2900, dealing with liability for oil spills and other hazardous substances spills in order to make certain that when the Environmental Pollution Subcommittee takes up the issue, as it will later in the session, there will be a full range of legislative vehicles to be considered, including the provisions of this bill, which are not now included in other legislation before the subcommittee.

Clean Water Act Amendments: EPA regulations on municipal waste, 15591

EPA: proposed regulations on municipal waste 15591

Oceans: EPA regulations on municipal waste discharging, 15591

Text: Clean Water Act of 1977 (excerpt), 15592

15591; May 25, 1978; Muskie speaks about the provision of the Clean Water Act which allows a waiver of secondary treatment of wastewater for cities which can prove that their waste water discharge has characteristics which can reliably assure that a lack of secondary treatment would not result in a breach of the 1983 clean water standards. The major cities affected by this waiver provision were west coast municipalities such as Seattle, whose wastewater was discharged into deep ocean water.

Conferee on H.R. 11302, Environmental Research and Development Administration appropriations, 18706

18706; June 23, 1978; Muskie is named as a Senate conferee on H.R. 11302, the Environmental Research and Development appropriations bill.

Oil shale technologies: test commercial, environmental, and social viability (S. 419), 19146

19146; June 27, 1978; Muskie makes a statement about the bill designed to promote the commercial development of oil shale and notes that while oil shale is a promising energy source, the country cannot afford every single attractive energy program that is likely to come along.

Portland, Maine: Frederick G. Payne Building (S.3334), 22427

Frederick G. Payne Building: designate in Portland, Maine (S. 3334), 22427

Frederick G. Payne Building: designate in Portland, Maine (see S. 3334), 22427

22427; July 24, 1978; Muskie introduces a bill to name a federal building in Portland, Maine for a recently-deceased Maine Senator, who also served as Governor of the State.

Confusion Shrouds Los Angeles Smog Alert, Sandra Blakeslee, Los Angeles Times, 22450

Area May Get Stiffer Rules on Air Pollution, Stephen J. Lynton, Washington Post, 22452

When Smog Moves In, Affluent Leave, Joel Kotkin and Katherine Macdonald, Washington Post, 22453

22450, 22452, 22453; July 24, 1978; Muskie talks about the challenges of developing and implementing emergency smog plans for cities to respond to dangerously high levels of air pollution, such as are occurring in Los Angeles.

Appropriations: making second supplemental (H.R. 13467), 24356-24358, 24360

24356-24358; August 4, 1978; Muskie engages in debate with Moynihan (D- New York) and others about the potential emergency funds to be allocated for cleaning up Love Canal. Love Canal was a late 1950s housing development in eastern Niagara Falls, containing about 100 homes and a school, which had been built atop a site which served for some 30 years as a municipal and industrial chemical dump. Twenty-five years after the dump was covered with earth and the housing built, heavy rains help accelerate the leaching of old, rusted drums of industrial chemicals from the former dump into the basements and yards of the houses. Authorities were forced to evacuate people from the location.

24360; August 4, 1978; Muskie makes a brief budget statement about H.R. 13467, the Second Supplemental, which he says is likely to be the final spending bill passed for fiscal year 1978. Supplemental appropriations bills are those containing funds to deal with for unexpected events, like natural disasters, and they often become the vehicle for specialized amendments, such as the Love Canal amendment which was proposed to the bill in this instance.

Environmental impact statements: con, intent, 24850-24855

Letter: Colorado River Basin environmental impact statement, Sec. of Interior Andrus, 24850

Dept. of Interior and related agencies: appropriation (H.R. 12932), 24850-24855, 24866, 24882, 25066, 25090, 25091

Table: Dept. of Interior: comparison of allocations of H.R. 12932, 25066

24849, 24866, 24882; August 8, 1978; During debate on the appropriation for the Department of the Interior, H.R. 12932, Muskie objects to a Cannon (D- Nevada) amendment which would bar a basin wide Environmental Impact Statement covering the entire Colorado River Basin, on the grounds that it is legislating on an appropriations bill, a matter that is barred by Senate rules. This dispute centered on two different approaches: Western Senators argued that since each of several individual projects along the Colorado had been studied and Environmental Impact Statements prepared, there should be no authority for basin wide or regional studies. Muskie’s argument was that if the Senate wanted to amend the National Environmental Policy Act, they should do so through the normal legislative committee process, not by an unexpected amendment to an appropriations bill.

25066; August 9, 1978; Muskie makes a brief budget statement about H.R. 12932, the Interior Department appropriation, saying it fits within the budget ceiling and reflects the continuing need to hold down spending in order to reduce inflationary pressures.

25090, 25091; August 9, 1978; In response to a lengthy statement by Weicker (R-Connecticut), Muskie points out that the failure of the East Coast to obtain an oil refinery has more to do with opposition from the oil industry and the oil producing states than environmentalists.

Conferee, S. 2701, Water Resources Planning Act, 24923

24923; August 8, 1978; Muskie is appointed a Senate conferee on S. 2701, the Water Resources Planning Act.

Press release: Salmon returning to Bangor, Maine, American Forest Institute, 26711

Letter: Return of Atlantic salmon to clean water areas, American Forest Institute, 26711.

26711; August 17, 1978; Muskie notes that a recent news story and letter he has received show that the water cleanup effort is having its effects, as salmon have begun to migrate up the Penobscot River and Kenduskeag Stream, through downtown Bangor, Maine, in quantities that allow for fishing from the Stream in the downtown of the city itself.

Report: Com. on Environment and Public Works, 27850

27850; August 25, 1978; Muskie reports S. 2083, a bill to provide for a comprehensive and uniform legal regime governing the liability and compensation for damages and cleanup costs associated with oil pollution, report No. 95-1152.

Will Sun Still Rise Over Lovely Campobello? Dalton Camp, Toronto (Canada) Star, 29418

29418; September 14, 1978; Muskie highlights a Canadian report on Roosevelt-Campobello International Park, which reflects concern that the goal of establishing an oil refinery in nearby Eastport, Maine, could have negative environmental effects on the Park.

Dept. of HUD and related agencies: conference report on H.R. 12936, appropriations, 30339- 30341

Health effects of Organic Contaminants, EPA (excerpts), 30341

Report: Safe Drinking Water, 30341

Letter: EPA information-gathering process, Thomas C. Jorling, 30343

Letter: Notice of action approving EPA plan of data collection, Roye L. Lowry for OMB, 30344

30339-30341; September 20, 1978; Muskie discusses the conference report on H.R. 12936, the Housing and Urban Development and related agencies appropriation bill, focusing on the funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, which is contained in the bill, and providing detailed information about the Safe Drinking Water program and the information gathering process that is needed to determine the most effective way to approach clean water goals.

EPA: conference report on H.R. 11302, and development appropriations, 31547-31549

Table: Research and development efforts of major Federal agencies, 31548, 31549

Memorandum: Dept. of Energy/EPA Research and Development Programs, OMB Director McIntyre, 31549

Letter: Pollution control research and development, sundry exchanges with OMB Director McIntyre, 31549-31551

31547-31551; September 26, 1978; Muskie’s makes a statement on H.R. 11032, a conference report on Environmental Protection Agency research and development appropriations, expressing satisfaction that the conferees have reaffirmed the congressional intent to retain pollution control research with the EPA, and not permit the Department of Energy to take it over. Muskie points out that this position is embodied in statute law, and provides in an exchange of letters with the Office of Management and Budget, a history of his discussions on the issue over the course of the past year.

Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978: (H.R. 10587), 32804

32804; September 30, 1978; In a brief comment, Muskie says that since the manager of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act, H.R. 10587, has agreed to offer a technical amendment to correct the authorizing period in the bill so as to exclude Fiscal 1979, he will not offer a budgetary point of order against the bill.

Oil pollution: legal regime governing liability and compensation for damages and cleanup costs (S. 2093: H.R. 6803), 34034-34037

Table: Oil spills in 1976, 34037

Chronological Order of Events Surrounding a Major Oil Spill, 34037

Hazardous Substance Spills, 34038

Letter: Oil pollution liability fund and compensation: sundry State officials, 34038-34041

Resolutions by Organization : Oil Spill Liability and Compensation Act (sundry), 34040, 34043

34034-34037, 34038-34041; October 5, 1978; Muskie makes a lengthy statement on the reported version of the oil spill liability bill, S. 2803, highlighting in particular the fact that this bill incorporates hazardous substances other than oil, that it preserves the rights of the states to take more stringent action in regulating the response to a spill, and that it builds on a section of the existing Water Pollution Control Act, a known framework of law.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act: amend (H.R. 12140), 37502

Federal Water Pollution Control Act: amend (H.R. 12140), 37503

37502, 37503; October 14, 1978; Muskie explains the basis for a "quick fix" amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to respond to a court ruling which would otherwise delay implementation of the hazardous substances procedures in the law.

Conferee on S. 2899, Endangered Species Act Amendments, 37519

37519; October 14, 1978; Muskie is named as one of the Senate conferees on S. 2899, the Endangered Species Act amendments.

Endangered Species Act: conference report on S. 2899, amending, 37592

37592; October 14, 1978; Following a voice vote by which the conference on S. 2899, the Endangered Species Act, was approved, Muskie expresses his thanks to his fellow conferees and explains that he was unable to take an active part in the conference because his presence was needed on the Senate floor while the conference was meeting.

Paul G. Rogers Federal Building: West Palm Beach (Fla.) facility named after (H.R. 14295), 37621

37621; October 14, 1978; Muskie becomes mildly involved in a semi-serious exchange over the naming of federal buildings for Republicans versus Democrats when he observes that in the early hours of the morning, a former Republican Representative from Maine has had a building named for him. In this case, the issue was the naming of a federal building in West Palm Beach, Florida, for a former Democratic Congressman from Florida. At the approach to the end of session, the Senate can become tumultuous and sometimes unpredictable. In this period, serious partisanship was not as evident as it later became, and exchanges like this were common enough as the end of the session approached and Members became somewhat giddy.

Oil pollution: preemption of State laws regarding cleanup costs and liability fund, 37877-37880

Letter: Oil pollution liability fund and compensation: Representatives John M. Murphy, Biaggi, Ruppe, and Treen, 37879

Oil spill liability fund: differences of House- and Senate-enacted H.R. 6803, 37877-37880

Oil spill liability fund: eliminating hazardous substances provisions from enacted H.R. 6803, 37877-37880

Analysis: Oil Spill Liability Fund — impact of House-Enacted H.R. 6803 on Clean Water Act, EPA, 37878

Letter: Oil pollution liability fund and compensation: by, 37880

37877-37880; October 14, 1978; Muskie outlines in some detail the reasons why the House and Senate failed to reach agreement on the oil spill liability legislation, and concludes by arguing that the House’s approach has been to treat the oil spill fund as a form of insurance for oil shippers, not as a protection for those with interests in unspoiled coastlines, and he introduces memoranda and other material to buttress his point, ending with the claim that he would rather leave the oil spill liability regime in place under existing law alone than enact something like the House-passed version.

Text: Amendment to H.R. 6803, oil pollution liability and compensation legislation, 37980-37984

37980-37984; October 14, 1978; Muskie notes that in his earlier statement describing the breakdown of the oil spill legislation between House and Senate negotiators, he has failed to include the text of his own proposed amendment to the bill, and provides it for the record.

NATIONAL SECURITY, FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1978 95th Congress, 2nd Session

Appropriations: making supplemental for Fiscal year ending September 30. 1978 (H.R. 9375), 1718-1722, 1737-1740

Letter: Use of supplemental appropriations to rescind previously enacted budget authority, by, 1720

B-1 bomber: funding (H.R. 9375), 1718-1722, 1737-1740

1718-1722; February 1, 1978; During debate on H.R. 9375, a Supplemental Appropriations bill, Muskie takes issue with some of the arguments being made about President Carter’s decisions to cease production of the B-1 bomber, arguing that to describe Carter’s action as "unilateral" makes no sense, since the Senate is, in fact, debating and voting on it.

1737-1740; February 1, 1978; As the debate on the B-1 bomber continues, Muskie makes the point that ending funding for additional airplanes is not the equivalent of ending R & D, which is funded and slated to continue. His argument is that continuing funding for the current small number of planes leaves the door open for demands to create a full production line for the plane, at a cost which is likely to be $70 billion.

Conferee on H.R. 8638 (S. 897), to prevent nuclear proliferation, 2542

2542; February 7, 1978; Muskie is named as a Senate a conferee on S. 897, a bill developed by three Senate committees, of which Government Operations is one, which is designed to improve the U.S. nonproliferation regime while preserving the U.S. role as a reliable supplier of nuclear materials within the nonproliferation process.

Panama Canal Treaty: amend ratification, 2566, 2608, 6190

2566; February 7, 1978; Muskie is shown as one of many cosponsors of two Byrd (D- West Virginia) amendments to Executive N, 95-1, the Treaty concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal.

2608; February 7, 1978; When Byrd (D- West Virginia) speaks about his proposed amendments, to the Panama Canal Treaty, Muskie is listed as a cosponsor, along with other Senators. There is no Muskie text.

6190; March 9, 1978; When Byrd (D- West Virginia) calls up the bipartisan amendment to the Panama Canal treaty, which sponsored by 80 Senators, Muskie’s name appears on the list of the cosponsors.

Japan and U.S. in the World Economy, Senator Kennedy, Foreign Correspondents Club of Tokyo, 2792

Joint Strauss-Ushiba Trade Agreement, Senator Kennedy, 2793

2792; February 8, 1978; Muskie commends a Kennedy (D- Massachusetts) speech in Tokyo which celebrates the vibrant Japanese economy, but cautions that Japanese reluctance to allow more manufacturing imports can contribute to the perception that Japanese trade rules are not equitable.

Panama Canal Treaty: ratification, 4868-4884, 4887, 5161-5163, 5165, 5166, 6020, 6024, 6203

Panama Canal Treaty: budgetary and financial implications, 4873

Table: Budget impact of change in U.S. role in Panama, 4875

Letter: Economic aspects of Panama Canal Treaty, Douglas J. Bennet, Jr. for Dept. of State, 4876

Letter: Cost associated with Panama Canal Treaty, Alice M. Rivlin for CBO, 4876

Report: Panama Canal Treaty — statement of Intent, Com. on Foreign Relations (excerpt), 4877

Panama Canal Treaty, Admiral Holloway (excerpt), 4879

"The Path Between the Seas," David McCullough (excerpt), 4881

Books: "Panama Canal — Crisis in Historical Perspective," Walter LeFeber (excerpt), 4887

Memoirs: "Panama — the Creation, Destruction and Resurrection," Philippe Bunau-Varilla (1914), 4887-4892

Report: Panama Canal Treaty, Corn. on Foreign Relations (excerpts), 5161

Memorandum: Panama Canal Treaty Procedure, Mike Glennon, 6203

4868-4884; February 28, 1978; Muskie makes a lengthy opening statement on the Panama Canal Treaty, setting forth in detail the extent to which it was an unequal treaty and questioning the then-current political arguments that the U.S. built the Canal and should never give it up, and engages in a discussion with Allen (D- Alabama) over some of issues that opponents of the Treaty were making. The issue of the Panama Canal Treaty became a highly emotional one, as much for conservative Democrats as for Republican opponents of President Carter, and was used by political supporters of former Governor Reagan of California to build support for his 1980 race for the Presidency. Reagan won the 1980 election, but did absolutely nothing to restore the Canal to U.S. ownership, despite a broad public record of impassioned calls to rally support for U.S. control and ownership of the Canal.

4873,4875; February 28, 1978; When his discussion with Allen (D-Alabama) is over, Muskie picks up and continues his discussion of the inequities in the original treaty with Panama, contrasting the rights granted to the U.S. to those rights the first post-revolutionary U.S. government used to build up its authority, and provides some factual background on the financial cost issues associated with the canal treaty.

4876, 4877, 4879; February 28, 1978; Senator Percy (R-Illinois) interrupts to make the point that the amendments proposed to the treaty, which preserve the unilateral U.S. right to intervene at the Canal if U.S. security interests are at risk have tightened up the treaty, to which Muskie agrees, and Laxalt (R-Nevada) raises the further question of whether U.S. intervention in Panama directly should be preserved as well, arguing that if the U.S. has no military presence in Panama U.S. interests will be irreparably damaged. This was a common argument of opponents of the treaty.

4881; February 28, 1978; Percy (R-Illinois) and Muskie attempt to continue the discussion over the costs involved in the U.S. turning the canal over to Panama.

4887; February 28, 1978; Muskie concludes his remarks on the Panama Canal Treaty with an historical review of the conditions under which the 1903 treaty was drafted and approved in Washington and New York with virtually no involvement by members of the Panamanian government.

5161-5163, 5165, 5166; March 1, 1978; Muskie becomes involved in a debate which focuses on whether the operating revenues of the Canal will be sufficient to pay the Panamanians the sum agreed upon in the treaty or whether those sums would become the equivalent of a U.S. debt by the year 2000 if the operating revenues of the Canal were not high enough.

6020; March 8, 1978; Muskie responds to arguments made over whether the U.S.  acted as a "colonial" power in Panama, reminding the Senate of the two-tier pay rates and the limits of Panamanian access to the Canal Zone. One of the significant factors in the lobbying and debate around the Panama Treaty was the fervent claims of U.S. Zone residents, who fought to maintain a particularly attractive lifestyle which was, itself, a contributing factor in Panamanian and Latin American anger over the unequal 1903 treaty.

6024; March 8, 1978; Muskie argues that the experience of World War II and Korea and Vietnam has clearly asserted the neutrality of the Panama Canal, even in a time of war, and has helped protect it from attack, and that there is no further need to amend the treaty to complicate this factor.

6203; March 9, 1978; As the question arises of whether an amendment constitutes a "reservation" an "understanding" or a "declaration" and whether such a change would require the entire Treaty to be subject to another Panamanian plebiscite, Muskie suggests that the terminology used in the Senate is not particularly significant, as pointed out by the Foreign Relations Committee.

Panama Canal Treaty: interpretation of passages from Denison Kitchell's book, 5350

"Truth About the Panama Canal": clarifying quotations from Denison Kitchell's book, 5350

5350; March 2, 1978; Goldwater (R-Arizona) claims that a quotation Muskie had used from a book about the Panama Canal was taken out of context, although the context in which Goldwater then proceeds to try to place it seems to emphasize, rather than undercut, Muskie’s use of the quotation.

Oceans: Law of the Sea Conference negotiations on pollution controls, 6607, 11460

Law of the Sea Conference: negotiation on environmental issues, 6607, 11460

Environment: Law of the Sea Conference: negotiations on pollution control, 6607, 11460

Marine Environment and Science Sections of Law of the Seas Treaty, Elliot L. Richardson, 11460

Letter: Pollution issues of the Law of the Sea Conference negotiations, by, 6608

6607; March 13, 1978; Muskie talks about forthcoming third Law of the Sea Conference, to be held in Geneva at the end of March, and expresses his concerns about the negotiating points dealing with marine environmental issues and the potential preemption of U.S. law and enforcement by a weaker international enforcement regime, which has set forth in a letter to Cyrus Vance, the Secretary of State.

11460; April 25, 1978; Muskie notes that since he expressed his concerns about the environmental provisions of the draft Law of the Sea treaty, Ambassador Richardson has set up a task force on marine environment issues within the U.S. delegation and has invited a member of Muskie’s staff to meet with them.

Air Force: proposal to reduce Loring AFB, Maine, 7259

Loring AFB, Maine: maintaining at current operating levels, 7259

Regulations: Eligibility for Omaha Trophy, 7260

Announcement: Loring AFB wins Omaha Trophy, 7260

Loring AFB Wins Omaha Trophy, Bangor (Maine) News, 7260

Citation: Loring AFB wins Omaha Trophy, 7260

Citation: Loring AFB wins Omaha Trophy, 7260

7259, 7260; March 16, 1978; Muskie makes the argument that the Ford Administration’s plan to cut back Loring Air Force Base in Maine by 80 percent deserves to be reconsidered by President Carter, and that one wing at the base has actually been named the best wing in the Strategic Wing Command, not the kind of distinction usually gained by a base that is ripe to be closed.

Panama Canal Treaty: agreement on a date for final vote, 8035

8035; March 22, 1978; Muskie argues that there are plenty of other time-consuming issues besides Panama that will deserve attention in the months ahead, so it is not in the interests of the Senate to drag out the time before a final vote is taken on the treaties.

Law of the Sea Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, 8333

8333; March 23, 1978; Muskie is appointed as one of the Senate observers to the Third United Nations Law of th Sea conference in Geneva, Switzerland from March 28 to May 12, 1978.

Electronic surveillance: judicial warrant to engage in (S. 1566), 10910

Foreign intelligence information: court order approving use of electronic surveillance (S. 1566), 10910

10910; April 20, 1978; Muskie expresses support for S. 1566, a bill dealing with court orders for electronic surveillance for foreign policy purposes, and pays tribute to the work of present and former Senators who tried to balance the security needs of the nation with the equally important rights of U.S. citizens.

Letter: Application of NEPA to U.S. activities abroad, by, 11804

11804; April 27, 1978; When the Carter Administration proposed, through the Council on Environmental Quality, that the National Environmental Policy Act be applied to U.S. agency actions occurring overseas as it did to domestic programs and projects, trade officials, aid agency officials and those associated in the private sector objected, and Stevenson (D-Illinois) proposed an amendment to the Export-Import Bank legislation limiting the application of the law until Congress affirmatively extended its reach by statute. In the course of explaining his amendment, he included a letter from Muskie to Stuart Eizenstat, which expresses Muskie’s understanding of the reach of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Aircraft: military sales to certain Middle East nations (S. Con. Res. 86), 13702

Middle East; sales of military aircraft to certain countries (S. Con. Res. 86), 13702

13702; May 15, 1978; During debate on S. Con Res. 86, the resolution to approve the sale of advanced aircraft to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Muskie makes a statement outlining what he sees as the issues at stake in the decision.

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust: designate (see S. J. Res. 135), 14332

14332; May 18, 1978; Muskie is shown as one of cosponsors of S. J. Res 135, a Danforth (R-Missouri) resolution designating Days of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust. The resolution was intended to act as a reminder to younger Americans of what the Holocaust was and to provide an enduring memorial of it.

Terror in Cambodia, Leo Cherne, Wall Street Journal, 14820

14820; May 22, 1978; In 1978, the slaughter and death that had erupted in Cambodia following the 1975 victory of the Communists was become more evident, as refugees streamed into Vietnam and braved mine fields to reach Thailand, but the United Nations was still reluctant to take decisive action. Armed clashes between Cambodia and Vietnam were increasing, as were defections among Khmer Rouge soldiers, and belated reports of the horrific killing in Cambodia were becoming more insistent. It was one such report that Muskie highlighted when he commented on the situation in Cambodia.

IMF: amend U.S. participation in supplementary financing facility (S. 2152), 19651, 23255

19651; June 29, 1978; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Schweicker (R-Pennsylvania) amendment No. 3101 to S. 2152, a bill to authorize U.S. participation in the supplemental financing facility of the International Monetary Fund. The purpose of the amendment is to make certain that money provided for the supplemental financing facility is subject to Congressional appropriation and within the guidelines of the first budget resolution.

23255; July 28, 1978; During debate on S. 2152, when Schweicker (R-Pennsylvania) calls up his amendment, Muskie is again shown as a cosponsor. There is no Muskie text.

Armed Forces: appropriations for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, combat vehicles and other weapons (S. 2571), 20207, 20208, 20211

Retired Servicemen's Family Protection Plan, reform, 20207

20207; July 11, 1978; In the course of debate on S. 2571, the military procurement bill, an amendment dealing with the survivor benefits of certain military widows is offered, but different arguments over its costs are given, and Muskie supports the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Stennis (D-Mississippi) in arguing that the Congress should not assume open-ended liability for pension payments without knowing either the cost or the extent of the expenditures it is assuming.

20208; July 11, 1978; Muskie gives another statement on the issue, arguing that a presidential Commission on Military Compensation has just concluded an analysis of the issue, and that the Armed Services Committee will hold hearings and recommend changes which can then be enacted with full knowledge of the likely costs.

20208; July 11, 1978; Muskie gives his opinion of the budgetary implications of the military procurement bill, expressing the hope that Senate conferees can remain with budget resolution guidelines.

20211; July 11, 1978; As the debate on the military procurement bill continues, Muskie expresses his support for the guided missile frigate program, which is being constructed in Maine at Bath Iron Works, and expresses the hope that the program of further procurement will go forward.

Maine: provisions of military construction authorization affecting, 20351

Military installations, to authorize certain construction (S. 3079; H.R. 12062), 20351

20351; July 12, 1978; Muskie comments on the Maine military sites which will receive additional funding under the military construction authorization bill, S. 3079.

Ambassador Mike Mansfield, Andrew H. Malcolm, New York Times, 21163

21163; July 17, 1978; Muskie says a recent report on Mike Mansfield, serving as Ambassador to Japan after his 16 years as Senate Majority Leader, provides an interesting insight into his views on the U.S.-Japanese relationship.

Scharansky, Anatoly: mockery of Soviet justice, 22187

Soviet dissidents: trial, 22187

U.S.S.R.: conviction of Scharansky and Ginzburg, 22187

22187; July 21, 1978; Muskie says the Soviet Union’s current efforts to stifle and punish dissent represent an entirely unacceptable policy, and that a continuing policy of this kind will lead to further estrangement between the U.S. and the Soviets. In 1975, the U.S. and the Soviet Union had agreed to the Helsinki Accords, which included language on human right, and by 1977, human rights groups to monitor the progress of the Helsinki Accords had come into being in many part of the Soviet Union and in much of Eastern Europe. In response, the Soviet government led a crackdown against dissent. The election of President Carter exacerbated the situation, because Carter had made it clear, from his inaugural speech, that he took human rights issues seriously and intended to make them a central part of his policy. When he gave evidence of doing so, for example, by responding to a letter from Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, the Soviet response was expressed in such actions as the trials and sentencing of dissenters.

International Security Assistance Act: amend bill to enact (S. 3075), 22803

22803; July 26, 1978; Muskie is shown as one of the cosponsors of a Baker (R-Tennessee) amendment to S. 3075, the International Security Assistance Act. The amendment took the form of an expression of support for continued face-to-face negotiations between Egypt and Israel and reiteration of the strong U.S. support for the security of Israel.

International Security Assistance Act: enact (S. 3075), 22808

Arms Export Control Act: amend (S, 3075), 22808

Foreign Assistance Act: amend (S. 3075), 22808

22808; July 26, 1978; Muskie briefly discusses the spending levels provided in the International Security Assistance Act, S. 3075, and warns that even relatively small bills like this can have significant implications for future year spending if they are not maintained within budget guidelines.

IMF: new spending authority of S. 2152 and Budget Act, 23230-23232

IMF: U.S. participation in supplementary financing facility (S. 2152), 23230-23233, 23258

23230-23233; July 28, 1978; Muskie argues that the effort of the Foreign Relations Committee to finance the supplemental financing facility of the International Monetary Fund (the so-called Witteveen facility, named for the Director of the IMF, a former Netherlands finance minister, H. Johannes Witteveen) without an appropriation represents a form of backdoor spending which is not permitted under the Budget Act, and to which he will object.

23258; July 28, 1978; In further debate on this point, Schweicker (R-Pennsylvania) offers an amendment to make all funding of the Witteveen facility contingent on prior appropriations, and adds Muskie as a cosponsor, along with others, and in the ensuing debate, it becomes evident that this amendment will be approved, so the bill would no longer be subject to a point of order under the terms of the Budget Act.

Dept. of Defense: amend appropriations for military construction (H.R. 12927), 24066, 24067

24066, 24067; August 3, 1978; During debate on funding for the military construction bill, H.R. 12927, Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a McIntyre (D-New Hampshire) amendment No. 1571, to add $1.6 million in funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, at Kittery, Maine.

Foreign assistance and related programs: appropriations (H.R. 12931), 30623

30623; September 21, 1978; Muskie says the foreign aid bill appropriation, H.R. 12931, is within budgetary guidelines, but cautions that possible additional requests for peace keeping funds may later push the spending level for this function too far. He also notes that the Appropriations Committee has provided the funding for the Witteveen facility of the International Monetary Fund, designed to help other nations cope with higher oil prices, and notes that the funding for this IMF facility will consist of 17 percent U.S. funds, but 50 percent in OPEC nation funds, the first OPEC international agreement of this type.

Senate: time limitation on coming debates, 30871, 30872

Foreign assistance and related programs: scheduling final vote on (H.R. 12931), 30871, 30872

30871, 30872; September 22, 1978; As the Senate tries to wind up the debate on the foreign aid bill, H.R. 12931, a discussion ensues, which involves Muskie, as to the calender of expected legislation in the coming days, ranging from the second budget resolution to the natural gas pricing bill.

National Environmental Policy Act: application with regard to foreign countries, 33030-33037, 33054, 33055

Letter: Environmental impact statement for programs conducted abroad, John J. Gilligan for AID, 33032

Philippine Loan Being Investigated, New York Times, 33035

33030-33037; October 2, 1978; In debate on S. 3077, the Export Import Bank legislation, Muskie makes a statement describing the reasons why the Public Works Committee recommends eliminating that provision in the law which would effectively bar the Bank from considering the environmental implications of the overseas projects and sales that it finances.

33054, 33055; October 2, 1978; As the debate continues, Muskie makes the argument that in writing the National Environmental Policy Act, Congress was not limiting it to the continental United States, but to the human environment.

 

Dept. of Defense: appropriations (H.R. 13635), 33890

33890; October 5, 1978. Muskie makes a brief statement about the defense appropriations bill, H.R. 13635, noting that it is within the spending guidelines of the second budget resolution, and that it has his support.

HUMAN RESOURCES

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Report: Disabled Veterans Outreach Program — Maine Activities, 2799, 2800

Letter: Disabled veterans outreach program, Maine American Legion, 2800

2799, 2800; February 8, 1978; Muskie pays tribute to the work of the Maine American Legion in its program of assistance to veterans.

Social security: authorize reimbursement of certain expenditures to States (see S. 2360), 6057

6057; March 8, 1978; Muskie is added as a cosponsor to a Moynihan (D- New York) bill, S. 2360, which would allow for reimbursements to the states for certain social security mandated payments they made before October 1, 1975. In effect, the bill settled a dispute that 23 states had had with the federal government over the use of Title XX Social Services funds before the bill was reauthorized.

Humphrey, Hubert H.: Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at Smithsonian Institution (see S. 2730), 8067

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars: establish Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought (see S. 2730), 8067

8067; March 22, 1978; Muskie is added as a cosponsor of S. 2730, a Williams (D- New Jersey) bill creating a fellowship in the name of former Senator Hubert Humphrey along with a trust fund which would provide a stipend to the holder of the fellowship. The fellowship was to be created within the Smithsonian Institution, and to be held annually.

Labor Law Reform Act: close debate on H.R. 8410, 17794

17794; June 15, 1978; Muskie is listed on the cloture petition filed on the Byrd amendment, amendment No. 2445, to the labor bill, H.R. 8410. Although this labor law reform, designed to help labor organize workplaces in the face of employer hostility was a major goal of the labor movement for 1978, six efforts to close down a filibuster failed and the bill was ultimately returned the Human Resources Committee on June 22. This was one of the first instances in which the business lobby prominently deployed small businessmen to actively become involved.

 

Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: tax status of U.S. employees (see S. 3278), 20218

20218; July 11, 1978; Notice only of Muskie’s introduction of S. 3278, a bill making salaries for workers at Campobello International Park count as income for unemployment compensation purposes.

Letter: Tax status of U.S. employees of Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: Sec. of Treasury Blumenthal, 20230

Letter: Tax status of U.S. employees of Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: P. M. Towe for Canada, 20230

Text: S. 3278, tax status of U.S. employees of Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission, 20230

Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: tax status of U.S. employees (S.3278), 20230

20230; July 11, 1978; Muskie makes his introductory remarks on S. 3278, a bill to correct the anomaly under which U.S. employees at Roosevelt Campobello Park were asked to pay Canadian unemployment insurance taxes, although they would not readily be eligible for Canadian unemployment benefits.

Civil Service Reform Act: enact (see S. 2640), 20231

20231; July 11, 1978; Muskie becomes a cosponsor of S. 2640, a Ribicoff (D- Connecticut) bill to reform the civil service system, a bill growing out of a Carter initiative to streamline the civil service and speed up the decision making processes by which civil servants are hired and promoted. This was one of the Carter Administration’s principal priorities in its efforts to reorganize the government.

National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act: enact (H.R. 2777), 20801, 20802

20801, 20802; July 13, 1978; Muskie says the creation of a Consumer Cooperative Bank would help encourage economic diversity and with the understanding that it would be funded below authorized levels, says he will support the bill.

Child care food program: extend and amend (S. 3085), 22154, 22164

Women, infants, and children program: 4-year extension, 22154

22154; July 21, 1978; Muskie comments on the child care food program, also known as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, noting that instead of making it a permanent new entitlement program, which some had desired, the Appropriations Committee instead provided a two-year entitlement but followed it with a two-year authorization. Muskie consistently warned that creating new entitlements effectively undermined the ability of each successive Congress to control the federal budget.

22164; July 21, 1978; Muskie notes that he is joining Kennedy (D- Massachusetts) in an amendment to clarify the right of the Secretary of Agriculture to include seafood in the commodities he may purchase for the school lunch program.

                    

Older Americans Act: provide for improved programs (S. 2850,, H.R. 12255), 22411

22411; July 24, 1978; Muskie says the extension of the Older Americans Act, S. 2850, provides for a reasonable, albeit substantial, increase in funding which is worthwhile and will serve the interests of the elderly at whom it is targeted.

CETA: amend bill to extend authorization (S. 2570), 27272, 27785

27272; August 23, 1978; Muskie is shown as a cosponsor of a Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) proposal to amend S, 2570, a bill extending the authorization for the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). The Bellmon language primarily sought to improve the coordination of programs within CETA and other existing federal programs and state and local government authorities.

27785; August 25, 1978; When Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) calls up his amendment No. 3527, Muskie’s name is again listed as a cosponsor. There is no Muskie text.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: certain programs for 1 year (S. 1753), 27329, 27332, 27333, 27432, 27433, 27438

Letter: Expansion of impact aid program to education, by, 27332

 Elementary and Secondary Education Act: amend bill to extend certain programs for 1 year (S.1753), 27426, 27431, 27435, 27436

27329, 27332, 27333; August 23, 1978; Muskie outlines the problems he sees in the extension of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, S. 1753, particularly those provisions of the law that seek to tie funding levels in certain programs to contingent funding levels in others. This, he argues, establishes a system under which Congress finds it increasingly more difficult to establish its own priorities in funding each year.

27426; August 23, 1978; Muskie is shown as a sponsor of an Eagleton (D- Missouri) amendment to modify elements of the education impact aid program.

27432, 27433; August 23, 1978; When Magnuson (D- Washington) begins to call up a series of amendments to the education bill, Muskie’s name is listed as one of the cosponsors.

27438; August 23, 1978; During debate on S. 1753, the education bill, Muskie supports a Magnuson (D- Washington) amendment to reduce a proposed substantial increase in the authorization for education impact aid. Impact aid was long the only federal contribution to local education, and was given on the grounds that children whose parents lived on federal installations or reserves nonetheless attended local schools, thus placing an additional cost on local taxpayers. Over the years, the Congress gradually increased the reach of impact aid, as more Members sought to make their own districts and states eligible for funds under the program. In this case, Magnuson was opposing the inclusion of children from public housing projects as a group to be eligible for impact aid.

Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: unemployment insurance coverage for citizens, 27406

Unemployment compensation: extend Federal/State program (H.R. 12380), 27406, 27407

Unemployment compensation: amend bill to extend Federal/State program (H.R. 12380), 27406

Letter: Employees of Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission, Sec. of Treasury Blumenthal, 27406

27406; August 23, 1978; When the Senate took up H.R. 12380, a tax bill, Muskie offers an amendment to include the United States citizens who are employed at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission under the federal unemployment tax act, so they are covered and not subject to Canadian unemployment taxes. At the time, this included 13 U.S. citizens, and was agreed by negotiations with Canada.

CETA: extend authorization (S. 2570), 27790, 27791, 27822

27790, 27791; August 25, 1978; During debate on S. 2570, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act extension, Muskie speaks in support of the Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) amendment, of which he a cosponsor. This amendment attempted to target the CETA program towards persons eligible for public assistance, to reduce dependency and costs.

27822; August 25, 1978; In his formal statement on S. 2570, the CETA authorization, Muskie describes the distinctions between cyclical unemployment befalling those with job skills, and the structural unemployment that faces persons with no skills and little work history.

CETA extension, Senator Mathias, 27823

28823; August 25, 1978; Javits (R-New York) has a Mathias (R-Maryland) statement printed in the Record, but the index probably belongs with the Mathias index, not the Muskie index. There is no Muskie text on this page.

Handicapped persons: comprehensive services for severely, 30317

Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments: enact (S.2600), 30317, 30570, 30571

Rehabilitation Act: establish comprehensive services program for severely handicapped (S.2600), 30317, 30570, 30571

30317; September 20, 1978; Muskie makes a brief statement about S. 2600, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and notes that the Budget Committee’s expressed concerns about some aspects of the bill does not mean that the Committee opposes its enactment.

30570; 30571; September 21, 1978; Muskie notes that the House-passed version of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act specifically excludes the programs funded by it from the terms of the Joint Funding Simplification Act, and seeks assurance that no such language exists in the Senate version of the bill. The Joint Funding Simplification Act was a measure permitting agency heads and state and local government officials to use funding from different program sources for a single project.

Depts. of Labor, HEW, and related agencies, appropriations (H.R. 12929), 31808

31808; September 27, 1978; During debate on the Labor-HEW appropriations bill, H.R. 12929, Muskie makes a statement supporting the bill as written against a proposed Mathias (R-Maryland) amendment which would have restored funding reductions for the education impact aid program funded in the bill, arguing that if the Congress agrees to spending restraint to hold the deficit down, as it just voted to do in the second budget resolution, then modest and sensible cuts have to be made in spending to attain the lower deficit.

Health Services Extension and Primary Health Care Act: enact (S. 2474), 32550

32550; September 29, 1978; In commenting on S. 2474, the Health Services bill, Muskie says the overall numbers fall within the limits set by the second budget resolution, but warns that a proliferation of specifically-targeted programs in the health area tend to lead to duplication and needless complexity in the delivery of health services.

Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act: enact (H.R. 50), 33782, 35349, 35356, 35357, 36729, 36730, 36735-36737, 36742-36744, 36747, 36748, 36776, 36777, 36780, 36784

Report: Budget Act Waiver for Consideration of (H.R. 50), Com. on the Budget, 35356

Table: Budget projections for 5 years, Com. on Budget, 36742

Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act: amend bill to enact (H.R. 50), 36742

33782; October 5, 1978; This page reflects House proceedings on H.R. 50. Muskie’s name does not appear. This is evidently and error.

35349; October 10, 1978; Muskie takes part in a discussion of which version of the Humphrey-Hawkins legislation should be debated by the Senate and in the attendant budget waivers and amendments that may be offered. The Humphrey-Hawkins bill originated as a full-employment measure, but was successively whittled down to become more of a symbolic goal than an achievable one, without the authorities needed for the federal government to become the employer of last resort.

35356, 35357; October 10, 1978; In an effort to clear up ambiguities, Muskie has the budget waiver report on the Humphrey-Hawkins Act reproduced. An issue at stake in the debate over this bill was an attempt to give the Joint Economic Committee the right to establish certain budget targets and goals, an attempt that Muskie vigorously rejected and fought.

36729, 36730; October 13, 1978; Muskie argues against a proposed amendment which would seek to establish in law the percentage of federal spending of the Gross National Product, which at that time was the same as the current Gross Domestic Product, saying that such an inflexible target is neither reasonable nor achievable.

36735-36737; October 13, 1978; Muskie and others continue the debate over the wisdom of establishing a specific percentage number for federal spending as a formal goal of the federal government, on the grounds that it is impossible to foretell the future, and events with broad economic implications can drastically alter the federal spending outlook from one year to another.

36742-36744, 36747, 36748; October 13, 1978; As the debate continues, Muskie offers an amendment to eliminate the reference to a specific percentage of federal spending to the Gross National Product and instead proposes broader language without a numerical percentage included.

36776, 36777; October 13, 1978; Muskie expresses his support for the Humphrey (D-Minnesota) amendment to the Humphrey-Hawkins Act, which substitutes a goal of 3 percent inflation as soon as practicable, instead of 1983. The Senator Humphrey referenced here is Mrs. Muriel Humphrey, the widow of the former Hubert H. Humphrey, who was appointed to serve out her husband’s term in the Senate.

36780, 36784; October 13, 1978; Muskie joins in the discussion as the merits of the Humphrey amendment are debated.

Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act: cloture of debate on H. R. 50, 35544

35544; October 11, 1978; Muskie’s name is listed as one of those signing the cloture petition on H.R. 50, the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act. The Humphrey-Hawkins bill was a controversial effort by labor and the civil rights community to establish a full employment goal as the central economic goal for the nation, but by the time it reached the Senate for debate, it had been so decked with amendments dealing with inflation goals, deficit spending, farm prices and related ideas that its passage before the end of session seemed remote. Although the original idea behind the bill was the notion of government as employer of last resort, by the time it reached Congress in 1978 it had become a largely symbolic gesture of aspiration, not a program authorizing the employment of anyone. Its supporters were energized by the lingering fear of high unemployment, and, to a substantial extent, by the death earlier in the year of Senator Humphrey (D-Minnesota), one of its original authors.

 

Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act, Senator Hathaway, 36028

Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act: enact (H.R. 5285), 36028, 36058, 36059, 36060, 36062, 36065, 36067

Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act: amend bill to enact (H.R. 5285), 36058

Tariff treatment of plastic and rubber film, strips, sheets and plates (H.R. 5285), 36028, 36058, 36060, 36062, 36065, 36067

Tariff: amend treatment of plastic and rubber film, strips, sheets and plates (H.R. 5285), 36058

36028, 36058

Hospital costs: containment, 36058, 36059

Hospital Cost Containment, Senator Hathaway, 36062

Table: Hospital costs, 36065

36028; October 12, 1978; During debate on H.R. 5285, the Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act, Muskie asks that a statement by Hathaway (D-Maine) be printed. At this time, Hathaway was in a tight reelection race and the longer-than-expected Congressional session made it necessary for Muskie to have his statements printed since Hathaway himself was spending as much time as possible in Maine.

36058, 36059; October 12, 1978; Muskie offers a second-degree amendment to the Nelson (D- Wisconsin) amendment to give a state’s own hospital cost control program one year to show results before a mandatory federal cost control program would be triggered.

36062; October 12, 1978; Muskie has a statement by Hathaway (D-Maine), who cosponsored his cost control amendment, reproduced in Hathaway’s absence.

36065, 36067; October 12, 1978; As the debate on hospital cost controls continues, Muskie interjects comments on the estimated cost increases as calculated by the Congressional Budget Office, although he does not play a major role in the debate. The debate was fueled in part by the continued unwillingness of the health care community to acknowledge that their billing practices contributed to a higher-than-average rate of inflation in the costs of their services.

Appropriations: making continuing (H. J. Res. 1139), 37485

37485; October 14, 1978; During debate on H. J. Res 1139, a continuing appropriations resolution, Muskie clarifies an element in the Second Concurrent budget resolution dealing with job creation in the reauthorized Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, but does not take an active role in the debate.

FEDERALISM, INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

1978 2^nd Session, 95^th Congress

Sunset Legislation, by, Philadelphia, Pa., 10081, 11264

10081; April 13, 1978; Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) says a Muskie speech to a college audience in Pennsylvania accurately reflects the reality of what Congress must do to bring spending and the budget under control.

11264; April 24, 1978; Congressman Blanchard (D- Michigan) inserts the same speech given at St. Joseph College in Philadelphia. Blanchard had introduced a House version of Muskie’s proposed Sunset bill.

Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations: notice of hearing, 11459, 18751, 23276

11459; April 25, 1978; Muskie announces that on April 26, the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee will hold hearings to examine "Public Attitudes towards Congressional Review of Programs.

18751; June 23, 1978; Muskie announces two days of hearings by the Subcommittee on S. 3208, the State Community Conservation and Development Act, for June 27 and June 28.

23276; July 28, 1978; Muskie announces an August 2 hearing on S. 3277, the Small Communities Act, by the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations.

Changing Municipal Role in Human Services, Madeleine Freeman. 13017

13017; May 9, 1978; Muskie points out that the Maine towns which make up the Maine Municipal Association have taken on substantial human services programs and notes that the President of the group outlined some of them in a recent statement.

Assistance programs: streamline and simplify the generally applicable requirements attached to (see S. 3267), 19626

 Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: establish (see S. 3266), 19626

States: incentives to examine and alter policies toward local governments (see S. 3266), 19626

Grant programs: expedite processing of applications (see S. 3267), 19626

19626; June 29, 1978; Notice only as Muskie and Roth (R-Delaware) introduce S. 3266 and S. 3267, complementary bills designed to improve the system of federal grants by streamlining eligibility requirements and speeding applications through the process.

Grant programs: expedite processing of applications and provide for multi-year funding (S.3267), 19631

Federal assistance programs; streamline and simplify the generally applicable requirements attached to (S. 3267), 19631

State governments: incentives for improving policies and programs affecting distressed local governments, (S.3266), 19631

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: establish (S. 3266), 19631

19631; June 29, 1978; Muskie and Roth (R-Delaware) make introductory remarks describing the proposed reforms to the federal grant system that are designed to streamline the process and to reduce administrative and paperwork demands on states and units of local government without eliminating the necessary oversight to ensure that funds are being properly directed to the purposes for which Congress allocated them.

Report: Sunset Act Purposes S.2, 24205

Summary: Sunset Act, S. 2, 24205

Government programs: review every 5 years (S. 2), 24205

Sunset Act: enact (S.2), 24205, 29794, 35479, 35484-35487, 35489-35493, 35495-35497, 35499, 35503-35507, 35513

Questions and answers: Sunset Act, S. 2, 24207

Sunset Legislation for Wasteful Programs (sundry), 29794-29797

24205; August 3, 1978; Muskie notes that efforts to control the growth of taxes and to control the deficit will be helped by the sunset legislation and provides a description of the revised bill along with a question-and-answer sheet on the subject.

29794-29797; September 18, 1978; Muskie announces he will introduce a revised version of the Sunset bill on the following day, and notes that it is a measure which has broad public appeal from a wide spectrum of opinion.

Public Works Employment Act of 1976; amend (see S. 3389), 25118

25118; August 9, 1978; Notice only of Muskie’s introduction of S. 3389, an extension of the countercyclical aid bill.

Intergovernmental Anti-recession Assistance Act: extend (S. 3389), 25119

Text: S. 3389, Intergovernmental Anti-recession Assistance Act extension, 25119

25119; August 9, 1978; Muskie makes his introductory remarks on S. 3389, a bill extending the countercyclical assistance bill and amending the provisions which would permit local units of government with above-average unemployment rates to continue to receive assistance even when the national rate of unemployment was below six percent.

Report: Com. on Governmental Affairs, 27466

27466; August 23, 1978; Muskie reports out S. Res. 489, a resolution dealing with approval of Reorganization Plan No. 3, with additional views, Report No. 95-1141. By this report, the Committee on Governmental Affairs rejected the Reorganization Plan, a disapproval which the Senate failed to uphold.

Medical records: confidentiality (see S. 3450), 27470

27470; August 23, 1978; Muskie is shown as an original cosponsor of S. 3450, a Javits (R-New York) bill to amend the 1974 Privacy Act to provide for the confidentiality of medical records. The bill is an attempt to respond to the recommendations of the Privacy Protection Study Commission, which proposed to substantially narrow the grounds on which third parties could legally access medical records.

Anti-recession and supplementary fiscal assistance For State and local governments: appropriations (H.R. 2852), 31123, 31125

State and local governments: fiscal responsibility with respect to present economic conditions, 31123, 31125

Aerial applicators: refund of taxes on gasoline and special fuels (H.R. 2852), 31123, 31125

31123, 31125; September 23, 1978; During debate on a proposal of aid to the cities, which had become part of a minor tax bill, Muskie argues that a modest change proposed in the countercyclical revenue sharing program by Danforth (R-Missouri) is preferable to the amendment by Chiles, which would simply eliminate the entire proposal totally.

Comparison: Sunset Act — Muskie amendment and proposed S. 2, 31569

Federal programs: amend periodic evaluation and authorization (Sunset Act) (S. 2), 31569

Text: Amendment to S. 2, Sunset Act (substitute), 31569-31581

Federal programs: periodic evaluation and authorization (Sunset Act) (S. 2), 31569, 32601

31569; September 26, 1978; Muskie introduces his amended version of the sunset bill, on which he reached agreement with Byrd (D-West Virginia) the Senate Majority Leader and some other Committee Chairmen, who had expressed reservations about the scope of the bill and the ability of congressional committees to fulfil an ambitious schedule of program evaluation.

32601; September 29, 1978; Muskie notes that as the congressional session is winding down, he wants to give the sunset bill a chance to be debated and considered, and therefore files it as an amendment to the Export-Import bank bill.

Federal programs: periodic evaluation and authorization (Sunset Act), 34361-34364, 34504, 34508, 34510, 34513-34516

Report: Sunset Act (S. 2) Com. on Governmental Affairs, 34363, 35486

Periodic Evaluation of Federal Programs: Senator Huddleston, 34510

Periodic Evaluation of Federal Programs: Senator Hathaway, 34509

34361-34364; October 6, 1978; As the Senate debates a tax bill, Muskie calls up his Sunset bill as an amendment to the tax bill in an effort to have it reach the Senate floor before the close of the session, and comments as well on efforts that have already been made to prevent a Senate vote on it.

34504; October 7, 1978; Muskie comments that the floor maneuvering over the Glenn (D- Ohio) tax expenditure sunset proposal prevented his being able to yield the floor for a statement from his principal cosponsor of the sunset bill, Roth (R-Delaware).

34508, 34510; October 7, 1978; As the impasse over the Sunset amendment continues, Muskie explains why he has chosen to use the tax bill as a vehicle to move the Sunset legislation forward, and various Senators chime in on the subject.

34513-34516; October 7, 1978; Arguing that Glenn (D-Ohio) has not been given a chance to make his statement and defense of his tax expenditure sunset amendment, Muskie makes the argument for him, and discusses the manner in which the debate has degenerated.

Sunset Legislation and Tax Expenditures, Senator Hathaway, 34776

34776; October 9, 1978; In the run up to a cloture vote on the tax bill, Muskie inserts a Hathaway (D-Maine) statement on sunset and the system of college aid and tuition tax credits. Hathaway was Muskie’s colleague in the Senate and was absent much of the fall due to campaigning in Maine. He was ultimately defeated.

Sunset Act: setting time agreement for consideration of (S.2), 35447, 35448

35447, 35448; October 11, 1978; Muskie takes part in a unanimous consent agreement that will give him the opportunity to call up the sunset bill as a free-standing measure and get an up-or-down vote on it.

Sunset Act: amend bill to enact (S. 2), 35474

Federal programs: amend bill providing for 5-year review of (S. 2), 35474

Federal programs: providing for 5-year review of (S.2), 35479, 35484-35487, 35489-35493, 35495-35497, 35499, 35503-35507, 35513

35474, 35479; October 11, 1978; When the Senate finally agrees to debate the sunset bill, Muskie lays it down and makes clear that the amendment he is offering is to displace the proposed modifications previously suggested by the Governmental Affairs and Rules Committees, and can be considered on the same terms as an original bill.

35484-35487; October 11, 1978; Muskie opens the debate on the sunset bill by reminding the Senate that this legislation would respond directly to the public perception that the Congress is not functioning well and that the federal government is wasting huge amounts of tax dollars as well as adding to inflationary pressures in the economy.

35489-35493; October 11, 1978; As debate on the sunset bill, S. 2, proceeds, Muskie accepts a number of noncontroversial amendments, and the Chairman of the Rules Committee makes his statement objecting to the broad thrust of the legislation, which would provide for automatic termination of programs.

35495-35497; October 11, 1978; Muskie accepts a Percy (R-Illinois) amendment to apply a sunsetting procedure to regulatory agencies as well as to federal programs directly, and it is approved on a voice vote.

35497; October 11, 1978; In the course of the continued debate over S. 2, the sunset bill, Muskie expresses his thoughts about his ranking minority member on the Budget Committee, Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) and his views on the Senate’s acceptance of the budget process.

35499; October 11, 1978; Muskie accepts another Percy (R-Illinois) amendment to require the President to rank programs by worth as an additional element of the sunset bill.

35503-35507; October 11, 1978; As the sunset bill debate winds down, Muskie responds to a question from Sasser (D-Tennessee), confirming that the Tennessee Valley Authority will not be brought under the review process because it is a self-financing agency and receives no appropriated funds, and responds to a Chiles (D-Florida) concern that a 10-year review period may prove too lengthy.

35513; October 11, 1978; Debate on the sunset bill comes to a close and a consent agreement is entered to vote at 6:00 p.m.

     

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, CIVIL LAW, CRIMINAL LAW

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Indian Land Claims Proposed Settlement, Maine House of Representatives, by, 4802

4802; February 27, 1978; Hathaway (D- Maine) presents a speech Muskie made in the Maine House of Representatives, bringing the legislature up to date on the progress of the Maine Indian Land Claim case, which at this time had been granted a boost by President Carter, whose intervention temporarily led to a court delay that eased the fears of economic disarray as the ownership of twelve million acres of Maine land was in dispute.

Hyperlexis: Our National Disease, Bayless Manning, 7280-7284

7280; March 16, 1978; Muskie notes that Bayless Manning, a former law school dean, has analyzed the over-elaboration of legal and regulatory requirements, which he has dubbed "hyperlexis."

Penobscot Indian Tribe: resolution of Maine land claims, 7513, 11475

Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe: resolution of Maine land claims, 7513, 11475

Maine: resolution of Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indians land claims, 7513, 11475

Resolution of Indian land claims in Maine, White House task force, 7514-7518

Report: Resolution of Indian Land Claims in Maine -- Recommendations, William B. Gunter, 7518

White House Efforts To Resolve Maine Indians Land Claims, Eliot R. Cutler, 11475-11477

Memorandum: Joint Agreement of Understanding on Resolution Of Indian Land Claims in Maine, 7518

7513; March 17, 1978; Muskie makes a statement about the Maine Indian lands claims, setting forth the appellate court ruling which found that the Justice Department did have a fiduciary responsibility to the tribes, and the two efforts at settlement thus far made. One proposal was prepared at the President’s request by a retired Georgia judge; the other was prepared by a White House Task Force. At the time Muskie spoke, neither approach had been successful.

11475; April 25, 1978; Muskie notes that one member of the White House Task Force, Eliot Cutler, was a native of Bangor who had an interest in resolving the Maine Indian lands claims as most Mainers did, and provides a speech Cutler made in Maine describing the situation. Cutler had formerly been a member of Muskie’s staff.

LaFlamme, Janice B.: relief (see S. 3123), 14814

Degenhardt, Douglas J.: relief (see S. 3124), 14814

14814; May 22, 1978; Muskie introduces two private bills. Private bills are commonly used to deal with the idiosyncratic problems that can arise when conflicting requirements of the law affect an individual and the law provides no way to resolve the conflict, or when compensation to a citizen from the government may be warranted but is not actually covered by any existing law. Most private bills arise from constituent casework, where the ability of a Senator’s caseworker staff runs up against limits in the law or lack of legal authority covering the particular circumstances of a given case.

Details of private bills are never published in the Congressional Record. The paperwork justifying a private bill is handled by the Committee of jurisdiction, usually the Judiciary Committee, which reviews the facts and law of the case and determines whether or not to report favorably on it. Private bills were more common in past years; the expansion of federal courts of adjudication and other arbitration mechanisms throughout government leaves fewer persons who have legitimate claims without redress. Additionally, past scandals in which individual Members of Congress were found to be selling their ability to introduce private bills have helped reduce the willingness of Members to introduce private bills.

Maine Indian Land Claims-Facing Up To It, John S. Day, Bangor (Maine) News, 14817

Maine Land Claims Deal Means Heads We Win, Tails You Lose. Peter Slocum, Associated Press, 14817

Letter: Indian land claims, to Governor Longley, by, 14817

14817; May 22, 1978; Muskie notes that he has written to Maine’s Governor about a couple of proposed legislative solutions to the Maine Indian lands claims, and includes current news stories which describe how the State’s initial intransigence has meant that out-of-court settlements proposed by the White House and which might have been much more economical are now looking less and less likely and the prospect of the tribes’ success in court is looming. In this period, similar litigation in a handful of other states, such as Massachusetts, had begun to make more people in the state realize that the land claims could succeed, and because of the sheer size of the Maine claims, would be far more ruinous to the state.

Text: S. 3130, Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, 15014

Maine; settle Indian land claims (see S. 3130), 15014

Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, Joseph E. Brennan for State of Maine, 15015

15014, 15015; Muskie is joined by Hathaway (D-Maine) in introducing S. 3130, a bill intended to extinguish all aboriginal title to Maine lands and to shift jurisdiction in any subsequent case to the federal Court of Claims and wholly to the federal treasury. This measure was drafted by the state and neither Muskie nor his cosponsor made the customary introductory remarks.

Murray, Paul F.: nomination, 18713

18713; June 23, 1978; Muskie expresses his support for a presidential nomination for the position of U.S. Attorney for the state of Rhode Island, noting that the nominee is from a member of a prominent Bangor, Maine family.

District of Columbia: cloture of debate on H. J. Res. 554, 26344

26344; August 16, 1978; Muskie’s name appears as one of the signers of a cloture petition on H. J. Res. 554, the resolution which proposes to amend the Constitution so as to give full congressional representation to the residents of the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia: congressional representation (H. J. Res. 554), 26603-26605, 26607-26609

Government spending: automatic surtax to recoup previous year's deficit, 26603-26605, 26607-26609

Table: Budget receipts and outlays, 1789-1979, 26608

Budget: constitutional amendment on it balanced, 26603-26605, 26607-26609

26603-26609 August 17, 1978; When the Senate takes up the resolution giving congressional representation to the residents of the District of Columbia, H. J. Res. 554, the language of the resolution is displaced by an amendment to require a balanced budget, and Muskie makes the argument that the mechanism in that proposal would be counterproductive and ineffective.

ERA: ratification extension (H. J. Res. 638), 27905

States: ERA ratification extension (H. J. Res.638), 27905

27905; August 25, 1978; In a statement reflecting the 58^th anniversary of the adoption of the 19^th amendment to the Constitution, which granted women suffrage, Muskie talks about the lack of a constitutional underpinning for the seven year deadline that was written into the proposed Equal Rights Amendment in the 92^nd Congress and argues that this time limit is both arbitrary and a modern deformation of the amending process, which is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution itself. At the time, opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment had succeeded in creating a sense that the time element for ratification would be an integral element of its legitimacy. At this time, the Amendment was three states short of the three-quarters needed to ratify.

ERA: cloture of debate on motion to proceed with extension of time for ratification by States (H. J. Res. 638), 31873, 32172

31873, September 27, 1978; Muskie’s name is listed on the cloture petition on H. J. Res. 638, a resolution to extend the deadline for state legislatures to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

32172; September 28, 1978; As the Senate moved closer to adjournment for the year, opponents of extending the ratification period for the Equal Rights Amendment began to object to any time agreement on debating and voting for the extension. Although various conservative groups nationally had managed to raise questions about the Amendment, it was still generally popular, and moderate Republicans found themselves caught between conservative opponents of the extension and supporters of it, who were often their own political supporters. A move by Republican moderates to bring the joint resolution, H. J. Res. 638 to the floor for debate and a vote caused the cloture petition to be filed, and Muskie’s name appears on it. Muskie did not take part in the parliamentary maneuvering on this issue.

MISCELLANEOUS

1978 2^nd Session, 95^th Congress

Humphrey, Senator Hubert: eulogy, 585, 586

I Cannot Resist One More Happy Hubert Humphrey Memory, Malcolm Forbes, Forbes (magazine), 586

Eulogy: Senator Humphrey, Vice President Mondale, 586

585, 586; January 24, 1978; Muskie makes a statement on the death of Hubert Humphrey (D- Minnesota) noting how well-loved the late Senator had been, and how energetically and joyfully he had pursued his political career. Humphrey was an unusually well-liked and well-known member of the Senate, even though his term of service as Lyndon Johnson’s Vice President probably was the decisive factor in his very narrow defeat by Nixon in the presidential race of 1968. Many Americans had turned against the Vietnam War at that time, and while Nixon liked to leave the impression that he had a solution to it, Humphrey was blamed for failing to desert his President, Johnson, on the issue and to speak against his policies. In that 1968 race, Muskie was the Vice Presidential candidate.

Metcalf, Senator: eulogy, 586, 588

Senator Metcalf Approaches His Final Session in Congress, Thomas Kotynski, Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune, 587

586, 587, 588; January 24, 1978; Muskie talks about the death of Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana, with whom he worked closely in a number of areas, particularly environmental conservation, and who he regarded as one of his friends in the Senate.

Thomas D. Finney, Jr., Eulogy: Clark Clifford, 4201

Thomas D. Finney, Jr. W. DeVier Pierson, 4201

Thomas D. Finney, Jr. Senator Stevenson, 4201

Finney, Thomas D., Jr.: eulogy, 4200, 4201

4200, 4201; February 22, 1978; Muskie recalls Tom Finney, a Washington lawyer who he and other Senators, as well as two presidents, considered a friend and a counselor.

Reflections on Hubert H. Humphrey, Anthony Hyde, American Church, London, England, 8308

8308; March 23, 1978; Muskie notes that the American Church in London held a service for Hubert Humphrey attended by both Americans resident in England and many of the highest level British officials as well.

Allen, James B.: eulogy, 17108

17108; June 12, 1978; Muskie speaks on the passing of James Allen, a Senator from Alabama who was notorious for his knowledge and use of the Senate rules. Allen was one of the final old-fashioned Southern Democrats who had earlier formed the Senate leadership for many years.

Payne, Frederick G.: eulogy, 18401

Payne, Frederick G,: eulogy (see S. Res. 486), 18401

Former Senator Payne Dies, Portland (Maine) Press Herald (excerpts), 18402

18401; June 22, 1978; Muskie offers a Senate resolution, S. Res. 486, noting the death of a former Senator Frederick G. Payne, Republican of Maine, and it is passed on a voice vote. Payne served as Governor of Maine when Muskie was a state legislator, and in 1958, he was a single-term Senator who Muskie defeated for reelection.

Montoya, Joseph M.: eulogy, 19171

19171; June 27, 1978; Muskie speaks briefly about the death of Senator Joseph Montoya, a Democratic Senator from New Mexico who was also one of the members of Muskie’s Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution.

Pope Paul VI: expressing sorrow on death of (see S. Res. 535), 24622

24622; August 7, 1978; Muskie is shown as one of the cosponsors of S. Res. 535, a Senate resolution expressing sorrow on the death of Pope Paul VI, but does not speak.

 

Transatlantic balloon crossing: tribute to participants, 26700

Newman, Larry: transatlantic balloon crossing, tribute, 26700

Abruzzo, Ben: transatlantic balloon crossing, tribute, 26700

Anderson, Maxie: transatlantic balloon crossing, tribute, 26700

26700; August 17, 1978; Muskie congratulates three balloonists from New Mexico who used Maine as the jumping-off point for their successful flight to Paris, and notes that the location they used is near Loring Air Force Base in northern Maine, a reflection of the fact that this is one of the sites closest to Europe, and one of the reasons why Loring should be retained.

Bartlett, Senator: extending best wishes (see S. Res. 593), 36847

36847; October 13, 1978; Muskie’s name is listed along with the rest of the Senate which in its entirety cosponsored S. Res. 593, a resolution extending the body’s best wishes for the future of Senator Dewey Bartlett, a Republican of Oklahoma, who would be retiring from the Senate at the close of the session. Senator Bartlett had been diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year but continued to serve as best he could until adjournment.

Bartlett, Senator: tribute, 37447

37447; October 14, 1978; Muskie makes a floor statement about Senator Dewey Bartlett, expressing his view that he had made a valuable contribution to the Senate, and wishing him the best in the future.

Tribute, 37688

37688; October 14, 1978; In the course of giving his end-of-session roundup from the Republican point of view, the minority leader, Baker (R-Tennessee) praises Muskie’s work on the Budget Committee.

Humphrey, Senator Muriel; tribute, 37691

Eastland, Senator: tribute, 37692

Hodges, Senator: tribute, 37692

Sparkman, Senator: tribute. 37692

Pearson, Senator: tribute, 37692

Hansen, Senator: tribute, 37692

Hatfield, Senator Paul: tribute, 37693

Abourezk, Senator: tribute, 37693

37691, 37692, 37693; October 14, 1978; As the session draws to a close, Muskie makes brief statements about a number of Senators of both parties who have decided to retire after long careers or not to seek reelection for a variety of other reasons.

POLITICAL, CAMPAIGN FINANCE

1978 95th Congress, 2nd Session

Commonwealth Club of California: diamond jubilee (see S. Res. 394), 2543

2543; February 7, 1978; Muskie is shown as a cosponsor of a resolution, S. Res. 394, commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Commonwealth Club of California, a non-profit think tank which focuses primarily on domestic issues, and provides a platform for speakers, including members of Congress. Muskie, like the other cosponsors, had appeared before this organization.

Transcript: Bangor, Maine, Town Hall Meeting With President Carter, 6483-6489

6483-6489; March 10, 1978; When Carter took office, he announced that he wanted opportunities to meet with ordinary citizens, and one form this goal took was a series of town meetings in different communities around the country in which he responded directly to questions from the audience. The third of this series of town meetings was held in Bangor, Maine, and Muskie noted that the President was asked about a series of issues of particular local concern, such as the Indian land claim and the future of Loring Air Force Base. Another, unstated purpose of the town meetings was to locate them in states where Democratic congressional candidates faced potentially tough opposition in an upcoming election, as Hathaway (D-Maine) did in 1978.

Up Against White House Wall, Jerry Tucker, Newsweek, 27908

27908; August 25, 1978; Muskie notes that a Newsweek magazine article has pointed out that bemoaning a lack of leadership may also mean that there is a lack of people willing to follow.

SENATE RULES, PROCEDURES, HOUSEKEEPING 

1978 95th Congress, 2nd Session

Senate: privilege of the floor, 2728, 4869, 9384, 11113, 11378, 13710, 21616, 21930, 23232 24833, 24858, 27974, 27980, 28005, 29391, 29394, 31105, 31118, 33030, 33923

Under Senate rules, no action can be taken unless it is by the unanimous consent of all Senators, which means that even routine and trivial requests, such as allowing a particular member of the staff to be in the chamber during a debate and votes must be made as a formal request and not be challenged by any other member. As a result, members who are active in debates and want to have staff available make many such requests throughout the year.

2728; February 8, 1978; During debate on the Panama Canal Treaties, Muskie asks that Madeleine Albright be granted the privilege of the Senate floor.

4869; February 28, 1978; Muskie asks that Budget Committee staff and Madeleine Albright be granted the privilege of the Senate floor during the Panama Treaties debate.

9384; April 10, 1978; During debate on the conference report on H.R. 6782, the emergency agriculture bill, Muskie asks that members of the Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the floor.

11113; April 24, 1978; During debate on S. Con. Res. 80, the first concurrent budget resolution, Muskie asks that certain members of the Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the floor.

11378; April 25, 1978; During debate on S. Con. Res. 80, the first concurrent budget resolution, Muskie asks that a Hollings (D-South Carolina) staffer be granted the privilege of the floor.

13710; May 15, 1978; During debate on S. Con. Res. 80, the first concurrent budget resolution, Muskie asks that certain members of the Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the floor.

21616; July 19, 1978; During debate on S. 3084, the Housing and Community Development Act, Muskie asks that several Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the Senate floor.

21930; July 20, 1978; During continued debate on the S. 3084, Housing and Community Development Act, Muskie asks that Jim Case be given the privilege of the floor.

23232; July 28, 1978; During debate on S. 2152, a bill authorizing a supplemental financing authority for the International Monetary Fund, Muskie requests that a number of Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the Senate floor.

24833; August 8, 1978; During debate on H.R. 12932, the Department of Interior appropriation, Muskie requests floor privileges for Karl Braithewaite.

24858; August 8, 1978; As the Department of Interior appropriation debate continues, he requests floor privileges for David Johnson.

27974; September 6, 1978; At the opening of the debate on the second budget resolution, S. Con Res. 104, Muskie asks that a number of Budget Committee staff have the privilege of the floor.

27980; September 6, 1978; Later in the debate he requests floor privileges for staff members of Bumpers (D- Arkansas) and Cranston (D- California) as well.

28005; September 6, 1978, As the second budget resolution debate continues, he requests floor privileges for a Glenn (D- Ohio) staffer.

29391; September 14, 1978; During debate on the question of passing a resolution which would embody instructions to conferees on H. Con. Res. 683, the second budget resolution, Muskie requests floor privileges for a number of Budget Committee staff.

29394; September 14, 1978; As that debate continues, he makes a similar request on behalf of a staff member of Glenn (D- Ohio).

31105; September 23, 1978; Beginning debate on the conference report on H. Con. Res. 683, the second budget resolution, Muskie requests that Budget Committee staff be granted the privilege of the floor.

31118; September 23, 1978; As the Senate opens debate on the anti-recession amendments to the aerial fuel tax bill, H.R. 2852, Muskie asks that Al From be granted the privilege of the floor.

33030; October 2, 1978; As the Senate begins debate on S. 3077, a bill extending authority for the Export-Import Bank, Muskie requests floor privileges for Phil Cummings

33923; October 5, 1978; During debate on H.R. 13511, the Revenue Act of 1978, Muskie requests that certain Budget Committee staff be given the privileges of the Senate floor.

Special order: granted, 4769

4769; February 27, 1978; Byrd (D- West Virginia) in his capacity as the Senate Majority Leader, makes a unanimous consent request that Muskie be recognized when the Senate takes up the Panama Canal Treaties again on the following day.

Report: Foreign Travel Expenditures, 10761, 10762

10761, 10762; April 19, 1978; An annual report on committees’ foreign travel costs is printed, and Muskie’s name, as Chairman of the Budget Committee, is printed along with the names of all committee chairmen. There is no Muskie text.

Committees: permission to meet, 11230, 11371

11230; April 24, 1978; Muskie makes a routine unanimous consent request that committees be permitted to meet during forthcoming Senate sessions. Although Senate rules prohibit this, the rules are routinely set aside by unanimous consent.

11371; April 25, 1978; Muskie again makes a unanimous consent request in behalf of the Majority Leader that committees be allowed to meet while the Senate is in session.

Parliamentary inquiry, 24850, 24853, 26108, 26109

24850, 24853; August 8, 1978; During debate on the appropriation for the Department of the Interior, H.R. 12932, Muskie objects to a Cannon (D- Nevada) amendment which would bar a basin wide Environmental Impact Statement covering the entire Colorado River Basin, on the grounds that it is legislating on an appropriations bill, a matter that is barred by Senate rules. This dispute centered on two different approaches: Western Senators argued that since each of several individual projects along the Colorado had been studied and Environmental Impact Statements prepared, there should be no authority for basin wide or regional studies. Muskie’s argument was that if the Senate wanted to amend the National Environmental Policy Act, they should do so through the normal legislative committee process, not by an unexpected amendment to an appropriations bill.

26108, 26109; August 15, 1978; In discussion over a refundable tax credit for tuition expenses, Muskie makes several points of order against different versions of a Long (D- Louisiana) amendment, and ultimately wins the votes on those motions.

Conferee on S. 555, ethics in Government, 33388

33388; October 4, 1978; Muskie is listed as one of the conferees appointed on S. 555, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

Legislative program, 34551

34551; October 7, 1978; Muskie makes a very brief comment in the course of a discussion of the future legislative schedule, noting that two proposed cloture votes would be taken successively. There is no substantive Muskie text.

TAXES, FISCAL POLICY, BUDGET

1^st Session, 95th Congress

Income tax: budget considerations for reductions, 50

Budget: tax cut considerations, 50

Tax Cut Considerations for 1979, Alice M. Rivlin for CBO, 50-54

Table: Budget outlays and revenue projections, CBO (selected data), 51-54

50-54; January 19, 1978; Muskie discusses the recent budget hearings and the testimony he heard and notes that although the budget process seems to be firmly in place in some ways, members of the Senate are becoming more willing to increase spending than they should if the goal of balancing the budget or reducing the size of government is to be reached.

Checklist: Itemized deductions for form 1040, 58, 59

58, 59; January 19, 1978; Muskie notes that his annual list of tax deductions available, which the Special Committee on Aging prepares, has proven useful to his Maine constituents and reflects changes in the tax code since the former list was published.

Schedule: Hearings on first budget resolution, 1327

Com. on Budget: notice of hearings, 1327, 19893

1327; January 30, 1978; Muskie announces the full schedule of hearings on economic prospects and administration plans for the first budget resolution for fiscal 1979.

19893; July 10, 1978; Muskie announces hearings by the Budget Committee on housing legislation and the second concurrent budget resolution.

Report: Com. on. Budget, 1744, 7637, 10309, 12200, 15674, 17570, 18094, 18434, 19152, 19275, 22008, 22181, 24649 24885, 25381, 26950, 27466, 29118, 29790, 30378, 30587, 31565, 34427, 34832, 36849, 37654

1744; February 1, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 387, authorizing additional spending for the Budget Committee for investigations and inquiries.

7637; March 20, 1978; Byrd (D- West Virginia) on Muskie’s behalf, reports two resolutions, S. Res. 415 and 418, to waive Sec. 402(a) of the Budget Act for consideration of H.R. 6782 and S. 2481, respectively; reports 95-707 and 95-708. H.R. 6782 is a bill dealing with marketing orders for raisins, and S. 2481 establishes parity prices for wheat and feed grains.

10309; April 17, 1978; Muskie reports S. Con. Res. 80, the first concurrent budget resolution for fiscal 1979, Report 95-739.

 

12200; May 2, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 443, to waive Sec. 303(a) of the budget act for the conference report on H.R. 6782, marketing orders for raisons, report number 95-772.

15674; May 26, 1978; Muskie reports several waivers of Sec. 402(a) of the budget Act: S. Res. 450 for H.R. 11877, authorizing funds for the Peace Corps, report 95-918; S. Res. 453 for S. 3075, the Foreign Assistance and Arms Export Control Act, report 95-919; S. Res. 455 for S. 3076, report 95-920; S. Res. 456, for S. 3067, a bill authorizing funding for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, report 95-921, and S. Res. 460, for S. 3112, funding for the Library of Congress, report 95-922.

17570; June 14, 1978; Byrd (D- West Virginia) on Muskie’s behalf, reports S. Res. 471, a waiver of Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3082, amending the North Pacific Fisheries Act, report 95-932.

18094; June 19, 1978; Byrd (D- West Virginia) on Muskie’s behalf, reports S. Res.467, a waiver of Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3151, a Department of Justice authorization, report 95-940, and S. Res. 470, a waiver of Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 2937, a bill to amend the Speedy Trials Act to improve pretrial services agencies, report 95-941.

18434; June 22, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res 474, to waive Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 2635, authorizing disposal of materials from national stockpiles, report 95-951.

19152; June 27, 1978; Byrd (D- West Virginia) on Muskie’s behalf, reports S. Res.492, a waiver of Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of H.R. 12426, a bill to guarantee the New York City Loan, report 95-960.

19275; June 28, 1978; Muskie reports two resolutions, S. Res. 451 and S. Res. 488, to permit consideration of H.R. 11445, amending the Small Business Act, report 95-964, and H.R. 11005, authorizing the International Trade Commission, report 95-965.

22008; July 20, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 522, a resolution waiving Sec. 303(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3085, a bill to extend the special supplemental food program and the child care food program, report 95-1026, and S. Res. 508, a resolution waiving Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3153, a bill to settle Indian land claims in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, report 95-1027.

22181; July 21, 1978; Muskie reports five budget act waiver resolutions all of which waive Sec. 402(a) of the budget act; S. Res. 494, with no identified bill reported in the printed record, report 95-1029; S. Res. 498, for S. 2693, authorizing national security programs at the Energy Department, report 95-1030; S. Res. 499, for S. 1487, tobacco racketeering, report 95-1031, S. Res. 500 for S. 551, state grants for crime victims, report 95-1032; and S. Res. 505 for S. 2692, civilian programs at the Energy Department, report 95-1033.

 

24649; August 7, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 524, a resolution to waive Sec. 303(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of H.R. 3946, a bill providing a refundable tax credit for educational expenses, report 95-1067.

24885; August 8, 1978; Muskie reports two resolutions, S. Res. 530 and 531, waiving Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 2640, reforming the civil service, report 95-1074, and H.R. 11567, authorizing the Securities and Exchange Commission, report 95-1075.

25381; August 10, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 510, to waive Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3279, aircraft noise standards, report 95-1088, and S. Res. 527, to waive Sec. 303(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3279, report 95-1089.

26950; August 18, 1978; Muskie reports S. Con. Res. 104, a resolution revising the federal budget for Fiscal year 1979, report 95-1124.

27466; August 23, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 532, a resolution to waive Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 991, establishing a Department of Education, report 95-1139.

29118; September 13, 1978; Muskie reports two Sec. 402(a) waivers, S. Res. 544 and 549, to permit consideration of H.R. 11092, a bill dealing with the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission, report 95-1189, and S. 2083, oil spill liability, report 95-1190.

29790; September 18, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 546, to waive Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 3161, authorizing funding for the National Year of the Child, report 95-1198.

30378; September 20, 1978; Muskie reports two Sec. 402(a) waivers, S. Res. 553 and 561, to permit consideration of H.R. 2852, aerial fuel taxes, report 95-1201, and S. 2, the sunset bill, report 95-1202.

30587; September 21, 1978; Muskie submits the conference report on H. Con. Res. 683, the second budget resolution for fiscal year 1979, report 95-1205.

31565; September 26, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 560, a resolution to waive the budget act to permit consideration of H.R. 7700, expanding congressional review of the U.S. Postal Service, report 95-1244.

34427; October 6, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 570, a resolution waiving Sec. 402(a) of the budget act to permit consideration of S. 50, the Humphrey-Hawkins Act, report 95-1285.

Com. on Budget: additional expenditures (see S. Res. 387), 1769

1769 [This is a misprint in the Index; is actually found on page 1759]; February 1, 1978; Muskie reports S. Res. 387, an original resolution setting out certain limits on the spending of the Budget Committee.

Letter: Additional expenditures by Com. on Budget, by, 5619

5619; March 6, 1978; When S. Res. 387 is reported to the Senate from the Rules Committee is unanimously adopted and Byrd (D-West Virginia) includes a portion of the report and a letter written by Muskie and Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) supporting their funding request.

Budget: setting forth the 1979 (see S. Con. Res. 80), 10320

10320; April 17, 1979; Muskie reports S. Con. Res. 80, outlining the budget figures for the fiscal year 1979 budget, along with allocations among budgetary functions.

Congressional budget: setting forth the 1979 (S. Con. Res. 80), 11113-11120, 11145, 11146, 11149-11152, 11156-11160, 11163, 11164, 11167-11170, 11376-11378 , 11386, 11389, 11397, 11405-11408, 11412, 11416-11420, 11424, 11425, 11428, 11430, 11527-11533, 11535-11538, 11546, 11552-11554, 11556-11562, 11564-11567, 11570

Electronic calculators: authorized on the floor during debate on congressional budget for 1979, 11113

Table: Congressional budget for 1979 (selected data), 11116, 11118, 11120-11145, 11406, 13715, 13716, 13718

Report: Budget by Function and Mission, Com. on Budget (excerpt), 11120-11145

International banking institutions: budget authorization, 11149-11152

World Bank: U.S. contributions, 11149-11152

Asian Development Bank: U.S. participation, 11149-11152 ,

International Development Banks Unfunded Past Pledges, Dept. of Treasury (excerpt), 11150

Dept. of HEW: misspent funds, 11156-11159

Letter: HEW programs outlay authority, Sec. of HEW Califano, 11169

Space program: proposed reduction of Shuttle fleet, 11170

Space Shuttle: funding for fifth orbiter, 11170

National debt: ceiling increased, 11163, 11164

Dept. of Defense: McGovern amendment on transfer of funds to energy-related functions, 11375, 11377, 11386

Congressional budget: McGovern amendment on reducing military spending level, 11376, 11377, 11386

Memorandum: Arguments Against Senator McGovern's Amendment on Transfer of Funds for Civilian-Oriented Projects, Com. on Budget, 11386, 11387

Congressional budget: setting forth the 1979 (S. Con. Res, 80), debate procedure, 11387, 11412, 11413, 11418, 11478

Memorandum: International Development Association Replenishment: Com. on Budget, 11389

Colloquy: Budget deficit, with Joseph Pechman and Charles Walker, 11416

Report: Congressional Budget for 1979, Com. on Budget (excerpt), 11527

International financial institutions: U.S. contributions, 11558-11562

Letter: International Development Association: Sec. of Treasury Blumenthal, 11559

Letter: International Development Association: William E. Simon (1975), 11559

Memorandum: International Development Association Replenishment: Charles Flickner, 11559

Table: Investment in International Development Association, 11560

International Financial Institutions, Horst Moltrecht (excerpt), 11561

Table: World nations subscription to capital stock and voting power, Inter-American Table: Development Bank, 11562, 11563

Table: World nations development credits, 11566

List: International financial institutions receiving US contributions, 11567

11113-11120; April 24, 1978; Muskie makes opening remarks on S. Con. Res 80, the first budget resolution but begins by castigating his colleagues for ignoring spending discipline for politically expedient reasons, and sets forth detailed information about the resolution in its report.

11145, 11146; April 24, 1978; Muskie closes his opening remarks with further warnings that overspending must be curbed in the interests of curbing inflation, and a reminder that the Senate cannot vote in favor of every program that somebody may regard as desirable.

11149-11152; April 24, 1978; As debate on the first budget resolution begins, Byrd (I-Virginia) requests information about one function in the international aid section which he fails to understand, and Muskie attempts to help him understand that when the U.S. makes international agreements, they can carry consequences.

11156-11160; April 24, 1978; Muskie joins a debate over a Byrd, Jr. (I-Virginia) amendment to reduce by $5.6 billion the income support function in the budget resolution, and argues that simply cutting funds is not going to either stop or prevent fraud and abuse in income supports, medical programs or student loans.

11163, 11164; April 24, 1978; As Byrd, Jr. demonstrates that he is unable to understand the details of the federal budget, Muskie seeks to inform him about what makes up the public debt versus the annual operating deficit.

11167-11170; April 24, 1978; Muskie debates with Moynihan (D- New York) whether the budget could accommodate the costs if the federal government were to assume a greater share of local welfare costs, and whether general revenue sharing should be permitted to dwindle to a smaller percentage of states’ budgets.

11376-11378; April 25, 1978; Muskie makes his argument against a proposed McGovern (D-South Dakota) amendment which would have shifted some defense spending to domestic categories of spending, a tactic used often by those unhappy with the shape of the budget, and which were at that time called "transfer" amendments. One reason for their relative popularity was that the author of such a proposal could claim that his amendment would not worsen the deficit.

11386, 11387, 11389, 11397; April 25, 1978; Muskie makes his second argument against a slightly different version of the McGovern (D-South Dakota) transfer amendment, bringing forward staff memos to bolster his point of view.

11405-11408; April 25, 1978; Muskie debates with Proxmire (D-Wisconsin) the latter’s amendment requiring a flat 5 percent across-the-board cut in the entire budget resolution, and points out that a cut of this nature, without being specific cannot reasonably be made.

11412; April 25, 1978; Muskie and others seek to organize the continued debate and to grant time agreements for various amendments.

11416; April 25, 1978; The debate continues with a Curtis (R-Nebraska) motion to recommit the budget resolution for further cutting, and a second smaller Proxmire (D-Wisconsin) proposal to cut $5 billion, both of which Muskie opposes and argues against.

11424, 11425; April 25, 1978; Muskie argues against a proposal offered by Roth (R-Delaware) to increase the size of the anticipated tax cut, saying that to do so would be to raise the deficit by an additional $5 billion, thus sending the wrong signal on inflation.

11426; April 25, 1978; In the course of the debate, Cranston (D-California) produces a letter he addressed to Muskie questioning the utility of the five-year budget projections and arguing that they include underlying assumptions with which not all members of the Committee are either familiar or agree.

11428; April 25, 1978; Culver (D-Iowa) questions Muskie about the provision of the budget resolution which might either fund additional college aid or a tuition tax credit to ascertain what will be done with the allowance if the tuition tax credit is not enacted.

11430; April 25, 1978; Muskie responds to a question from Jackson (D- Washington) about whether the budget resolution assumes enactment of a "gas guzzler" tax refund proposal, and agrees with Jackson that the practice of holding back certain administration initiatives at the beginning of the budget proposal in order to present a smaller budget is not something he will condone.

11478; April 25, 1978; Muskie joins a discussion covering how the debate will be structured on the following day.

11527-11529; April 26, 1978; Muskie debates Domenici (R-New Mexico) on his amendment to cut selected budget targets by reminding him that he had opposed virtually similar cuts when Muskie offered them in committee, before the resolution was reported to the full Senate, and he now feels a responsibility to defend the resolution as it stands, even though he supported cuts earlier.

11530-11533; April 26, 1978; Muskie has a series of exchanges with Durkin (D-New Hampshire) about the two amendments he has proposed, to add funds for greater activities in developing alternative energy resources, and to rehabilitate rail beds to provide for the shipping of coal to energy-short regions.

11535-11538; April 26, 1978; Muskie argues that an amendment purporting to cut $1 billion in waste, fraud and abuse is simply a wanton cut of an agency budget, because it will do nothing to actually reduce waste or fraud or abuse, since the budget resolution only references broad categories of spending, not particular programs, and says that the place to make such cuts is through the authorizing committee, which in this instance is the Finance Committee.

11546; April 26, 1978; Muskie comments on a Nelson (D-Wisconsin) amendment which proposes to finance a transition from the existing Civil Service retirement program to another, more financially sound system that would be integrated with the social security system. The Nelson amendment is withdrawn.

11552-11554; April 26, 1978; Muskie responds to the arguments made by Tower (R-Texas) that money should be shifted from certain domestic programs to the defense function, and points out that if savings can indeed be made in domestic programs, then the savings should be applied to the deficit, not to a different spending function.

11556-11557; April 26, 1978; Muskie engages in a colloquy with Pell (D-Rhode Island) about whether there is room under the budgetary targets to increase basic student aid grants if the Congress does not create a tuition tax credit for college students.

11558-11562, 11564-11567; April 26, 1978; Muskie debates Byrd (I-Virginia) over the value of the multilateral banking institutions to which the U.S. contributes as part of its foreign aid assistance, and attempts to clarify the confusing elements of the way the multilateral banks do their work.

11570; April 26, 1978; As debate on S. Con. Res 80 draws to a close, Muskie and other Senators indulge in the usual orgy of compliments to themselves, to the staff, to their counterparts across the aisle.

Conferee on S. Con. Res. 80, congressional budget for 1979, 13374

13374; May 11, 1978; Muskie is appointed one of the conferees on S. C. Res. 80, the first budget resolution.

Congressional budget: setting forth the 1979 (S. Con. Res. 80), conference report, 13710-13718, 13721, 13722

Report: Com. of conference on S. Con. Res. 80, 13725

13710-13718, 13721, 13722, 13725; May 15, 1978; Muskie reports the conference report on S. Con. Res. 80, budget resolution, Report No. 95-866, and after some debate, it is approved on a voice vote.

Congressional budget: setting forth the 1979 (S. Con. Res. 80), conference report (allocation correction), 15035

Table: Congressional budget for 1979: (correction),15036

15035, 15036; May 23, 1978; Muskie corrects budget allocations on S. Con. Res. 80, and notes that allocations will note affect the budget function limits.

Legislation: clearing calendar for Senate action by Com. on Budget, 17587

Com. on Budget: clearing legislation on calendar for Senate action, 17587

17587; June 14, 1978; Muskie explains that the Budget Committee staff has been doing as much as it can to clear noncontroversial bills which can be approved on a voice vote and notes that of 143 bills, 104 have already been cleared and most of the remainder were reported after May 15, and so will need budget waivers before they can be considered.

Tuition Tax Relief Act: enact (H.R.12050), 25852-25856, 26078-26083, 26107, 26108-26111

Tuition Tax Relief Act: enact (H.R. 12050), 26108, 26112

Tuition Tax Relief Act: point of order (H.R. 12050), 26108, 26112

Tuition Tax Relief Act: amend bill to enact (H.R. 12050), 26116

25852-25856; August 14, 1978; Muskie makes his opposition to any form of tuition tax credit clear, arguing that it will contribute to general inflation as well as propelling inflation in the costs of tuition.

26078-26083; August 15, 1978; Muskie continues to express his opposition to tuition tax credits whether for elementary or college students, and debates his position with various Senators.

26107-26111; August 15, 1974; As the debate continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this issue of refundable tax credits is a challenge from the Finance Committee to the Budget Committee over the limitations that the Budget Act places on all spending by all committees.

26116; August 15, 1978; Glenn (D-Ohio) offers an amendment to provide for a termination date to the tuition tax credit of December 31, 1983; the House-passed bill had a 1980 termination date, but the Finance-reported one had nothing, thus suggesting a permanent feature of law. Muskie is shown as a cosponsor but does not speak.

Congressional budget for 1979 (see S. Con. Res. 104), 26960

26960; August 18, 1978; Muskie reports S. Con. Res. 104, the Second Concurrent Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 1979.

Private foundations: amend bill to reduce excise tax on investment income of (H.R. 112), 27366

Private foundations: reduce excise tax on investment income of (H. R, 112), 27383-27385

Energy sources: incentives for use of alternative, 27383-27385

27366; August 23, 1978; Muskie is shown as a cosponsor of a Bumpers (D-Arkansas) unprinted amendment Number 1723, which would extend for one year a provision of tax law allowing certain family-held farm corporations to use the cash method of accounting rather than the accrual method, an issue of interest to poultry producers. Muskie had cosponsored similar legislation in the previous congress.

27383-27385; August 23, 1978; During debate on H.R. 112, a bill reducing the excise tax on the investment income of private foundations from 4 percent to 2 percent, Muskie raises procedural objections to the addition of energy tax provisions as a means of moving them from an otherwise stalled energy tax conference.

Congressional budget: revising (S. Con. Res. 104), 27974-27981, 27985, 27988, 27990, 27993, 27995, 28003, 28009, 28021-28027,28029

Congressional budget: revising (S. Con. Res. 104), H. Con. Res. 683 passed instead, 28029

27974 September 6, 1978; Muskie makes his opening remarks on S. Con. Res. 104, the second concurrent budget resolution, noting that although the budget year began badly it has continued much better and as a result, the processes and procedures of the budget law are becoming part of the Senate, and the second budget resolution reflects it, as it permits a lowered deficit and a lower level of spending than was hoped for in the first budget resolution

27980, 27981; September 6, 1978; Muskie compliments Byrd (D- West Virginia) for all his help in moving the budget process forward, and then responds to questions from Hathaway (D-Maine) about the manner in which tax reduction cost estimates are made.

27985, 27988; September 6, 1978; Hathaway (D-Maine) continues to pursue the entire question of tax reductions and their economic effects. At this period, a theory of taxation was being developed that gained the popular name of "supply-side", and posited that cuts in either the highest marginal tax rates or capital gains taxes would result in such a massive upswing of economic activity that more taxes would actually be collected than what was lost by being cut. Although this theory has been tested several times, in no case has it this result been seen. Muskie notes that the Finance Committee will be looking into this and that the issue may thus be discussed when the tax bill reaches the floor.

27990, 27993, 27995; September 6, 1978; Muskie argues against another Proxmire (D-Wisconsin) proposal to reduce budget authority across the board by a further 3 percent in the second budget resolution and tries to explain why that actually can’t be done on the Senate floor through a budget resolution and why it may have relatively little effect on current inflation and the deficit either.

28003; September 6, 1978; Muskie offers a tongue-in-cheek set of numbers as a specific guideline to any Senator who wishes to follow through on the suggestion of a three percent across-the-board cut, as the Senate moves towards a vote.

28009; September 6, 1978; Muskie adds a few comments to what Bellmon (R-Oklahoma) has already argued against the Roth (R-Delaware) amendment, which sought to make specific cuts in several budget functions.

28014-28017; September 6, 1978; Muskie has an exchange with Byrd (I-Virginia) over what Byrd claims is a $3 billion increase in foreign aid and which Muskie endeavors to explain is caused largely by placing the Witteveen facility on-budget, rather than off.

28021-28027; September 6, 1978; As the Senate moves toward a vote on the second concurrent budget resolution, assorted members step forward to express their various views on aspects of the federal budget, and Muskie responds when requested to do so.

28029; September 6, 1978; As the debate ends, Muskie makes the parliamentary motion to substitute the House joint resolution, H. Con. Res. 683, and to move for its immediate passage.

Appointments: Conferee on H. Con. Res. 683, revising congressional budget, 28563

28563; September 8, 1978; Muskie is appointed a conferee on H. Con. Res. 683, the House version of the second concurrent budget resolution.

Report: Com. of conference on H. Con. Res. 683, 30587

30587; September 21, 1978; Muskie reports the conference report on H. Con. Res. 683, the second budget resolution for fiscal year 1979, Report No. 95-1205.

Congressional budget: second concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 683), 31105-31109, 31111-31115

Congressional budget: second concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 683), 31105-31109, 31111-31115

Table: Congressional budget resolution (H. J. Res. 683), 31106, 31108, 31109, 31114

Report: Congressional Budget Resolution (H. J. Res. 683), Corn. of conference (excerpt), 31109-31111

Congressional Budget Resolution (H. J. Res. 683), Senator Bellmon, 31111

Congressional budget: conference report on 11. Con. Res. 683, 31115, 31116

Table: Budget surplus and deficit, 1940-79, 31114

Com. on Budget: tribute to staff, 31116

31105; September 23, 1978; Muskie makes a statement outlining the major issues at stake in the second budget resolution, H. Con. Res. 683, following conference with the House, and noting that the House effort to add an additional $2 billion public jobs bill to the budget has now been rejected by the Senate, and that the deficit now expected is a full $12 billion below the estimates at the beginning of the year.

Revenue Act: enact (H.R. 13511), 33930, 33944-33952, 34318, 34329, 34330, 34354, 34361-34364 34381, 34504, 34507-34510, 34513-34517, 34561, 34570, 34581, 34583, 34592-34594, 34692, 34694, 34698, 34711, 34720, 34726-34728, 34741, 34758, 34773-34776, 34778, 34781-34783, 34788-34790, 34792, 34796, 34803, 34809, 34811, 34814, 35211, 35235, 35237, 35240, 35244, 35267, 35280, 35285, 35287, 35288, 35327, 35331-35333

Income tax: reduction (H.R. 13511), 33930, 33944-33952, 34318, 34329, 34330, 34354, 34361-34364, 34381, 34504, 34507-34510, 34513-34517, 34567, 34570, 34581, 34583, 34592-34594, 34692, 34694, 34698, 34711, 34720, 34726-34728, 34741, 34758, 34773-34776, 34778, 34781-34783, 34788-34790, 34792, 34796, 34803, 34809, 34811, 34814, 35212. 35235, 35237, 35240, 35244, 35267, 35280, 35285, 35297, 35288, 33327, 35331-35333

Revenue Act: point of order on Roth amendment, 33945

Memorandum: Consideration of Spending Debt or Revenue Legislation Which Would Become Effective for a Fiscal Year Until First Concurrent Resolution On Budget Has Been Agreed to, 33947

Table: Tax reduction-comparison between Senate bill and Roth amendment, 34318

Revenue Act, cloture of debate on amendment 3678 to H.R. 13511, 34369

Income Taxes: cloture of debate on amendment 3678 to H.R. 13511, 34369

Study: Tax Expenditures, Com. on Budget, 34776-34778

Gasoline tax: repeal of nonbusiness deduction of State and local, 34789, 34790

Corporate tax rate: reduction, 35240

Gasoline tax: deduction, 35285, 35287, 35288

Farm trucks: proposed exemption from highway user tax, 34592

33930; October 5, 1978; Muskie announces that he will bring up a point of order in connection with the proposed Kemp-Roth tax rate cuts, dealing with the revenue losing effects of the proposal and its impact on the budget.

33944-33952; October 5, 1978; Muskie debates Long (D- Louisiana) over the meaning of provisions in the budget act which limit bills that reduce revenues and in a series of votes on sustaining the ruling of the Chair, finds his position rejected by a majority of the Senate.

34318; October 6, 1978; Muskie points out the Budget Committee’s projections on the so-called Kemp-Roth tax cut, including added inflationary pressure, a higher federal deficit, and, very likely, an economic recession.

34329, 34330; October 6, 1978; Muskie says he will not raise a formal point of order against a Packwood (R-Oregon) amendment that would provide for college tuition tax credits, but substantially increase the credit amounts in the years beyond those covered by the budget resolution, and he and Long (D-Louisiana) the Chairman of the Finance Committee have a colloquy about how the chairman will be obliged to bring back a tax bill from the House-Senate conference that would conform to the budget.

34354, 34361-34364; October 6, 1978; Muskie offers the sunset bill as an amendment to the tax bill, explaining his frustration in being forced to do so by record of having broad verbal support but no practical means of getting the bill to the floor for a vote.

34369; October 6, 1978; Byrd (D-West Virginia) announces that he will ask that the Muskie amendment be temporarily laid aside so that other, noncontroversial amendments to the tax bill can be dealt with, and that the Muskie bill return the following day, after disposition of the Glenn (D-Ohio) amendment to the Muskie amendment. There is no Muskie text, but as a general thing, arrangements like this are usually cleared with the Senator whose legislation is involved.

34381; October 6, 1978; As the Senate prepares to make its final roll call vote for the day, Muskie inquires if it is expected there will be further roll calls on the following day.

34504; October 7, 1978; Muskie notes that because of maneuvers on the floor the previous evening, he was unable to give up the floor to Roth (R-Delaware) who has been his partner in developing and refining the sunset bill and moves to do so now.

34507-34510; October 7, 1978; Assorted Senators step forward to express their support for sunset as well as their frustration that it is finally being called up as an amendment to the tax bill and Muskie explains how this came about.

34513-34517; October 7, 1978; After some bickering with Stevens (R-Alaska) over the allocation of time to speak, Muskie makes a statement in support of the Glenn (D-Ohio) proposal to subject tax expenditures to the same kind of regular reuthorizing process as is projected for spending bills under sunset.

34561; October 7, 1978; Muskie attempts to explain the meaning of the Glenn amendment, but Stevens (R-Alaska) is intent on changing the subject, so it is a truncated and rather pointless exchange.

34570; October 7, 1978; The Senate proceeds to demonstrate that a small handful of Senators insisting upon relatively minor stipulations can spend an inordinate amount of time simply reaching agreement on when to vote.

34581, 34583; October 7, 1978; When Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) proposes a 10 percent tax credit for the rehabilitation of any nonresidential structure that is more than 20 years old, Muskie says he and the Budget staff are trying to work out the cost implications of the proposal.

34592-34594; October 7, 1978; McGovern (D-South Dakota) offers an amendment to exempt farm vehicles from the highway use tax applied to commercial heavy trucks, and his proposal to shift the applicable date of his amendment brings forth another discussion of how the budget limits can be evaded by choosing dates carefully.

34692; 34694, 34695; October 9, 1978; Debate degenerates into a finger-pointing standoff as to the status of unrelated amendments on the tax bill, and numerous Senators, including Muskie, have their say. Long (D-Louisiana), the Chairman of the Finance Committee, was well-known for delaying tax bills until the Senate faced the choice between adjournment and the risk of not being able to adjourn, particularly in even-numbered years, when a third of the body was up for election. He was also famous for precipitating total confusion as debate wore on, so that members were tempted to simply abandon their arguments to end it all.

34711; October 9, 1978; Muskie asks if a proposed Moynihan (D-New York) amendment has a revenue cost. The amendment in question would extend the income disregard to persons who adopt children as well as those who provide foster care for children.

34720; October 9, 1976; Muskie asks about the revenue cost of another amendment, having to do with the passing of value between a deceased spouse and a living one.

34726-34728; October 9, 1976; As the Senate works to consider how best to deal with the sunset amendment, the Humphrey-Hawkins bill amendment and other non-tax amendments, Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) makes his remark that those who want some time for debate need to be accommodated as well.

34741; October 9, 1978; In connection with the deferral of taxes on profits earned overseas, Muskie points out that he has yielded time for a roll call vote, not for a tabling motion, and Long (D-Louisiana) explains that a tabling motion is the fastest way to dispose of the amendment.

34758; October 9, 1978; Muskie notes that with all the tax provisions slipped into the bill with deferred starting dates, so the revenue cost will not count against Fiscal Year 1979, the full annualized cost of the tax bill at the moment is roughly $50 billion.

34773-34776; October 9, 1978; As debate continues, Muskie makes a point of order against a Heinz (R-Pennsylvania) amendment that it would change the revenue basis in the second budget resolution and his point of order is sustained.

34778; October 9, 1978; Muskie asks that a Hathaway (D-Maine)statement on the sunset provision for tax expenditures be included. Hathaway was at this time in Maine, working for his reelection, and so was absent from the Senate. Muskie also makes an argument against voting to cut off debate on the so-called nongermane amendments to the tax bill.

34781-34783; October 9, 1978; After a further amount of wrangling, Muskie extracts a promise from the Majority Leader Byrd (D-West Virginia) that he will do his best to provide a separate vote up and down on the sunset bill if Muskie will hold off on appealing a ruling of the chair.

34788-34790, 34792; October 9, 1978; As debate continues, a Helms (R-North Carolina) amendment to retain the tax deduction for state gasoline taxes for persons who itemize their taxes is subjected to a point of order, and arouses a great deal of misconceived argument as to how an element of existing law can be repealed without even an up and down vote. Muskie attempts to explain the process by which an allowance for revenue losses in a bill is steadily consumed by proposals to exempt one or another item from taxation, but is hardly successful.

34796; October 9, 1978; Muskie briefly explains that although Hart (D-Colorado) has applied for a budget waiver for his amendment, it has not been considered because the parliamentary floor situation makes it possible that dealing with a waiver would further prejudice Hart’s amendment. The Hart amendment was designed to provide both spending limits and tax cuts, with tax cuts predicated on spending limits being effective. There were a number of amendments at this time, mostly fueled by the Kemp-Roth tax cut proposal, to more or less automatically produce tax cuts and desirable budgetary behavior.

34803; October 9, 1978; Muskie deals with the so-called "coalition" amendment which would attempt to make spending and tax cuts semi-autonomous by arguing that it responds only to numbers, not to the underlying reality of the economy at any given point in time.

34809, 34811; October 9, 1978; Debate continues on the coalition amendment with various members advancing their view as to what would be the outcome from slightly altered spending rates or unemployment data.

34814; October 10, 1978; Muskie is joined by several of his colleagues as he sums up what he does not accept about the Hart amendment and the "coalition" amendment, both of which are efforts to put federal spending and taxing decisions on a kind of autopilot setting based on five year projections of economic conditions.

35211; October 10, 1978; When a Danforth (R-Missouri) amendment to reduce the rate of corporate taxes is offered, Long moves to table, on the grounds that he is trying to move the debate along. It was at this time that the notion was growing that lower tax rates would lead to higher overall revenues, a theory that did not have many adherents, but whose adherents were very enthusiastic about discussing it. A motion to table is non-debatable, thus meaning it essentially cuts off all debate.

35235; October 10, 1978; In an effort to clear the backlog of amendments from the tax bill, a request is made that they be declared nongermane en bloc. Muskie attempts to explain what is in the Glenn (D-Ohio) amendment, but the unanimous consent request ultimately has to be withdrawn because it draws too many objections and questions.

35237; October 10, 1978; Having failed to secure an agreement to rule the backlog of amendments out of order, Byrd (D-West Virginia) makes a motion that the chair, of its own volition, rule amendments out of order as they are called up, without waiting for a senator to challenge each amendment, and in the course of discussion on this point, Muskie raises the question of whether points of order under the Budget Act would be subject to the same general procedure. He is assured that Budget Act points of order are not encompassed in this suggestion.

35240; October 10, 1978; Muskie and Long (D-Louisiana) comment that an amendment reducing the corporate tax rate without offsetting any other corporate tax benefits amounts to an additional benefit for the corporate sector

35244; October 10, 1978; Muskie notes that the effects of the Senate’s additional actions on the tax bill are to increase costs in future years, and says he just wants people to be aware of this as they take up the Church (D-Idaho) amendment.

35267; October 10, 1978; When Glenn (D-Ohio) offers an amendment to make the tax incentives in the pending bill subject to review through legislation to be created by the next Congress, his proposal is attacked as threatening the permanence and stability of tax law. Muskie points out that there is nothing permanent or stable about most tax law and never has been, so this is a red herring created by those who simply do not want any tax preference to be altered ever.

35280; October 10, 1978; Muskie objects to a Long (D-Louisiana) effort to slip a Helms (R-North Carolina) amendment through although it is subject to the budget law because it reduces revenue beyond what is contemplated, pointing out that this is just a way to selectively bypass the requirement of germaneness which is imposed post-cloture and under which numerous Senators’ amendments have been ruled out of order.

35285, 35287, 35288; October 10, 1978; Helms (R-North Carolina) calls up his amendment and prepares to challenge the ruling of the chair that it is out of order, amid energetic if somewhat incoherent argument from supporters that the deductibility of the state gasoline tax from federal income tax liability, for those taxpayers who itemize their deductions, will constitute a major and unsubstantiated tax increase, but the effort to so fails.

35327; October 10, 1978; Muskie responds to a proposal by Danforth (R-Missouri) which would require the Secretary of the Treasury to impose a 2 percent surtax on all individual incomes in the event of spending that overran earlier estimates. Proposals like this, to put the budgetary and taxation system on some sort of autopilot were popular among members who liked to be seen as fiscally responsible but were no happier than any others to vote for specific and unpopular tax and spending policies.

35331-35333; October 10, 1978; As the Senate prepares to vote for final passage of the tax bill, Muskie sums up the measure’s budgetary effects and lays out some of his own reservations about elements in the bill, but says he counts on the Finance Committee Chairman to bring back a more moderate measure from the House-Senate conference.

Income taxes: amend reduction (H.R. 13511), 33966, 34354

Revenue Act: amend bill to enact (H.R. 13511), 33966, 34354

33966; October 5, 1978; Notice only of a Muskie amendment 3849, filed to H.R. 13511, the tax bill, to amend the proposed tax reduction. The substantive text of this amendment was Muskie’s sunset bill.

Memorandum: Spending Limitations Subject to a Point of Order, John McEvoy, 37583

Revenue Act: enact (H.R. 13511), conference report: 37582-37584, 37592

Income tax: reduction (H.R. 13511), conference report, 37582-37584, 37592

Revenue Act: enact (H.R. 13511), conference report: 37582-37584, 37592

37582-37584; October 14, 1978; Muskie notes that the conference report on the tax bill has scaled back the massive proposed tax cuts substantially, but raises questions about bypassing the budget law in connection with other legislation that seeks to set budgetary levels.

37592; October 14, 1978; Muskie and Long (D-Louisiana) engage in a brief colloquy clarifying the relationship between the spending and budget targets set forth in the tax bill and similar figures set forth in the Humphrey-Hawkins proposal and in the budget act.

TRADE, TARIFFS, IMPORT CONTROLS

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Canadian fish: decision to waive the imposition of countervailing duties (see S. Res. 483), 17472

Letter: Canadian subsidies on fishing industry: by, 17473

Canada: indirect subsidies of fishing industry, 17474

Fishing industry: Canadian imports, 17474

17472, 17473, 17474; June 13, 1978; Muskie is one of the cosponsors of S. 483, a Hathaway (D-Maine) resolution to disapprove of the Treasury Department’s intention to waive the countervailing duty imposed on certain Canadian fish imports, and expresses his view that it is appropriate to maintain the countervailing duty in the face of Canadian subsidies to their fishery.

Export-Import Bank Act: amend and extend (S.3077), 32581, 32835, 32836, 33007, 33030-33037, 33054-33057

Textiles and textile industry: protecting domestic industry, 32581

Export-Import Bank Act: amend and extend (S. 3077), 32578, 32600, 32855, 33002 

Foreign trade: application of National Environmental Policy Act, 33030-33037, 33054, 33055

Export Licenses and National Environmental Policy Act, President Carter (excerpts), 33031

Hazardous Exporters, Jack Anderson, 33033

Nuclear Plant Loan Challenged, Thomas O'Toole, Washington Post (sundry), 33034

Table: Eximbank gross authorizations, 1975-78, 33036

Table: Estimated environmental impact statement preparation, review, and costs, 33036

32578; September 29, 1978; When Hollings (D-South Carolina) calls up his amendment to the Export-Import Bank Act, S. 3077, he lists all cosponsors, and Muskie is shown as one of them.

32581; September 29, 1978; As debate opens, Muskie briefly expresses his support for the Hollings amendment.

32600; September 29, 1978; Muskie introduces his sunset bill as a proposed amendment to the Export-Import Bank Act. This action was one Muskie took as the Senate session was winding down and he had been unable to get a commitment from the leadership to call up the sunset bill as freestanding legislation, for a straight vote. In introducing his amendment, Muskie makes the argument that now is the time to take up the sunset bill.

32835, 32836; September 30, 1978; Muskie discusses the order of proceeding so best to begin debate on the sunset amendment with his colleagues as the Export Import Bank bill debate begins.

32855; September 30, 1978; Muskie is shown as a cosponsor of a proposed Glenn (D-Ohio) amendment to the Export Import Bank Act. The Glenn amendment constitutes his proposal to make tax expenditures subject to periodic review, along with direct spending programs.

33002, 33007; October 2, 1978; Muskie calls up the sunset amendment to make it the pending business, and has a brief discussion about that fact as the amendment is called up.

33030; October 2, 1978; Muskie explains that the provision in the Export Import Bank Bill, which explicitly exempts the organization from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is an overly broad approach to a series of issues which are quite limited in scope and serves to establish an exemption for a single agency which, by implication, creates the impression that all other agencies are strictly bound by NEPA. He points out that agencies which have decided to work with NEPA are encountering no difficulties

33054; October 2, 1978; Muskie says that although the requirements of NEPA are minimal, and any moderately sincere effort to find a middle ground would have succeeded, no middle ground has been reached despite the debate. He argues that the claim the U.S. would, by this means, impose its environmental laws on unwilling foreign countries is a red herring.

Textile imports: amend duties or restrictions (H.R. 9937), 35962

35962; October 12, 1978; Muskie is shown as one of the cosponsors of a Thurmond (R-South Carolina)- Hollings (D-South Carolina) amendment which would prohibit the reduction or elimination of duties or import restrictions on textiles. This amendment was added to H.R. 9937, an unrelated bill dealing with the sale of Carson City silver dollars, when it appeared that the Export Import Bank bill, to which it was previously attached, might be permanently delayed from reauthorization.

Public Assistance Amendments of 1978: enact (H.R.7200, 13750), 35975, 36235

Sugar stabilization act: proposed, 35975

35975; October 2, 1978; A bill entitled Public Assistance Amendments, H.R. 7200, is called up, but its text is replaced in its entirety by the language of the Sugar Stabilization Act, a parliamentary maneuver necessary because revenue-raising bills can only originate in the House, not the Senate. As debate begins on the sugar bill, Heinz (R-Pennsylvania) objects to an unrelated provision in the bill that would extend the President’s authority to waiver countervailing duty on subsidized imports, and Muskie joins him in expressing opposition to that extension of authority.

36235; October 12, 1978; Muskie makes a statement in opposition to the price supports in the Sugar Stabilization Act, H.R. 7200, arguing that it will have the effect of increasing food price inflation by a full percentage point in the future, at a time when Congress should be seeking for ways to reduce inflationary pressures.

HOUSING, URBAN DEVELOPMENT

1978 2nd Session, 95th Congress

Maine: application of Dept. of HUD's urban development action grant program, 21158

Dept. of HUD: implementation of urban development action grant program, 21158

Lewiston/Auburn, Maine: application of Dept. of HUD's urban development action grant program, 21158

21158; July 17, 1978; Muskie notes that the new "urban development action grants" available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development are constructed to leverage private investment along with government funds to revitalize fading downtown districts, and he discusses the efforts of several Maine towns to use this resource.

Housing and Community Development Amendments: amend bill to enact (S. 3084), 21615

Housing and Community Development Amendments: enact (S. 3084), 21617, 21618, 21623 - 21625, 21627, 21629, 21935, 21936

Letter: Contributions for assisted housing, Sec. of HUD Harris, 21617

Dept. of HUD: congressional disapproval of rules and regulations, 21935

21615; July 19, 1978; When Hathaway (D-Maine) introduces an amendment to S. 3084, the Housing and Community Development bill, Muskie’s name is listed as a cosponsor. The Hathaway amendment specified that no community would be barred from participation in any of the bill’s programs solely on account of its population size.

21617, 21618; July 19, 1978; Muskie speaks in favor of a Chiles (D-Florida) amendment designed to reduce the overall authorization for housing assistance to the figure that the president requested and endorses the idea that growth in assisted housing should be steady and not subject to short spurts and sudden halts.

21623-21625, 21629; July 19, 1978; As debate on the Chiles amendment continues, Morgan (D-North Carolina) offers his own version of that amendment, which retains a new program to which other members have raised objections, and Muskie takes part in this debate.

21935; July 20, 1978; Muskie argues that the proposal to enact a legislative veto into law is unconstitutional and should not be undertaken. An amendment to the HUD bill proposed to delay the effective date of all new regulations for 60 days to allow for time for a one-House legislative veto of the proposed regulation. This was a somewhat popular approach to the issue of regulatory overreach by executive agencies, but was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, albeit years after Muskie’s service in the Senate was over.

Dept. of HUD and related agencies: appropriations (H.R. 12936), 24642, 24643

Report: Actions to Stabilize Availability of Housing Credit, Federal Home Loan Bank Board, 24643

24642, 24643; August 7, 1978; Muskie discusses the changes in mortgage and credit markets that are taking place and argues that the authority provided in the bill, allowing the President to issue up to $4 billion in credit is neither necessary nor prudent, given that no allowance for such an issue has been provided by the budget resolution.