September 30,1978
Page 32804
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
Mr. CHURCH. Mr. President, I yield to the distinguished Senator from Maine, the chairman of the Budget Committee.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, because the pending bill, as reported out of committee, contains a small authorization for fiscal year 1979 and was reported after May 15, 1978, it is subject to a point of order under section 402 of the Budget Act.
After discussing this matter with the distinguished floor manager of the bill, he has agreed to offer an amendment striking that provision from the bill.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the RECORD a letter dated September 28, 1978, addressed to me as chairman of the Budget Committee, from Senator CHURCH and Senator LAXALT, the primary sponsors of the Public Grazing Lands Improvement Act of 1978.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
U.S. SENATE,
Washington, D.C.,
September 28, 1978,
Hon. EDMUND MUSKIE
Chairman. Budget Committee,
U.S. Senate.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: As you know, we are the primary sponsors of the Public Grazing Lands Improvement Act of 1978. This measure is designed to revitalize the public range lands through a 20-year improvement program, and is badly needed to check the continued deterioration of the western range.
This bill as reported by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee sets the start-up for the range improvement program in fiscal year 1979. Because the beginning of FY '79 is so imminent, and in order to meet the requirements of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, we are prepared to offer a technical amendment to the Grazing bill when it comes up on the floor which would set the start-up period in fiscal year 1980. We hope that this amendment would resolve any problems which the Budget Committee might have with this important legislation.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
FRANK CHURCH PAUL LAXALT.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, under these circumstances I will not raise the point of order but will permit the bill to be considered so that the amendment may be offered.
I have cleared this procedure with Senator BELLMON, the distinguished ranking minority member of the Budget Committee, and he has no objection to this procedure for dealing with the problem.
Mr. CHURCH. I thank the distinguished chairman, Senator MUSKIE, and Senator BELLMON for their cooperation.
Presently, the amendment to which the Senator has referred will be acted upon.
Several Senators addressed the Chair.