October 15, 1979
Page 28305
UP AMENDMENT NO. 645 (Purpose: To provide emergency fuel assistance funds to be derived from the Strategic petroleum reserve account)
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask that it bo stated.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. EXON). The amendment will be stated.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
The Senator from New York (Mr. JAVITS) for himself and Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. METZENBAUM, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. RIEGLE, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. WEICKER, and Mr. DURKIN, proposes an unprinted amendment numbered 645.
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
On page 2 of the Byrd amendment in line 4, strike out "$20,000,000,000" and insert in lieu thereof "$18,650,000,000".
On page 4 of the Byrd amendment after line 18 insert the following new paragraph:
EMERGENCY FUEL ASSISTANCE
For emergency fuel assistance programs administered by the Director of the Community Services Administration under section 222(a) (5) of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, $1,350,000,000, to be delivered by transfer from the "Strategic petroleum reserve" account in the Treasury of the United States.
Mr. JAVITS. I yield 2 minutes to the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. YOUNG) .
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I was at the committee hearing when Secretary Duncan of the Department of Energy presented his plan for a $20 billion appropriation. I was skeptical about it at first, but the more I listened to what is recommended by the Appropriations Committee, the more I thought it would advance the energy program. The committee's recommendation in no way hinders the authorizations. I think maybe they will come up with authorizations a little sooner. But I think it does one thing: It insures, or at least gives a little more assurance, that the Appropriations Committee will be considered in these appropriations. I was fearful that the other committees might authorize and appropriate at the same time.
About 40 percent of all our expenditures now are by the authorizing committees — social security, medicaid, education. There are many fine programs that have fallen in that category. The committee that authorizes them sets aside a huge sum of money and the Departments handle them as they see fit. I see nothing in this bill at all that will interfere with the authorizing committees.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President,will the Senator yield?
Mr. JAVITS. Yes.
TIME LIMITATION AGREEMENT
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be a time limitation on the amendment by Mr. JAVITS of 1 hour, to be equally divided between Mr. JAVITS and Mr. HUDDLESTON.
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, with the proviso that I may modify the amendment.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Yes, with that proviso.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I have no desire to prolong the discussion of the Javits amendment. Taken in its context of the pending bill, the Javits amendment creates serious budget complications. I do not know whether I can present them to the Senate in the time that might fairly be allocated to me out of the hour. If possible, I should like 15 or 20 minutes and I may not need it. I may be able to do it in the hour. I do want to discuss it.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President,I ask unanimous consent that out of the time allotted to Mr. HUDDLESTON, Mr.MUSKIE have not to exceed 20 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.