April 25, 1979
Page 3635
Mr. MUSKIE. Does the Senator wish some time?
Mr. PRESSLER. I have no time. If any time is yielded to me, I have a short speech.
Mr. MUSKIE. I am happy to yield time to the Senator.
Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I strongly support Senator MELCHER's amendment. It is of vital concern to the economy of South Dakota. It is our only major railroad. I do not accept all Milwaukee's figures, but it seems that this is the best stopgap approach.
Mr. MUSKIE. I yield 1 minute to the Senator from Washington.
Mr. JACKSON. Mr. President, I should like to state, as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, that we have scheduled hearings on Senator MELCHER's bill for Monday, April 30.We intend to move expeditiously, in light of the urgent situation that exists in connection with the operation of the Milwaukee Railroad.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
Mr. MUSKIE. I yield myself 2 minutes.
Mr. President, it is apparent that a real problem exists for certain mid-western railroads, and I am sympathetic to the concerns of the Senator from Montana. If we are to increase the use of coal in solving the country's energy problems, railroads will certainly have to play a significant role in transporting the coal. The Senator from Montana has every right to be concerned about the continuation of services by the Milwaukee Railroad. I understand that the reorganization proposal announced Monday would concentrate operations on only 2,400 miles of the present 9,800-mile system. That is a dramatic proposal indeed. I am not an expert on Federal transportation programs. However, I understand that there are existing programs which could be used, and are explicitly designed to assist railroads in emergency situations.
I would hope that these alternative funding sources could be thoroughly explored before adding new funding.
I know that the Senator has a proposal for a new program under the Department of Energy and that it will receive a hearing shortly, possibly next week. If the authorizing bill is enacted, I am sure that the proposals will receive every consideration within the funding targets recommended by the Budget Committee.The functional totals recommended by the committee have not assumed this new initiative to assist coal-haul railroads. However, we are not a line item committee. It remains the responsibility of the Appropriations Committee to allocate funds among specific programs that must compete for funding within the recommended targets.
I believe that, with all of these funding alternatives, there should be an opportunity to put together a package of assistance which will address the problems that concern the Senator. For that reason, I do not feel his amendment is necessary — at least not at this time. Later, if these numerous sources of assistance do not prove adequate, there will be another opportunity, during consideration of the second budget resolution, to consider the Senator's proposal.
Mr. MELCHER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time on the amendment has expired.
Mr. MELCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 1 additional minute.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. MELCHER. Mr. President, on the basis of the finding of the eminent chairman of the Budget Committee that if the authorizing legislation is passed, funding likely would be available in the concurrent resolution, and on the assurance of the chairman of the Energy Committee, Senator JACKSON, that hearings will start on the bill on Monday, I withdraw my amendment.