Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1993 12:40:13 -0400 (EDT) From: Larry <[l j k] at [access.digex.net]> Subject: Congressional Report August 17, 1993 Congressional Report Issue 3 August 17, 1993 Democrats Begin Campaign to Sell Clinton's Health Care Reform Package Stung by the success Republicans had in defining Clinton's budget package, Congressional Democrats are working closely with the White House to promote Clinton's Health Care Reform package. The campaign will emphasize three themes -- security, savings, and simplicity -- and will run approximately five weeks. Clinton kicked off the campaign with his recent speech to the National Governors association and it will culminate at the end of September when he unveils his plan at a joint session of Congress. Congressional Quarterly (8/14) states that the plan will include universal coverage and nationally mandated benefits -- "major medical coverage plus some mental health care, and, for children, dental care and eyeglasses; the disabled will get additional long-term care benefits". The article also states that the new system will be paid for by employers premiums, employee contributions, and funds from the federal government. Tough Road Ahead for NAFTA Although U.S., Candadian, and Mexican negotiators just announced a major breakthrough in the side agreements for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the agreement faces an uphill battle in the Congress. Shortly after the NAFTA negotiators made their announcement on August 13th, Majority Leader Dick Gephardt issued a statement saying "Although progress has been achieved, the announced side agreement falls short in important respects, and taken alone, is not supportable. I am not optimistic that these deficiencies can be successfully resolved." Without Gephardt's support Clinton will have a very difficult time mustering enough votes to pass the measure in the House. According to the Wall Street Journal (8/16), "[Republican Whip Newt Gingrich] predicted that even if roughly 110 of the 175 House e Republicans ultimately support the agreement, the administration still would need almost 110 of the 258 House Democrats. The administration is predicting stronger Republican support, expecting at least 125 to 140 House Republicans. It's estimating that it needs between 75 to 85 Democrats, and figures it has 67 so far." Depending on whose estimates are correct, Clinton will have to dig up between 7 and 43 votes in the House with Majority Leader Gephardt (and most House Democrats) giving him no help. And don't forget that Ross Perot, organized labor and various environmental groups will probably launch a strong anti-NAFTA campaign in the weeks leading up to the vote. Look for Rep. Bob Matsui (D-CA) and Chicago lawyer-lobbyist William Daley to be the point men in the administration effort to push NAFTA through Congress. Fast Track Negotiating Authority Could Be Casualty of NAFTA/GATT Agreements. Fast Track Negotiating Authority may be a casualty of the soon to be concluded NAFTA and GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs) negotiations. The Constitution gives Congress responsibility for international trade, but in the past two decades, Congress has routinely granted Fast Track Authority to the President. Fast Track allows the President to negotiate a trade agreement and submit it to Congress for an up or down vote -- no amendments allowed. In recent years, however, with a highly politicized atmosphere surrounding trade negotiations, Members of Congress have grown reluctant to give up their prerogative to amend trade agreements. According to the National Journal (7/31), "No one on Capitol Hill or within the Clinton Administration now thinks that fast-track in its present form will ever be granted again." Democrats Under Fire at Home for Budget Vote A number of Democratic Senators and Congressman returned to their homes this month to face heavy criticism regarding their vote of support for President Clinton's Budget package. The Washington Times (8/15) listed Senator's DeConcini (D-AZ), Lieberman (D-CT), Kohl (D-WI), and Kerrey (D-NE) as examples of Senators having a difficult time explaining their votes to the people who elected them. According to the article "Mr Kerrey suggested that he was beginning to feel a little like the lead character in the movie 'The Fugitive'." The Republican National Committee is not making life any easier for the Democrats, especially those from swing districts. The Times reports that "The RNC has begun running radio ads against 17 House Democrats who won by the slimmest of margins in 1992 a and who voted for the budget. Officials said the ads will continue well into the 1993-94 election cycle." The article listed seven Democrats who had been targeted by the RNC: Rep Sam Gejdenson (CT) who won by 51%, Pat Williams (MT) - 50%, Peter Hoagland (NE) - 51%, Tim Holden (PA) - 52%, Paul McHale (PA) - 52%, Karen Shepard (UT) - 51%, and Peter Barca (WI) - 51%. Some Democrats are fighting back, however. Senator Herb Kohl spent $100,000 on TV ads explaining his decision. Rep. Marjorie Margolie-Mezvinsky (PA) defended her decision to support the President by running radio ads in her district. Republicans & Democrats Report Brisk Fundraising for '94 The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) filed reports on their fundraising efforts for the first half of 1993. Roll Call (8/16) reports the following figures DCCC $ raised $5.6 million $ spent $5.2 million $ on hand $457,000 $ owed $760,000 NRSC $ raised $15.12 million $ spent $14.46 million $ on hand $989,154 $ owed $2.6 million DCCC $ raised $4.9 million $ on hand $648,371 $ owed $541,000 NRCC $ raised $5.7 million $ on hand $324,511 $ owed $3.3 million DeConcini's Troubles Deepen Senator DeConcini (D-AZ) re-election prospects, already considered poor, took another dive this week with the publication of an article in Roll Call (8/16) showing that political contributions to Deconcini were often closely tied to key hearings and votes on the subcommittee he chairs. The article states that DeConcini "has taken significant campaign contributions from individuals with an interest before a Judiciary subcommittee which he chairs, and in several instances, he has accepted the donations w within days of key votes and hearings." DeConcini faced similar criticism from the Ethics Committee in 1991 for his role in the Savings and Loan scandal as one of the "Keating Five". Many observers now believe that Deconcini will be probably be defeatedd in his own party primary, and will certainly fall to the likely Republican challenger John Kyl if he makes it through the primary. Possible Rostenkowski Indictment Has Tax Lobbyists Worried The National Journal (7/31) reports that tax lobbyists are dreading the possible indictment of Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, chairman of the House's tax writing committee, Ways and Means. Under House Democratic Caucus rules, Rostenkowski would have to step down as chairman if he is indicted. (Rostenkowski is allegedly connected to the House Post Office scandal in which members used the Post Office to embezzle money). The Journal notes that many lobbyists "have spent years cultivating relationships with him" and that his "style is a lobbyist's dream, because everything is on the table". The article notes that Rep. Sam Gibbons (D-FL) would be the interim chairman until any indictment is disposed of, but if Rostenkowski is convicted, the House Democratic Caucus may choose Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) from Harlem to become the permanent chairman. *************************************************************** ** ** ** Thanks to everyone who wrote in with comments and sug- ** ** gestions. They are much appreciated! Keep 'em coming. ** ** ** ** Alot of people have asked if there is a charge for this ** ** newsletter. The answer is: No, there is no charge. I ** ** believe that the more people who know what is going on ** ** in Congress, the better off our country will be. However,** ** it is rather expensive to subscribe to all the publica- ** ** tions that I need to produce this document and I have ** ** only a finite capacity to subsidize this. Therefore, I ** ** welcome any contributions you might want to make to help ** ** defray the cost of publication. 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