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Ford Newsletter, October-December 1971
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4795341
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Ford Newsletter, October-December 1971
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This file contains material relating to Richard Nixon.
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Newsletters
subjects
Campaign funds
Cancer
Children
Compulsory national service
Consumer protection
Drug abuse
Economic stabilization
Equal rights amendments
Federal aid to education
Foreign aid
Government salaries
Legislation
Poisons
Prayer in the public schools
Student aid
Taxation
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
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1971
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Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
October 11, 1971
INCT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE
HOUSE VOTES $15.4-BILLION TAX CUT
The House last week approved by voice vote an historic tax reduction bill I believe will
bring us prosperity in peacetime.
A LONGRANGE LOOK
The bill would cut taxes $15.4 billion over a
three-year period--1971 through 1973.
AT UNEMPLOYMENT
It is part of President Nixon's New Economic Pol-
8%
(Annual
icy--a program of price and wage restraints, job
Averages)
development tax cut incentives, personal income
tax cuts, auto excise tax repeal, realignment of
major international currency exchange rates, and
imposition of a 10 per cent surcharge on imports.
The tax relief in the bill is overwhelmingly in
favor of consumers, contrary to charges made by
4
some labor leaders.
The only part of the bill that could be considered
2
pro-business is the reinstatement of the investment
tax credit, which was first enacted in 1962 and
repealed in 1969. But the investment tax credit is
being reinstituted to stimulate the economy and
create jobs, not as a bonanza for business. And
Post WW2
Korea
Vietnam
Boom
those very labor leaders who are criticizing rein-
1945
51
so
of
66
71
statement of the investment tax credit supported it
PROSPERITY IN PEACETIME As this graph
in 1962 when it was proposed by a Democratic
clearly shows, our periods 06 low unemploy-
President.
ment since world war II have generally been
associated with war. The goal of the Presi-
Tax cuts benefiting the consumer total $12.41 bil-
dent's New Economic Policy is prosperity in
lion under the bill passed by the House, when you
peacetime. Most economists regard 4 per
add in the savings from repeal of automotive excise
cent unemployment as "full employment."
taxes. Reductions in individual income taxes alone
come to $5.69 billion--$1.37 billion this year,
$3.23 billion in 1972. and $1.09 billion in 1973.
Over the five years starting in 1969, individual income taxes will have been cut by $36.4
billion while corporate tax payments will have been increased by $3.2 billion.
Here is what the Revenue Act of 1971, as passed by the House, would do:
*Increase the $650 personal income tax exemption to $675 this year and to $750 next year.
"Raise the standard deduction--in 1972--from 13 per cent of taxable income with a $1,500
maximum to 15 per cent with a $2,000 maximum.
*Increase the low-income allowance from $1,000 to $1,300 in 1972. (This is the amount of
income not subject to taxes, in lieu of the standard deduction.)
*Stimulate business investment in new machinery by allowing a businessman to subtract
7 per cent of the cost of this new machinery from his taxes, effective with orders
placed on or after last April 1.
*Repeal the 7 per cent excise tax on automobiles, retroactive to August 15, and the
10 per cent tax on light trucks, retroactive to Sept. 22.
*Reduce the depreciation allowance granted business under fast writeoff rules last Jan. 1.
*Allow U.S. exporters to defer taxes on profits from goods sold overseas.
Let me emphasize that the Revenue Act of 1971 is only part of the President's New Economic
Program. His program also calls for inflation control through price and wage restrictions and
restraint in Government spending, and these aspects are equally important.
I am firmly convinced that when the entire program is implemented, we will be on the path to
high growth in the economy along with price stabilization.
CONGRESS UPHOLDS PAY RAISE DEFERRAL
The Administration's new economic program passed its first political test last week when
both the House and Senate upheld a Presidential order putting off a scheduled pay increase for
Federal employes by six months.
Under the Comparability Pay Act, the 4.2 million Federal employes normally would receive a
5.5 per cent pay increase next Jan. 1. But the President must cut $5 billion from the fiscal
1972 budget in order to offset loss of Federal revenue under the tax cut bill now moving through
Congress as a stimulant to the economy.
Deferring the Federal pay raise until next July 1 will reduce the fiscal 1972 dollar outlay
by $1.3 billion.
Under the Comparability Pay Act the President has the power to defer a Federal pay raise
"because of national emergency or economic conditions affecting the general welfare." However,
his action is subject to veto by either House of the Congress.
The House upheld the President 207 to 174 on the pay raise deferral. The Senate backed him
51 to 32, after voting a day earlier to give Federal employes whatever percentage raise is
allowed private sector workers under Phase 2 of the President's wage and price control program.
I feel that those members of Congress who are pressing for & Federal employe pay raise next
Jan. 1 are playing partisan politics with America's economic recovery. It is vital that everyone
join hands in holding back the forces of inflation, and this will mean sacrifices by Federal
employes as well as others. To go back to "business as usual" would torpedo the President's New
Economic Program. Nobody will hold the line on inflation if members of Congress do not. It is
in the best interest of all of our people to curb runaway inflation.
I favor comparability of Federal pay with that in the private sector of the economy. But
the choice in the Congress last week was between deferring a pay raise or forcing the President
to lay off some Federal employes in order to accomplish a $1.3 billion budget cut.
A SUMMING UP SINCE LABOR DAY
Since the House returned to action after Labor Day, we have handled three major issues
which should be brought to your attention.
The House passed bills to regulate the dumping of material into the oceans, coastal and
other waters, to repeal authority for the establishment of emergency detention camps to house
political subversives, and to strengthen the hand of the Equal Employment Opportunities
Commission. I voted for all three bills. In fact, I sponsored the bill regulating ocean dumping.
LAKE ODESSA VISIT
My district assistant, Gordon Vander Till, will be at the Village Hall Council Room in
Lake Odessa from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, to meet on my behalf with anyone having a
problem I can be helpful with or anyone simply
wishing to express his views on national or
international issues.
APOLLO 15 FILM AVAILABLE
A NASA film on the Apollo 15 Flight is avail-
able to schools and public service groups
through my district office. This is a 16 mm.
color film and lasts about 35 minutes. It
depicts the astronauts' ride on the moon in
the Rover moon exploration vehicle. Arrange-
ments for use of the film can be made by
calling 456-9607.
ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS
Two appointments to the U.S. Military Academy
at West Point and two to the U.S. Air Force
Academy at Colorado Springs are open to young
men of Kent and Ionia Counties who are single,
under 22, and high school seniors or graduates.
Tests for candidates unable to take earlier
AVID BASEBALL FANS Like millions of others,
examinations will be given Nov. 2 in Grand
House Speaker care Albert and I are caught up in
Rapids and other cities. Applications may be
the fever that sweeps the nation during world
obtained from my district and Washington
Series time.
offices and may be filed as late as Oct. 29.
WASHINGTON **
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
- All GOVERNMENT EXPENDE:
October 18, 1971
CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL MOVES THROUGH HOUSE
The House last week passed a bill which would create a new Consumer Protection Agency (CPA)
within the Federal Government. The vote on the House-approved Consumer Protection Act of 1971
was 344 to 44.
The new Consumer Protection Agency, which would be an independent agency in the Executive
Branch of the Government, would have the following responsibilities:
*To represent consumers in the proceedings of other Federal agencies;
*To handle and follow up on consumer complaints;
*To develop and disseminate information of interest and value to consumers; and
*To protect and advance consumer interests on a broad front
I strongly supported the bill because I felt it was sensible, workable, effective legisla-
tion. There is no question about the need for the bill. It is recognized that the consumer
needs protection from those firms which engage in deceptive advertising, packaging and labeling
tricks, the use of hazardous substances which may improve appearance or taste but are harmful
to health, and faulty design or quality control.
The fight in the House came on just what the role of the new agency should be. There were
those who sought to create a "super-czar" agency, one which
INFLATION:
other House members felt would interfere with the workings
of the regulatory agencies and cause administrative chaos.
9%
PERSPECTIVE
Those seeking to give the new agency sweeping powers offered
an amendment giving CPA broader authority to intervene in the
proceedings of Federal regulatory agencies. This amendment
was defeated 218 to 160. I voted against it.
Contrary to statements made by the extremists, the Consumer
Protection Agency set up under the bill would have ample
power to appear before other Federal agencies in proceedings
under way.
CPA also could request a proceeding if necessary for the pro-
tection of consumer interests, could obtain judicial review
of any Federal agency proceeding, and could compel agency
action when there is undue delay or failure to complete a
proceeding.
Further, the legislation would generate a flow of information
from CPA to other Federal agencies to alert them to consumer
needs and stimulate corrective action.
Germany
United
Italy
CPA will not operate a testing laboratory to identify "best
France
Japon
United
(West)
States
Kingdom
buys.' Product tests will take place only in connection with
the proceedings of Federal regulatory agencies or studies of
hazardous household products and will be performed by the
National Bureau of Standards or a similar agency.
INFLATION AND THE WORLD--
Our inflation rate is less
The intent of the bill is to employ the CPA to make use of
than that of England, Japan
existing Federal resources and promote the best interests of
and France. However, this
consumers through cooperative action rather than to build up
does not make our inflation
a vast new bureaucracy.
any the less serious. And so
we welcome the President's New
The bill approved by the House is strong legislation. It
Economic Policy as a step to-
recognizes that every agency of the Federal government must
ward a sound economy.
give heed to consumer concerns.
HOUSE APPROVES WOMEN'S EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
By the overwhelming vote of 354 to 23, the House last week approved a proposed Constitution-
al Amendment guaranteeing women equal rights under the law. The Amendment now is in the Senate.
To become B. part of the Constitution, the Amendment needs two-thirds approval by both
houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the States.
The Amendment as adopted by the House reads as follows: "Equality of rights under the law
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
The House Judiciary Committee had reported out this Amendment in modified form by adding
what became known as the Wiggins Amendment. The principal change was made by adding the words:
"This article shall not impair the validity of any law of the United States which exempts a
person from compulsory military service or any other law of the United States or of any State
which reasonably protects the health and safety of the people.
Rep. Martha Griffiths of Michigan, principal sponsor the the original Equal Rights
Amendment, fought the proposed change on the grounds it would render the original Amendment
meaningless. She and others argued that many State laws enacted in the name of health and
safety actually discriminate against women.
Backers of the Wiggins Amendment contended that any future draft would involve taking women
into the service and that no distinction could be made as to duties of the female draftees on
account of sex. They also argued that domestic relations laws in the States would be "reduced
to a shambles."
Supporters of the original Amendment replied that the military services now assign draftees
according to their physical capabilities and could therefore assign women as they please. They
also charged that the arguments advanced by the Wiggins Amendment backers were simply scare
tactics aimed at preserving discriminatory State laws.
The House rejected the Wiggins Amendment 265 to 87 and then went on to adopt the original
Constitutional Amendment, the Griffiths Amendment.
CONSUMER 'INFO' INDEX AVAILABLE
A Consumer Product Information Index, a listing of Government publications containing
advice for the consumer, has been put together by the President's Office of Consumer Affairs and
the General Services Administration.
I have obtained 500 copies of this index and will make it available--free--to anyone
requesting it from either my district or my Washington office. Let me emphasize that this is
merely a list of Government consumer information bulletins. You must send an order for the
bulletins, which cost anywhere from 10 cents to 75 cents in most cases. A few of the bulletins
are free.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY SCHEDULED
Fifty years ago an unknown soldier of World War I was laid to rest in a hero's grave at
Arlington National Cemetery--and 37 years after two other unknown combat heroes of World War II
and the Korean Conflict also were buried there.
Next Monday, Oct. 25, the Nation will pay tribute to these men and the country's 28 million
living veterans with a Presidential wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in
Arlington Cemetery and a program in Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater.
Veterans Day falls on a new date this year. It formerly was Nov. 11. But the spirit of
America is as vital today as it was some 195 years ago when this country first proclaimed its
freedom. The purpose is still the same-to honor those who have fought and died in defense of
this Republic and its freedom; to salute the men and women who are today's veterans and have
earned the gratitude of every American.
This fourth Monday in October is a time for all Americans, young and old, to rededicate
themselves to the preservation of our way of life. It is 8. day when we pause for a moment with
bowed heads in honor of those who gave their lives on foreign shores--a day when we express our
thanks to those who have returned.
I urge that you, too, take a moment from your holiday to join in thanks to the men and
women who served and still serve this Nation so well. Let us salute those who have fought to
keep our freedom and demonstrate our will to live as free Americans.
DISTRICT VISIT
Gordon Vander Till, my district assistant, will be at Cascade Township Hall from 2:30 to
5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, to hear from area residents there on my behalf.
WASHINGTON
REVIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
October 25, 1971
HOUSE BACKS PRESIDENT
On August 4 the House approved a modified version of the so-called Mansfield Amendment. It
became law Sept. 28 when President Nixon signed legislation extending the Selective Service Act
for two years.
That modified Mansfield Amendment reads in part: "It is hereby declared to be the sense of
Congress that the United States terminate at the earliest practicable date all military opera-
tions of the United States in Indochina, and provide for the prompt and orderly withdrawal of
all United States military forces at a date certain subject to the release of all American
prisoners of war held by the Government of North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government,
and an accounting for all Americans missing in action who have been held by or known to such
Government or such forces."
We now have a Mansfield Amendment on the statute books? How many more do we need?
So it was that the House last week endorsed the President's handling of the Vietnam situa-
tion.
By a vote of 215 to 193, the House refused to consider telling the House managers of
military procurement legislation to accept a Mansfield Amendment setting a six-month deadline
on removing all U.S. troops from Vietnam subject to release of American prisoners of war.
In the light of recent legislative history, the House would have made a mistake if it had
voted to open up the Mansfield Amendment question again.
This would have undermined the President's role as the chief architect of our foreign
policy. It would have been a vote of no-confidence in the President at the very time when he
is making plans to go to Peking and Moscow in quest of world peace.
There is no reason why any member of Congress should not have the greatest confidence in the
President's efforts to wind down the war. He has kept every promise he has ever made on Vietnam.
He has reduced the nubmer of U.S. troops in Vietnam from 535,000 to a little more than
200,000 and they will be down to 184,000 or less by Dec.l. On Nov. 15 the President is scheduled
to announce a new program of troop withdrawals, and our combat role in Vietnam is slated to end
next spring.
American battle-related casualties were averaging over 5,000 a month when President Nixon
took office. They now are down to an average of 442 per month. And the number killed in action
is down to 12 a week or less--less than one-tenth what it was.
Instead of drafting 25,000 young men a month as we were doing in 1968, the Pentagon's latest
draft call, for the last three months of this year, averages 3,333 per month.
That is progress toward peace and that is keeping promises.
Meantime we are moving toward an end to the draft and establishment of an all-volunteer Army.
The President wants to end the Vietnam War-in less than six months if possible. He in
effect is our chief negotiator. And the war can be ended only at the negotiating table, not by
passing a law. Congress cannot negotiate with foreign countries. That is not Congress' proper
function. That is a job for the President, and the Congress should not interfere.
The Congress and the President should cooperate in the search for peace in Vietnam. It is
not helpful for the Congress to inject itself into the President's negotiating efforts or his
time-table for winding down the war. This is the first time in our history that Congress has
attempted to do this, to my knowledge, and it is most unwise.
(over)
FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE STEPPED UP
The pace of the fight against drug abuse is quickening. That fight must be one of our
highest national priorities. We must engage in a comprehensive drive at all levels of govern-
ment to stamp out this menace to our society.
On the Federal level the battle against drug abuse has been sharply stepped up.
Federal spending for drug abuse control and preven-
Millions
FEDERAL
$400
tion programs nearly tripled during the three fiscal
EXPENDITURES
$50
years from 1969 through 1971, rising from an estima-
FOR
ted $67.9 million to $166.4 million. For the current
Education &
DRUG
Training
fiscal year the budget called for $206 million, but
the President since has requested an additional
$169.4 million in supplemental funds to further
300
ABUSE
Research
expand the fight against drug abuse.
CONTROL
Last June 17 the President by Executive Order estab-
Enforcement
lished a Special Action Office for Drug Abuse
Prevention. At the same time the President asked
Congress to give the Office a three-year life span
200-
and give it authority to coordinate the various
programs now handled individually by a half-dozen
Federal departments and agencies.
Treatment
The Mission of the new Special Action Office is to
100
appraise current programs and to seek new solutions
to the drug problems that have gone unchecked under
many of those old programs. The three-year life span
proposed for the Special Action Office was aimed at
keeping it under pressure. This will also give the
Congress and the public an opportunity to measure
FY
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
accomplishments before making future decisions in the
drug abuse control area.
Source Exec. OH the President
It may take considerably longer than three years to
DRUG FIGHT OUTLAYS DOUBLED--Funds
bring about final solutions to the drug problem in
to fight drug abuse have been doubled
America. We may only be making the first real dents
in fiscal 1972 over fiscal 1971 and
in the problem by that time. It may be necessary to
total more than 10 times as much as
extend the life of the Special Action Office two
in fiscal 1967.
years or more. But at least we are now moving in
the right direction.
FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION HELPS DISTRICT
Kent and Ionia County residents were among the rural people helped by the Farmers Home
Administration when that agency's loans reached record heights in fiscal 1971.
FHA made loans nationwide totalling more than $2.4 billion, up 50 per cent over the previous
fiscal year. More than three million rural citizens acquired better homes, strengthened farming
operations, or improved their communities.
Aid to the Fifth Congressional District amounted to $2,907,000. This included eight farm
loans totalling $172,000; 95 housing loans adding up to $1,443,000; and six community facilities
loans (water, sewer and recreation projects) totalling $1,292,000.
Of the total loans to the district, Ionia County residents received $2,311,000. That sum
was made up of six farm loans for a total of $159,000; 70 housing loans, amounting to $1,070,000;
and four community facilities loans totalling $1,082,000.
Kent County residents borrowed $596,000 from the FHA--two farm loans amounting to $13,000;
25 housing loans coming to $373,000; and two community facilities loans totalling $210,000.
I JOIN IN URGING DIRECT ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
I have joined with 32 other congressmen--Democrats and Republicans--in proposing that the
Constitution be amended to permit the direct popular election of the President and Vice President.
In co-sponsoring this Constitutional Amendment, I am following up on the role I played last
year in pushing for such an Amendment. I and other backers of the amendment won two-thirds
approval in the House in 1970 but the proposed amendment died in the Senate. We must win ulti-
mate approval of such a Constitutional Amendment. It is the only way we can carry out fully the
Supreme Court mandate of one-man, one vote. It is the only way we can make every American's
vote for President count just as much as the next man's.
REVIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
PRINTED GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
November 8, 1971
HOUSE ENDORSES GENERAL AID TO HIGHER EDUCATION
The U.S. House of Representatives last week took an historic step.
The House voted 310 to 84 to keep in the Higher Education Act of 1971 a program of general
aid to our colleges and universities.
I voted with the majority because I believe there is a real need to provide the 2,600 insti-
tutions of higher learning in the country with Federal aid.
This need is pointed up in a special report on college and university finances by William W.
Jellema, research director of the Association of American colleges. Jellema states:
"Most colleges in the red are staying in the red and many are getting redder, while colleges
in the black are generally growing grayer. Taken collectively, they will not long be able to
serve higher education and the nation with strength unless significant aid is soon forthcoming."
Enrollments in our colleges and universities have tripled in the past 15 years and now total
about 8.5 million. All this time the cost of education has been steadily rising. We have
authorized student assistance programs making it possible for a greater number of disadvantaged
students to attend college and in doing this we have aggravated the financial problems of our
colleges. It seems only right that we should now help our colleges get out of the hole we have
pushed them into.
UNIFORM STUDENT AID REJECTED
POLLUTION CONTROL AND
A number of House members, both Democrats and
RECREATION AREAS
Republicans, sought to put Federal aid to
$3,890
college students on a formula that would be
Millions
$3,500
uniform nationwide. I strongly supported this
move because it would have channeled Federal
funds to the neediest students no matter where
3,000
they were enrolled.
2,500
POLLUTION
However, a majority of the House decided
CONTROL
MAJOR FEDERAL
$2,151
otherwise and the formula amendment was
2,000
INVESTMENTS
defeated 257 to 117.
$1,623
1,500
-
The upshot was House approval of a House
Education and Labor Committee provision which
1,000
1988
gives college financial aid officers leeway in
$880
$882
OPEN SPACE
deciding individual students' needs.
$635
AND
500
$ 371
$370
$423
$289
RECREATION
The committee bill raises maximum Federal
AREAS
grants to students to $1,500 a year and allo-
1962
64
66
68
70
72
cates Federal funds among the states on the
helps
High
basis of the number of their high school grad-
Fiscol Years
uates, students enrolled in college, and the
POLLUTION CONTROL STEPPED UP -- Actual out-
total number of children under 18 in families
lays for pollution control will be increased by
with below $3,000 annual incomes.
$746 million in fiscal 1972. The Administration
will double grants for municipal waste treatment
The aid-to-higher-education bill passed by the
facilities, curb pollution from Federal facili-
Senate last August contains the need formula
ties, expand the Environmental Protection Agency's
which I supported in the House. So the House
pollution control activities, and develop new
and Senate will have to work out their differ-
pollution abatement techniques.
ences on student aid.
(over)
COLLEGES KEEP ADMISSIONS CONTROL
The House voted 194 to 189, with my support, to let most colleges retain the right to
decide how many male and female students they will admit.
The House Education and Labor Committee bill had contained a provision barring any "discrim-
ination" on account of sex in college admissions policies.
I agreed with those who contended that the Federal Government has no business telling our
colleges what their student admissions policies should be.
HOUSE ACTS TO CURB BUSING
Spurred by the tremendous public sentiment against forced busing to achieve racial balance,
the House approved an amendment by Rep. William S. Broomfield, R-Mich., that would delay busing
under a lower-court order until all legal appeals have been exhausted. I strongly supported this
amendment. It passed 235 to 125.
The House also approved another anti-busing amendment which bars the Federal Government from
pressuring or requiring school districts to spend local or state money on busing aimed at forced
racial alance. I also voted for this amendment, which passed 231 to 126.
The House adopted an amendment providing $1.5 billion to help school districts pay the costs
of desegregation but prohibited the use of any Federal funds for court-ordered busing. I voted
for this amendment.
FINAL VOTE ON COLLEGE AID ACT 332 to 38
I joined with the majority in approving the Higher Education Act of 1971 by a vote of 332 to
38. Final action came after the House had worked on the bill for four days and had engaged in a
marathon 13-hour session which ended at 2:30 a.m. Friday.
The bill covers a five-year period and carries a price tag of roughly $24 billion. But this
is an authorization bill only, and the actual outlays will be determined by the appropriations
process of the Congress.
MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY APPROVED
To meet the severe shortage of physicians in the military, the House last week approved, 351
to 31, the setting up of a military medical academy in the Washington, D.C., area. The estimated
cost is $240 million over a 10-year period. I voted for the bill. Students admitted to the
academy must serve seven years as military doctors after receiving their degrees. The bill also
provides for up to 5,000 civilian scholarships to medical students attending other colleges.
These students would have to serve one year in the military for each year of scholarship after
becoming M.D.'s.
MY ASSISTANT TO VISIT ROCKFORD
My district assistant, Gordon Vander Till, will be at the Rockford City Hall from 2:30 to
5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, on my behalf. Rockford area citizens are invited to make known any prob-
lems I may be able to help solve or simply to voice their views on public issues.
APPLY NOW FOR SUMMER JOBS
Anyone interested in a summer job with a Federal agency next year may obtain pertinent
information from my district or Washington offices. I have copies of a booklet explaining
summer job opportunities and how to apply. The number of such jobs is limited. Apply now.
THIS IS YOUTH APPRECIATION WEEK
Youth Appreciation Week is being observed Nov. 8-14, under sponsorship of Optimist Clubs
throughout the United States and Canada. This is the first year that Congress has given official
recognition to the program.
I personally feel that our good young people should be singled out for praise. Many of them
work as volunteers in hospitals, cooperate with the police in law enforcement efforts, tutor
retarded children, do church work. Let's consider their constructive and beneficial contribu-
tions.
REVIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
November 15, 1971
PRAYER AMENDMENT FAILS TO GET TWO-THIRDS
A proposed Constitutional Amendment permitting voluntary prayer or meditation in the public
schools failed to win two-thirds approval of the House last week but I do not believe the issue
is dead.
Ultimately we will authorize voluntary prayer in the public schools. Either a Supreme Court
which is altered in membership will reverse the rulings of 1962 and 1963 or a Constitutional
amendment will in time prevail.
The Prayer Amendment considered by the House last week fell 28 votes short of the required
two-thirds majority.
I felt it should have won two-thirds approval for three basic reasons:
The Supreme Court made a mistake in 1962 and 1963 in interpreting the First Amendment as
it applies to prayer in public schools. From 1791 until 1962 (171 years) the First
Amendment did not prohibit public school prayer.
The Congress has a responsibility to give the people--through their State Legislatures--an
opportunity to decide the issue of prayer in public schools.
The Prayer Amendment deserved two-thirds House approval on its merits.
The First Amendment to the Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Justice Potter Stewart dissented from the majority opinion of the Supreme Court in the New
York case in 1962 and in the Pennsylvania and Maryland cases in 1963. I agree with Justice
Stewart when he declared in the New York case: "I cannot see how an 'official religion' is
established by letting those who want to say a prayer say it. On the contrary, I think that to
deny the wish to these children to join in reciting this prayer is to deny them the opportunity
of sharing in the spiritual heritage of our nation.'
I further agree with Justice Stewart when he wrote in the Pennsylvania and Maryland cases:
"The choice involved is one for each community and its school board, and not for this (Supreme)
Court.
"
Those of us who believe in the sovereignty of the people should have no hesitancy in submit-
ting to them a proposed Constitutional amendment in which there is great public interest. In
fact, the Congress has an obligation to do SO.
The proposed Prayer Amendment deserved two-thirds House approval on its merits because the
amendment would only have authorized what is done in the House of Representatives every day--the
opening of the session with a nondenominational prayer. Or it could be meditation, as the case
might be.
In this period in our Nation when there obviously has been a general decline in morals, we
ought to promote those practices which uplift and inspire us. We are a religious people. Our
Constitution should encourage us to be so, We should confirm the American people's determination
to emphasize the place of religion and the spiritual in the life of our Nation.
HOUSE STRENGTHENS PESTICIDE CONTROL BILL
The House last week strengthened a pesticide control bill by giving the states the power to
prescribe more strict requirements than those laid down by the Federal Government.
This was the only amendment adopted as the House voted 288 to 91 to regulate 60,000 pest-
icide products used by farmers, industry and housewives.
(over)
Up to this time, we have only had a law requiring that labels on pesticides set forth the
ingredients and the instructions for use of the product.
The House-approved bill provides for a regulatory program instead of 8. labeling law. For the
first time, the Government is given control over the manufacture, distribution and use of pesti-
cides.
Here are the major provisions of the bill.
The user of a certain pesticide deemed dangerous by the Government must be licensed to
apply it or must work under the supervision of a licensed applier.
All pesticides will be grouped into two classifications--general and restricted. Those
for restricted use can be applied only under a licensing system administered by the States
in line with Federal standards.
The States are empowered to lay down stricter requirements than those of the Federal
Government.
The Environmental Protection Agency is given new authority to restrict or even cancel the
registration of a particular pesticide if it is considered to be an imminent hazard.
I strongly favored the one amendment which was adopted--giving the States the authority to
impose more rigid requirements than those of the Federal Government.
A minority of House members felt the pesticide control bill should go further than it does.
But we should employ some common sense in such matters. We should bear in mind the testimony of
U.S. Agriculture Department officials who declared that a complete ban on pesticides would triple
the cost of food to the consumer and would lower its quality.
CONGRESS ACTS TO EXPAND DOCTOR SUPPLY
The House has wrapped up and sent to the White House two bills aimed at increasing the number
of doctors, nurses and other health personnel through a $3.7 billion program of grants and loans
carried out over a three-year period.
The legislation to expand the number of doctors provides funds to establish five new medical
schools. Existing three or four-year schools would receive $2,500 for each student in the first,
second or third year of a medical program. Bonuses will be paid by the Government to medical
schools which graduate students sooner than in four years and expand their enrollments. The
existing program of loans and scholarships to students is continued and expanded. It is hoped
the estimated shortage of 50,000 doctors can be wiped out by 1978.
The Nurse Training Act is designed to increase the number of nurses from the present 700,000
to 1,100,000 by 1980. It includes start-up grants for new schools of nursing and guaranteed
loans plus interest subsidies for construction assistance.
HOUSE VOTES TO KEEP FOREIGN AID ALIVE
By voice vote, the House last Wednesday voted to keep the foreign aid program alive at least
until the end of this congressional session. The House did this by voting to provide funds at
the fiscal 1971 level until the adjournment of
FIGHTING CRIME
Congress for the foreign aid program as well
as other programs not yet funded by the
Congress for fiscal 1972. This includes
$ MILLIONS
defense, the poverty program, and the District
2000
$1300
of Columbia government.
FEDERAL OUTLAYS FOR CRIME REDUCTION
367
LAW ENFORCEMENT
SUPPORT
The House acted to allow time for the House
1500
$1444
Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Approp-
282
riations Committee to bring regular foreign aid
726
FEDERAL LAW
authorization and appropriation bills to the
ENFORCEMENT
1000
House floor.
$857
616
83
Before approving the resolution making this
$ 658
254
CRIME PREVENTION
49
500
480
possible, the House overwhelmingly rejected
194
361
amendments which would have killed off con-
ADMINISTRATION OF
34
553
JUSTICE REHABILITATION
tinued funding at the fiscal 1971 level of the
75
348
AND OTHER
173
224
defense, military assistance and economic
1969
1970
1971(est)
1972(mi)
assistance programs.
CRIME FIGHT ACCELERATED--The Administration's
I urged the House to take the responsible
fiscal 1972 budget calls for a 32 per cent rise
course, to provide for continued funding of the
in crime-fighting outlays. This money will be
foreign aid program at the 1971 level until it
used to step up the war on organized crime, des-
was possible to act on the authorization and
troy the drug racket, strengthen local law
regular appropriation bills. I have always
enforcement through special revenue sharing,
supported the principle of foreign aid, because
continue the anti-hijacking campaign, and fur-
I think this program promotes world peace and
ther improve our correctional systems.
stability.
WASHINGTON REVIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
PRINTED
EXPENSE)
November 22, 1971
HOUSE BACKS NATIONAL CANCER ATTACK
Last week the House passed legislation which I think will lead to a cure for our most
dreaded disease, cancer.
The bill the House approved, 350 to 5, is known as the National Cancer Attack Act of 1971.
It represents the launching of an all-out effort to conquer cancer. Here is what the legisla-
tion does:
*
It gives new vigor to cancer research.
It provides for increased organizational efficiency within the National Cancer Institute.
It streamlines the Institute's administrative procedures.
It calls for greater funds for the fight against cancer.
It sets the National Cancer Institute budget apart from that of the parent organization,
the National Institutes of Health.
With this bill, the House committed itself to providing for the cancer fight $400 million
this year, $500 million next year, and $600 million the following year--$1.5 billion over the
next three years.
But the cancer attack bill does much more than simply assure adequate funding for a research
program. It sets up a three-man panel to monitor the program and report directly to the
President on progress being made. It also reestablishes programs to help people immediately--
cancer control programs.
It reestablishes such programs as testing for the early detection of breast cancer, cervical
cancer and oral cancer, which were phased out a year ago. It also authorizes generous support of
existing clinical research centers and the establishment of 15 new cancer research centers across
the country.
FUNDING RANGES FROM $6.5 MILLION TO $337.5 MILLION
Funding for the National Cancer Institute, since it first was established, has ranged from
$6.5 million for the period 1938-47 to a current figure of $337.5 million. The complete set of
appropriations shows a jump to $111 million in 1961 and a steady rise since that time. The total
funding to date comes to $2.6 billion.
CANCER INSTITUTE SCORES CLEAR ADVANCES
What do we have to show for our money? The Cancer Institute can point to a long list of
accomplishments since its establishment in 1937.
The Institute has:
Participated in the development of more than 35 drugs useful in the treatment of advanced
cancer.
Demonstrated the reliability of the PAP test as an aid in diagnosing early cancer of the
uterine cervix.
-Developed an effective, frequently curative chemotherapeutic regimen for chloriocarcinoma,
a rare but once fatal cancer of the placenta.
Identified several cancer-causing chemicals and chemical mixtures in the environment and
reduced exposure to many of these agents.
--Demonstrated that animal tumors can be produced by the nucleic acid core of 8. tumor-
causing virus, and that viral genetic material is incorporated into the cellular genetic
material of animals with virus-induced cancer.
-Cured 50 per cent of patients with early stage Hodgkin's disease through high-dose
intensive radio-therapy to affected lymph nodes and adjacent lymph node regions.
(over)
MORE SOLUTIONS TO COME
These are only a few of the accomplishments of the National Cancer Institute, but they give
us real cause for hope.
It is my belief that the National Cancer Attack Act of 1971 will complete the job--will
invigorate the best of biomedical science toward finding full solutions to a complex and
devastating disease.
The need for the cancer attack program is great. Of the 200 million Americans now alive,
50 million will develop cancer at present rates of incidence and 34 million will die if better
methods of prevention and treatment are not discovered. Cancer deaths last year were eight times
the number of American lives lost in six years of war in Vietnam, five and one-half times the
number killed in U.S. automobile accidents, and greater than the number of Americans killed in
battle in all four years of World War II.
COMPROMISE MUST BE WORKED OUT
So there is no question about the need for the program. The only difference which has
developed in Congress is over the approach. The Senate passed a bill which sets up an indepen-
dent cancer attack agency. The House bill provides independent budget authority but otherwise
keeps the cancer attack effort within the National Institutes of Health. This difference has to
be resolved. Whatever the outcome, the fight against cancer must be won.
HOUSE REJECTS VIETNAM FUNDS CUTOFF
The House last week refused to cut off funds for the Vietnam War effective next June 1.
The vote was 238 to 164.
The move to impose the funds cutoff was made by Rep. Edward Boland, D-Mass., who tried to
tack his amendment onto a $71 billion defense appropriation bill for fiscal 1972.
Adoption of the Boland Amendment would not have brought about the release of American
prisoners of war. The North Vietnamese want more than simply a pullout of all U.S. troops from
Vietnam. A funds cutoff for Vietnam effective next June 1 would simply have made the other side
more intransigent than it already is because it would have weakened President Nixon's ability to
negotiate for release of American prisoners of war and a settlement of other Vietnam questions.
It would have knocked all of the President's bargaining chips off the board.
Only a President can negotiate an acceptable settlement of any military conflict. President
Eisenhower, not Congress, negotiated the end of the Korean War.
DRAFT CALLS
As the President himself said: "Regretfully (such
actions as the Boland Amendment) hinder rather than
400,000
(ACTUAL SELECTIVE SERVICE CALLE)
assist in the search for a negotiated settlement.
Our goal--and my hope--is a negotiated settlement
providing for the total withdrawal of all foreign
forces, including our own; for the release of all
134.500
prisoners and for a ceasefire throughout Indochina."
300,000
757091
HOUSE VOTES DEFENSE FUNDS
After rejecting the Boland Amendment, the House
200000
approved the Defense Department appropriation bill
200,000
for fiscal 1972.
154.000
The sum appropriated is $2.5 billion less than
41.000
requested by the Administration.
Inflation has hit the defense budget hard. The de-
02:00
100,000
fense dollar buys far less now than it did in past
79,000
non
years. Although we will have 200,000 fewer person-
nel in the Armed Forces in 1972 than in 1964, infla-
tion has added $17 billion to personnel costs and
that figure does not include the recent pay raise.
The Administration did not request one additional
1963
1964
1965
1956
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
strategic missile or one additional strategic bomber
DRAFT CALLS DROP--Draft calls have
for our forces, and none is in the defense money
decreased steadily since 1968, dropping
bill. We are refraining from increasing our strat-
from 343,000 that year to an estimated
egic nuclear forces while the Strategic Arms Limita-
75,000 for 1972.
tion Talks are in progress although the Soviets are
increasing theirs.
WASHINGTON
REVIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
INCI PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
December 6, 1971
HOUSE MAKES HISTORY ON CAMPAIGN FINANCES REFORM
The U.S. House of Representatives has achieved a minor miracle--melding two House bills
and a Senate bill to produce historic election campaign finances reform.
The House last week passed a strong campaign financing reform bill 373 to 23. Assuming
that the House and Senate can work out their differences and that the President signs the legis-
lation, this will mark the first overhaul of campaign financing law in 46 years.
Here is what the House bill does:
Establishes for the first time a national limitation on campaign spending.
Limits spending by Presidential candidates next year to $13.9 million for communications
and advertising, with no more than $8.4 million of that sum to be used for radio and TV.
Limits spending on radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, billboards, computerized mailings
and mass telephone campaigns to 10 cents per voting-age resident in the congressional
district, state or nation-with no more than six cents of that amount to be used for
any one medium, such as TV.
Requires that candidates file financial reports three times a year-with extra reports in
election years, 15 days and five days before the election.
Limits the amount a. wealthy candidate can contribute to his own campaign-$50,000 if he
is a Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate, $35,000 if he is running for the
Senate, and $25,000 for the House.
MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CIVILIANS
The bill also would require 8. newspaper selling advertising
space to a candidate to sell equal space to his opponents.
FEDERAL OUTLAYS
It further provides that newspapers and broadcasters would have
Billions
to sell space and time to political candidates at rates no
$16
higher than those charged other advertisers for comparable use.
14
A move was made to repeal the equal time provision as it applies
12
to the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, senatorial
candidates and congressional candidates, but this was defeated
10
277 to 95. I voted for it.
8
The equal time provision in existing law means that broadcasters
6
must give all candidates for a Federal elective office equal
time to express their views except under circumstances specif-
4
ically exempted from the equal time provision.
2
The exemptions are a bonafide newscast, bonafide news interviews,
bonafide news documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage of bonafide
1960 62 64 66 '68 '70 '72
news events.
HEALTH HEARINGS--The House
My position on equal time is that the provision should apply
ways and Means Committee has
equally to all candidates for Federal elective office. If it is
been conducting hearings on
repealed as to the Presidential candidates, then it should also
new health legislation. The
be repealed as regards senatorial and congressional candidates.
Administration has proposed a
I favored repeal of the equal time provision for all candidates
comprehensive health policy
for Federal elective office. Since that proposal failed, I then
for the 70's--employers to pay
took the position it should not be repealed for any.
the bulk of health insurance
premiums, low-income families
I personally have never refused to debate my principal opponent,
to be protected, Parts A and B
and I have repeatedly engaged in TV debate with all candidates
of Medicare to be combined and
for Congress in my district.
premium payments eliminated,
Health Maintenance Organiza-
Another issue which excited much controversy during the election
tions to be developed.
campaign reform debate was that of political spending by unions.
(over)
The House adopted an amendment providing that labor unions may use union dues for get-out-
the-vote drives aimed only at the families of union members (with corporations permitted to use
corporate money to such drives directed at their stockholders).
This amendment was approved 233 to 147. I opposed it. I was prepared to vote for an amend-
ment which would have permitted unions to use only money voluntarily given by union members for
political purposes. The issue as I see it is voluntarism versus compulsion. I do not think a
man's dues money should be used to support some candidate or cause in which he may not believe.
HOUSE-SENATE COMPROMISE MUST BE WORKED OUT
The campaign finances reform legislation passed by the House is very close to the version
approved by the Senate earlier this year. Consequently, I do not believe there will be any great
difficulty in arriving at a compromise final form.
The sharpest difference is that the Senate repealed the equal time provision as it applies
to all candidates for Federal elective office, while the House refused to do this.
Other ways in which the House bill differs from the Senate bill:
*
The House bill requires that campaign reports be filed with the clerk of the House, the
secretary of the Senate, and, as regards the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candid-
ates, with the Comptroller General. The Senate bill would create a new bipartisan
Federal Elections Commission to receive such reports.
*
The House bill eliminates a Senate requirement that copies of the financial report be
filed with the nearest Federal District Court.
The House bill omits a Senate requirement that $100 contributors be identified in reports,
thus limiting the listing to those donating more than $100.
STRONG REFORM BILL HAD MY SUPPORT
I vigorously supported election campaign finances reform. In fact, I was the co-sponsor of
a bill introduced early this year by Rep. John B. Anderson, R-Ill., which closely resembled the
Senate reform measure. I am pleased to have seen this legislation adopted.
DISTRICT VISIT
INCOME SECURITY
($ BILLIONS)
85
$60.7 (est) total
Gordon Vander Till, my district assistant, will
60
be in the City Council Room at Portland from 2:30
FEDERAL
to 5 p.m. on Dec. 10 to talk on my behalf with
OUTLAYS
anyone who has a problem needing my attention.
50
38.2
D. C. FUNDS VOTED
40
The House approved a $974 million appropriation
30
bill for fiscal 1972 for the District of Columbia
after resolving a dispute over release of subway
SOCIAL
funds.
SECURITY
20
>10.8
The House voted to release the subway money after
learning that the U.S. Court of Appeals here had
10
rejected the Government's request for a rehearing
OTHER RETIREMENT
11.7
PUBLIC
on construction of a Potomac River span known as
AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
ASSISTANCE
the Three Sisters Bridge.
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72
The House also passed a supplemental appropria-
SECURITY OUTLAYS UP--Outlays for income
tion bill for fiscal 1972 totalling $786 million.
security programs will reach $60.7 billion
Of this amount, two-thirds is for mandatory pay-
in fiscal 1972, up 9 per cent over 1971.
ments under existing law.
06 this amount, 81 per cent is for retire-
ment and social insurance programs Isocial
security, railroad retirement, civil ser-
WILD HORSES PROTECTED
vice retirement and unemployment insurance),
and 19 per cent is for public assistance
and services to one-parent families with
The House approved the final version of a bill
dependent children, the aged, blind and
requiring protection of wild horses on public
disabled.
lands.
# # #
REMEN
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE
December 13, 1971
HOUSE APPROVES FINAL FORM TAX CUTS BILL
As the week neared an end, the House approved the final version of the Federal Revenue Act
of 1971, voting cuts in personal income taxes, wiping out the 7 per cent automobile excise tax
and restoring the 7 per cent investment tax credit as a job-creating measure.
The final version of the tax cut bill resembled very closely the bill that originally passed
the House earlier this year.
--It increases the $650 income tax personal exemption to $675 for the 1971 tax year and to
$750 next year.
--It increases the present standard deduction (13 per cent or $1,500, whichever is smaller) to
15 per cent or $2,000, effective in 1972.
--The low-income allowance will be increased to $1,300 in 1972, removing from the tax rolls
all persons with incomes at or below the expected 1972 official poverty levels. For 1971, the
low-income allowance will be adjusted to give more tax relief to persons with incomes just above
the 1969 poverty levels.
--The bill retroactively repeals the auto excise tax and the 10 per cent tax on light trucks,
effective August 15 for cars and Sept. 22 for trucks of 10,000 pounds or less.
--The bill restores the 7 per cent credit to business for investments in new equipment and
writes into law in modified form the depreciation deductions ordered administratively earlier
this year.
The tax reduction bill should provide the stimulus needed to push the economy upward across
a broad front while Phase 2 economic controls promote price stability.
ALL-OUT ATTACK ON CANCER MOUNTED
Moving toward adjournment, the House and Senate agreed on the final form of an historically
comprehensive attack on the dreaded disease, cancer.
The two bodies approved the approach authored by the House, a $1.6 billion program that
keeps the cancer fight within the National Institutes of Health. The Senate bill would have set
up an independent Conquest of Cancer Agency. I strongly supported the House bill.
The National Cancer Institute will be able to send its budget directly to the White House.
The director of the cancer institute will be a presidential appointee. And a three-member panel
will monitor progress in the battle against cancer and report its findings to the President.
PRESIDENT VETOES HOUSE-APPROVED CHILD DEVELOPMENT BILL
The House last week passed and sent to the President a child development program I supported
in principle but voted against as administratively unworkable. I personally co-sponsored child
development legislation in 1969, but the bill that came before the House was totally unrealistic.
The President promptly vetoed the bill.
The bill providing for the child development program also included two other measures:
Extension of the Office of Economic Opportunity (the anti-poverty agency) for two years and the
establishment of a Legal Services Corporation aimed at taking legal services for the poor out of
politics. The bill passed 210 to 186.
My position was that the House should have rejected the bill because of the poorly drafted
title on child development and then should have begun work on three separate measures--immediate
extension of O.E.O., a sound legal services program and a workable child development program.
O.E.O. will continue to be funded this fiscal year under a supplemental appropriation.
WHAT THE BILL PROVIDED
The Child Development Title in the O.E.O. bill went far beyond custodial care for children.
It was not a baby-sitting operation. It would have provided comprehensive services for the full
development of children, whether their mothers work or not.
Here are the key provisions of the program. It would have:
*
Provided a wide variety of services to children, such as all-day care for pre-schoolers,
after-school and vacation programs, nutrition, medical, dental and psychological
services, and education for parents in child-care and development.
*
Authorized $100 million this fiscal year for planning the program and $2 billion in fiscal
1973 to implement the services (including $500 million for continuation of Headstart).
Allowed communities or combinations of communities with 5,000 or more people to be "prime
sponsors" of child development programs, meaning that they could apply directly to the
Federal Government for money without coordinating with the state.
Allocated the money among the states according to a formula but allowed the money to be
administered locally.
*
Required each prime sponsor to set up a Child Development Council, half of whose members
would be elected by parents.
*
Provided that individual child development projects be run by Project Policy Committees
composed of parents and local community members.
Made child development services available free to a family of four with income of less
than $4,320 a year and would have established a fee schedule related to income for
families with more resources.
WHY WAS THE PROGRAM UNWORKABLE?
The projected child development program was an administrative nightmare because it virtually
bypassed the states and allowed a community or combination of communities with 5,000 or more
people to apply directly to the Health-Education-and-Welfare Department for a Federal grant.
This meant the Federal Government could have had as many as 5,000 applications to process.
Aside from this, there would have been no coordination of child development activities on the
local, state or Federal level.
It is important that child development services be made available to children. But this
should be done in a way that will work-with a limited number of "prime sponsors. You then
would have coordination, no matter how many program operators you had.
HOUSE PASSES GRAIN SUBSIDY BILL
In the waning days of the session, the House passed a bill that would put the Government in
the business of buying and storing huge amounts of grain and boosting price support loans to
grain farmers by 25 per cent. Cost of the program would run between $1.5 and $2 billion. The
bill passed 182 to 170. I voted against it as a costly program which will prove ineffective in
the long run.
There is no question that advocates of the bill were playing politics with the farmer,
particularly since Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz announced just last Dec. 3 that the "Ag"
Department would soon begin purchasing corn in the open market. Backers of the national granary
bill would not wait to see what effect the "Ag" Department actions will have on corn prices.
They want to grab credit for any price improvement.
FOREIGN AID HELD UP
The House passed a $2.7 billion appropriation for the foreign aid program while the foreign
aid authorization bill was still hung up in a House-Senate conference committee.
The amount was the lowest in the history of the foreign aid program--$925 million below the
figure recommended by President Nixon.
DISTRICT VISIT
My district assistant, Gordon Vander Till, will be at City Hall in Cedar Springs from
2:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17 to talk on my behalf with anyone having a problem I can help them with
or anyone simply wanting to express his views on the issues.
# # #
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
December 20, 1971
92nd CONGRESS WRAPS UP FIRST SESSION
The 92nd Congress last week ended a first session marked by a half dozen major accomplish-
ments but otherwise notable only for its lack of follow-through.
Congress deserves high marks for passing the tax reduction bill, the extension of price and
wage control authority, the 18-year-old vote amendment, health manpower legislation, campaign
spending reform legislation, and a draft extension with provisions pointing toward the establish-
ment of an all-volunteer army.
But the failures of the 92nd Congress to date are also noteworthy--failure to put special and
general revenue sharing into effect; failure to reform the obsolete welfare system except in
embryo; failure to enact new measures for dealing with national emergency labor disputes in
transportation; failure to reorganize Federal cabinet departments; and failure to abolish the
Electoral College and provide a better method of electing the President.
Viewed in terms of enacting the major presidential proposals, the 92nd Congress has a poor
record up to this point. The Democratic-controlled Congress failed to complete action on more
than three-fourths of the 56 major measures President Nixon has tagged as "must" legislation.
We can only hope that the 92nd Congress will remedy these shortcomings next year.
CONGRESS EXTENDS PRICE-WAGE CONTROLS
Before quitting for the year, the Congress extended President Nixon's economic control
authority through June 30, 1973.
In doing so, Congress gave workers and teachers a break on retroactive pay. The House had
adopted an amendment authorizing retroactive pay increases where there had been price, tax or
appropriation increases in anticipation of paying higher wages under contracts negotiated before
the August 15 wage and price freeze went into effect for 90 days. The Senate had approved
language authorizing retroactive pay increases that were "not inconsistent with" Presidential Pay
Board standards. The legislation finally adopted by both houses of Congress and sent to the
President contained both the House and Senate language on retroactive pay. This gives workers
and teachers two cracks at retroactivity.
The Congress also:
*
Approved a 5.5 per cent pay boost as of Jan. 1 for Federal workers and servicemen, tying
this in with the Pay Board guideline of a 5.5 per cent increase for workers generally.
*
Eliminated a Senate provision which exempted the news media from Pay Board and Price
Commission rulings.
*
Exempted pensions, group health, life and accident insurance and profit-sharing plans from
the 5.5 per cent pay boost ceiling--but gave the Pay Board power to set separate guide-
lines covering such fringe benefits.
*
Excluded interest rates from Price Commission actions but required the President to state
why each category of interest rates should be excluded.
In legislating on retroactive pay, House members were particularly concerned about inequities
done to teachers. Under the retroactivity provisions of the economic controls bill as finally
enacted, it is estimated that about 2 million teachers--out of about 2.2 million--will qualify
for a retroactive salary increase.
I voted for the retroactivity provision as a sound compromise between the position that no
retroactive pay increases should be authorized and the position that there should be no curbs
whatever on retroactivity.
CAMPAIGN REFORM HELD UP
All that remains for campaign reform legislation to take effect is for the House to formally
approve it. This, I am sure, will occur early in the next session of the 92nd Congress.
After the Senate had approved the final, compromise, version of the campaign reform legisla-
tion, the House member whose privilege it was to bring the matter up for House action refused to
do SO. Rep. Wayne Hays, Democrat of Ohio who is chairman of the House Administration Committee,
said he wanted all House members to have an opportunity to read the "conference report," so each
member would know exactly what is in the reform legislation before voting on it. This put the
matter off until next year, but the new campaign spending and contributions legislation will take
effect sometime early in 1972.
Campaign spending reform is one of the truly outstanding accomplishments of the 92nd Congress.
I am proud to have had a hand in fashioning this historic legislation.
WELFARE PROGRAM ENACTED
Without any preliminaries, the Congress approved in the last days of the session a surprise
welfare reform bill, to be effective next July 1.
The reform measure requires all welfare recipients to register for work or training unless
they are children under 16, or are ill or old, or are required to take care of someone who is
incapacitated, or are mothers with children under six years old.
There is a work requirement under present law but the states decide who should register. As
a result, what is known as "The Work Incentive Program" or WIN, has not worked well. The new
Federal rules would enforce the work requirement under penalty of loss of benefits.
The new requirements could affect as many as two million adults. It applies particularly to
the Aid-to-Dependent-Childrer category of welfare.
I strongly favor a work requirement for welfare recipients but this new program is not a sub-
stitute for President Nixon's sweeping new welfare reform bill--and House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Wilbur Mills, D-Ark., said as much in presenting the work requirement program
to the House.
Mills said the objective is to put the work requirement program into effect a year in advance
of overall welfare reform.
Major provisions of welfare reform still to be enacted are an income floor and cash incen-
tives for working. These reforms are essential if we are to move welfare recipients from the
dole to payrolls. Only a major overhaul of the present welfare system can erase the problems
inherent in the present outmoded welfare structure.
I INTRODUCE PENSION REFORM BILL
Pension reform is one of the greatest needs of the American people. Accordingly, last
Tuesday I introduced an Administration bill which would be a dramatic step forward in providing
retirement income security for Americans.
The bill would establish vesting standards to assure retirement benefits for employes even
though they leave their jobs before retirement. The bill also would allow individual employes
who wish to provide for their own retirement through pension plan contributions to deduct those
contributions on their income tax returns. The employe contribution may be made to a group plan
or to an individual plan of his own choosing. The only requirement would be that it be a bona
fide plan for retirement income.
I hope the Congress acts as expeditiously as possible on my pension reform bill next year.
I CO-SPONSOR SURVIVOR BENEFITS BILL
Law enforcement officers lay their lives on the line every time they go out on duty. And the
families of these officers are left with little if these officers forfeit their lives while pro-
tecting others.
For this reason I have co-sponsored a bill to provide $50,000 to survivors of policemen
killed in line of duty-also to the survivors of correction officers, sheriffs, guards, judges,
magistrates and prosecuting attorneys who are killed while performing their offices.
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