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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 6/9/70 (includes minutes)
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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 6/9/70 (includes minutes)
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Robert T. Hartmann Papers
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These documents were scanned from Box 107 of the Robert T. Hartmann Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
DIARY OF WHITE HOUSE LEADERSHIP
MEETINGS -- 91st CONGRESS
June 9, 1970
At 8:40 a. m., the President offered a seat to Herb
Klein to report on the Indo-China trip from which he had
returned at 4:30 a. m. today. He talked for 30 minutes,
giving his personal impressions which will probably be
reflected in a formal report which will be presented to the
President later. He made 4 points: 1) the Cambodian
operation was a "major success in all aspects. He dis-
played a captured CKC rifle and passed around the table
a photograph of Klein leaving an underground cache; 2) the
Cambodian success has advanced the cause of Vietnamiza-
tion -- the trained troops nowknow that they can fight well
and this improves mmrale, and the absence of trained troops
from South Vietnam put pressure on the Vietnam Reserve there
which helped to improve their readiness; 3) the operation
demoralized the Communists; defections are increasing; and
4) notwithstanding news reports to the contrary, the thrust
was a surprise to the enemy; this is best illustrated by the
fact that none of the supply caches were boobytrapped.
Klein said that it was "a heartening thing to talk with the GI,
whose morale is fantastic. The typical GI thinks that he
has done a good job, and he is simply unable to understand the
criticims in Congress. He can understand the demonstrators
better than a hostile Congress. Klein and Governor Shafer
had a 1-hour talk with Lon Nol. He began with 40, 000 troops
and now has about 180, 000 green recruits,, many students,
including a large number of females. The people of Cambodia
are rallying behind the Lon Nol government, and they are
pleased that America is assisting them. Lon Nol is "quiet,
tough, self-confident and knows what he is doing." He is "not
jittery, and he thinks very, very highly of the President.'
The chances of survival of the Lon Nol government are about
50-50.
R.
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
2
The President asked John Veneman of HEW to explain the
June 1970 amendments to the Family Assistance Act pre-
pared by the Department in response to Senate criticiam
of the welfare reform bill. A synopsis is attached.
Senator Williams said that the HEW witnesses had made
the worst presentation he had heard in defense of the original
House-passed bill. He criticized the structure of the welfare
formula because it failed to consider the fact that the average
person on welfare also receives food stamps, is liging in
public housing, is entitled to Medicaid and draws some form of
state assistance. Hearings on the new amendments will begin
in July. In an aside, he said that the debt limit debate had
been postponed "maybe because you won't need it, Mr.
President.
"
Byrnes said that the new amendments might help but that they
did not solve all of the problems which might be hypothecated
in individual cases.
RMN said that the thing to emphasize is not the comparison
between the immediate effects of the reform measure and the
present law but the effects of the reform measure by 1975 and the
situation in 1975 if no reform is made. He called attention to the
change in Cabinet, explained Secretary Finch's absence and
invited Elliot Richardson to make a few comments. Richardson
said that he was looking forward to getting back to HEW, where
he had served in the Eisenhower years. He is not preparing for
testimony on Thursday before the Senate Committee on Finance.
The President invited Red Blount to the table to discuss postal
reform which is before the Rules Committee this morning and
scheduled for floor action tomorsow afternoon. The House
Committee reported its bill on May 19 and the Senate its bill
on June 3. The two are essentially the same. Both include
most of the agreement reached following the postal strike.
Each contains some undesirable features. The two major
problems in the House bill involve the right-to-work issue and
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
3
the clause which makes the 8% pay increase retroactive
to April 18. The latter is in violation of the agreement.
This agreement was reached at the end of the first genuine
collective bargaining session on postal pay. If postal
workers are to be allowed to welch on that agreement by
running around the backs of those with whom they agreed
and persuade Congress to give them more than they agreed
to accept, then the collective bargaining feature of postal
reform legislation is meaningless. Blount said this is
absolutely unacceptable and if the bill which comes to the
President contains this feature, he will recommend a veto.
Blount said that the right-to-work issue should not be tied
to postal reform. "You cannot reform the nation's labor
laws on the back of postal reform. 11 The Taft-Hartley Act
and the Landrum-Griffin Act were made applicable to postal
employees, and under those laws, employees can bargain
with employers for union shops except in those states which
have right-to-work laws.
FORD
RMN agreed that the two issues should not be tied together.
LIBRARY
He said that he does not want compulsory unionism in govern-
GERALD
ment. However, involvement of the Taft-Hartley Act and
the Landrum-Griffin Act was a part of the agreement reached
between Blount and Meaney, and even if theather side attempts
to run out on its bargain on pay, we will not ean out on our
commitment. He warned that we are facing a July 1 strike
deadline threatened by the same postal union in New York which
struck before.
Fong said that he felt the retroactive pay feature would not be
in the legislation sent to the President and the same is true
of the clause in the House bill which authorizes collective
bargaining for a supervisors union.
Scott made a report on prospects of the Byrd amendment to the
Cooper-Church amendment. He feels that at the moment, there
are some doubtful members on both sides of the aisle, but that
"we are ahead. The vote will come at 1:00 p.m. Thursday.
4
Allott asked the President directly whether the Cooper-
Church amendment would be acceptable if the Byrd amendment
is adopted. The President reflected for only a moment and
then said that it would not be wise to say that today. He went
on to say that if he were a member of the Senate, he would
vote against the Cooper-Church amendment in whatever from
it might emerge. In very emphatic terms, he said that he
does not intend to get America involved in a war in any other
country without prior Congressional approval. However,
this was not involved with respect to this decision. There
were 7, 000eenemy bunkers along the borders. To have told
the Senate and Fulbright and Mansfield might have jeopardized
2, 000 American lives. RMN said that he would rather have
the Senate mad at him than have 2, 000 American boys coming
home in coffins. He rechlled that previous administrations
had gone into Cambodia, Laos and Thailand without Senate
approval or knowledge.
We adjourned at 10:40 a. m.
RICHARD H. POFF
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 9, 1970
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
PRESS CONFERENCE
OF
SENATOR HUGH SCOTT
AND
CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD
R. FORD
THE BRIEFING ROOM
GERALD
LIBRARY
AT 10:35 A.M. EDT.
MR. ZIEGLER: The Leadership Meeting has just
concluded. It lasted about two hours. Senator Scott and
Congressman Ford are late now for a meeting, so we would
like to keep this session relatively short.
We will begin with Senator Scott.
SENATOR SCOTT: We discussed the proposed revisions
to go to the Senate Finance Committee on the Family Assistance
Program on which some background information will be released
to you tomorrow, I understand.
This was discussed with Senator Williams as well
as representatives of the Administration.
We also discussed the Byrd Amendment and the Cooper-
Church Amendment. I reported that it would appear that there
are sufficient votes -- no guarantees -- but it looks as if there
are sufficient votes, very probably, to pass the Byrd Amendment.
We have a further concern, and that is Subsection 3
of the Cooper-Church Amendment, which operates as sort of a
Congressional amendment to the Guam or Nixon doctrine in that
it would inhibit Asians helping Asians, and therefore, this is
a matter of continuing concern.
I think that is all I have to say at this time.
CONGRESSMAN FORD: In the course of the meeting this
morning, the new Secretary of HEW, Elliot Richardson, was
introduced. He did not try to solve all the problems this
morning, but he was there and certainly got a warm welcome
for the new responsibilities.
The Postmaster General was present to discuss the
situation involving postal reform. That, of course, probably
will come before the House tomorrow and Thursday, depending,
of course, upon the granting of a rule by the Committee on Rules.
It is not entirely certain that the Rules Committee will act
today and if not, why then postal reform will go over probably
until next week.
The President, the Postmaster General and all of us
are anxious that the House bring the matter up and approve
postal reform so we can start remedying some of the problems in
the Post Office Department.
MORE
- 2 -
Q Senator, you said that this Family Assistance
Plan would be given to us tomorrow. Is there anything
GERALDO R. FORD LIBRANT
you can tell us about it today?
SENATOR SCOTT: I don't think we can go into many
details today, because it was a matter of much detailed dis-
cussion and it turned on how to remove disincentives from the
program, in other words, how to make the program structurally
work and how to phase it in with other existing programs.
But I don't think it would serve any purpose to go
into detail today. You will have all of that tomorrow.
Q
Senator, can you tell us how this provision of
the Cooper-Church Amendment prohibits Asians from helping Asians?
SENATOR SCOTT: Well, it would forbid, after June 30,
the furnishing of aid in the form of supplies or funds to any
government which in turn might wish to extend aid to the Cambodian
government. It would put Cambodia in a unique position in
that it would be the only country in the world where such pro-
hibition applies, and therefore, would amend the doctrine under
which Asians, for example the Thai's, might want to help other
Asians. They would be prohibited from doing it under Subsection 3
because the Thai's are receiving some military aid from the
United States.
2
What are the chances of eliminating that?
SENATOR SCOTT: We have taken no count on that.
Senator Griffin and I, if you lump our two opinions together,
we would have to say about 50-50.
a
Do recent developments in Indochina indicate
that that is what is happening, that there is a movement for
several nations to act together in mutual defense?
SENATOR SCOTT: That, we believe, is a decision for
the Asian nations to make. If they do, we think that
Asians should, under the Nixon doctrine, be permitted to help
other Asians if they wish to do SO. I would assume they do.
2
Do you have any count yet on the Byrd Amendment,
Senator? Do you know how many votes you will have on that?
You said you thought you had enough.
SENATOR SCOTT: We think we have enough. There are
only about four of five undecided, but I would think in view
of the way these will go that we have enough.
I do call your attention to the Djarkata Conference
as an illustration of the desire of the nations to help themselves.
Q
Would you say the Administration is enthusiastically
behind the Byrd Amendment?
SENATOR SCOTT: Well, you have seen the President's
letter to me. It speaks for itself. He has said that it goes
a long way toward removing an important part of his objection. I
don't think there has been any question that he has so indicated
and I would expect he would get a lot of support because of that.
MORE
- 3 -
Q
Ron, what information will we receive here
tomorrow on the Family Assistance Program?
MR. ZIEGLER: As you recall, the Senate Finance
Committee, in the testimony there, requested the Administration,
the Executive Branch, to look at several aspects of the Famlly
Assistance Prggram as it affects Medicaid, Housing and Food Stamps.
We have done that. We have completed a very exhaustive study
of that and are now prepared to begin our discussions again with
the Finance Committee on the Family Assistance Program.
We will provide you the details of this tomorrow
morning here at the White House in a very extensive briefing.
Q
Do you know what time?
MR. ZIEGLER: At the regular 11:00 briefing.
2
Will that be Dr. Moynihan?
MR. ZIEGLER: Perhaps. I am quite sure he would be
one of those who would be here.
THE PRESS: Thank you, gentlemen.
FORD P.P. GERALD LIBRARY
END
(AT 10:45 A.M. EDT.)
HOUSE ACTION, PERIOD MAY 19 THROUGH JUNE 8, 1970
Tuesday, May 19, 1970
HOUSE CONSIDERED PRIVATE CALENDAR
The House passed by voice vote 6 unanimous Consent Bills from the Ways
and Means Committee.
DISTRICT JUDGES
By a record vote of 331 yeas to 21 nays, the House agreed to the con-
ference report on S. 952, to provide for the appointment of additional
district judges, and returned the measure to the Senate for further
action.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATION
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 17619, making appropriations
for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1971.
AEC AUTHORIZATION
RULE
The House adopted by a voice vote H. Res. 973, to provide two hours
of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 17405, to authorize appropria-
tions to the Atomic Energy Commission. Subsequently, this passage
was vacated and S. 3818, an identical Senate-passed measure was
passed in lieu, thus clearing the measure for the President.
Prior to passage, the House rejected an amendment by Mr. Wolff
that would transfer to the Secretary of Health, Education, and
Welfare the regulation of civil nuclear power.
Wednesday, May 20, 1970
STOCKPILE DISPOSALS
The House disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to various Stockpile
Disposal bills and asked a conference with the Senate. Appointed as
conferees, on all of the bills: Representatives Philbin, Bennett,
and King.
R.
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
- 2 -
Wednesday, May 20, 1970 (continued)
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
RULE
The House adopted H. Res. 1030 by a voice vote, to provide for two
hours of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 334 yeas to 47 nays the House passed H.R. 17604,
to authorize certain construction at military installations.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 251 yeas to 133 nays, the previous question on
the motion to recommit was ordered.
By a voice vote a motion by Mr. Talcott to recommit the bill to the
Committee on Armed Services was rejected.
By a voice vote the House agreed to an amendment by Mr. Cramer that
adds $11.3 million for Naval Training Center, Orlando, Fla.
By a teller vote of 76 yeas to 146 nays the House defeated an amend-
ment by Mr. Pike that would strike out $322 million for Safeguard
missile facilities.
Thursday, May 21, 1970
SOCIAL SECURITY
RULE
By a record vote of 201 yeas to 181 nays, the previous question on
the rule was ordered.
By a record vote of 297 yeas to 83 nays, the House adopted H. Res. 1022
to provide for four hours of closed debate, waiving points of order
for failing to comply with clause 3, Rule XIII.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 343 yeas to 32 nays, the House passed H.R. 17550,
Social Security Amendments of 1970.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 233 yeas to 144 nays, the House agreed to a motion
by Mr. Betts to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means
with instructions to report it back forthwith containing an amend-
ment that provides for automatic adjustment of social security bene-
fits to coincide with increases in cost of living expenses.
FORD R. GERALO LIBRARY
- 3 -
Thursday, May 21, 1970 (continued)
MERCHANT SHIPS
RULE
By a voice vote, the House agreed to H. Res. 1029, providing for
the consideration of and 2 hours of open debate on H.R. 15424,
to amend the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 307 yeas to 1 nay, the House passed H.R. 15424,
to amend the Merchant Marine Act, 1936.
POLICE, FIREMEN, AND TEACHERS' PAY INCREASE
The House disagreed to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 17138, to
amend the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of
1958 and the District of Columbia Teachers' Salary Act of 1955 to
increase salaries; and agreed to a conference asked by the Senate.
Appointed the following as conferees: Representatives Abernethy,
Dowdy, Fuqua, Cabell, Nelsen, Broyhill of Virginia, Harsha, and
Hogan.
Monday, May 25, 1970
D. C. LEGISLATION
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 17711, to amend the District
of Columbia Cooperative Association Act.
By a record vote of 118 yeas to 176 nays, the House defeated H.R. 17601,
to exempt Federal Housing Administration and Veterans' Administration
mortgages and loans from the interest and usury laws of the District
of Columbia.
COAST GUARD LAWS
The House agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 13816, to improve
and clarify certain laws affecting the Coast Guard, clearing the
measure for the President.
BANK RECORDS
RULE
By a voice vote the House adopted H. Res. 941, providing two hours
of open debate.
GERALD
A. FORD
LIBRARY
- 4 -
BANK RECORDS (continued)
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 302 yeas to 0 nays, the House passed H.R. 15073,
to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require insured banks
to maintain certain records, to require that certain transactions
in U.S. currency be reported to the Department of the Treasury.
By a division vote of 28 yeas to 15 nays, the House agreed to a com-
mittee amendment that excludes domestic financial transactions
involving less than $500 from the record-keeping provisions in
the bill.
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT
RULE
By a voice vote the House adopted H. Res. 1021, providing for 1 hour
of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 285 yeas to 7 nays, the House passed H. J. Res. 1117,
to establish a Joint Committee on the Environment.
Prior to passage, the House agreed to the amendment by Mr. Daddario
that alters the name of the Joint Committee to "Joint Committee on
the Environment".
Prior to passage, the House agreed to the amendment by Mr. Dingell
that reduces the membership on the committee from 40 members to
22 members, 11 Senators and 11 Congressmen -- 6 majority and 5
minority.
Prior to passage, the House rejected a substitute by Mr. Vanik to
the previous amendment, basically the same as the original amend-
ment, but specified that the Speaker select the membership.
Prior to passage, the House agreed to an amendment by Mr. Galifianakis
that strikes out a provision that required prior consent of a de-
partment or agency before using any services or facilities of that
department or agency.
Prior to passage, the House agreed to amend the title of the measure.
Tuesday, May 26, 1970
RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE - FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
RULE
By a voice vote the House adopted H. Res. 971, providing for one
hour of open debate.
of
GERALD
FORD
LIBRARY
- 5 -
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE (continued)
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 335 yeas to 1 nay, the House passed H. Res. 796,
amending the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to
financial disclosure.
SPEAKER McCORMACK
House agreed to H. Res. 1044, commending Speaker John W. McCormack
on his length of service as Speaker.
Wednesday, May 27, 1970
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ACT
House disagreed to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 14685, to im-
prove the balance of payments by further promoting travel to the
United States; and asked a conference with the Senate. Appointed
as conferees: Representatives Staggers, Moss, Murphy of New York,
Springer, and Cunningham.
U.S. FISHING FLEET IMPROVEMENT ACT
The House agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4813, to extend the
provisions of the U.S. Fishing Fleet Improvement Act, clearing the
measure for the President.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 17755, making appropriations
for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1971.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 176 yeas to 162 nays, the previous question on
the motion to recommit was ordered.
By a voice vote a motion by Mr. Rhodes of Arizona to recommit the
bill to the Committee on Appropriations was rejected.
The House agreed to an amendment by Mr. Steed that added $8.4 million
for Coast Guard Reserve training.
The House agreed to an amendment by Mr. Steed that struck out 10,000
personnel limitation for the Coast Guard Selected Reserve.
A point of order was overruled against an amendment by Mr. Yates which
sought to delete $290 million for the Civil Supersonic Aircraft De-
velopment (SST), subsequently, the amendment was rejected by a teller
vote of 86 yeas to 107 nays.
P
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
- 6 -
Monday, June 1, 1970
HOUSE CONSIDERED CONSENT CALENDAR
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
PASSAGE
By a voice vote the House agreed to H. Res. 1033, authorizing the
appointment of representatives to attend the International Labor
Organization Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Tuesday, June 2, 1970
PRIVATE CALENDAR WAS CALLED
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
The Speaker appointed as delegates to attend the International Labor
Organization Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the following members
of the Committee on Education and Labor: Representatives Dent and
Ayres. Appointed as alternates: Representatives Green or Oregon,
Daniels of New Jersey, Ashbrook, and Erlenborn.
PAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
RULE
By a voice vote the House adopted H. Res. 969, providing for one hour
of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H. J. Res. 746, to amend the joint
resolution authorizing appropriations for the payment by the United
States of its share of the expenses of the Pan American Institute
of Geography and History.
Wednesday, June 3, 1970
JOINT MEETING TO RECEIVE PRESIDENT RAFAEL CALDERA OF THE REPUBLIC OF
VENEZUELA.
PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT
RULE
By a voice vote, the House adopted H. Res. 1051, providing for four
hours of open debate. Prior to adoption by a roll call vote of
273 yeas to 85 nays the House moved the previous question on
H. Res. 1051.
?
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
- 7 -
PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT (continued)
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 236 yeas to 127 nays, the House passed H.R. 17802,
to increase the public debt limit set forth in section 21 of the
Second Liberty Bond Act.
RECOMMIT
By a voice vote, the House rejected a motion by Mr. Betts to recommit
the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Thursday, June 4, 1970
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 17868, making appropriations
for the government of the District of Columbia and other activities
chargeable in whole or in part against the revenues of said District
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971.
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATIONS
RULE
By a voice vote, the House adopted H. Res. 1059, waiving points of
order against certain provisions in the bill.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 192 yeas to 152 nays, the House passed H.R. 17867,
making appropriations for Foreign Assistance and related programs
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971.
RECOMMIT
By a voice vote, the House rejected a motion by Mr. Bow to recommit
the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.
RIVER BASIN AUTHORIZATION
The House agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 15166, authorizing
additional appropriations for prosecution of projects in certain com-
prehensive river basin plans for flood control, and navigation, clear-
ing the measure for the President.
R.
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
- 8 -
Monday, June 8, 1970
PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT
RULE
By a voice vote, the House adopted H. Res. 1045, providing for one
hour of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 15712, to amend the Public Works
and Economic Development Act.
SELECT COMMITTEE TO STUDY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 223 yeas to 101 nays, the House passed H. Res. 976,
to authorize a Select Committee to Study recent Developments in South-
east Asia.
By a roll call vote of 227 yeas to 95 nays, the House agreed to the
Committee Amendment providing for 12 members on the Select Committee
to Study recent Developments in Southeast Asia.
By a roll call vote of 210 yeas to 84 nays, the House agreed to the
Committee Amendment to strike the preamble from H. Res. 976, to au-
thorize a Select Committee to Study recent Developments in Southeast
Asia.
Prior to passage, the House by a roll call vote of 246 yeas to 80 nays
ordered the previous question on H. Res. 976.
PROGRAM AHEAD
Tuesday, June 9, 1970
H. R. 17923 - Department of Agriculture Appropriation Bill, FY 1971
Wednesday, June 10, 1970 and Balance of Week
H. R. 17070 - Postal Reorganization and Salary Adjustment Act of 1970
(Subject to a Rule Being Granted)
GERALD RL FORD FIRRARY