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MAR-04-99 20:06 FROM:OMB
ID:
Executive Office of the President
Office of Management & Budget
To: Irene Buino
Fax: 65581
Pages (inc cvr):
From:
Joshua Gotbaun
Ingrid Schroeder
Executive Associate Director
OEOB Room 254
(202)395-9188 Fax (202) 395-4995
Washington, DC 20503
Re:
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS IN ERROR, PLEASE CALL US IMMEDIATELY AT (202) 395-9188
Copying or reproduction of this message in any way is absolutely prohibited.
MAR-04-99 20:06 FROM:OMB
ID:
Developing an Ability to Track Discrimination
in Key Sectors of Society
Summary
In the FY 2000 Budget, we have funded a three-part plan created by Kathy Wallman and Becky
Blank to develop measures of discrimination. These three parts are: 1) an NAS conference to
focus attention on measurement issues ($500K); 2) continuation of a HUD program that uses
paired testers to test for housing discrimination ($7.5M); 3) Funding modest experimentation by
DOL, HHS, Education and Justice to measure discrimination. We would propose to require each
of the four agencies to fund $500K each in FY 2000.
Background
This proposal builds on the work by the President's Initiative on Race and is designed to
document and further our understanding of the role of discrimination in U.S. society. There is
nearly universal agreement, even among those who disagree strongly about such policies as
affirmative action, that equal opportunity to participate as a full and functioning member of
American society is vitally important. Evidence of racial and ethnic discrimination - - exclusion
based primarily on race or ethnicity - suggests that equal opportunity has not yet been fully
achieved; such evidence can be important in motivating policy design, implementation and
enforcement.
Unfortunately, the presence or absence of discrimination is not something we can easily deduce
simply by looking at existing data. Observed differentials by race and ethnicity by themselves
may or may not signal discrimination. For instance, lower average wage levels for one group
may result from lower education levels, providing no evidence of labor market discrimination
due to race or ethnicity, per se. To deduce whether and how much of a statistical differential is
due to discrimination requires a methodology that allows separation of discriminatory behavior
from other differences that should validly affect outcomes. Such analysis is typically difficult;
there are strengths and weaknesses associated with all commonly-used methodologies to deduce
the presence of discrimination. This area has received too little attention in recent years and can
benefit from a sustained commitment by the government to improve and extend the measurement
and tracking of discrimination.
The three tiers of this proposal would do the following:
Tier 1: Initiate a coordinated research agenda, designed to expand and improve our current
statistical ability to measure and track discrimination in key sectors of U.S. society.
Tier 2: Provide a fund available to agencies to begin immediately tracking discrimination where
they believe there are credible methodologies already available.
Tier 3: Provide additional funding to HUD to expand their current system of tracking housing
discrimination through housing audit studies.
Discrim Statedoc
MAR-04-99 20:07 FROM OMB
ID:
As a starting point, five key areas will be considered for funding:
Labor markets and employment relationships;
The educational system;
Housing markets and access to credit;
The criminal justice system; and
Health services and treatment.
Tier 1: Creating a Coordinated Research Agenda to Improve the Measuring and Tracking
of Discrimination
Step 1: The development of a Workplan.
The National Research Council (NRC) sponsored a major two-day Conference on Racial Trends
in the U.S. in mid-October, at the behest of the PIR and funded by 16 Federal agencies. This
event provides an excellent opportunity to use the information garnered to jumpstart a process in
which the NRC works jointly with key federal agencies to develop a Workplan for a coordinated
research agenda on the measurement and tracking of discrimination. The goal of the Workplan
will be to expand existing knowledge on appropriate and credible ways to measure the presence
of discrimination, and to support empirical studies that measure the scope of discrimination using
new and existing techniques and data.
The NRC will create a Roundtable, including prominent academic scholars as well as key
government agency representatives. The charge to the Roundtable will be to develop a research
agenda and Workplan that government agencies can implement to carry out needed research in
each of the five topical areas. It is likely that many of the Workplan specifics will be overseen
and coordinated by the federal agencies, but the research may be performed by outside
researchers under a contractual or grant mechanism. This first step should take no more than one
year, and should start immediately to take advantage of the momentum gained by the recent
Conference.
Step 2: Implementing the Workplan
Federal agencies would have 3-4 years to implement the research Workplan. This will almost
surely involve setting up an oversight process within each agency to coordinate work on this
project; assessing available data for its usefulness to this enterprise and, where appropriate,
encouraging the assembly of new data; and commissioning research by outside scholars. The
NRC should be encouraged to reconvene the Roundtable regularly while the Workplan is being
implemented, so agencies can share their questions and their wisdom from this process.
Step 3: A Final Report
At the end of the process, each agency should be asked to produce a final report on the progress
2
MAR-04-99 20:07 FROM OMB
ID:
made in this project. The NRC should be asked to convene a final conference at which agencies
present what they have accomplished and discuss the changes that remain.
Costs and Timeline:
This entire project should take no more than five years.
In FY 2000: $500,000 for Step 1. Over the entire project: $2-3 million in each of the five
topical areas should be made available to the agencies to implement the Workplan, with another
$500,000 to the NRC to oversee and coordinate the implementation process and to sponsor the
final conference. This means a total budget appropriation of $11 to $16 million over a 4 to 5
year period.
Tier 2: Encouraging Agencies to Begin to Immediately Track Discrimination
While further work is mandatory to better understand how to appropriately measure
discrimination in many sectors of society, there are a variety of areas where well-established
research methodologies are already available. In these areas, agencies should be encouraged to
immediately begin to more formally track and regularly report on measures of discrimination.
While HUD is well-launched on such an enterprise (see Tier 3), agencies covering the other four
relevant topical areas (education, labor markets, health, and criminal justice) are not as far along
on this process. Tier 2 proposes to establish a fund available to the agencies which oversee these
four areas. This fund should be drawn upon to implement the regular collection and analysis of
data to track discrimination in key sectors; and to design and publish regular reports on the
findings. It is expected that this work will occur simultaneously with the research Workplan laid
out in Tier 1, and the two will draw upon and reinforce each other.
Costs: In FY 2000: $2 million dollars would launch this enterprise. Each of the four agencies be
required to spend $500K on these efforts in FY 2000. Over 4-5 years: Around $6-8 million
might be available to implement tracking and reporting systems by Labor, Education, HHS, and
Justice.
Tier 3: Provide funding for HUD to expand their current tracking system of housing
discrimination through housing audit studies.
HUD has already started a multi-year program to expand its ability to track discrimination in the
housing market. A recent conference on their housing audit methodologies underscored the
advantages of this technique for tracking discrimination in housing markets. HUD has already
received $7.5 million for this project in FY 1999 and has requested more funding for FY 2000 to
test for discrimination in an initial set of 20 out of 60 metropolitan and rural markets. Since
HUD is already engaged in this process, it can serve as a model and an advisor to other agencies
as they launch their own projects.
3
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ID:
Costs: In FY2000: HUD has requested an additional $7.5 million.
Reporting Back from Tiers 2 and 3:
While Tier 1 expands our knowledge about how to credibly measure the presence of
discrimination, Tiers 2 and 3 are designed to collect actual measures of discrimination and to
disseminate the findings. Each agency should use some of its funds from Tiers 2 or 3 to design
a regular report on discrimination, using the best available current measures. The final
conference, scheduled at the end of the Workplan discussed in Tier 1, should include both a
AReport Card@ by the agencies on what they have found in their work on current measures of
discrimination, as well as a discussion of new sources of data and new forms of data analysis that
might have been developed as part of the Tier 1 work.
4
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S.1217
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2000 (Placed on the Calendar in the Senate)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as authorized by title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (29 U.S.C. 206(d) and 621-634), the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, including services as authorized
by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1343(b);
non-monetary awards to private citizens; and not to exceed $29,000,000 for payments to State and
local enforcement agencies for services to the Commission pursuant to title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, as amended, sections 6 and 14 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, $279,000,000:
Provided, That the Commission is authorized to make available for official reception and
representation expenses not to exceed $2,500 from available funds.
Federal Communications Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Communications Commission, as authorized by law,
including uniforms and allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-02; not to exceed
$600,000 for land and structure; not to exceed $500,000 for improvement and care of grounds and
repair to buildings; not to exceed $4,000 for official reception and representation expenses;
purchase (not to exceed 16) and hire of motor vehicles; special counsel fees; and services as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $232,805,000, of which not to exceed $300,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2001, for research and policy studies: Provided, That $185,754,000
of offsetting collections shall be assessed and collected pursuant to section 9 of title I of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and shall be retained and used for necessary expenses
in this appropriation, and shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That the sum
herein appropriated shall be reduced as such offsetting collections are received during fiscal year
2000 so as to result in a final fiscal year 2000 appropriation estimated at $47,051,000: Provided
further, That any offsetting collections received in excess of $185,754,000 in fiscal year 2000
shall remain available until expended, but shall not be available for obligation until October 1,
2000.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Communications Commission is
authorized to operate, maintain, and repair its headquarters building, and may negotiate with the
lessor or place orders for alterations or building services.
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Federal Maritime Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Maritime Commission as authorized by section 201(d) of
the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. App. 1111), including services as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 31 U.S.C.
1343(b); and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-02, $14,150,000:
Provided, That not to exceed $2,000 shall be available for official reception and representation
expenses.
Federal Trade Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Trade Commission, including uniforms or allowances
therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire of
passenger motor vehicles; and not to exceed $2,000 for official reception and representation
expenses, $114,059,000: Provided, That not to exceed $300,000 shall be available for use to
contract with a person or persons for collection services in accordance with the terms of 31 U.S.C.
3718, as amended: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, not to
exceed $114,059,000 of offsetting collections derived from fees collected for premerger
notification filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C.
18(a)) shall be retained and used for necessary expenses in this appropriation, and shall remain
available until expended: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated from the General
Fund shall be reduced as such offsetting collections are received during fiscal year 2000, so as to
result in a final fiscal year 2000 appropriation from the General Fund estimated at not more than
$0, to remain available until expended: Provided further, That none of the funds made available to
the Federal Trade Commission shall be available for obligation for expenses authorized by section
151 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-242,
105 Stat. 2282-2285).
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Bill 2 of 50
GPO's PDF
Link to Senate
Link to the Bill
References to this bill in
Full Display -
version of this
bill
the Congressional Record
Committee Report
Summary & Status
149,383 bytes.
76
file.
[Help]
S.1217
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2000 (Placed on the Calendar in the Senate)
Table of Contents:
Beginning
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
JOINT AUTOMATED BOOKING SYSTEM
NARROWBAND COMMUNICATIONS
COUNTERTERRORISM FUND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER COMPLIANCE FUND
administrative review and appeals
United States Parole Commission
salaries and expenses, general legal activities
salaries and expenses, antitrust division
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS
united states trustee system fund
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION
salaries and expenses, united states marshals service
JUSTICE PRISONER AND ALIEN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FUND, UNITED STATES
MARSHALS SERVICE
federal prisoner detention
fees and expenses of witnesses
salaries and expenses, community relations service
assets forfeiture fund
Radiation Exposure Compensation
administrative expenses
PAYMENT TO RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
Interagency Law Enforcement
interagency crime and drug enforcement
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Immigration and Naturalization Service
violent crime reduction programs
Federal Prison System
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES,
INCORPORATED
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Office of Justice Programs
justice assistance
state and local law enforcement assistance
violent crime reduction programs, state and local law enforcement assistance
WEED AND SEED PROGRAM FUND
JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS BENEFITS
General Provisions--Department of Justice
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND RELATED AGENCIES
Trade and Infrastructure Development
Office of the United States Trade Representative
International Trade Commission
International Trade Administration
Export Administration
OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Economic Development Administration
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Minority Business Development Agency
minority business development
Economic and Information Infrastructure
Economic and Statistical Analysis
Bureau of the Census
periodic censuses and programs
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION
information infrastructure grants
Patent and Trademark Office
Science and Technology
Technology Administration
UNDER SECRETARY FOR TECHNOLOGY/OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY
National Institute of Standards and Technology
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES
industrial technology services
construction of research facilities
procurement, acquisition and construction
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT FUND
FISHERMEN'S CONTINGENCY FUND
foreign fishing observer fund
fisheries finance program account
FISHERIES PROMOTIONAL FUND
General Provisions--Department of Commerce
TITLE III--THE JUDICIARY
Supreme Court of the United States
care of the building and grounds
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of International Trade
Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services
defender services
fees of jurors and commissioners
Court Security
Administrative Office of the United States Courts
Federal Judicial Center
Judicial Retirement Funds
PAYMENT TO JUDICIARY TRUST FUNDS
United States Sentencing Commission
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General Provisions--The Judiciary
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCIES
Administration of Foreign Affairs
diplomatic and consular programs
capital investment fund
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
representation allowances
protection of foreign missions and officials
emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service
repatriation loans program account
payment to the american institute in taiwan
payment to the foreign service retirement and disability fund
International Organizations and Conferences
contributions to international organizations
contributions for international peacekeeping activities
International Commissions
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO
construction
american sections, international commissions
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS
OTHER
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund
Israeli Arab Scholarship Program
East-West Center
RELATED AGENCIES
BROADCASTING TO CUBA
RADIO CONSTRUCTION
General Provisions--Department of State and Related Agencies
TITLE V--RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
maritime security program
operations and training
MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAN (TITLE XI) PROGRAM ACCOUNT
administrative provisions--maritime administration
Census Monitoring Board
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
Commission on Civil Rights
Commission on Security and Cooperation In Europe
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Trade Commission
Legal Services Corporation
PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
administrative provision--legal services corporation
Marine Mammal Commission
Securities and Exchange Commission
Small Business Administration
office of inspector general
business loans program account
disaster loans program account
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION--SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
State Justice Institute
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
TITLE VI--GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE VII--RESCISSIONS
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
WORKING CAPITAL FUND
Legal Activities
ASSET FORFEITURE FUND
Drug Enforcement Administration
DRUG DIVERSION CONTROL FEE ACCOUNT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Security and Maintenance of United States Missions
Broadcasting Board of Governors
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS
(RESCISSION)
JUNE 14, 1999
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S 1217 07/21/99
http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/legislative/sap/S1217-s.html
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
(THIS STATEMENT HAS BEEN COORDINATED BY OMB WITH THE CONCERNED AGENCIES.)
July 21, 1999
(Senate)
S. 1217 - DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE,
THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
BILL, FY 2000
(Sponsors: Stevens (R), Alaska; Gregg (R), New Hampshire)
This Statement of Administration Policy provides the Administration's views on S. 1217, the
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY
2000, as reported by the Senate Committee. As the Senate develops its version of the bill,
your consideration of the Administration's views would be appreciated.
The Administration appreciates the Committee's efforts to accommodate some of the
Administration's priorities within its 302(b) allocation. However, the inadequacy of the
302(b) allocation has forced the Committee to make choices that are simply unacceptable.
The President's FY 2000 Budget proposes levels of discretionary spending that meet
important national needs while conforming to the Bipartisan Budget Agreement by making
savings proposals in mandatory and other programs available to help finance vital spending
needs. Congress has approved and the President has signed into law nearly $29 billion of
such offsets in appropriations legislation since 1995. The Administration appreciates the
Committee's adoption of one such proposal, language clarifying the relationship of
bankruptcy law with regard to spectrum licenses. This provision will also help to ensure the
integrity of the spectrum auction process. The Administration urges the Congress to consider
more of such proposals as the FY 2000 appropriations process moves forward.
The Committee bill does not include the resources necessary to support high priority
programs at an acceptable level. The bill would jeopardize critical activities and initiatives in
a number of areas, including: 21st Century Policing; Federal law enforcement; immigration;
anti-drug activities; the Brady Handgun National Instant Check System;
terrorism/cybercrime; tobacco litigation; the decennial census; economic development
through the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration;
Lands Legacy; the Pacific Salmon Treaty; ensuring access to the judicial system; and,
preventing and addressing discrimination.
The bill underfunds activities to improve the safety of U.S. employees abroad and support
the ongoing conduct of effective diplomacy, and does not fully fund payments to
international organizations necessary to ensure U.S. leadership in international affairs. The
bill would result in further arrears and possible loss of vote in the U.N. and other
organizations. In addition, the bill includes several objectionable language provisions
regarding international and domestic programs.
If the bill were presented to the President in its current form, the President's senior advisers
would recommend that he veto the bill.
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S 1217 07/21/99
http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/legislative/sap/S1217-s.html
Attachment
(Senate)
S. 1217 - DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE,
AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, FY 2000
(AS REPORTED BY THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE)
Department of Justice
21st Century Policing Initiative/Community Oriented Policing Services. The
Administration strongly opposes the Committee's decision not to fund the 21st
Century Policing Initiative, the logical successor to the highly effective Community
Oriented Policing Services program. Congress should not terminate this highly
effective program. We urge the restoration of funding for the 21st Century Policing
Initiative, which will enable local police Departments to hire up to 50,000 additional
community police officers, hire new community prosecutors, and expand
community-based prevention efforts.
Federal Law Enforcement. The Committee bill reduces the FBI (-$97 million), the
U.S. Attorneys (-$77 million), and the Department's legal divisions (-$20 million)
below the levels needed to maintain current services. When combined with various
requirements and earmarks in the bill, these funding levels would force substantial
reductions in the number of FBI agents and Federal prosecutors, significantly reducing
the Department's ability to investigate and prosecute violent crime, including the more
than 160 Safe Streets Task Forces that target violent gangs, fugitives, and major theft
groups. These reductions would threaten the progress that has been made in reducing
violent crime in the United States. The Administration also opposes the provision that
would limit U.S. Attorneys' new hires to two-year terms.
Immigration. The FY 2000 mark for Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Salaries and Expenses, which is $189 million below the level needed to maintain
current services, would decimate current program activities. The bill directs that INS
hire an additional 1,000 border patrol agents in FY 2000 but fails to provide the
resources to support these additional agents. In fact, the bill includes a position ceiling
that would cut overall INS staffing by over 1,400 positions. The bill does not provide
sufficient funding to meet the mandatory detention requirements, including those
detailed in the recently submitted budget amendment, and diverts examination fee
revenues to fund appropriated activities, undermining the INS's ability to meet its
naturalization backlog reduction targets.
Anti-Drug Programs. The Administration opposes the Committee's proposal to reduce
the requested funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) salaries and
expenses by over $60 million. This cut would severely affect DEA's drug law
enforcement programs at home and abroad. In addition, the Committee has failed to
fund the $100 million Drug Intervention Program, which helps States and localities
implement tough new systems to drug test, treat, and punish drug offenders. Finally,
the Administration objects to the Committee's proposed $10 million reduction to the
request for the highly successful Drug Courts Program. Taken together, the
Committee's actions would make it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the drug
reduction targets in the annual drug strategy and in the Office of National Drug
Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998.
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Brady Handgun National Instant Check System. The Administration is concerned that
the Committee bill does not fund the Brady Handgun National Instant Check System
(NICS), either through the fee requested by the Administration or through new
appropriations. The Administration urges the Committee to approve the requested fee
or appropriate sufficient new funding, including $2.3 million to bring NICS into
compliance with the proposed retention period.
Tobacco Litigation. The Administration is disappointed that the Committee has not
provided directly the requested funds for tobacco litigation, which the Department
plans to bring on behalf of the American people to recover money properly owed to
the Treasury. Given that the States settled their claims against the tobacco industry for
more than $200 billion and that Federal health care costs substantially exceed those of
the States, the $20 million requested by the Administration is a small investment with
enormous potential benefits.
Civil Rights Enforcement. The Administration urges the Senate to fully fund the
request for the Civil Rights Division. The President's requested level, $82 million,
would enable the Department to expand significantly its investigations and
prosecutions of criminal civil cases (including hate crimes and police misconduct),
fair housing and lending cases, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
State Criminal Alien Assistance. The Administration is disappointed with the
Committee's decision to reduce substantially funding for the State Criminal Alien
Assistance program.
Cybercrime. The Committee bill provides additional funds to the FBI for the fight
against cybercrime through the reallocation of existing resources. However, given the
significant number of instructions for the reallocation of FBI resources, including
absorption of $10 million for the National Infrastructure Protection Center (funded
through the Counterterrorism Fund in FY 1999), it is unlikely that the Bureau would
be able to implement the cybercrime program increases cited in the Senate Committee
Report.
Bureau of Prisons/Abortion. The Administration urges the Senate to strike language
that would prohibit the Bureau of Prisons from funding abortions except in cases of
rape or where the life of the mother is endangered. The Department of Justice believes
that there is a great likelihood that this provision would be held unconstitutional.
Department of Commerce
Decennial Census. On June 8, 1999, the President requested $1.7 billion in additional
funding for implementation of the decennial census. The Administration urges the
Senate to provide this funding, which will support the increased activities made
necessary by the January 25, 1999, U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The requested funds
would be used primarily to address the additional workload associated with a
non-sampling census for purposes of congressional apportionment, including
additional staff, equipment, office space, and information technology needs. Although
proceeding with a non-sampling census for purposes of congressional apportionment
will increase costs substantially, doing so, unfortunately, will produce less accurate
results than the sampling method proposed by the Census Bureau.
In addition, section 204 of the Senate bill should be updated, as proposed in the
President's budget, to reference the 2000 census rather than the 1990 census.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Administration is pleased that
the Senate has included funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery account.
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However, it is important that funds be allocated in the amounts requested by the
President for the affected West Coast tribes to enable them to participate in this
initiative. We also urge provision of the full $60 million needed to implement the
1999 Pacific Salmon Agreement, as requested in the Administration's recently
submitted budget amendment. In addition, while we appreciate the manager's
amendment that provided an additional $10 million for Endangered Species Act
(ESA) implementation, it is critical that the Senate fully fund increases to support
NOAA's partnership efforts with the States under the ESA consultation process.
The Administration urges full funding of the President's Lands Legacy Initiative,
specifically for the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries
Program and coral reef protection. The Administration also urges that the Clean Water
Action Plan be fully funded at $22 million. In addition, we urge the Senate to fully
fund the request for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment
(GLOBE) program. Finally, we request that the Senate include $1 million for new
education and outreach activities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to
create a pipeline of marine biology students at these institutions.
Economic Development Administration. The Committee mark for the Economic
Development Administration (EDA) is $165 million below the request, a reduction
over 40 percent from both the request and the FY 1999 enacted level. This funding
level would mean a significant reduction in EDA's ability to create jobs and expand
economic opportunity in hundreds of distressed communities around the country.
Critical Infrastructure and Associated Programs. The Administration urges the Senate
to fully fund the Department's critical infrastructure protection programs in the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration and other bureaus.
Consistent with the findings of the Cox Report and the "Six IG Study," we also seek
full funding for modernization of the Bureau of Export Administration's export
licensing system and its chemical weapons and high performance computer control
responsibilities.
Additional Concerns, Department of Commerce. The Administration appreciates the
increased funding for the Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning, and
Construction Program but is concerned that the ability of public broadcasters to meet
the Federally-mandated May 2003 deadline for the transition to digital broadcasting
will be jeopardized without full funding in FY 2000 and the requested advance
appropriations. We also urge full funding for the Information Infrastructure Grant
program, which has a proven track record of extending the reach of innovative
technology to underserved communities.
In addition, while the International Trade Administration (ITA) receives $3 million
more than the President's request in the Committee bill, the imposition of unrequested
projects would actually result in a $13 million reduction in existing ITA activities,
including regional U.S. Export Assistance Centers. The Administration urges funding
of the $2 million request for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to
facilitate successful long-term resolution of NTIS's financial problems in FY 2000. In
addition, the Administration would oppose amendments that would delay or terminate
the ongoing procurement of a long-term lease for the Patent and Trademark Office.
Legal Services Corporation
The Administration urges the Senate to increase the mark for the Legal Services
Corporation (LSC) from a freeze at the FY 1999 enacted level, $300 million, to the
requested level of $340 million. Funding LSC at the requested level will help to
ensure equal access to the judicial system.
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International Affairs Programs
Embassy Security. The Administration appreciates the Committee's provision of
funding for enhanced embassy security operations. This funding is the most effective
deterrent to immediate security threats. The Committee's mark for construction of new
embassies in FY 2000, however, is inadequate to address the need for an accelerated
construction program of new, secure facilities. To address this need, the
Administration amended its budget request to seek $300 million for such construction
in FY 2000. Moreover, the Committee's mark does not address the President's request
for advance appropriations necessary to support a multi-year capital improvement
program. This multi-year construction program to protect all Americans serving
abroad is a top priority of the President and his senior advisers. There is unanimity
among security experts that a robust, multi-year program is a necessary component of
a long-term solution to security threats. For this reason, the Administration also
opposes the proposed rescission of balances in the Security and Maintenance of U.S.
Missions account. Projected FY 2000 carry-forward balances primarily result from the
timing of complex construction procurements and are fully subscribed for ongoing
maintenance, capital, life-safety, and security projects.
State Department Operations. The Administration is deeply concerned about the
Committee's significant reductions to the request and unwarranted earmarks for
Department of State accounts that fund diplomatic and consular activities. Reductions
of eight percent to the request for ongoing diplomatic and consular operations would
impair the ability of the Department to support American interests and provide
services to the public by forcing worldwide reductions to personnel, operations
including post closings, and investment that would undermine U.S. leadership in
world affairs.
Contributions to International Organizations. The Committee bill significantly
underfunds the annual assessed contributions to international organizations and
peacekeeping and only partially funds our requirement to pay off U.S. arrears. These
funding levels would increase U.S. arrears at the same time as we are working to pay
them, further inhibit chances for reforms we are all seeking, and seriously constrain
the ability of the United States to address foreign policy interests through international
organizations, including the mechanism of U.N. peacekeeping. Equally troubling, the
Committee mark does not include the $107 million arrears credit that the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee specifically directed to be included as part of the
bipartisan arrears package. The Administration considers this credit a key element of
our U.N. arrears package and instrumental to the pursuit of reforms, especially lower
assessment rates.
Foreign Policy Issues. The Administration strongly opposes provisions in the bill
concerning Jerusalem on constitutional, foreign policy, and operational grounds.
These provisions would impermissibly intrude on the President's constitutional
authority to conduct foreign affairs and determine recognition by directing U.S. policy
regarding Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The actions called for by these provisions
would prejudge the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian permanent status negotiations
and thus would severely undermine U.S. efforts to promote a peaceful resolution of
the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Furthermore, other provisions in the bill raise serious constitutional concerns and are
opposed by the Administration. Section 609 regarding Vietnam would
unconstitutionally constrain the President's authority with respect to the conduct of
diplomacy. Section 615 on Haiti could, in some circumstances, limit the President's
unfettered constitutional authority to "receive ambassadors and other public
ministers."
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The Administration strongly opposes section 619, which would prohibit the use of
funds to detail or otherwise fund employees assigned to the National Security Council
(NSC). This provision would adversely affect the NSC's ability to review foreign
policy issues that affect national security. Finally, the Administration cannot support
report language that recommends reallocation of U.S. Government communications
assets of the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service (DTS). The Administration
does not support action by the Congress in regard to the DTS because it would
prejudge the Administration's own deliberations on how best to meet the
communications needs of the U.S. Government.
International Broadcasting Operations. The Administration is concerned that the levels
provided for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements would
make it impossible to maintain the current levels of non-military international
broadcasting. By not including sufficient funds to cover the costs of establishing the
Broadcasting Board of Governors as an independent agency, the Committee's mark
would require significant reductions in Voice of America staff, broadcast services, and
broadcast hours. The Committee mark specifically excludes funding for Radio
Democracy for Africa, denying the Administration the ability to increase broadcasts
and provide broadcast journalist training to African nations. In addition, the
Administration urges the Senate not to rescind $19 million for broadcasting
operations. The Administration has submitted a request to reprogram a portion of
these to funds to defray the cost of broadcasting to the Kosovo region and for other
high priority needs.
International Exchange Programs. The Administration appreciates the Committee's
substantial funding level for international exchange and training programs. However,
the Administration is concerned that levels for the Congress-Bundestag Youth
Exchange, as well as the Fulbright students, scholars, and teachers programs are
below the President's request. We ask that a reallocation be made within the amount
provided by the Committee so that these high-priority programs can be funded at the
levels requested by the President.
Other International Affairs Programs. The Administration strongly opposes the
Committee's exclusion of funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, which
administers important democracy-building programs around the globe. In addition, the
Administration objects to the exclusion of funds for the Asia Foundation, which works
to advance the mutual interests of the United States and the Asia Pacific region.
Finally, the Administration opposes reductions to the President's request for
international commissions. Such reductions would place a disproportionate burden on
the budgets of these small agencies.
Small Business Administration
The Administration is disappointed that the Committee mark does not include funding
for the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) new markets initiatives to invest in
rural and urban areas -- $96 million in total for New Markets Technical Assistance,
7(a) small loans, Business Linc, and the New Markets Venture Capital initiative. The
Administration is very concerned about the $13 million reduction from the request for
SBA administrative expenses. These funds are necessary to provide the appropriate
level of oversight for SBA's outstanding $50 billion loan portfolio and its resource
partners. We are also concerned that the Committee has not provided the $233 million
in contingent emergency funding requested for disaster loans. The requested funding
would ensure that SBA can meet the needs of disaster victims in a timely manner.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Administration urges the Senate to fully fund the request for the Equal
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Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Committee bill would freeze
funding for the Commission at the FY 1999 enacted level of $279 million. Funding
EEOC at the requested level of $312 million is critical to strengthened enforcement of
the Nation's equal employment opportunity laws and will allow continued progress
toward reducing the backlog of employment discrimination complaints.
Inspectors General
The Administration strongly objects to the $22 million reduction to the requests for
the Inspectors General of the Departments of Justice, State, and Commerce. If
adopted, the FY 2000 budgets for the Inspectors General would be $11 million (13
percent) below the enacted level for FY 1999. These reductions would jeopardize
careful oversight of Departmental programs, including such critical activities as the
decennial census and the State Department's worldwide security upgrade program, and
would seriously weaken the Departments' ability to conduct financial audits in
compliance with Federal law.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The Administration urges the Senate to increase the mark for the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights (the Commission) from the FY 1999 level of $8.9 million. Funding the
Commission at the requested level of $11 million would help ensure an informed
public debate about critical civil rights issues that deserve national attention. The
Administration also urges the Senate to remove language restricting the hiring of
additional Senior Executive Service personnel.
Commission on Holocaust Assets
The Administration is concerned about the exclusion of requested funding for the
Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States. Without
FY 2000 funding from the Departments of State and Justice, the Commission will be
unable to fulfill its important mandate to research and report on the collection and
disposition of holocaust era assets in the United States.
Read our Privacy Policy
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DRAFT NOT FOR RELEASE
July , 1999
(Senate Floor)
S. 1217 -- DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE
JUDICIARY, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, FY 2000
(Sponsors: Stevens (R), Alaska; Gregg (R), New Hampshire)
This Statement of Administration Policy provides the Administration's views on S. 1217,
the Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill,
FY 2000, as reported by the Senate Committee. As the Senate develops its version of the bill,
your consideration of the Administration's views would be appreciated.
The Administration appreciates the Committee's efforts to accommodate some of the
Administration's priorities within its 302(b) allocation. However, the inadequacy of the 302(b)
allocation has forced the Committee to make choices that are simply unacceptable.
The President's FY 2000 Budget proposes levels of discretionary spending that meet
important national needs while conforming to the Bipartisan Budget Agreement by making
savings proposals in mandatory and other programs available to help finance vital spending
needs. Congress has approved and the President has signed into law nearly $29 billion of such
offsets in appropriations legislation since 1995. The Administration appreciates the Committee's
adoption of one such proposal, language clarifying the relationship of bankruptcy law with
regard to spectrum licenses. This provision will also help to ensure the integrity of the spectrum
auction process. The Administration urges the Congress to consider more of such proposals as
the FY 2000 appropriations process moves forward.
The Committee bill does not include the resources necessary to support high priority
programs at an acceptable level. The bill would jeopardize critical activities and initiatives in a
number of areas, including: 21st Century Policing; Federal law enforcement; immigration;
anti-drug activities; the Brady Handgun National Instant Check System;
terrorism/cybercrime; tobacco litigation; the decennial census; economic development through
the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration;
environmental activities; ensuring access to the judicial system; and, preventing and addressing
discrimination.
The bill underfunds activities to improve the safety of U.S. employees abroad and support
the ongoing conduct of effective diplomacy, and does not fully fund payments to international
organizations necessary to ensure U.S. leadership in international affairs. The bill would result
in further arrears and possible loss of vote in the U.N. and other organizations. In addition, the
bill includes several objectionable language provisions regarding international and domestic
programs.
If the bill were presented to the President in its current form, the President's senior
advisers would recommend that he veto the bill.
Attachment
(Senate Floor)
S. 1217 -- DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE
JUDICIARY, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, FY 2000
(AS REPORTED BY THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE)
Department of Justice
21st Century Policing Initiative/Community Oriented Policing Services. The
Administration strongly opposes the Committee's decision not to fund the 21st Century
Policing Initiative, the logical successor to the highly effective Community Oriented
Policing Services program. Congress should not terminate this highly effective program.
We urge the restoration of funding for the 21st Century Policing Initiative, which will
enable local police Departments to hire up to 50,000 additional community police
officers, hire new community prosecutors, and expand community-based prevention
efforts.
Federal Law Enforcement. The Committee bill reduces the FBI (-$97 million),
the U.S. Attorneys (-$77 million), and the Department's legal divisions (-$20
million) below the levels needed to maintain current services. When combined
with various requirements and earmarks in the bill, these funding levels would
force substantial reductions in the number of FBI agents and Federal
prosecutors, significantly reducing the Department's ability to investigate and
prosecute violent crime, including the more than 160 Safe Streets Task Forces
that target violent gangs, fugitives, and major theft groups. These reductions
would threaten the progress that has been made in reducing violent crime in the
United States. The Administration also opposes the provision that would limit
U.S. Attorneys' new hires to two-year terms.
Immigration. The FY 2000 mark for Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Salaries and Expenses, which is $189 million below the level needed to maintain
current services, would decimate current program activities. The bill directs that
INS hire an additional 1,000 border patrol agents in FY 2000 but fails to provide
the resources to support these additional agents. In fact, the bill includes a
position ceiling that would cut overall INS staffing by over 1,400 positions. The
bill does not provide sufficient funding to meet the mandatory detention
requirements, including those detailed in the recently submitted budget
amendment, and diverts examination fee revenues to fund appropriated
activities, undermining the INS's ability to meet its naturalization backlog
reduction targets.
Anti-Drug Programs. The Administration opposes the Committee's proposal to reduce
the requested funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) salaries and
expenses by over $60 million. This cut would severely affect DEA's drug law
enforcement programs at home and abroad. In addition, the Committee has failed to fund
the $100 million Drug Intervention Program, which helps States and localities implement
tough new systems to drug test, treat, and punish drug offenders. Finally, the
Administration objects to the Committee's proposed $10 million reduction to the request
for the highly successful Drug Courts Program. Taken together, the Committee's actions
would make it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the drug reduction targets in the
annual drug strategy and in the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization
Act of 1998.
Brady Handgun National Instant Check System. The Administration is
concerned that the Committee bill does not fund the Brady Handgun National
Instant Check System (NICS), either through the fee requested by the
Administration or through new appropriations. The Administration urges the
Committee to approve the requested fee or appropriate sufficient new funding,
including $2.3 million to bring NICS into compliance with the proposed retention
period.
Tobacco Litigation. The Administration is disappointed that the Committee has
not provided directly the requested funds for tobacco litigation, which the
Department plans to bring on behalf of the American people to recover money
properly owed to the Treasury. Given that the States settled their claims against
the tobacco industry for more than $200 billion and that Federal health care
costs substantially exceed those of the States, the $20 million requested by the
Administration is a small investment with enormous potential benefits.
State Criminal Alien Assistance. The Administration is disappointed with the
Committee's decision to reduce substantially funding for the State Criminal Alien
Assistance program.
Cybercrime. The Committee bill provides additional funds to the FBI for the fight
against cybercrime through the reallocation of existing resources. However,
given the significant number of instructions for the reallocation of FBI resources,
including absorption of $10 million for the National Infrastructure Protection
Center (funded through the Counterterrorism Fund in FY 1999), it is unlikely that
the Bureau would be able to implement the cybercrime program increases cited
in the Senate Committee Report.
Bureau of Prisons/Abortion. The Administration urges the Senate to strike language that
would prohibit the Bureau of Prisons from funding abortions except in cases of rape or
where the life of the mother is endangered. The Department of Justice believes that there
is a great likelihood that this provision would be held unconstitutional.
Department of Commerce
Decennial Census. On June 8, 1999, the President requested $1.7 billion in additional
funding for implementation of the decennial census. The Administration urges the Senate
to provide this funding, which will support the increased activities made necessary by the
January 25, 1999, U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The requested funds would be used
primarily to address the additional workload associated with a non-sampling census for
purposes of congressional apportionment, including additional staff, equipment, office
space, and information technology needs. Although proceeding with a non-sampling
census for purposes of congressional apportionment will increase costs substantially,
doing so, unfortunately, will produce less accurate results than the sampling method
proposed by the Census Bureau.
In addition, section 204 of the Senate bill should be updated, as proposed in the
President's budget, to reference the 2000 census rather than the 1990 census.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Administration is pleased that
the Senate has included funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery account.
However, it is important that funds be allocated in the amounts requested by the President
for the impacted West Coast tribes to enable them to participate in this initiative. We also
urge provision of the full $60 million needed to implement the 1999 Pacific Salmon
Agreement, as requested in the Administration's recently submitted budget amendment.
In addition, while we appreciate the manager's amendment that provided an additional
$10 million for Endangered Species Act (ESA) implementation, it is critical that the
Senate fully fund increases to support NOAA's partnership efforts with the States under
the ESA consultation process.
The Administration urges full funding of the President's Lands Legacy initiative,
specifically for coral reef protection and for the Clean Water initiative ($22 million). In
addition, we urge the Senate to fully fund the request for the Global Learning and
Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. Finally, we request that the
Senate include $1 million for new education and outreach activities at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities to create a pipeline of marine biology students at these
institutions.
Economic Development Administration. The Committee mark for the Economic
Development Administration (EDA) is $165 million below the request, a reduction over
40 percent from both the request and the FY 1999 enacted level. This funding level
would mean a significant reduction in EDA's ability to create jobs and expand economic
opportunity in hundreds of distressed communities around the country.
Critical Infrastructure and Associated Programs. The Administration urges the
Senate to fully fund the Department's critical infrastructure protection programs
in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and other
bureaus. Consistent with
the findings of the Cox Report and the "Six IG Study," we also seek full funding
for modernization of the Bureau of Export Administration's export licensing system and
its chemical weapons and high performance computer control responsibilities.
Additional Concerns, Department of Commerce. The Administration appreciates the
increased funding for the Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning, and
Construction Program but is concerned that the ability of public broadcasters to
meet the Federally-mandated May 2003 deadline for the transition to digital
broadcasting will be jeopardized without full funding in FY 2000 and the
requested advance appropriations. We also urge full funding for the Information
Infrastructure Grant program, which has a proven track record of extending the
reach of innovative technology to underserved communities.
In addition, while the International Trade Administration (ITA) receives $3 million more
than the President's request in the Committee bill, the imposition of unrequested projects
would actually result in a $13 million reduction in existing ITA activities, including
regional U.S. Export Assistance Centers. The Administration urges funding of the $2
million request for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to facilitate
successful long-term resolution of NTIS's financial problems in FY 2000.
Legal Services Corporation
The Administration urges the Senate to increase the mark for the Legal Services
Corporation (LSC) from a freeze at the FY 1999 enacted level, $300 million, to the
requested level of $340 million. Funding LSC at the requested level will help to ensure
equal access to the judicial system.
International Affairs Programs
Embassy Security. The Administration appreciates the Committee's provision of
funding for enhanced embassy security operations. This funding is the most effective
deterrent to immediate security threats. The Committee's mark for construction of new
embassies in FY 2000, however, is inadequate to address the need for an accelerated
construction program of new, secure facilities. To address this need, the Administration
amended its budget request to seek $300 million for such construction in FY 2000.
Moreover, the Committee's mark does not address the President's request for advance
appropriations necessary to support a multi-year capital improvement program. This
multi-year construction program to protect all Americans serving abroad is a top priority
of the President and his senior advisers. There is unanimity among security experts that a
robust, multi-year program is a necessary component of a long-term solution to security
threats. For this reason, the Administration also opposes the proposed rescission of
balances in the Security and Maintenance of U.S. Missions account. Projected FY 2000
carry-forward balances primarily result from the timing of complex construction
procurements and are fully subscribed for ongoing maintenance, capital, life-safety, and
security projects.
State Department Operations. The Administration is deeply concerned about the
Committee's significant reductions to the request and unwarranted earmarks for
Department of State accounts that fund diplomatic and consular activities. Reductions of
eight percent to the request for ongoing diplomatic and consular operations would impair
the ability of the Department to support American interests and provide services to the
public by forcing worldwide reductions to personnel, operations including post closings,
and investment that would undermine U.S. leadership in world affairs.
Contributions to International Organizations. The Committee bill significantly
underfunds the annual assessed contributions to international organizations and
peacekeeping and only partially funds our requirement to pay off U.S. arrears. These
funding levels would increase U.S. arrears at the same time as we are working to pay
them, further inhibit chances for reforms we are all seeking, and seriously constrain the
ability of the United States to address foreign policy interests through international
organizations, including the mechanism of U.N. peacekeeping. Equally troubling, the
Committee mark does not include the $107 million arrears credit that the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee specifically directed to be included as part of the bipartisan arrears
package. The Administration considers this credit a key element of our U.N. arrears
package and instrumental to the pursuit of reforms, especially lower assessment rates.
Foreign Policy Issues. The Administration strongly opposes provisions in the bill
concerning Jerusalem on constitutional, foreign policy, and operational grounds.
These provisions would impermissibly intrude on the President's constitutional
authority to conduct foreign affairs and determine recognition by directing U.S.
policy regarding Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The actions called for by
these provisions would prejudge the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian
permanent status negotiations and thus would severely undermine U.S. efforts to
promote a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Furthermore, other provisions in the bill raise serious constitutional concerns and are
opposed by the Administration. Section 609 regarding Vietnam would unconstitutionally
constrain the President's authority with respect to the conduct of diplomacy. Section 615
on Haiti could, in some circumstances, limit the President's unfettered constitutional
authority to "receive ambassadors and other public ministers."
The Administration strongly opposes section 619, which would prohibit the use of funds
to detail or otherwise fund employees assigned to the National Security Council (NSC).
This provision would adversely affect the NSC's ability to review foreign policy issues
that affect national security. Finally, the Administration cannot support report language
that recommends reallocation of U.S. Government communications assets of the
Diplomatic Telecommunications Service (DTS). The Administration does not support
action by the Congress in regard to the DTS because it would prejudge the
Administration's own deliberations on how best to meet the communications needs of the
U.S. Government.
International Broadcasting Operations. The Administration is concerned that the levels
provided for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements would make
it impossible to maintain the current levels of non-military international broadcasting. By
not including sufficient funds to cover the costs of establishing the Broadcasting Board of
Governors as an independent agency, the Committee's mark would require significant
reductions in Voice of America staff, broadcast services, and broadcast hours. The
Committee mark specifically excludes funding for Radio Democracy for Africa, denying
the Administration the ability to increase broadcasts and provide broadcast journalist
training to African nations. In addition, the Administration urges the Senate not to
rescind $19 million for broadcasting operations. The Administration has submitted a
request to reprogram a portion of these to funds to defray the cost of broadcasting to the
Kosovo region and for other high priority needs.
International Exchange Programs. The Administration appreciates the
Committee's substantial funding level for international exchange and training
programs. However, the Administration is concerned that levels for the
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, as well as the Fulbright students,
scholars, and teachers programs are below the President's request. We ask that
a reallocation be made within the amount provided by the Committee so that
these high-priority programs can be funded at the levels requested by the
President.
Other International Affairs Programs. The Administration strongly opposes the
Committee's exclusion of funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, which
administers important democracy-building programs around the globe. In addition, the
Administration objects to the exclusion of funds for the Asia Foundation, which works to
advance the mutual interests of the United States and the Asia Pacific region. Finally,
the Administration opposes reductions to the President's request for international
commissions. Such reductions would place a disproportionate burden on the
budgets of these small agencies.
Small Business Administration
The Administration is disappointed that the Committee mark does not include funding for
the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) new markets initiatives to invest in rural
and urban areas -- $96 million in total for New Markets Technical Assistance, 7(a) small
loans, Business Linc, and the New Markets Venture Capital initiative. The
Administration is very concerned about the $13 million reduction from the request for
SBA administrative expenses. These funds are necessary to provide the appropriate level
of oversight for SBA's outstanding $50 billion loan portfolio and its resource partners.
We are also concerned that the Committee has not provided the $233 million in
contingent emergency funding requested for disaster loans. The requested funding would
ensure that SBA can meet the needs of disaster victims in a timely manner.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Administration urges the Senate to fully fund the request for the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Committee bill would freeze funding for the
Commission at the FY 1999 enacted level of $279 million. Funding EEOC at the
requested level of $312 million is critical to strengthened enforcement of the Nation's
equal employment opportunity laws and will allow continued progress toward reducing
the backlog of employment discrimination complaints.
Inspectors General
The Administration strongly objects to the $22 million reduction to the requests for the
Inspectors General of the Departments of Justice, State, and Commerce. If adopted, the
FY 2000 budgets for the Inspectors General would be $11 million (13 percent) below the
enacted level for FY 1999. These reductions would jeopardize careful oversight of
Departmental programs, including such critical activities as the decennial census and the
State Department's worldwide security upgrade program, and would seriously weaken the
Departments' ability to conduct financial audits in compliance with Federal law.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The Administration urges the Senate to increase the mark for the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights (the Commission) from the FY 1999 level of $8.9 million. Funding the
Commission at the requested level of $11 million would help ensure an informed public
debate about critical civil rights issues that deserve national attention. The
Administration also urges the Senate to remove language restricting the hiring of
additional Senior Executive Service personnel.
Commission on Holocaust Assets
The Administration is concerned about the exclusion of requested funding for the
Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States. Without
FY 2000 funding from the Departments of State and Justice, the Commission will be
unable to fulfill its important mandate to research and report on the collection and
disposition of holocaust era assets in the United States.