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Sento
health
F-Word' Threatens Clinton Capitol Hill Agenda,
Though Wind Has Gone Out of Most Filibusters
By JACKIE CALMES
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Can We Talk?
Term From Piracy
WASHINGTON Sen. Phil Gramm is
Selected Senate Filibusters:
While the Senate's right of unlimited
no Jimmy Stewart, and don't expect "Mr.
debate is what separates it from the larger
Smith Goes to Washington" if the Texas
Longest Individual Filibusters
House, which restricts debate. it was more
Republican or anyone else filibusters the
than 50 years before a senator used that
health-care bill.
SENATOR YEAR/ISSUE DURATION
right to try to kill a measure. The word
The drama has all but gone from the
Strom Thurmond.
1957/
24
hrs.
"filibuster," a pejorative term drawn from
Senate filibuster in recent years. Gone are
S.C
Civil
Rights
18
mins.
piracy, came even later. For more than a
the exhausting, round-the-clock speeches.
century. the tactjc was used sparingly.
Wayne Morse.
1953/ 22 hrs..
along with the urine bags discreetly re-
Ore.
Tidelands Oil 26 mins.
and mostly for major issues: slavery. civil
served for filibustering senators' trousers.
war and civil rights.
Yet the filibuster is hardly extinct. In fact,
Robert LaFollette Sr.,
1950/ 18 hrs.,
Filibusterers had to be present and
in recent years the once-rare obstruction-
Wis.
Currency 23 mins
speak nonstop, producing tales of endur-
ist tactic has increased in number and
ance and mischief that fill Senate lore. In
become more partisan. But instead of
Notable Senate Filibusters
1908, Sen. Robert LaFollette tossed aside
endless debate, today's filibusters - or the
issue
YEAR DURATION
his eggnog one night; it was poison. In
threat of them - are more likely to involve
1957, Sen. Thurmond received something
behind-the-scenes maneuverings to stall or
Civil-Rights bill
1964
83
days
more benign from a colleague, a bottle of
kill legislation.
Antilynching law
1937-38 43 days
orange juice. "He thought if I drank that,
"What they do now, they don't even
I'd have to stop my filibuster,' the senator
have to talk," says 91-year-old Sen. Strom
Civil-Rights bill
1960
40
days
recalls. "But my body just absorbed it like
Thurmond, a South Carolina Republi-
a sponge." Lucky for Sen. Estes Kefauver
can. By contrast, in 1957. Sen. Thurmond.
of Tennessee in 1950, a rival senator didn't
then a Democrat, sweated in a sauna for a
object when he left the floor briefly late at
week, to stave off restroom trips, before he
Need for 'Supermajority'
night to adjust the bag hidden in his
filibustered a civil-rights bill; he failed to
The consequence is profound. In effect,
pants.
stop the bill, but set a record for the longest
issues of any controversy need support
filibuster by a single senator: 24 hours, 18
from a "supermajority" of 60 rather than
In the famous filibuster of a 1960 civil-
minutes.
a simple majority of 51. "A few senators,
rights bill, 18 Southerners talked in relays
Though the wind may have gone out of
sometimes representing a tiny minority of
of two-man teams when then-Majority
most filibusters, the tactic is one of the
the American people, may prevent the
Leader Lyndon Johnson kept the Senate in
Senate from ever casting a vote on major
session nonstop to try to foil them: he gave
biggest dangers to President Clinton's
national issues," former Sens. Thomas
up after nine days.
agenda. Just yesterday, Senate Majority
Eagleton, a Democrat, and Charles Ma-
That sort of classic filibuster became all
Leader George Mitchell threatened to keep
the Senate in round-the-clock sessions on
thias, a Republican, wrote this year in a
but extinct in the 1970s. Majority leaders
health-care legislation unless Republicans
letter soliciting support for reforms.
had mixed success in breaking filibus-
agree to start permitting votes on amend-
More than twice as many filibusters
terers by such force, and the marathons
ments. Even if Democrats marshal a 51-
taxed all senators. At the same time, the
occurred just in the past Congress, during
vote majority for their version of his
1991 and 1992, than in the entire 19th
increasing partisanship has made filibus-
ters more common.
top-priority health initiative- big if, to be
century, when there were 16, according to
sure few believe Mr. Clinton could rally
the nonpartisan Congressional Research
"Anymore, almost anything the leader
the 60 votes needed under Senate rules to
Service. The casualties in the last Con-
wants to bring up, there's an objection
break a filibuster.
gress included bills on crime, civil rights,
from the other side," says West Virginia
The mere threat of filibusters also has
labor, energy, parental job leaves, cable
Sen. Robert Byrd, a former Democratic
potentially doomed Mr. Clinton's crime bill
television and voter registration.
majority leader. Yet as the guardian of
and jeopardizes his campaign-finance re-
Yet for all that, the filibuster is unre-
Senate tradition, he has only reluctantly
forms. If the president tries to revive the
cognizable to a public schooled either in
come to support a modest reform proposal
crime bill that was narrowly derailed in
by Sen. Mitchell. It would limit debate to
Hollywood's version, in which an impas-
the House last week. Republicans hint
sioned Mr. Smith ultimately faints from
two hours on a leader's motion to take up a
at a filibuster unless an assault-weapons
exhaustion as he filibusters to protest
bill, still allowing a minority to filibuster
ban or other items are dropped.
being duped on a land issue, or in the
the measure itself. Sen. Byrd will oppose
'Principal Cause of Gridlock'
real-life showdowns of the civil-rights era.
anything more: "We must be on guard lest
actions taken in the name of reform
Sen. Mitchell has groused that GOP
And that's what makes it possible for
Republican filibusterers to plausibly deny
destroy freedom of speech. unlimited
filibusters are a weekly event, and House
speech, in the Senate."
Democrats recently issued a report con-
what they're doing.
demning them as "the principal cause of
To accommodate busy senators and a
Republicans won't support even that
gridlock in Washington." Republicans
crowded Senate schedule, the practice has
limitation, though former Vice President
make no apologies. "I'm an advocate of
evolved through consensus so that a fili-
Quayle proposed it when he was a senator.
gridlock if what you mean by gridlock is
busterer often doesn't need to be on the
Meanwhile, next year the tactic will likely
you're killing bad legislation," says Mis-
Senate floor to block a vote. Instead, the
be more important yet. In November,
sissippi GOP Sen. Trent Lott.
place remains largely empty while feuding
Democrats are expected to lose several of
But Republicans also are wary of being
senators dicker privately to settle the
their 56 seats, putting them even further
tagged obstructionists. This dilemma ex-
impasse, or the Senate publicly acts on
from the votes needed to end filibusters.
plains why most Republicans quickly dis-
unrelated, noncontroversial matters while
tanced themselves from Sen. Gramm's
it waits in what has come to be called
recent hints about filibustering the health
"double-tracking." Frequently, a bill faced
bill. Senate GOP Leader Robert Dole yes-
with a filibuster threat doesn't come up at
terday insisted that "we're not in a
all. so great are the time constraints.
filibuster." Privately some have taken to
calling it "the f-word."
If the public is largely ignorant about
the modern filibuster, so are some experts.
Democrats conducted quite a few party-
When ABC News's Peter Jennings noted on
line filibusters under Presidents Reagan
election night in 1992 that Senate Demo-
and Bush. and at least a few Democrats
crats had failed to increase their majority
often join the current GOP efforts. But
to a "filibuster-proof" 60 votes, veteran
since Democrats today control both Con-
broadcaster David Brinkley scoffed. That
gress and the White House. it follows that
would be "a very small benefit," he
most filibusters are Republican.
replied. A filibuster "doesn't happen that
The tactic's potency for the minority is
much." In fact. several major bills had
all in the numbers. Senate rules require 60
recently fallen to actual or threatened
votes in the 100-member Senate to break a
filibusters in Congress's final weeks.
filibuster, meaning 41 can keep it going.
There are 44 Republicans.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TUESDAY. AUGUST 16, 1994
64
Bonds Ease;
ECONOMY
Stocks Mixed;
U.S. Mulls Plan for Alaskan Refuge
Dollar Is Flat
That Could End Hopes for Oil Drilling
MONDAY'S
MARKETS
By TIMOTHY NOAH
untapped oil field in the U.S. Many geolo-
And CHARLES McCoy
gists contend the reserves could be on par
By DAVE KANSAS
Staff Reporters of THE Wall STREET JOURNAL
with Alaska's Prudhoe Bay, the biggest
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET Journ
The Clinton administration is consider-
U.S. field. Various government and indus-
NEW YORK - Stocks were mixed and
ing a plan to merge the Alaska National
try estimates put ANWR's crude reserves
bond prices marginally lower in spiritless
Wildlife Refuge with contiguous park land
at more than 10 billion barrels.
trading ahead of today's Federal Reserve
across the Canadian border. a move that
But the estimates are speculative. Only
meeting that could result in a further rise
could dash oil-industry hopes of opening
one well has been drilled in the refuge, by
in interest rates. The dollar was flat.
the area to drilling.
Chevron Corp. and British Petroleum.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell
Under the proposal. outlined in an Aug.
They have kept the results a tight hole,
8.42 to 3760.29. ending a two-session win-
2 Interior Department memo, the 20-mil-
industry parlance for not disclosing any
ning streak. The Standard & Poor's 500-
lion acre Alaskan refuge would be
information on what the well did. or didn't.
stock index eased 0.71 to 461.23. but the
"twinned" with the Vunntut and Ivvavik
find.
Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.28 to
Canadian National Parks in order to pro-
The last time Congress appeared to
732.89. Advancing issues topped decliners
tect Arctic wildlife. including a herd of
seriously consider opening the refuge to oil
on the Big Board.
caribou that migrates between the U.S.
companies was in early 1989. But the
Bonds edged generally lower.
and Canada. Details of the "coordinated
Exxon Valdez oil spill in March of that year
"Everyone's waiting to see what the Fed
management" plan have yet to be worked
created enough environmental furor to put
will do." said Gail Dudack. market strate-
out. The memo proposes a variety of
any opening on ice.
gist for S.G. Warburg. "Nobody wants to
options ranging from cooperative research
Environmentalists hailed the proposal
make a big bet before a probable news item
on certain wildlife species, which wouldn't
as a potential model of the kind of
breaks."
necessarily rule out drilling. to "joint
global ecosystem management that has
The news probably will come from the
designation of all or parts of the contiguous
become almost a buzzword in the conser-
Fed's Federal Open Market Committee.
conservation units under international
vation movement - and of which Interior
meeting today to discuss, among other
auspices," which likely would preclude
Secretary Babbitt is a strong backer. Ke-
topics. interest-rate policy. The Fed sent
drilling.
vin Harun. head of the Alaska Envi-
the stock market into a funk when it
The plan. which probably would require
ronmental Center, called it "potentially
initiated the current round of tightening
congressional approval, has been the sub-
one of the greatest achievements in the
Feb. 4.
ject of several discussions between the
history of international environmenta-
Analysts expect the Fed to raise the
Interior Department and the White
lism."
federal-funds rate, the overnight lending
House's office on environmental policy.
The Clinton administration, in one
rate between banks, to 4.50% or 4.75% from
According to the Interior Department
of its few clear departures from the
its current 4.25%.
memo-written by Brooks Yeager. director
Bush administration's environmental poli-
Some economists also say the Fed may
of the department's office of policy
cies. has repeatedly said it won't allow
raise the discount rate. which currently is
analysis to Bob Davison, Fish and Wildlife
drilling in the Alaskan refuge. But environ-
at 3.5%. The discount rate. charged to
deputy assistant secretary - the idea was
mentalists lately have worried that if Con-
banks that borrow from the Fed's discount
promoted by Canadian Deputy Prime Min-
ister Sheila Copps at a July 27 meeting with
gress ends the current export ban on
window, is mostly symbolic. Analysts,
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.
Alaska North Slope oil a move the presi-
however, believe such a move would un-
dent is said to favor pressure will in-
derline the seriousness of the Fed's efforts
Even at this early stage. the plan has
crease to drill inside the refuge. The
to nip nascent inflation in the bud.
stirred fierce opposition from Alaska Gov.
twinning concept appears aimed partly at
World-wide, stock prices fell in dollar
Walter Hickel. who learned of the proposal
only yesterday. "It's unthinkable, it's un-
mollifying environmentalists opposed to
terms. The Dow Jones World Stock Index
believable." he said. "It would lock up
lifting the export ban: according to the
lost 0.04 to 117.53.
ANWR forever If they proceed with
Interior Department memo, Kathleen
In major market action:
McGinty. director of the White House
Stock prices were mixed. Volume 10.
this, we will see them in the highest
court."
office on environmental policy, asked the
taled 223.2 million shares on the New
Thomas Koch. a spokesman for British
department to "flesh out" the twinning
York Stock Exchange, where 1.064 issues
rose and 1,040 fell.
Petroleum Co. PLC., which has a large
idea "in the context of administration deci-
stake in Alaskan oil. said the company
sion-making on Alaska oil exports."
Bond prices dropped. The Treasury's
"would prefer to see the U.S. keep open the
Melanie Griffin, the Sierra Club's
benchmark 30-year issue lost less than :-
opportunity to take future decisions on en-
Washington director for land protection.
point. or less than $1.25 for each $1.000 face
ergy security." He said that linking man-
said yesterday that exporting Alaska
amount. to yield 7.51%.
agement of the refuge with Canada or
The dollar was flat. In late New York
North Slope oil was "not a good idea.' even
other international partners will limit the
as a tradeoff for twinning. "We'd have to
trading the currency was quoted at 1.5520
ability of the U.S. to ''act on behalf of its
look at it," she said, "but I doubt that they
marks and 100.09 ven compared with
own interests.
would be proposing protection for enough
1.5515 marks and 100.15 yen Friday.
The oil industry has lobbied vigorously
areas."
over the years to gain access to the refuge
Caleb Solomon contributed to this arti-
TAPEWATCH
because it is believed to contain the largest
cle.
American Home Products (AHP)
stepped up the pressure on American
Cyanamid (ACY) with a sweetened
$100-a-share, $9.7 billion takeover bid
that expires today. American Home
Products traded at $59 a share, up
75 cents. American Cyanamid was at
$90.875 a share. down $1.875.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TUESDAY. AUGUST 16. 1994
July housing starts, to be released at
8:30 a.m. EDT. are estimated at a 1.38
million annual rate, compared with the
previous month's 1.35 million rate
For more information and related news call
1-900-JOURNAL. news category 1-600
Calls cost 95 cents per minute.
65
Sente
with
WASHINGTON AND THE WORLD
A health-care balancing act
'Weakened'
Return of
bill may
'Harry and
lose votes
Louise'
By Judi Hasson
and Jessica Lee
By Judi Hasson
USA TODAY
USA TODAY
Eight senators from the lib-
That concerned couple
eral wing of the Democratic
"Harry and Louise" return
party sent Majority Leader
to TV tonight, this time
George Mitchell a message
with their real-life boss Bill
Monday: If he waters down his
Gradison, president of the
health-reform proposal to gain
Health Insurance Associa-
votes, he could lose theirs.
tion of America.
As Mitchell maneuvered to
The insurers are taking
end Republican speech-mak-
a page from President
ing and start voting on amend-
Clinton, who was on the air
ments - threatening round-
for a week with nightly 2-
the-clock sessions until voting
minute ads on CNN.
begins - he also heard com-
Harry and Louise, along
plaints from fellow Democrats.
with Gradison, a folksy for-
The senators met with the
mer GOP congressman
Maine Democrat to make sure
from Ohio, will be on the
he doesn't "give away the ball-
air for 2 minutes the next
game" of universal coverage in
three nights. Cost: $180,000.
his search for compromises to
Reform "ought to be
pass health reform. Sen. How-
done this year, but it's got
ard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio, said
By John Duricks. AP
to be done right, and that's
later at a news briefing.
URGING 'NO MORE CONCESSIONS' TO GOP: Democratic senators, from left, Paul Simon of IIII-
why we've chosen this
Although the group didn't
nois, Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, and Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio at news conference Monday.
new format," said the 8330-
threaten at least not publicly
clation's Charles Kahn.
- to bolt. their message was
vote for his bill, Mitchell is
increase. and setting new regu-
surance reforms, but Domenici
The ads argue against
clear as Mitchell searches for
struggling to strike a balance:
lations that make insurance
says he has Dole's go-ahead.
purchasing cooperatives,
the 51 votes needed to pass a
Shoot for the universal cover-
easier to get and harder to can-
Monday, Mitchell expressed
spending limits and ex-
health-reform bill, now being
age liberals insist on but soften
cel. It does not require employ-
frustration over Republican ef-
panding Medicare.
debated for a second week.
the controversial mandatory
ers to pay any of their workers'
forts to keep talking.
Gradison is seen watch-
"If this is weakened. he
employer premiums some be-
insurance premiums.
He put Republicans on no-
ing a Harry and Louise ad,
could lose some votes," said
lieve are needed to pay for it.
Some Republicans say the
tice that unless they stop end-
then turns to the audience
Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., who
His bill piedges to insure
only proposal that can get the
less talking and votes could be
to talk about his industry's
met with Mitchell along with
95% of Americans, up from
support of both parties is one
taken by late today, he'd keep
concerns. Then the couple
Metzenbaum and Sens. Russell
85% now, with employers pay-
mirroring a House bipartisan
the Senate in session 24 hours a
quizzes him.
Feingold of Wisconsin, Paul
ing half their workers' premi-
bill that makes it easier for
day until the talking ends.
Harry and Louise have
Wellstone of Minnesota, Carl
ums only if 95% isn't reached
people to get insurance by low-
Sen. Bob Packwood. R-Ore.,
been on TV periodically
Levin of Michigan and Tom
by 2000. Firms with fewer than
ering the rates and banning
told Mitchell: "We will finish
since September. Insurers
Harkin of Iowa. Metzenbaum
25 workers would be exempt.
pre-existing conditions as a rea-
our opening statements in a
have spent $14 million on
said Carol Moseley-Braun of Il-
President Clinton has said
son for denying coverage.
day or day and a half."
broadcast and print ads.
linois and Patty Murray of
he'll veto anything less.
The House measure has won
Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.,
The Health Care Re-
Washington are part of the
Harkin said Mitchell prom-
the backing of two Senate
also called for an end to the
form Project, a pro-Clinton
group but didn't attend.
ised he'd touch base with the
heavyweights. Sens. Pete Do-
speech-making:
group, is running $150,000
Feingold raised the ante.
group before making changes.
menici, R-N.M.. and Sam
"The last time we went to
in local ads in Washington.
"My vote cannot be counted
Today, Mitchell is to meet
Nunn. D-Ga., will introduce a
war. it didn't take this long."
The theme: "How much
on unless there are strengthen-
with a bipartisan group led by
Senate companion bill later
Meanwhile, the House. fo-
does it cost to kill health-
ing amendments," he said.
Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., who is
this week.
cusing on a crime bill, has de-
care reform in Congress?
The group wants a bill that
drafting a series of amend-
The Nunn-Domenici com-
layed consideration of any
$20 million? $40 million?
would achieve universal cover-
ments to Mitchell's proposal.
promise could steal thunder
health-reform bill.
Nope. Try $85 million.
age more quickly than Mitch-
Chafee's proposal expands
from Senate Republican lead-
Wheelbarrows of cash -
ell's proposal.
coverage by providing subsi-
er Robert Dole, R-Kan., spon-
Clinton's twin goals, 1A
all over Washington."
To get enough senators to
dies. financed by a tobacco tax
sor of a minimalist plan of in-
Editorial, 10A
USA TODAY TUESDAY. AUGUST 16, 1994
78
VASHINGTON
independence day
for Social Security
The Social Security Administra-
USA TODAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1994
tion became an independent agen-
Monday when President Clinton
signed a law separating the 59-
year-old, $325 billion program
rom the Health and Human Ser-
vices Department. Clinton used the
Cuban flight to USA
usn Franklin Roosevelt used to
create the agency that now pro-
vides for 40 million elderly and dis-
is picking up steam
abled people.
With 64,000 employees and 1,300
field offices, the newly autono-
AP
By Lee Michael Katz
"We will not tolerate an-
mous agency will be one of the
MOYNIHAN: His 11-
USA TODAY
other Mariel-type incident,
largest in the federal government.
year effort pays off
and we will not allow Castro
Clinton credited Sen. Daniel Pat-
A flotilla of Cubans fied
to dictate immigration poli-
rick Moynihan, D-N.Y., Senate Finance Committee chair-
last weekend bringing 371
cies," said the State Depart-
man, for championing the independence push for 11 years.
refugees to the USA - the
ment's Mike McCurry.
he idea behind the change was to insulate Social Security
rergest number since the
A 17-ship U.S. naval force
political pressures and clear away bureaucracy.
1980 Mariel exodus.
in the Caribbean could en-
Another 109 Cubans were
force a blockade off the
KITEWATER 'NO COMMENT': Resolution Trust
picked up Mon-
Florida Straits.
..orp. investigator L. Jean Lewis, who launched the crimi-
day,
Coast
But U.S. offi-
probe of President Clinton's Whitewater land deal, was
Guard Petty Of-
cials say the fo-
but on paid administrative leave for 14 days, with two supe-
ficer Alex Wor-
cus is not on in-
nors. "They have been placed on leave, and I have no fur-
den said.
tercepting
ther comment," said Jane Jankowski, RTC spokeswoman in
About 700
refugees.
Kansas City, where Lewis works. Lewis wrote the nine
Cubans have
Instead, At-
criminal referrals at the heart of the Whitewater affair.
occupied a
torney General
tanker at Cu-
Janet Reno said
PILLOW
TALK:
While
most
lobbyists
will
do
almost
ba's Mariel port
last week she is
anything to capture lawmakers' attention, Public Citizen, a
and are waiting
"making it very
consumer advocacy group founded by Ralph Nadar, is dis-
to come to the
clear" the ad-
tributing pillows, urging Congress to go to sleep. The pillows
USA, Cuban ra-
Canadian Press
ministration
call for Congress to postpone consideration of the 123-nation
dio reported
CASTRO: Threatens
would prevent
accord negotiated under the General Agreement on Tariffs
Monday. The
Cuban exodus
Cuban-Ameri-
and Trade: "Sleep on this decision now, and avoid insomnia
Cuban govern-
cans from sail-
later," the pillows read. The group fears the accord would
ment has prevented the
ing from Florida to rescue
relax environmental and safety regulations.
tanker from leaving. Cuban
friends and relatives.
dictator Fidel Castro visited
Officials noted that
Written by Erin Einhom
the tanker but made no pub-
100,000 of the Mariel refu-
lic statement.
gees were picked up by
He has threatened to un-
Florida boaters. Such ships
leash another wave of refu-
are now subject to seizure.
gees similar to the Mariel
SEWHERE IN THE WORLD
The number of Cuban
exodus, when 125,000 Cu-
refugees making it to U.S.
bans, many of them mental
shores this year - 5,768 -
patients and convicted fel-
'Food security' alert:
is already 1,800 more than
O.S. came to the USA within
last year's total. U.S. law
Live months.
Grain shortage looms
gives Cubans special immi-
Clinton administration of-
gration status, speeding ap-
World population will nearly double to 8.9 billion by the
ficials seemed unruffled by
plications for permanent
vear 2030 while food production will gradually fall, eventu-
u.e latest influx.
U.S. residency.
ally spurring grain shortages, said a report Monday from
Worldwatch Institute, a Washington environmental group.
"Food security, specifically food prices, will replace mili-
security as the principal preoccupation of national gov-
ernments in the years ahead," said co-author Hal Kane. Us-
Agriculture Department statistics, the world's grain
harvest is estimated to be 2.1 billion tons in 2030. Using a
U.S. consumption level of 1,765 pounds of raw grain per per-
son annually, that will sustain 2.5 billion people.
AITIANS RIOT: A weekend protest by rock-throwing
Haitian refugees at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, left 45
Haitians and 20 U.S. military guards injured, the Pentagon
:aid Monday. Two of the guards remained hospitalized.
About 750 of the 15,458 Haitian refugees at Guantanamo
were involved in the protest. Among refugees' demands: an
mediate U.S. invasion of Haiti.
CLEAR
SMUGGLING:
German
officials
accused
ussia of not doing enough to stop the smuggling of danger-
cus nuclear materials after seizing 10.5 ounces of weapons-
grade plutonium at the Munich airport. It was the third time
since May that weapons-grade nuclear material, almost un-
doubtedly Russian in origin, had turned up in Germany.
::ussia disagreed: "We are sure the plutonium was not
curs." said Georgy Kaurov, a spokesman for the Atomic
inistry. "Strange things are going on in Germany recently.
Almost every day they find containers with plutonium or
uranium or God knows what.
It's really strange."
ROKEN ACCORD: Firing outside Sarajevo ended a
Bosnian Serb-Muslim anti-sniping agreement signed Sun-
day. Serbs had stepped up sniping in the past month, amid
international pressure to accept the latest peace plan to end
Liosnia-Herzegovina's civil war. They refuse to endorse it
ecause it requires ceding too much land. "The people and
ше army that are winning cannot lose everything they have
íought for on the ground at the negotiating table," said Bos-
man Serb deputy commander Milan Gvero.
79
health
SENATE'S VOTING
ON HEALTH CARE
THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1994
NOW UNDER WAY
G.O.P. ABANDONS DELAY
Democrats See Breakthrough,
Although Further Partisan
clear when the next amendment will
Battles Seem Certain
be voted on. Democrats agreed to let
the Republicans offer the next one,
By adam CLYMER
Al
and one of those Republicans, Don
Nickles of Oklahoma, is drafting a
It's not thundering,
proposal that would allow all existing
Special to The New York Times
insurance policies, whatever the
WASHINGTON, August 16 The
scope of their benefits, to be pre-
Dodd says, but all
Senate cast its first vote on national
served under any future system.
the same, it's
health insurance legislation tonight
This flies in the face of the Mitchell
as Republicans suspended their de-
bill. Like President Clinton's proposal
momentum.
laying tactics and the Senate major-
and the plans of the bipartisan group,
ity leader shelved his threat of 24-
the Mitchell legislation foresees a
hour-a-day sessions.
standard benefits package for all
Democrats promptly claimed an
health insurance policies, enabling
en. Senator John H. Chafee, Republi-
important success. "It is a break-
customers to compare them on the
can of Rhode Island, said, "These are
through," said Senator Edward M.
basis of price alone.
decisions that should be made by
Kennedy of Massachusetts. "I hope
That is a basic element of the the-
doctors and plans and individuals,
we can put away the cots and the
ory of managed competition, which
and not by the Secretary of H.H.S."
Democrats did not answer that spe-
discussion of who's holding the insti-
holds that the key to saving money on
health care is to enhance competition
cific complaint but pointed out that
tution up." Senator Christopher J.
and make insurance buyers more
the H.H.S. standards would be only
Dodd of Connecticut, the author of the
cost-conscious.
temporary, in force until standards
amendment on which the Senate vot-
For that reason, the Nickles pro-
were set by a National Health Board
ed, said: "I don't want to overstate
posal is likely to lose the votes of
that would be created by the Mitchell
the case here, but there is momen-
many Republicans who believe in
legislation.
tum. It's not what you would call a
that competitive approach. And it
Mr. Dodd argued that the move
thundering momentum, but it is
may therefore reveal the size of the
"merely builds on our present system
movement."
hard-core Republican opposition to
of private insurance." And he said it
the Mitchell bill.
Still, the 55-to-42 vote approving the
was symbolically important to begin
amendment, which would require pri-
That group of opponents may also
consideration of national health in-
be measured tactically. One of their
vate health insurance plans to offer
surance legislation with a look to the
leaders, Senator Phil Gramm of Tex-
coverage of care for infants, children
future, by aiding pregnant women
as, announced tonight, "I'm going to
and children.
and pregnant women by July 1, 1995,
offer a hell of a lot of amendments."
foretold partisan turmoil to come. It
"Either we are going to beat this
Off the floor, in Mr. Chafee's hide-
was almost a straight party-line vote,
bill," Mr. Gramm said, "or I'm going
away office down an obscure Capito}
with only one Republican, Senator
to continue offering amendments to
corridor, the "mainstream" group
James M. Jeffords of Vermont, in
knock the bad parts out of it. There
met three times today.
are a lot of bad parts."
Word of some of its decisions drib-
favor and one Democrat, Senator Bob
Kerrey of Nebraska, against.
But Mr. Dole, while maintaining
bled out during the day. The group
that "we're not going to be rushed,'
does not plan to embrace the Mitchell
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of
indicated some disdain of the Gramm
provision of expanding Medicare COV-
senators, numbering as many as 19 at
approach. "I haven't been advised of
erage to include prescription drugs,
times today, struggled to complete
that," he told reporters. "There are a
or at least it would not be so generous
work on a proposal that would change
lot of chiefs here."
on that score as Mr. Mitchell would.
the bill before the Senate to make it
G.O.P. Strategy Session
But the group does apparently intend
less bureaucratic, less tolerant of liti-
to retain his system of grants to
gation and more cost-sensitive.
The Republicans agreed to to-
states to provide community and
night's vote after a meeting in Mr.
home-based long-term care, another
They hope to present their propos-
Dole's office attended by Haley Bar-
als on Wednesday to the author of the
top priority of the elderly.
bour, chairman of the Republican Na-
Senate bill, George J. Mitchell of
But more important than what it
tional Committee.
Maine, the majority leader. His pro-
Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato of
proposes, which will be clear only
after the legislative language that the
posal would provide subsidies for the
New York said there had been no
group is writing can be seen and
poor and change insurance laws in an
discussion in the meeting of how Re-
studied, may be its attitude toward its
effort to expand health insurance cov-
publicans would be helped or hurt by
own product.
erage from the current 85 percent of
blocking a vote and staying in session
Some members of the group talk of
the nation to 95 percent by the year
all night. He said that the political
presenting it to Mr. Mitchell and Mr.
2000. After that, it might then require
impact "didn't come up" and that the
idea of staying all night was "not
Dole on a take-it-or-leave-it basis,
some employers to pay half their
while others seem more amenable to
seriously considered."
workers' insurance premiums.
further negotiation. Neither leader is
Mr. Jeffords, the only Republican
The efforts of the bipartisan group,
who supported the long-dead health
likely to accept everything the group
the self-styled "mainstream coali-
wants, and if the proposal is pre-
care legislation offered by the Presi-
sented as a demand, it is likely to fail.
tion," are widely regarded as the best
dent, said of his colleagues, "They
hope that the Senate has for passing a
don't want to end up being considered
to have delayed or filibustered.' He
Continued From Page Al
added, however, "I don't want in any
GIVE HAPPY SUMMER MEMORIES:
way to lead you to believe it's all
national health insurance bill. If Mr.
going to be hunky-dory."
GIVE TO THE FRESH AIR FUND
Mitchell or perhaps even Senator
The Republicans who spoke
Bob Dole of Kansas, the minority
against the Dodd amendment argued
that it would be a bureaucratic mis-
leader - can accept the coalition's
take to have the Secretary of Health
proposals as alterations to the Mitch-
and Human Services determine a
ell bill, then a solid majority can
schedule of services to be provided to
probably be assembled.
infants, children and pregnant wom-
But in the short run, it is not at all
212
Rate Move
Treasury Yield Curve
Why Now
Yields of selected Treasury
securities, in percent. Yields
Inflation can be in the offing when actual economic output exceeds
the maximum sustainable level of output. By Lehman Brothers'
Buoys Price
for short-term maturities are
shown on a bond equivalent 8.0
estimates, that's what happened last quarter as factories added
basis. Horizontal scale
overtime and bid up the prices of scarce materials. Yesterday, the
Of Bonds
is a ratio scale.
7.5
Federal Reserve raised the two interest rates it controls in an effort
7.0
to stem growth and thus reduce the threat of inflation.
Current
6.5
$60 billion
By ROBERT HURTADO
Output is
6.0
40
GREATER THAN
Prices of Treasury securities rose
the maximum
sharply yesterday, after the Federal
5.5
20
sustainable level.
Reserve announced its fifth interest
Month-ago
rate increase of the year.
5.0
0
The price of the 30-year bond
climbed 120/32, to 10118/32, for a yield
4.5
20
of 7.37 percent, down from 7.50 per-
cent on Monday. The yield was the
4.0
40
lowest in nearly two weeks. Before
the Fed began raising interest rates,
Maturity
3.5
- 60
starting with an increase in the funds
10
30
rate on Feb. 4, the yield was 6.35
mos. mos. yr.
yrs.
80
percent.
Source: Technical Data
The drop of 13 basis points in the
-100
Output is
yield on the 30-year bond nearly
The New York Times
in 1987
LESS THAN
matched the drop of 18 basis points on
dollars
-120
the maximum
May 17, when the Fed increased
sustainable level.
short-term rates by half a percentage
140
point. A basis point is one-hundredth
Key Rates
Previous Year
1990
of a percentage point.
In percent
Yesterday
Day
1991
Ago
1992
1993
'94
A technical analyst with Salomon
PRIME RATE
7.75 7.25 6.00
Source: Lahman Brothers
Brothers, Alex Saitta, said that in the
DISCOUNT RATE
4.00
3.50 3.00
last 25 times the Fed had raised its
FEDERAL FUNDS*
4.56
4.50 3.10
target for the Federal funds rate, the
3-MO. TREAS. BILLS
4.61
4.59
3.00
the second-most-powerful man in the
30-year bond had rallied 12 times and
6-MO. TREAS. BILLS
4.94
4.99
3.11
country and the most powerful when
fallen 13.
10-YR. TREAS. NOTES
7.14
7.29
5.71
Another Rate Rise
The Fed announced the increase in
it comes to the economy, said that it
30-YR. TREAS. BONDS
7.37
7.50
6.31
would be better to raise rates too
the discount rate to 4 percent, from
TELEPHONE BONDS
8.23
8.37
7.08
12%
much than too little.
3.50 percent, and the increase in its
MUNICIPAL BONDS**
6.37 6.42 5.64
"If we fail to recognize emerging
target for the Federal funds rate to
Estimated daily average. source Telerate
inflationary forces, remedying that
11
The prime rate
4.75 percent, from 4.25 percent, at an
"Municipal Bond Index, The Bond Buyer
will be far more difficult and far
used by major
early afternoon news conference. The
Salomon Brothers and Telerate for Treasury's bell-
wether bonds, notes and bills
more of a problem for the long-term
banks as a
discount rate is the interest charged
stability of the economy in 1995 and
10
benchmark
on loans to member banks. The Fed-
beyond," he said. Only a few Adminis-
for setting rates
eral funds rate is the interest on
tration officials strongly disagree.
on credit card
overnight loans between banks.
centage point. Some analysts had
9
Mr. Reich, who has strongly criti-
balances and
Evidence of Expansion
said the Fed would only make a quar-
cized the view that inflation is a risk,
loans.
ter-point move, not wanting to risk
The Fed said it had made the
without actually criticizing the Fed-
slowing the economy too much.
8
moves based upon a background of
eral Reserve by name, said in a re-
cent interview that American work-
7.75%
evidence of continuing strength in the
The analysts who had leaned to-
7
economic expansion and high levels
ward a half-point increase said that
ers produce more now in an hour than
of resource utilization.
anything less would be regarded as
they did a year ago but their wages
too small to contain the higher infla-
have not risen proportionately. So re-
6
The increase in the discount rate
tion that would result if the economy
cent wage increases only begin to
and Federal funds target rate "are
kept growing. The market, they said,
close that gap and do not threaten
expected to be sufficient, at least for a
may also have interpreted a smaller
inflation, he said.
5
time, to meet the objective of sus-
move to mean that the Fed was not
Varied Viewpoints
tained, noninflationary growth," the
being aggressive enough with infla-
Fed said in a release.
But elsewhere in the Administra-
4
tion, which erodes fixed income in-
But some economists said the
tion, notably at the White House and
4.00%
vestments.
statement could be a signal that an-
the Treasury Department, there have
3
other rate increase was unlikely
Joseph V. Battipaglia, managing
been much stronger worries that the
when the Fed's policy making Fed-
director of Sterling Advisors, said
economy might overheat, feeding in-
eral Open Market Committee meets
yesterday's move by the Fed was
flation and provoking the Federal Re-
2
The discount rate
again in September. The situation
probably the most widely anticipated
serve to raise interest rates drastical-
ly. Much higher rates could produce a
charged by the
could change, they said, by the next
of the five rate increases this year.
recession that could hurt President
1
Federal Reserve
meeting - after the Congressional
And, he said, if the Fed had not acted.
on overnight loans
elections - in November.
it would have raised questions about
Clinton's re-election prospects, if the
downturn lasted through the 1996
to banks.
Donald Fine, chief market analyst
what it was up to.
0
election, these officials warn.
for Chase Securities, said "that this
"Now, it leaves no doubt," he said.
Laura D'Andrea Tyson. the head of
'91
move clearly demonstrates the Fed's
determination to avoid inflationary
"We're getting the proper response in
the Council of Economic Advisers,
has taken a particularly conciliatory
pressures, and in fact was somewhat
bonds, with the short end up and long
The New York Times
stronger than many had expected."
end coming off."
approach to the Federal Reserve. For
several weeks, she has said repeated-
ly that another quarter-point rate in-
"The economy may be slowing
Concern about how much the Fed
er because so much of the economic
crease by the Fed this autumn was
somewhat," he added, "but the Fed
planned to raise interest rates over-
growth has come early in the year,
thinks current economic growth still
shadowed the impact of a report yes-
"consistent" with the Administra-
putting pressure on the Fed to raise
exceeds what it believes is the econo-
terday that showed construction of
tion's forecast in mid-July that the
rates.
interest rate on three-month Treas-
my's noninflationary long-run growth
new houses rose 4.7 percent in July.
ury bills would average 4 percent.
path."
which was more than expected, to an
Mr. Fine said he thought the Fed
annualized rate of 1.415 million. The
But simple arithmetic shows that
believed that a growth rate of 2.5
consensus among many analysts was
given this year's interest rate in-
creaeses, any further rate increase
Wider China Trade Gap
percent was noninflationary, and un-
for an increase of 2.1 percent, and an
til that rate was achieved, the Fed
annualized rate of 1.379 million.
by the Fed, including today's, pro-
would lean toward further tightening.
duces a full-year average of more
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (AP)
The United States bought $7.4 billion
So. if the economy and capacity utili-
Elliott Platt, chief economist at
than 4 percent. During an interview
zation continue to rise, there could be
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, said
on Friday, Ms. Tyson acknowledged
worth of goods from China in the first
another move before the end of year.
that while housing starts for July
that this might be a problem for her
three months of the year and sold
were slightly stronger than expected,
forecast. She said that she still ex-
only $2.2 billion worth to the Chinese,
Limiting Risk
the increase had not tempered his
pected her forecast of 3 percent
increasing the trade deficit with Bei-
Before the interest rate increase
belief that residential construction
growth this year to be accurate but
jing to $5.2 billion, $1 billion more
vesterday, many market participants
activity would no longer be a signifi-
said that interest rates might be high-
than in the similar period of 1993.
had said that bonds would rally only if
cant stimulative force for the econ-
the Fed made a move of half a per-
omy.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 17, 1994
Senate Republicans Impede Health Legislat
By David S. Broder
and Helen Dewar
Washington Post Staff Writers
HEALTH CARE HIGHLIGHTS
Senate
The Senate got off to a tumultu-
health
ous start on health care legislation
THE HOUSE may make major changes in the Democratic leadership
last night as Republicans blocked
bill. It pushed back debate on the measure beyond next week and pos-
votes on amendments, starting with
sibly into September. Targets for change are the payments required
one to require health plans to pro-
by small businesses to buy insurance for their workers and a new part
vide preventive services for preg-
of Medicare designed to provide health care to the poor and employ-
nant women and infants.
ees of small businesses.
The Senate's early impasse came
as key House Democrats said the
THE SENATE took up its first amendment and immediately ran into
health care bill that President Clin-
trouble. Republicans said that they were not being allowed enough
ton is backing in the House faces
time for debate. Meanwhile, a moderate House-drafted health care
major changes and debate on the
plan that would increase coverage to about 90 percent of Americans
measure was postponed beyond next
without raising taxes drew support in the Senate.
week and possibly into September.
Four days after their debate be-
THE ADMINISTRATION sent 21 top officials to Capitol Hill to lobby
for reform, but at least some of them preached to the choir.
gan and barely 40 minutes into con-
sideration of the first amendment,
LOBBYISTS for a newly formed coalition of large health care corpo-
senators got into a shouting match
meat. rations and major business groups described the Mitchell bill as dead
over rules and, after a brief cooling-
off period, found themselves in even
deeper trouble.
After consulting with Minority
said he is not planning to rewrite his
als, calculates the impact of the rival
proposals on the federal budget. But
Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.), a
proposal that has received the presi-
leadership sources also made clear
clearly peeved Majority Leader
dent's blessing, two of his major allies
that after Thursday's unexpected
George J. Mitchell (D-Maine) said
said revisions may be on the way.
setback, when the House refused to
Republicans were prepared to "use
"The bill Mr. Gephardt has come
take up the administration's crime
their right of unlimited debate," the
in with will not be the last word."
bill, they needed time to regroup.
polite term for a filibuster, to pre-
said Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-
The first political imperative, they
vent votes on amendments through
Md.), who was chosen by the party
said, was to reverse that vote and
the weekend.
leadership to shepherd undecided
pass the crime bill, perhaps as early
He said he hoped agreement could
Democrats to meetings with Clinton
as next week, and then shift the fo-
be reached today, during an unusual
during the past few weeks.
cus back to health care.
Saturday session called to make
Gephardt's bill contains more ele-
The emergence this week of a
progress on the top-priority health
ments of the original Clinton plan
more conservative alternative to
care bill, to start votes early next
than any bill surviving in the House
Gephardt's bill, backed by a biparti-
week on his scaled-back version of
or Senate. It includes a requirement
san coalition of Republicans and
Clinton's health care proposal.
that all employers pay most of the
moderate Democrats, renewed talk
Then Republicans, complaining
cost of insurance premiums for their
that the leadership needed a fallback
that Democrats were rushing action
workers, and it promises to guaran-
position-closer to that bill and to
on amendments to curtail their
tee coverage of every American by
Mitchell's Senate measure. The bi-
opening arguments, said they had 28
1999. Two rival bills in the House
partisan bill has no employer man-
senators waiting to make speeches
and the measure put forward by
dates or taxes and claims to insure
of three or four hours each.
Mitchell either postpone those fea-
90 percent of the people by 2004.
Democrats responded by accusing
tures or omit them entirely.
Mitchell's bill. which does have
them of using obstructionist tactics
But Cardin said, "The employer
new taxes, aims at insuring 95 per-
and threatening to talk straight
contribution-especially for small
business-is an open question," and
cent of the population by 2002-and
through the Senate's rapidly dwin-
delays consideration of employer
dling recess, which was to have
he suggested that other elements
mandates until that time. Officially,
started last night.
may also be reexamined.
"If we're going to defeat this bill,
Gephardt's bill relies on an expan-
no such effort at drafting a backup to
we need a lot of time to talk to the
sion of the existing Medicare pro-
the Gephardt bill is underway. But a
number of sources said staff work
public," said Sen. Bob Packwood (R-
gram for senior citizens to as many
Ore.), who is backing a much more
as 55 million welfare families, the
has begun, and the comments from
modest GOP alternative.
unemployed, part-time workers and
Stark and Cardin suggested that at
Almost lost in the acrimony was
potentially millions of others who
least some key players were discuss-
work in small businesses. It would
ing options.
the amendment itself. Offered by
be called Medicare, Part C. Yester-
Behind all the nervous chatter
Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.),
t would require health plans to offer
day, for the first time, Rep. Fortney
were two realities: Democrats are un-
orenatal care, well-baby care and im-
"Pete" Stark (D-Calif.), chairman of
sure if they will have the votes to pass
munizations for children and preg-
the health subcommittee of the
the current Gephardt bill, and they
nant women by next January, well
House Ways and Means Committee
are worried that the schedule delay
before the rest of the health care
and originator of the Part C propos-
may further damage its chances.
plan would be implemented.
al, said he "can see Medicare C be-
In the morning, playing to the
Meanwhile, a potentially impor-
ing altered or dropped. There are a
cameras, 21 Cabinet members and
tant new element was introduced in-
number of other ways I could sug-
other high government officials
to the Senate debate when several
gest for covering those people."
walked up the steps of the Capitol
senators of both parties decided to
Gephardt, on the other hand, said
together before fanning out to talk
sponsor a health plan that Demo-
that when the Congressional Budget
with members about the importance
cratic and Republican moderates
Office (CBO) has completed its anal-
of passing a health bill. White House
proposed Thursday in the House.
ysis of his bill and the alternatives,
officials said they made more than
A new Senate health care propos-
50 visits, many of them to Mitchell
al, patterned after the bipartisan
think our bill can pass." Asked if he
bill supporters.
plan introduced in the House by
expected to make changes in it, he
As they were making rounds, a
Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Mi-
replied, "I don't think so."
newly formed coalition of large
chael Bilirakis (R-Fla.) J. Roy Row-
He and others said yesterday that
health care corporations and major
land (D-Ga.) and others, will be in-
the Republican health bill and the
business groups stood on the lawn
troduced next week in the upper
conservative bipartisan measure
outside the Capitol lambasting the
chamber by Sens. Pete V. Domenici
would leave at least one out of 10
Mitchell bill. "The longer it hangs
(R-N.M.), Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), David,
Americans uninsured and might
out there, like a piece of meat, the
L. Boren (D-Okla.) and Robert F.
drive up insurance costs for others.
American people are going to under-
Bennett (R-Utah), the four lawmak-
House consideration of health
stand it's not a very good bill," said
ers announced.
care has been delayed while the
John Motley, chief lobbyist for the
The four senators announced
CBO, which has been preoccupied
National Federation of Independent
their plans as another, larger group
with various Senate health propos-
Business, which represents small
of bipartisan moderates was still
businesses.
struggling over both substance and
strategy in trying to draft a set of al-
Staff writer Dana Priest contributed
ternatives to key provisions in
to this report.
Mitchell's proposal.
In the House, although Majority
Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.)
30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13. 1994
Democratic Criticism of Starr's Appointment Mounts
By Howard Schneider and Ruth Marcus
appearance of impartiality," the official said. "It
threat to the independent counsel system es-
Even legal scholars who felt the rules for in-
Washington Post Staff Writers
is extremely troubling."
tablished 15 years ago for investigating high-
formal contact might be looser in this case
Rep. John Bryant (D-Tex.), chairman of the
level administration figures. After reviewing
than they would be for actual litigation felt it
Congressional Democrats yesterday
House Judiciary subcommittee that wrote the
the decision, Levin said the judges should ex-
unwise for Sentelle and Faircloth to be com-
stepped up their criticism of newly appointed
independent counsel law, called the session
plain publicly why Starr can be trusted to car-
municating privately at such a pivotal moment.
Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth W.
"alarming" because it occurred at a time that
ry out an impartial investigation any more than
"There has to be some private communica-
Starr, contending that a Capitol Hill meeting
Sentelle and two other judges were in the
Fiske, who was removed as Whitewater inde-
tion in order to allow the court to make an in-
involving one of the judges who selected him
midst of deciding to replace Fiske, and Fair-
pendent counsel last week in part to avoid the
telligent choice about appointing a special
taints the choice of a prosecutor who is sup-
cloth was leading efforts to have Fiske re-
appearance of ethical conflicts.
counsel," said Stephen Lubet, a law professor
posed to be above politics.
at Northwestern University. "But it does not
placed.
"The issue with respect to Mr. Starr is not
Appeals court Judge David B. Sentelle and
have to be communication with the principal
"It clearly adds to the concern that this ap-
his personal integrity or competence; it is that
Sen. Lauch Faircloth (R-N.C.), one of the ad-
critic of the investigation's target."
pointment was inappropriate and not in the
he lacks the necessary appearance of indepen-
ministration's chief Whitewater critics, both
On the House floor, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer
public interest," said Bryant, who is consider-
dence," Levin said. In an interview, Levin said
deny they discussed Starr's appointment or
(D-Md.) said Starr's appointment may have
the removal of then-Whitewater special coun-
ing holding oversight hearings on what hap-
that he feels Starr's appointment raises the
been intended to build confidence in the inves-
sel Robert B. Fiske Jr. at their July 14 lunch-
pened. "Yesterday I said I would be surprised
most serious questions ever about the political
tigation, but has done the opposite.
eon. They said it was a meeting of old friends
if the judges knew all the facts about Ken Starr
motives of an independent counsel.
Because Fiske originally was appointed by a
and had nothing to do with the Faircloth-led
before they appointed him. Today, I'm begin-
Levin's comments were made as lawmakers
member of Clinton's Cabinet, Attorney Gener-
opposition to Fiske among conservative Re-
ning to wonder if they did know it."
and legal observers continued to criticize a
al Janet Reno, the judges replaced him "to pre-
publicans.
Those "facts" caused mounting consterna-
meeting last month between Sentelle and Fair-
clude a perception of conflict," Hoyer said in a
White House officials declined to comment
tion yesterday on Capitol Hill.
cloth, both allies of Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)
later interview. But given Sentelle's ties to
on the record yesterday. But they helpfully
In the Senate, a key Democrat demanded in
who backed Sentelle's nomination to the bench
Faircloth, they "accomplished exactly the op-
pointed reporters to a law permitting "any per-
a letter that Sentelle, a Republican, reopen the
in 1985.
posite."
son" alleging judicial misconduct to file a com-
decision because of Starr's "highly visible par-
Rules for judges contain strict limits on "ex
"It leads one to believe that what they were
looking for is not to change the perception of
plaint with the court.
tisan political activities"-including, most re-
parte" contacts, and legal experts say that
And a senior official, speaking on condition
cently, his involvement in a Virginia congres-
even if the substance of the Whitewater case
partisanship," Hoyer said, but to ensure the in-
vestigation is as critical of Clinton as possible.
of anonymity, said the report of the Sentelle-
sional campaign and criticism of President
was not under discussion, the rules are also
Fiske's initial conclusions clearing the adminis-
Faircloth meeting was troubling.
Clinton's immunity claim in a sexual harass-
meant to instill confidence in the process by
tration of any wrongdoing further angered
"The American people expect their judges
ment lawsuit.
avoiding the appearance of partiality.
Faircloth and others in the GOP, who felt
and courts to act with impartiality, and meet-
Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), who chairs
"Certainly it was wildly imprudent for them
Fiske's ties to former White House counsel
ings like the one disclosed in The Washington
the panel that oversees the independent coun-
to meet," said Geoffrey Hazard, a University
Bernard Nussbaum compromised his investi-
Post [yesterday] morning do not convey the
sel law, said he felt Starr's appointment was a
of Pennsylvania law professor.
gation.
Sento
health
Mitchell Announces Plan to End
G.O.P. 'Filibuster' on Health Bill
By ADAM CLYMER
Al
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, August 15- After
Republicans blocked all votes on
health insurance legislation today,
Mitchell Says
Senator George J. Mitchell called it a
"filibuster" and said he would hold
the Senate in session 24 hours a day,
G.O.P. Talk
starting on Tuesday, until the Repub-
licans backed down.
Mr. Mitchell, who has never forced
Is Filibuster
an all-night session in his six years as
majority leader, said that if no votes
on amendments were allowed on
Continued From Page Al
Tuesday, "the Senate will remain in
cause "48 people every minute lose
continuous session thereafter,
anything remotely similar to a fili-
their health insurance" and "with
through the evening, through the
every 10-minute speech, 480 people
night."
lose their insurance."
When we have a filibuster, if
"Those senators who want to de-
Mr. Dole was not on hand to argue
that's what it takes to stop a Govern-
lay," he added, "are simply going to
with him, but he had told a breakfast
ment takeover of health care, then
have to be here around the clock to do
at the United States Chamber of Com-
verybody will know it," Mr. Gramm
it."
merce today that "we're not in a
same
filibuster.'
The Senate was remarkably still as
Mr. Mitchell's stunning an-
"After eight or nine hours of de-
he made his announcement, with 60
nouncement dramatized the divisions
bate," Mr. Dole said, "there is al-
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1994
or so members standing silently and
over the bill, other senators were
ready the perception and the lib-
listening. Senator Bob Dole of Kan-
working to bridge the gaps. Senator
eral media is buying into it - that
sas, the minority leader, had refused
John Chafee, Republican of Rhode
somehow the Republicans are stall-
to agree to a timetable for voting on
Island, said a bipartisan group would
ing, stalling." In fact, he said, their
amendments to Mr. Mitchell's health
decide on its strategy on Tuesday
long speeches were intended to find
care bill shortly before 5 P.M. Mr.
out what was in the Mitchell bill and
merning and then discuss its ideas
Dole left the Capitol before Mr.
with Mr. Mitchell, who has been talk-
educating the public about it.
Mitchell spoke, and his office said he
ing daily with the Rhode Islander.
Mr. Mitchell's main weapon, in try-
would have no comment.
The bipartìsan group, which calls
ing to get Republicans to allow votes
itself the "mainstream coalition," ap-
on Tuesday, is the threat of ridicule
But Senator Bob Packwood, the Or-
egon Republican who is managing the
pears. uncertain about whether it
and embarrassment. To annoy those
opposition forces on the Mitchell bill,
to present a whole new bill or
senators who worry about assem-
insisted, "This is not a question of
series of amendments, which
bling a perfect voting record, the ma-
Mitchell would find more wel-
jority leader can call for votes in
delay."
The group also seems inclined
motions to ask the sergeant-at-arms
Senator Don Nickles, Republican of
to call for eliminating provisions to
to "request the presence of absent
Oklahoma, said: "I don't think we are
members" or even to arrest them.
Date a prescription-drug benefit un-
trying to stall. I think we are trying to
Medicare and give aid to states
But those are basically the only votes
be serious." And Senator Phil
that can be held without unanimous
formleng-term care; Mr. Mitchell's
Gramm, Republican of Texas, said,
supporters consider both provisions
consent, or without the 60 votes that
"We're not in a filibuster now, and
essential.
Senate rules require in order to im-
everybody knows it."
pose cloture and halt debate.
Mitchell's Counterattack
Mr. Packwood insisted that Repub-
Without getting 60 votes to end de-
One Chafee ally, Senator John C.
licans were not in a filibuster because
bate, which Mr. Mitchell can proba-
Danforth, Republican of Missouri,
they were talking about the bill itself.
bly not assemble now, the majority
told the Senate, "Right now, we are
"This wasn't Huey Long reading the
leader cannot force Republicans to
hopelessly bogged down." He said the
telephone book," he said.
let votes be held. But all-night ses-
only solution was to "regroup and
But Mr. Mitchell dismissed Mr.
sions, punctuated by votes on pro-
attempt to come out with a consensus
Packwood's point as "not a serious
cedural motions, may dramatize the
proposal.'
argument."
situation and make the Republicans
Mr. Danforth criticized the Mitch-
While Mr. Mitchell has sought to
look like obstructionists.
ell bill sharply but specifically, unlike
accommodate moderates' concerns
its harshest Republican critics who
on some matters, like requiring em-
Mr. Gramm made it clear that at
paint it as an evil plot.
ployers to pay for insuring workers,
least some Republicans were far
The message of Government take-
Mr. Danforth said, "He has not met
from embarrassment. He told Mr.
over and bureaucracy has been the
us halfway; we are light years away
Mitchell that once "amendments
continuing one since debate began
fro Senator Mitchell."
come, they will come in a torrent,"
last Tuesday. Democrats, in shorter
The Mitchell bill, Mr. Danforth con-
suggesting another route that sena-
speeches, have replied by criticizing
linued, is "too much, it's too much,
tors can take to stall progress on a
the Republican health bill offered bv
it's just too much for us to choke
bill.
Mr. Dole. or by speaking up for
down as a country."
Nor did Mr. Gramm, a likely Presi-
amendment that Mr. Mitchell wants
While members of the bipartisan
dential candidate in 1996, shrink from
a vote on: it would require insurance
coalition seem divided on whether to
companies to include pre-natal and
write a new bill or amend Mr. Mitch-
the word "filibuster." He said that
infant care in all insurance policies,
ell's, Mr. Danforth said: "I want to
what had happened since the Mitchell
starting July 1, 1995.
underscore the fact that I do not think
bill came up last Tuesday was not
in the course of the day today,
it can be amended back into shape. I
Democrats stepped up their accusa-
think we are going to have to start
tions of Republican deceit. Mr. Mitch-
with something new."
Continued on Page A13, Column 1
Thegan it when the Senate convened
this morning, attacking Republicans
for-saying that he sought a "Govern-
ment-run health insurance system."
"Saying something over and over
again does not by itself make it true,"
the Maine Democrat said. "This is a
desk before me, and if I repeat a
thousand times that this is a horse, it
will not become a horse. It might
persuade some people of that because
we all know that repetition can create
that impression. But it does not make
it'$6."
<Later, Senator Tom Daschle, Dem-
ocrat'of South Dakota, said Republi-
can delay was hurting Americans be-
Senate
he
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
July 14, 1994
MEETING WITH SENATOR CONRAD
DATE:
July 14, 1994
LOCATION:
Oval Office
TIME:
5:10 PM to 5:40
FROM:
Patrick Griffin
I.
PURPOSE
To acknowledge the difficulties that Senator Conrad faces in his home
state in supporting a health reform initiative closely associated with the
Administration.
To illustrate great flexibility and willingness to compromise to achieve a
bill that assures universal coverage.
To enlist his assistance in doing outreach to other moderates in the Senate.
To urge him to be a positive force for the Democratic effort rather than
inadvertently giving assistance to the Republicans.
II.
BACKGROUND
As one of the "rump group 7," Senator Conrad plays a significant role in
the development in the Senate Finance Committee passed bill. He is
extremely nervous about the health care issue and believes that any bill
that can be labeled as a "Clinton bill" is poison in North Dakota. Just
yesterday in a Democratic Members Finance Committee Meeting with
Senator Mitchell, he was very negative about the prospects of health
reform efforts. He will require an extraordinary amount of hand holding,
"pork"-givingand hard-nose lobbying to attract and retain his support. In
short, Senator Conrad will be one of our most difficult votes and someone
who has potential to influence other votes, in particular Senator Dorgan.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
Senator Conrad
Leon Panetta
Patrick Griffin
Harold Ickes
Steve Ricchetti
IV.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Closed meeting with Senator Conrad in the Oval Office.
V.
PRESS PLAN
Closed Press. (White House Photographer will be present.)
Senate
he
THE white house
washington
94 JUL 14 P4: 13
July 14, 1994
MEETING WITH SENATOR DORGAN
DATE:
July 14, 1994
LOCATION:
Oval Office
TIME:
5:10 - 5:40 PM
FROM:
Patrick Griffin
I.
PURPOSE
To acknowledge the difficulties Senator Dorgan faces in his home state in
supporting a health reform initiative closely associated with the Administration.
To acknowledge his concerns for the need for real cost containment and
express your desire to work with him in achieving that end.
To illustrate great flexibility and willingness to compromise to achieve a bill
that assures universal coverage.
II.
BACKGROUND
Senator Dorgan has great concern voting for a bill that is closely associated with the
Administration. His primary concern has always been the need to insure real cost
containment. He supports universal coverage. While he is still developing his
position on how to get there, he has indicated that he could support a mandate on
large employers and possibly a mandate or a hard triggered mandate on small
businesses with a carve out for smaller firms and an assessment on firms that do not
provide coverage.
Senator Dorgan has not expressed great interest in other health care issues with the
exception of rural health care. It is likely that Senator Dorgan will be influenced by
Senator Conrad on this issue. They agreed earlier to stick together. He also does not
want to do anything to undermine Conrad's reelection effort.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
Senator Dorgan
Leon Panetta
Patrick Griffin
Harold Ickes
Steve Ricchetti
IV.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Closed meeting with Senator Dorgan in the Oval Office.
V.
PRESS PLAN
Closed Press. (White House Photographer will be present.)
MAY | I 1994
MEMORANDUM
To:
Distribution List
From:
Chris Jennings
Date:
May 10, 1994
Re:
Senator Mitchell's Premium Cap Presentation
Attached is the final copy of Senator Mitchell's presentation on premium caps.
Distribution
Harold Ickes
Pat Griffin
Roger Altman
Bob Boorstin
Jeff Eller
Monica Healy
Jerry Klepner
Greg Lawler
Lorrie McHugh
Karen Pollitz
Laura Quinn
Alice Rivlin
Gene Sperling
Eric Toder
Bruce Vladeck
Marina Weiss