congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12424
Data license: Public Domain (U.S. Government data) · Data source: Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API
This data as json
| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12424 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL | SENATE | SENATE | ALLOTHER | S12424 | S12424 | [{"name": "Rick Santorum", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. S12424 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Senate] [Page S12424] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to provisions in the recently approved omnibus appropriations bill dealing with electronic benefits transfer [EBT]. In the waning hours of the negotiations on the omnibus appropriations bill, legislative language was inserted--sections 664 and 665-- providing for the delivery of EBT services by the Federal Government. In effect, the provision nullified an August 13, 1996, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision involving the procurement process in an EBT initiative under the direction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. While I supported passage of the omnibus appropriations bill, I have very serious concerns with the impact of the EBT language and, as a result of these provisions becoming law, remain concerned with the direction of EBT. The financial ramifications and impact associated with providing benefits through EBT are enormous. The fact these provisions were added to the bill and became law with virtually no congressional oversight is extremely troublesome. I am uncomfortable with Congress overturning court decisions and ultimately directing multimillion dollar contracts without review. These provisions on EBT have not been reviewed in detail by the committees of jurisdiction nor have they been subject to hearings. Mr. President, throughout my service in Congress, I have focused considerable legislative effort in the area of social policy, and I'm very pleased to have played a role in the development and direction of the landmark welfare policies that became law earlier this year. The efficiencies associated with delivering social service benefits through EBT have been an integral part of welfare reform discussions over the past 5 years. And with the enactment of the landmark welfare reform law, the need to develop a comprehensive EBT policy becomes all the more important. If Congress is to better manage the delivery of Federal services and benefits, we must start with EBT. Throughout the remainder of this year and into the next Congress, I intend to address this issue, not only with the Secretary of the Treasury, but also with the leadership of the committees of jurisdiction. It is imperative that Congress develop a comprehensive EBT policy with comment and direction from the Banking, Agriculture, Finance, and Governmental Affairs Committees, all who have major interests in this area. Mr. President, with the recent passage of the omnibus appropriations bill, I wanted to take a moment of Senate business to express my very serious concerns with the language on EBT and the impact that this will have on the future delivery of social service benefits. I appreciate the attention of my colleagues today and encourage your interest and involvement. ____________________ |