{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "rows": [["CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12424", "1996-10-21", 104, 2, null, null, "THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S12424", "S12424", "[{\"name\": \"Rick Santorum\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "142 Cong. Rec. S12424", "Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S12424]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                    THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL\n\n Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to\nprovisions in the recently approved omnibus appropriations bill dealing\nwith electronic benefits transfer [EBT].\n  In the waning hours of the negotiations on the omnibus appropriations\nbill, legislative language was inserted--sections 664 and 665--\nproviding for the delivery of EBT services by the Federal Government.\nIn effect, the provision nullified an August 13, 1996, D.C. Circuit\nCourt of Appeals decision involving the procurement process in an EBT\ninitiative under the direction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.\n  While I supported passage of the omnibus appropriations bill, I have\nvery serious concerns with the impact of the EBT language and, as a\nresult of these provisions becoming law, remain concerned with the\ndirection of EBT. The financial ramifications and impact associated\nwith providing benefits through EBT are enormous. The fact these\nprovisions were added to the bill and became law with virtually no\ncongressional oversight is extremely troublesome. I am uncomfortable\nwith Congress overturning court decisions and ultimately directing\nmultimillion dollar contracts without review. These provisions on EBT\nhave not been reviewed in detail by the committees of jurisdiction nor\nhave they been subject to hearings.\n  Mr. President, throughout my service in Congress, I have focused\nconsiderable legislative effort in the area of social policy, and I'm\nvery pleased to have played a role in the development and direction of\nthe landmark welfare policies that became law earlier this year. The\nefficiencies associated with delivering social service benefits through\nEBT have been an integral part of welfare reform discussions over the\npast 5 years. And with the enactment of the landmark welfare reform\nlaw, the need to develop a comprehensive EBT policy becomes all the\nmore important.\n  If Congress is to better manage the delivery of Federal services and\nbenefits, we must start with EBT. Throughout the remainder of this year\nand into the next Congress, I intend to address this issue, not only\nwith the Secretary of the Treasury, but also with the leadership of the\ncommittees of jurisdiction. It is imperative that Congress develop a\ncomprehensive EBT policy with comment and direction from the Banking,\nAgriculture, Finance, and Governmental Affairs Committees, all who have\nmajor interests in this area.\n  Mr. President, with the recent passage of the omnibus appropriations\nbill, I wanted to take a moment of Senate business to express my very\nserious concerns with the language on EBT and the impact that this will\nhave on the future delivery of social service benefits. I appreciate\nthe attention of my colleagues today and encourage your interest and\ninvolvement.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "primary_key_values": ["CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12424"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0725569445639849, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}