The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S440 on Feb. 5, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I also want to take this opportunity to announce what I consider to be an important development on the tobacco legislative front.
This morning, a senior official in the administration, David Ogden, counselor to Attorney General Reno, delivered testimony on the tobacco settlement at the House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Mr. Ogden testified that:
If there is agreement on a comprehensive bill that advances the public health, then reasonable provisions modifying the civil liability of the tobacco industry would not be a deal breaker.
Since announcement of the June 20 proposed tobacco settlement last year, I have maintained that a legislative measure which incorporates strong public health provisions in conjunction with certain defined civil liability reforms could do more to stop the next generation of our children from getting hooked on tobacco than any bill we have ever considered.
The Administration's announcement today will do much to make passage of that landmark legislation possible. I call upon the President to send us his language on a priority basis. In fact, I have invited the Department of Justice to testify at the Judiciary Committee hearing next Tuesday on the tobacco settlement, and we will be greatly interested in the details of the President's position on liability.
Mr. President, this is a stunning breakthrough, one which I believe greatly increases the probability that a broad, bipartisan consensus can be reached on the tobacco settlement.
Privilege of the Floor
Finally, Mr. President, let me just conclude by asking unanimous consent that Bruce Artim and Marlon Priest be granted privileges of the floor during the pendency of the Satcher nomination and during consideration of S. 1601, the anti-cloning bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Mr. FRIST addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
Mr. FRIST. Would the Senator like me to yield?
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, will the distinguished Senator from Tennessee be willing to yield me 3 minutes?
Mr. FRIST. Absolutely.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont is recognized.
(The remarks of Mr. Leahy pertaining to the introduction of S. 1612 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. LEAHY. I thank my good friend from Tennessee for yielding me this time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allard). The Senator from Tennessee.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, Thank you.
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