Clinton Presses For Tobacco Bill
Speaking from Boston in his weekly radio address, President Clinton turned up the heat on lawmakers who oppose the proposed tobacco bill by saying their delaying tactics are standing in the way of saving the lives of one million children.
The president said a "critical moment of truth" had arrived for the legislation, and urged lawmakers to pass it this week. Mr. Clinton also said the Senate shouldn't consider any other legislation until the bill passes.
President Clinton is trying to breathe new life into the sweeping bill sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would raise cigarette taxes and more closely regulate tobacco. The legislation has been bogged down in the Senate as Republicans and Democrats point blame at one another.
Mr. Clinton said the legislation has broad bipartisan support, but is being held up by a few unspecified members of Congress who have "done everything they could to protect big tobacco by putting off a vote."
"The delay has gone on long enough," Mr. Clinton said. "The Senate should do nothing else until it passes tobacco legislation, and it should pass it this week."
Republican opponents contend punitive payments the legislation would assess the tobacco industry amount to nothing more than hidden taxation of people who smoke.
In his radio address, taped Friday, the president said the bill is "reasonable, bipartisan and in the best interests of our children." He called it the most important issue before the Congress.
McCain's bill would charge tobacco companies at least $516 billion over 25 years, raise taxes on cigarettes by $1.10 a pack and grant the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate nicotine.
Republican opponents say the proposal would undercut their drive for lower taxes and smaller government. Others say a sweeping bill is the only way to discourage teen-age smoking.
Relations between congressional leaders soured Friday after parliamentary maneuvering ended without agreement on how the bill should proceed.
With the good will that helped get the legislation this far now virtually gone, some congressional aides predict that legislators will enact instead a less inclusive bill to discourage teen smoking and illicit drug use.
Mr. Clinton taped his radio address at the Boston home of Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., on the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y.
"The distance of three decades cannot silence the strength of his words or lessen the impact of his actions," the president said.
Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968, after winning the Democratic presidential primary in California.