EMERSON REVIEWS SESSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Even though action on several major issues taken up by Congress in this session were delayed, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson said that isn't necessarily bad.

For example, even though no health bill passed the Congress, Emerson maintained that groundwork laid over the last two years will ensure passage of a plan that reflects the people's views.

Emerson thinks delay isn't always bad, adding that with the complicated legislative system designed by the founding fathers "it is well for us to take time to adequately consider issues facing the nation."

In a conference phone call with newspapers around the 8th District, the Cape Girardeau Republican also expressed disappointment a new highway bill and energy and water bill didn't pass this year.

Both measures are important to the district and were approved by the House, but were stalled in the Senate.

The highway bill would have designated several highways in Southern Missouri as being of national significance.

The House version had $11.5 million authorized for a new bridge in Cape Girardeau.

The water bill caused some concern for Missouri because it proposed a total rewrite of the management plan for the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Emerson and Missouri Sen. Christopher Bond have opposed efforts to divert more water on the Upper-Missouri River for recreation, which could shorten the navigation season on the lower Mississippi.

Ultimately, Emerson predicted both bills would be "front burner" items in the new Congress and be passed in forms that benefit people in the 8th District.

Emerson termed the health-care debate in Congress "a sorting out process" that could eventually lead to a good bill.

In traveling the district, Emerson said health care is a major issue for constituents.

"In the future we will be reforming more with the will of the people than if we had simply acted on the Clinton health-care proposal," he said.

"The debate was a major plus for the country and the Congress knows a lot more about what we are talking about on health-care reform than it did two years ago," he said, adding that it is an issue Congress and the people need to go forward on together.

Legislation billed as "lobbyist reform" was defeated this year, which pleased Emerson. He contended the answer to lobby reform is full public disclosure, not establishing a new federal bureaucracy.

Emerson said the bill went too far and was bad enough to draw fire from groups ranging from the ACLU to the Christian Coalition.

The impact of lobbyists attempting to buy members of Congress was overstated, he said.

In 1993, Emerson served on a joint committee that looked at reforming Congress.

Frustrated the Democratic leadership didn't take up the committee's recommendations, cited several reforms that were recommended: limiting committee staff size, limiting the number of subcommittees, limiting committee jurisdiction and budgeting for a two-year cycle.

"With a more conservative complexion in the next Congress, I think there will be a move to put meaningful reforms in place," Emerson said.

He also suggested that a more conservative Congress could lead to changes in the Brady Bill and restrictions on assault weapons passed this year.

However, Emerson said as long as Clinton was president, any modification would likely be vetoed.

Emerson plans to remain in the district for the fall campaign but will return to Washington for a special "lame duck" session in late November to deal with the GATT agreement.

"I see a lot of good in it, but I have a lot of questions," said Emerson, who is undecided on how to vote.

Emerson is pleased a vote on the agreement was delayed to give members and appropriate committees time to study its impact further.

Describing GATT, Emerson said: "It is a monumental trade pact, a rule book by which the game of world trade will be played in the foreseeable future. I'm taking a very close look at it."