Senate battle lines are drawn

WASHINGTON -- Democrats and Republicans released dueling agendas for the Senate this morning, hours before President Clinton is to announce his goals for the year.

Republicans, in an attempt to highlight their goals before Clinton is able to lobby his own agenda, held a news conference attended by a handful of GOP leaders. Democrats chose to release their initiatives in a low key speech by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., from the Senate floor.

While both parties agreed that some subjects such as education and Social Security need to be addressed, they offered different solutions.

Daschle said Democrats will focus their efforts on five initiatives: HMO reform or the Patient's Bill of Rights; education reform to help reduce class sizes and rebuild 5,000 schools nationwide; a crackdown on juvenile crime especially in schools; senior-specific bills ranging from expanding Medicare access to providing financial assistance to people requiring long-term care; and financial matters including increasing the minimum wage, saving Social Security and boosting employees pension coverage.

"The Senate Democrats have made it a top priority to pass legislation that helps people improve their daily lives," Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev., said. "These top five initiatives are designed to directly improve quality of life for millions of Americans."

Reid said he will have direct involvement in HMO reform, education reform and the senior legislation. He will pay particular attention to Nevada trends and law to try and find solutions to these nationwide problems, he said.

Senate Republicans five priorities will include saving and strengthening Social Security; reforming education; providing tax relief and educational opportunities for working families; increasing personal and community safety; and strengthening national security.

"The answer to the challenges we face can be found in giving individuals the ability to make their own decisions and guide their own futures," Senate Republican Conference Chairman Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., said.

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