JULY 12, 1962

PAGE 13386

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 1675, Senate Resolution 359.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?

There being no objection, the resolution (S. Res. 359) authorizing the creation of a Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations was considered and agreed to, as follows:

[Text of Resolution omitted.]

The title was amended so as to read: "Resolution authorizing a study of intergovernmental relationships between the United States and the States and municipalities."

The excerpt submitted by Mr. MANSFIELD from the report (No. 1716) is as follows:

This resolution would authorize the Committee on Government Operations, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, from the date of enactment of the resolution through January 31, 1963, to expend not to exceed $40,000 "to examine, Investigate, and make a complete study of intergovernmental relationships between the United States and the States and municipalities, including an evaluation of studies, reports, and recommendations made thereon and submitted to the Congress by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 86-380, approved by the President on September 24, 1959."

The amendment adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration, pro forma in nature, would amend the title more properly to reflect the purpose of the resolution.

The purposes of the contemplated inquiry are more fully expressed in a letter to Senator MIKE MANSFIELD, chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, from Senator EDMUND S. MUSKIE, chairman of the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations of the Committee on Government Operations, which letter (with accompanying budget) is as follows:

U.S. SENATE,

Washington, D.C.,

July 9, 1962.

HON. MIKE MANSFIELD, Chairman,

Committee on Rules and Administration,

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I am enclosing a copy of Senate Resolution 359, authorizing the creation of a Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations which I reported from the Committee on Government Operations on June 29, 1962. The resolution has the unanimous approval of the Committee on Government Operations.

The Government Operations Committee has become increasingly aware of the complexity of the problems affecting the relations between the Federal, State, and local governments. Three members of the committee -- Senator ERVIN, Senator MUNDT, and I, are members of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. From time to time, the Government Operations Committee has been assigned legislation related to the problems of intergovernmental relations, some of which has been developed in the Advisory Commission.

We have proposed the establishment of a permanent Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations because we believe that such a subcommittee could make a fruitful contribution in the area of intergovernmental relations by offering solutions to specific problems and illuminating general problems affecting all levels of government and their relationships.

Since its establishment in 1959 as a permanent organization, the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations has made remarkable progress. Its 10 reports have been treated with great respect, and 3 of its 11 recommendations for congressional action have been adopted. It is clear that, as the Commission gains momentum, it will provide more legislative recommendations for the consideration of Congress. Some of its present proposals are pending before the Government Operations Committee and we may anticipate that more will be referred to the committee in the future.

In the last 3 years, because of the workload in other subcommittees of the Government Operations Committee, special subcommittees have been set up to conduct hearings on legislation involving intergovernmental relations. We believe that the need and the growing responsibility for action in the intergovernmental relations field can best be served by the establishment of a new permanent subcommittee with a small, competent staff. Such a subcommittee would not trespass on the responsibilities of other subcommittees. The proposed budget for the remainder of this Congress would total $40,000. I am submitting with this statement a copy of the proposed budget.

The proposed subcommittee would be in a position to develop more adequate information on the problems of intergovernmental relations, would be able to hold hearings, to which Advisory Commission recommendations and other legislative suggestions would be given appropriate consideration, and would give interested parties from all parts of the country an opportunity to comment on proposals in the intergovernmental relations field.

There are bills now pending before the Government Operations Committee which could be referred appropriately to a Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations. We anticipate that the work of the subcommittee could begin this summer and that fall hearings on general problems affecting intergovernmental relations problems could be scheduled.

We believe the proposed subcommittee could make a major contribution to strengthening of our Federal system and to the enhancement of cooperation between all levels of government.

We hope the resolution will meet with the favorable consideration of the Committee oil Rules and Administration.

Sincerely,