Senate Resumes Business, Prays For Diana

Appropriations bills, free trade and fund-raising hearings loom large

By Candy Crowley/CNN

WASHINGTON (Sep. 2) -- The Senate is back and open for business, working on a bill to fund the Labor and Health and Human Services departments. With a bang of the gavel, the president pro tem of the Senate, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, officially got things underway. (384K wav sound)

As usual, proceedings began with a prayer from the Senate chaplain. His subject today was no surprise.

"We have been stunned by the untimely and tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales," he said. "We join with all Americans in expressing profound sympathy to the British people, the Royal Family, and poignant empathy for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Dear God, comfort them in their grief. We thank you for the all-too-brief life of Princess Diana," the chaplain said. (384K wav sound)

Then it was on to more parochial concerns. A balanced-budget deal in hand, Congress returns after leaving town last month in a blaze of bipartisanship, with everything but a hearty "hi-ho-silver."

They still talk a good game -- "These past months have been a remarkably fruitful time for bipartisan action in the national interests," said President Bill Clinton on Aug. 6. "I think we have to continue that work."

How long can it last? Probably not long. Agreement may make for good policy, but elections are won on differences.

Perhaps hinting at that Aug. 20, House Speaker Newt Gingrich said, "We're now looking ahead to what we're going to do in the next two years, next three years, but I think it's in the same model of trying to continue to move towards a reformed federal government."

Warming up for mid-term elections, both sides could well decide to showcase what they do not have in common, and 13 upcoming spending bills provide the most likely battlegrounds. Because they must be passed to keep the government operating, these spending behemoths are magnets for amendments on divisive issues.

Also on tap:

• A bill to provide road and bridge money that always sets off interstate squabbling,
• the high-stakes tobacco deal,
• and a bill to ensure speedy votes on international trade treaties, which may spark heated debate on Clinton Administration policy.

Still, the potential for political explosion is probably greatest inside committee hearing rooms.

Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson's campaign finance probe will be rolling again Thursday, with his sights set on Vice President Al Gore's fund-raising activities. The House investigation, led by Indiana Republican Dan Burton, is expected to fire up around mid-month.

In truth, the potential for drawing political distinctions is infinite, but members of Congress could opt for "Plan B" by passing what they have to quickly, and then go home to savor improved public approval. They can always fight next year.

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Tuesday Sept. 2, 1997