BEING A PART OF MAJORITY `HEARTENING,' EMERSON SAYS

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson is in the majority these days and he likes the feeling.

"It's a lot better than being in the minority," Missouri's 8th District Republican told the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee.

The eight-term congressman from Cape Girardeau presided over the House during the opening session this year. It was a "good feeling to know that the majority is with us," he said.

Emerson recalled he was in the halls of Congress the last time the GOP was in the majority.

"That was during the 83rd Congress 40 years ago," he said. "I was a page then. This year was different than any I have served as congressman. This is the first time we have had a majority since I've been in the House.

"It has been heartening," said Emerson, who addressed a near-capacity crowd at Drury Lodge Friday morning.

He discussed the Republican Contract With America.

"We developed 10 items we called the Contract With America, said Emerson. "These were items that needed to be addressed, like welfare reform, a balanced budget, line-item veto, unfunded mandates and some tax cuts."

House members signed and took action on nine of the 10 items, said Emerson.

"It was a bipartisan thing," he said. "We had good support from Republicans and Democrats. Most of the 10 items were passed by good majorities. Everybody voted for at least 50 percent of the items. And we completed this task in 92 days instead of the usual 100."

The Contract With America has been sent to the Senate.

"I think that welfare reform will be done," Emerson said. "And I think the balanced budget will be accomplished."

The balanced budget proposal in the contract calls for a balanced budget within seven years.

Emerson said he has been getting some reaction to the Contract With America during his recent tour of his 26-county district.

"Some people wanted to know why the Senate has not acted on it," said Emerson. "The items are in various stages of Senate consideration, but I think they will come to grips with them."

The House, during one 14-hour session, also discussed House reform and enacted some changes, including banning proxy voting.

"We abolished the practice under which chairmen collect proxy votes from absentee members," said Emerson. "Too many times representatives sent in their proxy vote and did not have an opportunity to hear discussions on measures."

Another action during the marathon session limited committee and subcommittee chairmen to three terms.

Emerson also touched on Medicare.

"We have to fix Medicare," Emerson emphasized. "At the rate it is going now, the program will be `busted' by the year 2000."

Fraud and abuse of the program must be weeded out, said Emerson. "We have to have a higher level of accountability."

In answer to a question, Emerson discussed Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Ill., who has been convicted of charges of sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, child pornography and obstruction of justice.

House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., has already recommended that Reynolds resign.

Emerson agreed.

"If he doesn't quit, he will probably be expelled," said Emerson. "Reynolds was convicted of some serious charges, and he doesn't belong in the House."