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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 24, 1986)
National/Regional Validity of Gramm-Rudman focus of court confrontation WASHINGTON (AP) - The Reagan administration clashed with Congress Wednesday in a Supreme Court confrontation over the validity of the law that requires a balanced budget by 1991. Under brisk questioning from the justices, both sides engaged in a highly technical debute with far-reaching practical consequences. Charles Fried, the administra tion's top courtroom lawyer, challenged the central provi sion of the law — the Gramm Kudman Act that empowers the comptroller general to deter mine required levels of deficit reduction. "Here we have an officer who gives orders .’to the president." Fried said "These powers are entirely novel.." .; V : • . . He argued'that the role pi the comptroller general is unlawful itocause he performs executive functions under C ra.mm - Kudrnan hut may not be fired by the president , V . "This grant ‘of authority: violates • the Constifutipn.'" Frier I said• j->;.; ,> lawyers for the House, the Senate - arid the comptroller general defended the law. Michael Davidson, the Senate's legal counsel, said the comptroller general performs as "a storekeeper" under Gramm Kudman and the real power over deficit reduction is retain ed bv the president and (amgresg "The law. not the comptroller general, determines the desireable limit of deficit finan cing." Davidson said Steven Ross, representing tin? bipartisan leadership of the House, said the comptroller general’s function was the pro duct of painstaking political compromise The comptroller general was chosen for his role under Gramm-Rudman because of his independence. Ross said, "in order to insure these calcula tions were walled off from political considerations." Several justices suggested the comptroller general is actually a legislative officer, not an in dependent agent. The court, expediting con sideration of the dispute, is ex pected to announce its decision by early July. On Feb. 7 a special three judgu court agreed with the Keugan administration and other challengers to the law and struck down a key provision that would force automatic cuts in the federal deficit. But the law remains in effect pending the Supreme Court's ruling, and Congress also con tinues to struggle with balanc ing the budget. The first $11.7 billion in spending cuts required by the law took effect March 1. unaf fected by the decision of the three-judge panel, which suspended its own ruling pen ding the Supreme Court review. The law calls for deeper cuts until all red ink in the federal budget is eliminated by 1991. • The deficit stands now at around $208 billion, although some in Congress, hope f a v o r a b I e e cono mic developments will reduce it. The Cramin-Budman law■ re ■qulres the figure to be $144 billion for the next fiscal year beginning Oct 1. To reach that goal, the law would force across-the-board cuts, with half the money Slash ed from military spending and half from domestic programs jCAMPUS AREAv Halt 7dibit Perm Sfx-< i.il $30.00 >tU Ittilr* t ill ,»**•/ Wife* 792 E. 11lh • 495 0363 Ot*~ #ooO ttvoogh hptU small prices Paul's Bicycle Shop 2480 Aider □ 342-6155 See The Ducks For A Buck YES on 11 MEANS $1 ADMISSION TO OREGON FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL AND ALL SPORTS VOTE WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY V No incidental lee money was used lor printing this ad Paid lor by the Duck Athletic Fund J Arab world urged to fight terrorism WASHINGTON (AP) - President Reagan, * preparing for a summit in Tokyo with America's major allies, called on the Arab world on Wednesday to join the West in the fight against terrorism saying all nations must work to "eliminate this scourge of civilisation." In a speech td the U S. Chamber of Corn merce. Reagan also said that last week's raid on l.ibya shows that “no one can kill Americans and brag about it." If Libyan sponsored terrorism against Americans con tinues. "we will act again." he declared. On the eve of a 12-day day trip to the Far Hast that includes the seven-nation economic summit in Tokyo, Reagan said he plans to ap peal to U S. allies to act in concert against Li byan terrorism. r '“Unilateral response is not enough.’’ Reagan said. "It must be dealt with forcefully and collectively." The issue of terrorism "undoubtedly will be a topic of discussion in Tokyo," Reagan said a speech that his aides trumpeted as a ma jor scene-setter for the upcoming summit. Reagan depicted the struggle with Libya as a battle against the government of Moammar khadafy. and not against the Libyan people or the rest of the Islamic world. "Those who condone making war by cowardly attacks on unarmed third parties, in cluding women and children, are but a tiny minority." Reagan said "Arab nations themselves have been forced to endure savage terrorist attacks from this minority." For 25 Years, we’ve been exporting America’s most valuable resource. The men and women of the Peace Corps. Dedicated volunteers who help people in developing countries live better lives. It's tough. And it takes more than just concern. It takes motivation. Commitment. But for 25 years, being a Peace Corps volunteer has been a chance to stop dreaming about a better world and start doing something about it. Peace Corps The Toughest Job You II Ever Love INFORMATION BOOTH: Mon.-Tues., Apr. 28-29, EMU, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. BROWN BAG SEMINAR: Public invited Mon., Apr 28, EMU, Rm 108, 11:30 a.m. • 12:30 p.m. “Teachers Meeting the Needs of Developing Nations” OTHER SEMINARS: Public invited Mon., Apr. 28, EMU, Rm 101, 7:30 • 9:30 p.m. “25 Years of Peace Corps • Is it Working?” Tues., Apr. 29, EMU, Forum Room, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. “A Look at Peace Corps Projects in Sierra Leone, West Africa” SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS: Tues.-Wed., May 13-14, 9:00 a.m. • 4:00 p.m. Hendricks Hall, Career Planning & Placement Office. Sign up in advance, bring your completed application to the office.