Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012, April 24, 1986, Page 5, Image 5

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    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
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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.
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SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS:
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Sign up in advance, bring your completed application to the office.