Call on Bush to Help Pass Wide-Ranging Proposals : Democrats Unveil Legislative Agenda

In an unusual display of party unity, Senate Democrats on Friday unveiled an ambitious legislative agenda and invited President Bush to join in helping obtain its passage.

Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell of Maine said he and his colleagues would operate within “severe budget constraints,” although some of the items on the list could be enacted without great cost to the government.

The agenda includes wide-ranging proposals--some specific and others vague--in the fields of education, agriculture, science and technology, defense, environment, housing, health care and foreign affairs.

Sees Year of Progress

“America needs an agenda of action,” the document said. “We invite the Administration to join us in making 1989 a historic year of progress . . . . It is time to work together, and we are ready.”

Mitchell said that not all of the 55 Senate Democrats would agree with every item on the list but that there is a consensus to move in the direction indicated in the new agenda.

Bush has not released an Administration legislative agenda for this year. During his first address to a joint session of Congress, he outlined several areas where he said that he favors new legislation and since then he has proposed a new child care assistance plan. He is expected to unveil additional proposals later.

On some issues--such as Bush’s plan for a reduction in the capital gains tax--the Democratic-controlled Congress already has indicated that it will not go along with the President. On other items, however, such as a raise in the minimum wage and approval of child care programs, prospects appear brighter for compromise.

Sen. Thomas A. Daschle of South Dakota, co-chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference that issued the report, said it reflects Mitchell’s attempt to consult with as many senators as possible before establishing priorities for action.

But Daschle added that there is “no strong consensus” among Democrats on whether tax increases are necessary to pay for the new programs and reduce a budget deficit now estimated at $170 billion for the current fiscal year.

The document said the budget and trade deficits cast a shadow over all other issues and promised “a serious and sustained effort to achieve a reasonable and fair budget plan and to enact it as soon as possible.”

As for the savings and loan crisis, the Democrats said they advocate “tough, new regulatory reform so that this sordid episode will never be repeated and the financial fall-out can be kept to the lowest possible cost.”

The document calls for a strong program of aid to education and job training, research on new technology, rural development and close oversight of the new trade law to strengthen American competitiveness.

The Senate Democrats agreed that the nation’s allies “must share more equitably the military and economic burdens” of international security arrangements.

In considering military spending bills, the document said, Democrats will “remain steadfast in support of adequate spending for defense” but develop approaches that will save money.

The Democrats’ agenda also said the United States must develop and implement a comprehensive energy policy to reduce dependence on foreign oil that is now greater than it was in 1973 when Arab countries imposed an oil embargo.

On environmental issues, the document listed passage of a comprehensive clean air bill and expedited passage of legislation to deal with nuclear and toxic waste in a high-priority category.

The Democrats’ list of family legislation began with “swift passage of an increase in the federal minimum wage,” adding: “We recognize that no other single action can do more to close the widening gap between the rich and poor.”

It advocated new measures to help young families buy their first homes and expansion of housing for low- and moderate-income families through government partnerships with private firms.

As expected, the agenda rejects Bush’s proposed $5-billion cut in Medicare, however, and supports legislation to provide health insurance for millions of people who have no coverage.

The document also put the Senate Democrats on record in favor of a national volunteer service program, reform of campaign finance laws and legislation to establish high standards of ethics in the federal government.