Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 6.djvu/116

 \ 114 STAT. 3172 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—APR. 13, 2000 201 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401), or any interest derived from those contributions, in private financial markets. SEC. 354. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. It is the sense of the Senate that the levels in this budget resolution assume that among its reform options, Congress should explore a Medicare prescription drug proposal that— (1) is voluntary; (2) increases access for all Medicare beneficiaries; (3) is designed to provide meaningful protection and bargaining power for Medicare beneficiaries in obtaining prescription drugs; (4) is affordable for all Medicare beneficiaries and for the Medicare Program; (5) is administered using private sector entities and competitive purchasing techniques; (6) is consistent with broader Medicare reform; (7) preserves and protects the financial integrity of the Medicare trust funds; (8) does not increase Medicare beneficiary premiums; and (9) provides a prescription drug benefit as soon as possible. SEC. 355. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING FUNDING FOR NEW EDUCATION PROGRAMS. It is the sense of the Senate that the budgetary levels in this resolution assume that Congress' first priority should be to fully fund the programs described under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.) at the originally promised level of 40 percent before Federal funds are appropriated for new education programs. SEC. 356. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF FED- ERAL FIREARMS LAWS. It is the sense of the Senate that the assumptions underlying the functional totals in this concurrent resolution on the budget assume that Federal funds will be used for an effective law enforcement strategy requiring a commitment to enforcing existing Federal firearms laws by— (1) designating not less than one Assistant United States Attorney in each district to prosecute Federal firearms violations and thereby expand Project Exile nationally; (2) upgrading the national instant criminal background system established under section 103(b) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note) by encouraging States to place mental health adjudications on that system and by improving the overall speed and efficiency of that system; and (3) providing incentive grants to States to encourage States to impose mandatory minimum sentences for firearm offenses based on section 924(c) of title 18, United States Code, and to prosecute those offenses in State court. SEC. 357. SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT ANY INCREASE IN THE MINI- MUM WAGE SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY TAX RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. It is the sense of the Senate that the functional totals underlying this resolution on the budget assume that the minimum wage should be increased as provided for in amendment number 2547,

�