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YOU HAVE TO LIFT IT.
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN SAID IT
HAS TO BE LIFTED.
WHY SHOULD CONGRESS ALWAYS TAKE
US TO THE BRINK BEFORE THEY
ACT?
IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE
I YIELD BACK.
RESPONSIBLE.
THE GENTLEWOMAN
YIELDS BACK.
THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND ALL
MEMBERS THAT THEY ARE TO
ADDRESS THE CHAIR, NOT THE
TELEVISION AUDIENCE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE?
TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I WANT TO THANK
MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA
FOR REMINDING ALL OF US THAT
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT
WE DO HERE.
THIS CURRENT MANUFACTURED HOLY
-- THIS CURRENT MANUFACTURED,
WHOLLY MANUFACTURED DEBT CRISIS
HAD PEOPLE NERVOUS.
THE WOMEN MS. SPEIER TALKED
ABOUT, CONCERNED AND NERVOUS
ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY
CHECKS, WHETHER THEY'LL BE ABLE
TO GET THEIR MEDICAL CARE, AND
TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL,"
THE FIRST FOUR OR FIVE ITEMS ON
WHAT'S NEWS, VARIOUS BUSINESSES
AROUND THE WORLD IN FINANCE --
AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
BEING PREPARED FOR THE FIRST
TIME EVER IN AMERICA'S HISTORY
THAT OUR DEBT MAY NOT BE WORTH
A HOOT.
MAY BE WORTHLESS.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO DEFAULT.
THIS IS A TOTALLY MANUFACTURED,
UNNECESSARY CRISIS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE.
I WANT US ALL TO STEP BACK A
LITTLE WAYS, STEP BACK TO
DECEMBER, 2010, WHEN WE HAD
ANOTHER MANUFACTURED CRISIS.
IT CAME TIME TO FUND THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TO DEAL
WITH SOME ISSUES HAVING TO DO
WITH UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE
REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE HELD
US HOSTAGE AND DEMANDED THAT WE
EXTEND THE HIGH-END BUSH TAX
CUTS WHICH CREATED A $700
BILLION DEFICIT.
WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THAT.
AND ROLLED THE ISSUE FORWARD
THREE MONTHS SO THAT IN
FEBRUARY, WE WOULD HAVE YET
ANOTHER CRISIS.
THE FUNDING OR SHUTDOWN OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
YET AGAIN, ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY
FOR OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
TO CREATE A CRISIS SO THAT THEY
COULD USE IT TO FORCE ONTO THE
AMERICAN PUBLIC THEIR POLICIES
WHICH BECAME VERY EVIDENT WHAT
THEY WANTED TO DO.
THEY WANTED TO RECONFIGURE THE
ENTIRE AMERICAN SCENE.
SECURITY.
THEY WANTED TO ROLL BACK SOCIAL
THEY WANTED TO END MEDICARE FOR
ALL AMERICANS WHO ARE NOT YET
55 YEARS OF AGE.
THEY WANTED TO END THE PROGRAMS
TO SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION, TO
REDUCE RESEARCH, TO REDUCE
FUNDING FOR FOOD SAFETY
PROGRAMS.
THEY USE THESE MANUFACTURED
CRISES, THE SHUTDOWN OF
GOVERNMENT, YET HERE WE ARE
AGAIN WITH THE DEBT LIMIT.
FIRST DISCUSSED BACK IN MAY.
AND THEN, BECAUSE OF THE
TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY
TO CONTINUE PAYING BILLS, WE
ARE NOW UP AGAINST THE FINAL
DEADLINE OF AUGUST 2.
YET AGAIN, A TOTALLY
MANUFACTURED, UNNECESSARY
CRISIS.
PREVIOUSLY, RONALD REAGAN SAID,
DON'T DO THIS.
DO NOT PUT THE GOOD FAITH AND
CREDIT OF THE AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT ON THE LINE.
HE TOLD THE REPUBLICANS, HIS
REPUBLICANS, BACK IN THE
1980'S, HONOR THE DEBT.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT NEW SPENDING.
THIS IS ABOUT SPENDING GOING
BACK A CENTURY.
THIS IS ABOUT THE AMERICAN
BILLS THAT WERE PAID OR NOT
PAID YEARS AGO AND THAT'S OUR
DEBT TODAY.
WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS.
THERE ARE OPTIONS.
WE'RE PUTTING FORTH, AS WE DID
EARLIER, A CLEAN DEBT LIMIT
INCREASE.
GET US PAST THIS.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PRESIDENT
TO INVOKE THE 14TH AMENDMENT,
THE FOURTH CLAUSE OF THE 14TH
AMENDMENT THAT SAYS AMERICA
WILL HONOR ITS DEBTS.
I BELIEVE HE HAS THE POWER,
ISSUING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, PAY
OUR DEBTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S
FUNDAMENTAL FOR AMERICANS.
AND WE MUST DO IT.
PUT ASIDE THIS MANUFACTURED
CRISIS.
IT'S NOT -- DIDN'T NEED TO BE
REAL.
BUT IT'S BECOME ALL TOO REAL IN
THESE LAST FEW DAYS AS OUR
REPUBLICANS -- REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES ARE UNABLE TO GET
THEIR ACT TOGETHER.
EVEN TO PUT FORTH A PROPOSAL
THAT WOULD EVISCERATE NECESSARY
PROGRAMS.
CAN'T EVEN DO THAT.
THE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED FOR A
BALANCED APPROACH, ONE OF
TAXES, RAISING THE TAXES THAT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN RAISED BACK IN
DECEMBER AND ELIMINATE SOME
$700 BILLION OF THIS PROBLEM.
BUT LET'S DO IT NOW.
LET'S GO AFTER THE OIL
COMPANIES THAT ARE RECEIVING
OUR TAX MONEY AT THE VERY SAME
TIME OVER THE LAST DECADE THEY
HAVE CREATED A -- NEARLY $1
TRILLION OF PROFIT.
THEY DON'T NEED OUR TAX MONEY.
THE POOR IN AMERICA, THE SENIOR
CITIZENS IN AMERICA, THEY NEED
OUR HELP.
THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME
HAS EXPIRED.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW
YORK RISE?
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I AGREE WITH THE TWO
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, MY
COLLEAGUES FROM CALIFORNIA.
HERE WE ARE DEALING WITH A
FLAWED BILL THAT WOULD DENY OUR
STEWARDSHIP OF OUR ENVIRONMENT,
ALL WHILE WE'RE FACED WITH AN
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCE, WITH A
DEFAULT THAT STARES US IN THE
FACE.
FOR THE PAST 200 DAYS, THE
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OF THIS
BODY HAS SET ASIDE AMERICA'S
PRIORITY OF JOB CREATION IN
ORDER TO TALK ABOUT THE DEBT
AND TO TALK ABOUT THE DEFICIT.
MY CONCERN IS THAT AS WE FACE
THAT LOOMING THREAT OF DEFAULT,
MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AREN'T
DOING MUCH BUT TALK.
AFTER 200 DAYS WITH NO JOBS
AGENDA, AFTER 200 DAYS OF
VOTING TO DESTROY MILLIONS OF
JOBS, AFTER 200 DAYS OF SAYING
THOSE HARDEST HIT BY THE
RECESSION SHOULD BEAR THE
BURDEN OF UNBALANCED CUTS,
AFTER 00 DAYS OF RHETORIC AND
WALKING AWAY, MY REPUBLICANS
COLLEAGUES HAVE FORCED THIS
CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE TO WAIT YET MORE HOURS
TO SEE AND VOTE ON THEIR PLAN.
AS WE ALL KNOW, LAST NIGHT, THE
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE
CUTS IN THE SPEAKER'S PLAN
WEREN'T REAL.
MEANWHILE, THE TEA PARTY BASE
SAID THAT CUT, CAP, AN BALANCE
IS THE ONLY PLAN THEY WILL
SUPPORT.
WE CONSIDER THAT PLAN --
CONSIDERED A THAT PLAN LAST
WEEK AND IT HAS FAILED IN THE
SENATE.
IT'S A PLAN THAT BRUCE BARTLETT
A REAGAN ADVISOR AND BUSH
TREASURY OFFICIAL SAID WAS,
QUOTE, MIND-BOGGLING IN ITS
INSANITY.
OTHERS CALL IT THE MOST
IDEOLOGICAL EXTREME TO COME
BEFORE CONGRESS IN DECADES.
GOVERNING -- GOVERNING IS NOT
ALWAYS EASY.
THERE ARE EXTREMISTS ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE POLITICAL
SPECTRUM.
OUR ADVANTAGE LIES IN THE FACT
THAT HOWEVER VOCAL, EXTREMISTS
ARE A MINORITY A FACTION.
I HAVE TRAVELED MY DISTRICT
EXTENSIVELY IN RECENT WEEKS.
I HAVE HELD TOWN HALLS AND
MEETINGS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
AND HERE'S WHAT I HEARD.
WASHINGTON.
WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM IN
WE HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM IN
WASHINGTON, BUT MOST
IMPORTANTLY, MORE THAN ANYTHING
ELSE, WE HAVE A JOBS PROBLEM IN
AMERICA.
ABOUT IT?
SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO
WELL MY CONSTITUENTS HAD AN
EASY ANSWER THERE TOO.
FIRST, CUT WHAT DOESN'T CREATE
JOBS AND STABILITY FOR THE
MIDDLE CLASS.
THAT INCLUDES WASTEFUL
GOVERNMENT SPENDING, IT ALSO
INCLUDES TAX BREAKS FOR
CORPORATE JET OWNERS,
MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES
AND A SYSTEM OF KICKBACKS TO
THE BIG OIL COMPANIES THAT EVEN
THEIR C.E.O.'S SAY THEY DON'T
NEED.
SEC, SAVE WHATEVER ACTUALLY
WORKS.
THAT MEANS INVESTMENT IN
EDUCATION, SO MIDDLE CLASS KIDS
HAVE A CHANCE TO GET GOOD JOBS
WHEN THEY FINISH SCHOOL.
THAT MEANS BOOSTING INNOVATION
TO GET AMERICAN INDUSTRY
BOOMING AGAIN AND IT MEANS
INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN DRIVE
TO WORK ON SAFE ROADS AND
BRIDGES AND BUILD THEM WITH
AMERICAN MATERIALS AND WORKERS.
FINALLY, MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE
TOLD ME THAT WHATEVER TALKING
HEADS ON TV SAY, THEY KNOW FAIR
WHEN THEY SEE IT.
REGARDLESS OF PARTISAN DIVIDES.
WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION.
NOBODY DISPUTES THAT.
BUT THE MAJORITY HAS INTRODUCED
PLAN AFTER PLAN AFTER PLAN THAT
WOULD CUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND
END MEDICARE.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT CORPORATE
TAX BREAKS AND LONG STANDING
KICKBACKS FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS
PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE
IDEAS ARE REPLACED AND
GOVERNMENT BY IDEOLOGY.
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED IN RECENT
WEEKS TO MANIPULATE THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO
ENSHRINE THIS IDEOLOGY.
WHERE I'M FROM, WE BELIEVE THAT
THE ONLY IDEOLOGY THAT BELONGS
IN THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION IS THAT OF
DEMOCRACY.
IN OUR DEMOCRACY, IF YOU WANT
YOUR IDEAS TO BECOME LAW, YOU
DON'T REWRITE OUR HISTORY OR
CHANGE OUR FOUNDATIONAL
DOCUMENTS.
YOU COME DOWN TO THIS FLOOR,
YOU TELL YOUR COLLEAGUES AND
CONSTITUENT WHAT IS YOU THINK
AND YOU LET US DEBATE IT, AMEND
IT, AND VOTE ON IT, RIGHT HERE
IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS AND IN
FRONT -- IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE
WE'RE SWORN TO SERVE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING
TODAY.
AFTER 200 DAYS OF TALKING ABOUT
LITTLE ELSE, MY REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES HAVE FORCED THIS
BODY AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO
WAIT YET HOURS TO SEE THEIR TOP
SECRET DEFAULT PLAN.
EXACTLY WHICH PRINCIPLED STAND
WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THE
REPUBLICAN HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO
THE FIFTH TIME?
WALK AWAY FROM NEGOTIATIONS FOR
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE CLOCK IS
TICKING AND WE NEED TO GET BACK
TO WORK AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
ARE GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF
THE GAMES.
WE KNOW THAT THEIR CALL TO END
MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PLANS WOULD PROTECT 2% OF OUR
POPULATION AT THE EXPENSE OF
THE REST OF US, THE 9 % OF US.
I'M SURE THAT TAKES A LOT OF
VOTE WRANGLING, BUT WE'VE HAD A
YEAR TO GET THIS DONE.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH CONGRESS
CUTS THEIR CLASSROOM BUDGET,
EVEN OUR ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLCHILDREN KNOW THAT A DUE
DATE IS A DUE DATE.
DEMOCRATS SUPPORT A BALANCED,
BIPARTISAN SOLUTION TO REDUCE
OUR DEFICIT TO KEY ATE JOBS, TO
GROW OUR ECONOMY AND EXPAND THE
MIDDLE CLASS.
MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SAY
THEY SHARE THOSE SAME GOALS.
I INVITE MY COLLEAGUES TO COME
DOWN HERE AND SHARE THEIR PLAN.
AMERICA IS WAITING AND DESERVES
BETTER.
WE NEED TO SOLVE THIS DEFAULT
CRISIS THAT'S STARING US IN THE
EYES.
WITH THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I
YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE?
DESK.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
THE CLERK WILL
REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. BISHOP OF NEW YORK, PAGE
68, LINES 11 AND 12, AFTER EACH
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT INCREASED
BY $1,411,000,000.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO
RISE?
I RESERVE A POINT
OF ORDER ON THE GENTLEMAN'S
AMENDMENT.
THE POINT OF ORDER
IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MY AMENDMENT WOULD
REDUCE THE STATE RESOLVING FUND
TO THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN
FISCAL YEAR 2010.
ALL OF US RECOGNIZE THE GRAVITY
OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION
FACING THIS NATION TODAY AND WE
ARE STRUGGLING TO EMERGE FROM
THE WORST ECONOMIC RECESSION
SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
CLEARLY WITH THE NATIONAL
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOVERING
AROUND 9% AND UNEMPLOYMENT
RATES IN THE CONSTRUCTION
SECTOR AT OVER 20%, WE ARE FAR
FROM COMPLETING OUR WORK.
CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, THE
REPUBLICAN E.P.A. ADMINISTRATOR
UNDER GEORGE W. BUSH ESTIMATED
THAT THE NEEDS OF OUR NATION'S
AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
TOPPED $6 0 BILLION.
YET WITHIN THE F.Y. 2012
PROMINGS BILL, THE MAJORITY
CUTS THE CLEAN WATER STATE
RESOLVE INVOLVING FUND, A
PRIMARY SOURCE OF FEDERAL
INVESTMENT IN THE NATION'S
WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE BY
$1.4 BILLION COMPARED TO F.Y.
2010.
COUPLED WITH THE SEVERE CUTS
UNDER S.R.S. AND H.R. 1, THE
ATTACKS CLEAN WATER IN THE
CLEAN WATER COOPERATIVE
FEDERALISM ACT PASSED EARLIER
THIS MONTH, THE REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT
THEY PLACE NO PRIORITY, NONE,
ON PRESERVING CLEAN WATER OR
CREATING JOBS.
IN TERMS OF JOB LOSSES, THE
CUTS IN THE F.Y. 2012 INTERIOR
APPROPRIATIONS BILL, WHEN
COMPARED TO 2010 FUNDING
LEVELS, WOULD ELIMINATE OVER
39,000 DIRECT CONSTRUCTION JOBS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND
COUNTLESS ADDITIONAL JOBS IN
THE INDUSTRIES AND SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE
WASTEWATER CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY AT A TIME WHEN MANY
SMALL BUSINESSES AND
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ARE
STRUGGLING TO RECOVER.
FURTHERMORE, THIS CUT
UNDERMINES LONG-STANDING
FEDERAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE
NATION'S AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
SYSTEM.
MR. CHAIRMAN, ADDRESSING THE
NATION'S DEBT AND DEFICIT
SHOULD ABCHUTELY BE A PRIORITY.
HOWEVER, WE SHOULD FOCUS OUR
EFFORTS ON FINDING A BALANCED
APPROACH THAT FOCUSES ON JOB
CREATION RATHER THAN SLASHING
BUDGETS THAT ARE PROVEN JOB
CREATORS.
WE HEAR REPEATEDLY FROM OUR
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WE SHOULD
NOT TAX JOB CREATORS.
I AGREE.
HUFFER IN MY DISTRICT AND
DISTRICTS ACROSS THE NATION,
THE ENVIRONMENT IS THE JOB
CREATOR.
THE ECONOMY OF MY DISTRICT
DEPENDS ON CLEAN WATER, CLEAN
AIR AND SAFE, SWIMMABLE
BEACHES.
THE CUTS IN THIS BILL PLACE ALL
OF THESE IN JEOPARDY.
THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES IN
THIS BILL PREVAIL WE COULD PUT
AN EFFECTIVE TAX RATE OF ZERO
ON SMALL BUSINESSES IN MY
DISTRICT AND IT WOULDN'T HELP
BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE NO
INCOME AND NO INCOME MEANS NO
JOBS.
THE EXTENSION OF THE BUSH TAX
CUTS GIVE THE AVERAGE
MILLIONAIRE A $139,000 TAX
BREAK IN 2011, A TAX BRECK OF $
2,700 PER WEEK OR $380 PER DAY.
I'M TALKING ABOUT ONLY TAX
BREAKS FOR MILLIONAIRES, NOT
FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS AND ONLY
FOR MILLIONAIRES USING NOT THE
$250,000 BUT THE MILLION.
IF OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
WERE TO SET ASIDE IDEOLOGY AND
AGREE TO ELIMINATE TAX BREAKS
FOR JUST THOSE MILLIONAIRES WE
COULD REESTABLISH OUR
COMMITMENT TO CLEAN WATER AND
DAYS.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN 12
12 DAYS.
THE BUSH TAX CUTS GIVE
MILLIONAIRES ACROSS THE NATION
SUCH A DEAL THAT WE COULD
COMPLETELY SHORE UP THE $1.4
BILLION DEFICIT IN THE CLEAN
WATER S.R.F. AND BEGIN TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS OUTLINED BY
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN IN LESS
THAN TWO WEEKS.
EVEN IF CONGRESS GAVE THE BILL
GATES' OF THIS WORLD -- THE BILL
GATES OF THIS WORLD THE TAX
BREAKS, WE COULD PUT TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN BACK
TO WORK, PROTECT CLEAN WATER AND
PROTECT THE ECONOMYS THAT DEPEND
ON -- ECONOMIES THAT DEPEND ON
CLEAN WATER.
FINALLY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY
HAS INCLUDED IN THIS BILL
SEVERAL SPECIAL INTEREST POLICY
EARMARKS TO PULL BACK ON
E.P.A.'S COMPLIANCE AND
ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES, MAKING
IT FAR MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE
AGENCY TO IDENTIFY AND PURSUE
SERIOUS VIOLATIONS, IMPACT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT IN -- IMPACT --
IMPACTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT IN COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE NATION.
THIS STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO
THE E.P.A.'S EFFORTS AND
SUGGESTS THAT A WEAKENED
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
PRESENCE IS SOMEHOW BETTER FOR
OUR NATION.
I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THAT
SUGGESTION.
COMBINED, THE LACKLUSTER FUNDING
FOR THE S.R.F. AND THE EARMARKS
AND IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT
REPUBLICANS HAVE ABANDONED THE
DECADES' LONG NATIONAL
BIPARTISAN COMMITMENT TO
CREATING JOBS, PROTECTING PUBLIC
HEALTH AND PRESERVING THE
ABILITY OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO
GROW THEIR ECONOMIES THROUGH
CLEAN WATER PROJECTS.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY NOT
RESERVE.
I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN, I
INSIST ON MY POINT OF ORDER.
THE AMENDMENT PROPOSES A NET
INCREASE IF BUDGET AUTHORITY IN
THE BILL.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT IN ORDER
UNDER SECTION 3-J-3 OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION 5 112TH CONGRESS
WHICH STATE, I SHALL -- IT
SHATSHAL NOT BE IN ORDER TO
CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO A
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
PROPOSING A NET INCREASE IN
BUDGET AUTHORITY IN THE BILL
UNLESS CONSIDERED EN BLOC WITH
ANOTHER AMENDMENT OR AMENDMENTS
PROPOSING AN EQUAL OR GREATER
DECREASE IN SUCH BUDGET
AUTHORITY, PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
2-F OF RULE 21.
THE AMENDMENT PROPOSES A NET
INCREASE IN BUDGET AUTHORITY IN
THE BILL AND IS IN VIOLATION OF
SUCH SECTION.
I ASK FOR A RULING FROM THE
CHAIR.
ANY OTHER MEMBER WISH
TO BE HEARD ON THE POINT OF
ORDER?
MR. CHAIRMAN, MAY I BE HEARD?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW YORK.
I FULLY EXPECTED THAT MY
FRIEND FROM IDAHO WOULD INSIST
ON HIS POINT OF ORDER.
I FULLY EXPECT THE CHAIR TO
SUSTAIN THE POINT OF ORDER.
BUT LET'S BE CLEAR.
THE UNDERLYING BILL VIOLATES
HOUSE RULES.
THERE ARE 39 -- AT LEAST BY MY
COUNT -- SPECIAL INTEREST POLICY
RIDERS IN THE UNDERLYING BILL.
EVERY ONE OF WHICH IS PROTECTED
BY A RULE THAT WAIVES ALL POINT
OF ORDERS, EACH OF THESE POLICY
RIDERS ARE?
VIOLATION OF CLAUSE 2-B OF RULE
21, WE ALL KNOW THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE POINT OF
ORDER WILL BE SUSTAINED BUT I DO
WISH WE WOULD ADHERE TO WHAT WE
WERE PROMISED.
WE WERE PROMISED AN OPEN,
TRANSPARENT HOUSE IN WHICH
REGULAR ORDER WOULD PREVAIL AND
WHICH THE HOUSE WOULD WORK ITS
WILL.
THIS RULE DOES NOT ALLOW THAT TO
TAKE PLACE.
I WILL ACCEPT THE RULING OF THE
CHAIR.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
IDAHO MAKES A POINT OF ORDER
THAT THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK
VIOLATES SECTION 3-J-3 OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION 5.
SECTION 3-J-3 ESTABLISHES A
POINT OF ORDER AGAINST AN
AMENDMENT PROPOSING A NET
INCREASE IN BUDGET AUTHORITY IN
THE PENDING BILL.
AS PERSUASIVELY ASSERTED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO, THE
AMENDMENT PROPOSES A NET
INCREASE IN BUDGET AUTHORITY OF
THE BILL, THEREFORE A POINT OF
ORDER IS SUSTAINED, THE
AMENDMENT IS NOT IN ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA RISE?
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
DESK.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. LANKFORD OF OKLAHOMA.
PAGE 71, LINE 15 AND 17, STRIKE
NOT LESS THAN 30% AND INSERT 30%
OR LESS.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, SIR.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY CURRENTLY ADMINISTERS
CLEAN WATER TO STATE REVOLVING
FUNDS AND THE DRINKING WATER
STATE REVOLVE FUNDS TO PROVIDE
LOW INTEREST FINANCING THROUGH
THE STATES.
THESE LOW INTEREST LOANS ARE A
WAY FOR STATES AND COMMUNITIES
TO BE ABLE TO USE THEIR OWN
DISCRETION IN MAKING THE
MUCH-NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO
THEIR WATER SUPPLIES AND
INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS PROGRAM WAS A GRANT PROGRAM
YEARS AGO BUT WAS TRANSITIONED
INTO A LOAN PROGRAM TO SAVE
MONEY SOME 25 YEARS AGO.
WHEN THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND
REINVESTMENT ACT PASSED IN 2009
AN INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR THESE
ACCOUNTS WAS COUPLED WITH A
PROVISION IN THOSE TWO FUNDS
REQUIRING NO LESS THAN 30% OF
THE FINANCIAL FUNDS BE ISSUED TO
BE USED FOR PRINCIPLE
FORGIVENESS WITH A TYPE OF GRANT
PROGRAM TO THEM.
THIS PRINCIPAL FORGIVENESS
CHANGES THE LOW INTEREST LOAN
PROGRAM TO A DIRECT FUNDING
PROGRAM, IT'S A HYBRID BETWEEN A
LOAN PROGRAM NOW AND A GRANT
PROGRAM.
SINCE THE STIMULUS EXPIRED IN
FUNDING FOR THESE PROVISIONS
RETURNED TO NORMAL LEVEL,
UNFORTUNATELY THE PRINCIPAL FOR
GIVENESS PROVISION HAS REMAINED.
THIS BILL ROLLS BACK PRESTIMULUS
FUNDING LEVELS BUT IT DOESN'T
ROLL BACK THE STIMULUS --
PRESTIMULUS FEDERAL STRINGS.
SO MY AMENDMENT REMOVES THE
FEDERAL MANDATE OF PRINCIPAL
FORGIVENESS AND GIVES THE STATE
DISCRETION ON THE AMOUNT THEY
WOULD LIKE TO OFFER.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE
PRINCIPAL FORGIVENESS OF UP TO
30%.
COMMUNITIES RELY ON THESE FUNDS
TO ENSURE THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE
SECURITY AND SAFE DRINKING
WATER.
BY SUPPORTING MY AMENDMENT, YOU
COULD LEVERAGE YOUR STATE AND
COMMUNITY AS I CROSS ALL -- ALL
ACROSS OUR NATION TO GET THE
MUCH-NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE
ASSISTANCE.
IT IS A VERY BIPARTISAN FOCUS ON
THIS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES
FROM THE PRESIDENT IN HIS BUDGET
PROPOSAL THAT HE REQUESTED THE
SAME THING AND IT ALSO FOR
CONSERVATIVES AND OTHERS GIVES
ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.
BACK THE STATES THE RIGHTS TO BE
AND WITH THAT I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY NOT
RESERVE HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN
YIELDS BACK THEN.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO RISE?
MOVE TO STRIKE THE
LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I
RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE
AMENDMENT.
WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES IS
CREATES A 0% LANGUAGE THAT HE IS
WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST AND MAKE
-- THAT -- 30% LANGUAGE THAT
WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST AS A FLOOR
AND MAKES IT A FLOOR.
IT PROVIDES GRANTS TO STATES
THAT CAPITALIZE THEIR PROGRAMS.
THESE PROGRAMS OFFER LOW
INTEREST LOANS TO COMMUNITIES
FOR PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE
STATE'S INTENDED USE PLAN.
THESE LOW INTEREST LOANS ARE
USUALLY BELOW MARKET RATES AND
ARE USED TO FINANCE WATER AND
PROJECTS.
WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
MANY SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITIES WITH LOW
INCOME-BASED CAN HARDLY AFFORD
TO APPLY FOR THESE LOANS EVEN
WITH THE LOW INTEREST LOANS.
THEREFORE THIS PROVISION IN THE
BASE TEXT WHICH WE HAVE HAD FOR
A FEW YEARS WOULD OFFER ZERO
INTEREST LOANS, LOANS THAT
FORGIVE A PORTION OF THE
PRINCIPAL OR GRANTS TO THESE
DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, THAT
WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO
AFFORD A STANDARD S.R.F. LOAN.
THE PROVISIONS PROVIDE SOME
RELIEF TO SMALL COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE NATION THAT ARE
TIRELESSLY WORKING TO PROVIDE
CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER TO
THEIR RESIDENTS AND BRING
CONSTRUCTION JOBS TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES, ALL AT THE SAME
TIME AS THEY BALANCE THEIR
BOOKS.
AND GIVEN THE HUGE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FACING THIS
NATION AND THE CRUMBLING WATER
AND WATER -- WASTEWATER
INFRASTRUCTURE, WE SHOULD BE
PROVIDING MORE OF THIS
ASSISTANCE, NOT LESS.
SO WHILE I APPRECIATE THE
COLLEAGUE'S AMENDMENT AND SHARE
HIS INTEREST IN PRESERVING THE
VIABILITY OF THE S.R.F., I DO
NOT SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT AND I
WOULD AURNL NO VOTE.
I WOULD JUST SAY -- AND I WOULD
URGE A NO VOTE.
I WOULD JUST SAY, WE'VE TALKED
ABOUT THIS IN THE SUBCOMMITTEE
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
WE HAVE THE STATE REVOLVING LOAN
FUNDS, WE PUT THE MONEY OUT
THERE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF
COMMUNITIES THAT CAN'T EVEN
AFFORD THE LOANS.
SO IT DOESN'T HELP THEM REBUILD
THEIR WATER SYSTEMS OR THE STATE
OR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT
FACILITIES.
WITH THE STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE
WITH ARSENIC AND OTHER THINGS, I
HAVE A LOT OF SMALL COMMUNITIES
IN IDAHO THAT IT DOESN'T HELP
THEM THAT THEY HAVE A STATE
REVOLVING LOAN FUND BECAUSE THEY
CAN'T AFFORD IT.
SO WHAT THIS DOES IS HELP THEM
THROUGH THAT TO MEET SOME OF THE
CLEAN WATER STANDARDS THAT THEY
HAVE TO MEET AND AS I SAID, WHAT
WE'VE CARRIED IN THE BILL BEFORE
SAYS A MINIMUM OF 30% OR A FLOOR
OF 30% OF THOSE FUNDS HAVE TO BE
USED FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS
AND WHAT THE GENTLEMAN'S
AMENDMENT WOULD DO WOULD MAKE
THAT A CEILING SO YOU CAN ONLY
USE 30% OF THAT.
I WOULD OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT AND
HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WOULD ALSO.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT
OFFERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OKLAHOMA.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
NOES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT AGREED TO.
MAY I ASK FOR A
RECORDED VOTE.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OKLAHOMA REQUESTS A RECORDED
VOTE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 18
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA WILL BE
POSTPONED.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
PAGE 72, LINE 21,
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY AWARD
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO
FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN
TRIBES.
THE ADMINISTRATER IS AUTHORIZED
TO COLLECT PESTICIDE
REGISTRATION SERVICE FEES.
THE ADMINISTRATER IS AUTHORIZED
TO TRANSFER UP TO $250 MILLION
OF FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE
GREAT LAKES INITIATIVES.
FROM UNOBLIGATED BALANCES FUNDED
THROUGH THE STATE AND TRIBAL
ASSISTANCE GRANTS AND HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND ACCOUNTS,
$140 MILLION ARE PERMANENTLY
RESCINDED.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 513
OF THE FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION
CONTROL ACT SHALL APPLY TO THE
CONSTRUCTION OF TREATMENT WORKS.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION
1450-E IS THE SAFE DRINKING
WATER ACT SHALL APPLY TO ANY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AS
AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 1452 OF
THAT ACT.
TITLE 3, RELATED AGENCIES,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
FOREST SERVICE, FOREST AND RANGE
LAND RESEARCH, $277,282,000.
$208,608,000.
STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY,
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE
AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL
DESIGNATE THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT NUMBER 18
PRINTED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD OFFERED BY MR. BROUN OF
GEORGIA.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MY AMENDMENT WOULD REDUCE THE
STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY
FUNDING BY A MODEST 10% AND
TRANSFER MORE THAN $20 MILLION
TO THE SPENDING REDUCTION
ACCOUNT.
THE STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY
FUNDING SETS ASIDE MONEY FOR
INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY,, URBAN
AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY AND
SUPPORTS MORE THAN 500 MILLION
ACRES OF NONFEDERAL FORESTED
LANDS.
WE ARE MORE THAN $14.3 TRILLION
IN DEBT AND WE NEED TO BE
CUTTING AREAS OF OUR BUDGET
WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
IT IS MORE THAN REASONABLE TO
REQUEST A REDUCTION IN THIS
PROGRAM.
BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
HAS NO BUSINESS GIVING OUT A
HANDOUT TO PRIVATE FORESTRY LAND
OWNERS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THIS FUNDING WILL BE BETTER
MANAGED BY STATES AND LOCAL
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE BROKE, MR. SPEAKER.
AS A NATION.
AND WE NEED TO BE DOING WHAT
BUSINESSES DO WHEN THEY GET
OVEREXTENDED.
THEY LOWER THEIR BORROWING
LEVEL, THEY TRY TO FIND OUT WAYS
TO PAY OFF THEIR DEBT AND THEY
START CUTTING THE EXPENSES AND
THIS IS A MERE 10% CUT.
SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO THINK
ABOUT OUR MASSIVE DEBT AND I
URGE THEM TO CONSIDER SENDING
PART OF THIS PROGRAM BACK TO THE
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN, I
SIMPLY -- SIMPLY RISE TO ASK IF
WE COULD SEE THE AMENDMENT.
IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT TO ADDRESS
IT UNTIL WE ACTUALLY SEE THE
AMENDMENT.
THE AMENDMENT IS
NUMBER 18 IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO RISE?
STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I
RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE
AMENDMENT.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD TAKE $21
MILLION FROM THE FOREST
SERVICES, STATE AND PRIVATE
PROGRAM AND PUT IT IN THE
SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT.
WHILE IT'S EASY TO STAND HERE
AND SAY IT JUST REDUCES IT BY
10%, WHO CAN'T STAND A 10%
REDUCTION, I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT
STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY
PROGRAM HAS ALREADY HAD A
SIGNIFICANT CUT IN THIS BUDGET.
$133 MILLION BELOW THE F.Y. 2011
AND DESPITE ITS NAME IT IS
CRITICAL TO MANAGING THE
NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM.
THE ACCOUNTS ARE KEPT IN TACT --
THE ACCOUNTS WE KEPT IN TACT ARE
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
FOR EXAMPLE, COOPERATIVE FIRE
PROTECTION IN RURAL AREAS, THIS
HELPS RURAL COMMUNITIES FIGHT
WILDFIRES.
WITH SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF
PUBLIC LAND AND SUCH A SMALL TAX
BASE, MANY RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE
HARD-PRESSED TO PAY FOR
SUPPRESSION FOR A LARGE WILDFIRE
THAT START ON PUBLIC LANDS.
COOPERATIVE FOREST HELP.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE PREVENTION
AND TREATMENT OF INSECTS AND
DISEASE.
IMPROVING FOREST HEALTH HELPS
PREVENT CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES.
IN THE SOUTH I KNOW YOU'RE
FAMILY WITH THE SOUTHERN PINE
BEETLE.
THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED CONTAIN
THE SPREAD OF SOUTHERN PINE
BEETLE.
I WISH THE SAME WERE TRUE IN THE
WESTERN UNITED STATES WHERE 20
MILLION ACRES ARE DEAD DUE TO
THE BEETLE.
I UNDERSTAND THE GENTLEMAN IS
STANDING ON PRINCIPLE.
SO AM I.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO OPPOSE
THIS AMENDMENT AND I YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE
LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I SIMPLY RISE TO
ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE VERY
THOUGHTFUL, INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE FROM
IDAHO.
WE AGREE THE AMENDMENT SHOULD BE
DEFEATED.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT
OFFERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
GEORGIA.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
NOES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT AGREED TO.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM HAWAII
RISE?
I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MRS. HANABUSA.
INSERT AFTER THE DOLLAR AMOUNT
THE FOLLOWING, INCREASE BY $50
MILLION.
PAGE 80, LINE 1, INSERT THE
FOLLOWING, REDUCED BY $50
MILLION.
THE GENTLEWOMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THIS AMENDMENT IS
INTENDED TO HAVE FUNDS TO
RESTORE THE FOFFERS LEGACY
PROGRAM TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2011
LEVEL AS WELL AS 2008 LEVEL.
THIS AMOUNT IS $83 MILLION LESS
THAN WHAT WAS REQUESTED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION AND $22 MILLION
THAN WAS AUTHORIZE IN 2010.
THE REASON IS WE CAN'T LET THIS
PROGRAM BE ELIMINATED BY THE
PRESENT FUNDING OF ONLY $3
MILLION IN THE PRESENT BILL
BEFORE US.
THE PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH THE
STATES TO PROTECT
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE
PROGRAM.
IT IS A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
WHICH STATES ARE PERMITTED TO
ACCOMPLISH THIS VERY IMPORTANT
GOAL.
IT IS A VOM UNITARY PROGRAM THAT
ENCOURAGES THE PRIVATE OWNED
LAND AND EASEMENTS WITHOUT
OWNERSHIP.
REMOVING THE LAND FROM PRIVATE
THE EASEMENTS PROTECT AIR
QUALITY FROM THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM IS
HAWAII.
IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF
WE HAVE MORE ENDANGERED SPECIES
PER SQUARE MILE THAN ANY OTHER
PLACE ON THE PLANET, WE CLAIM
75% OF THE ENDANGERED PLANTS IN
THE UNITED STATES.
ARCHIPELAGO.
WE ARE THE MOST UNIQUE
A WATERSHED, WHICH WAS AN
EASEMENT WHICH IS STRATEGIC
WATERSHED.
THIS WAS DONE IN 2010.
THIS PRODUCES THE LARGE PART OF
FRESH WATER THAT CONTRIBUTES TO
THE RECHARGING OF THE AQUIFER TO
THE FORESTS AND STREAMS THAT ARE
PRESERVED AND SUSTAINS THE
RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND.
THE ISLAND MAY NOT BE NOBODY
KNOWN TO MANY OF YOU, BUT IN
2009, THIS ISLAND WAS MADE
FAMOUS WITH THE CANONIZATION
WHEN THE FATHER ST. DAMIEN HAS
BEEN CANONIZED.
A PROJECT IN IDAHO WHICH
CONNECTED IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS
AND HABITAT AND IMPORTANT TIMBER
LANDS AND PRESERVED GRIZZLIES
AND GRAY WOLVES.
IN IDAHO, MCARTHUR LAKE CORRIDOR
WHICH PROTECTS ACRES OF CRITICAL
PRIVATE TIMBER LAND.
UTAH BENEFITED IT TO THE DRY
LAKES.
IT PROTECTS NOT ONLY THE TIMBER
LANDS BUT A SCENIC VIEW AND KEPT
PRESS TEEN A WHOLE AREA.
AS OF 2010, TWO MILLION ACRES
HAVE BEEN PROTECTED.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT
IT IS NOT TAKEN FROM PRIVATE
OWNERS, BUT IT IS IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH ALL THE PARTIES, INCLUDING
THE STATES TO PRESERVE THESE
IMPORTANT HABITATS FOR THE
FUTURE.
THIS IS THE KIND OF PROGRAM THAT
WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT AND
LOOKING FOR, THE PRESERVATION
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.
NOT SIMPLY GOVERNMENT GOING IN
AND BUYING THINGS.
THIS IS MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO
SOME OF THE ACTUAL INDIVIDUALS
AND COMMUNITIES, THE NEIGHBORS,
FOR EXAMPLE, IN IDAHO, ARE ABLE
TO GET TOGETHER WITH GOVERNMENT
TO PRESERVE IMPORTANT EASEMENTS.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT I ASK
AMENDMENT.
TO VOTE FOR SUPPORT OF THIS
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEWOMAN
YIELDS BACK.
I RISE IN RELUCK
ANT OPPOSITION TO THE
GENTLELADY'S AMENDMENT.
WHILE THE PROGRAM IS A GOOD
PROGRAM AND MOST PEOPLE SUPPORT
IT, THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT TAKES
THE MONEY OUT OF THE WILDFIRE
SUPPRESSION PROGRAM.
ANYBODY THAT HAS BEEN WATCHING
THE NEWS FOR THE LAST FIVE
MONTHS UNDERSTANDS THE WILDFIRE
PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN TEXAS, NEW
MEXICO, ARIZONA AND AS NOAA HAS
TOLD US, THOSE WILDFIRES ARE
GOING TO CLIMB INTO THE PEST
LATER IN THE YEAR THIS YEAR.
I SUSPECT, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
NOVEMBER THERE WILL BE A HUGE
FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS.
WE CAN ILL AFFORD TO TAKE THE
MONEY OUT OF THE FIRE
SUPPRESSION PROGRAM.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO INCREASE THE
FUNDING FOR THOSE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMS BUT IF THEY BURN UP, WE
AREN'T PROTECTING THEM.
WE TRIED TO FUND THE WILDFIRE
SUPPRESSION AT A 10-YEAR
AVERAGE, WHICH WE HAVE DONE AND
I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO TAKE
MONEY OUT OF THAT GIVEN THE
SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN
THIS YEAR AND I OPPOSE.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT
OFFERED BY THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
HAWAII.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
NOES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT AGREED TO.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE?
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
DESK.
NUMBER 44.
PAGE 76, LINGE,
NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM, $1
BILLION.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE?
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
DESK, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THE CLERK WILL
SPECIFY THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
NUMBER 44.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE
AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT.
THE CLERK WILL DESIGNATE THE
AMENDMENT NUMBER 56
PRINTED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD OFFERED BY MR. GOSAR OF
ARIZONA.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THAT'S THE WRONG
AMENDMENT.
44.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. GOSAR, INSERT AFTER EACH
DOLLAR AMOUNT THE FOLLOWING,
INCREASED BY $10 MILLION, PAGE
80, LINE 1, INSERT AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT THE FOLLOWING,
REDUCED BY $16,600,000.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER
AN AMENDMENT.
THIS SUMMER OVER A MILLION ACRES
OF FOREST LAND AND 600,000 OF
FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS
BURNED THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAN
SOUTHWEST.
THEY ARE COSTING TAXPAYER
DOLLARS AND WILL COST MILLIONS
MORE IN REHABILITATION IN THE
MONTHS AHEAD.
THESE FIRES REINFORCED THE
RESTORATION.
URGENT NEED FOR LANDSCAPE
THIS IS TO FULLY FUND LARGE
SCALE TREATMENT TO OUR NATIONAL
FORESTS WHICH WILL REDUCE
WILDFIRE RISK AND SPECIFICALLY,
MY AMENDMENT INCREASES THE
LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM
$10 MILLION, FULLY FUNDING IT AT
THE BUDGET REQUEST, AUTHORIZED
IN FISCAL YEAR 2009, IT WAS
DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE SCIENCE
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION.
THE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THE
MANAGEMENT WILL BE MOST
EFFECTIVE IF IT IS PLANNED AND
IN A COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORK
THROUGH PRIVATE-PUBLIC
PARTNERSHIP.
AS AN OFFSET THE AMENDMENT
DECREASES THE RELATED FUNDING
ACCOUNT BY $16.6 MILLION.
THE HAZARDOUS FUEL ACCOUNT IS
FUND S AT $334 MILLION IN THE
UNDERLYING BILL, $80 MILLION
ABOVE THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST.
THE C.B.O. CONFIRMED MY
AMENDMENT DOES NOT INCREASE THE
OUTLAYS.
FOREST TREATMENT FOCUSED ON
HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION MAYBE
APPROPRIATE, THEY DO NOT ACHIEVE
THE FIRE PROTECTION AND
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION THAT ARE
REQUIRED.
IT IS ROUGHLY 80 MILLION ACRES
OF FOREST THAT ARE OVERGROWN AND
CATASTROPHIC FOR WILDFIRE A
CORDING TO THE DATA BASE.
WE CANNOT AFFORD THE STATUS QUO
USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO
PREVENT UNNATURAL FIRE LIKE THE
WALLOW FIRE IN ARIZONA AND NEW
MEXICO.
WE MUST CHANGE OUR PRIORITIES
AND TREAT OUR FIRES AT THE SCALE
THESE FIRES ARE OCCURRING.
CONGRESS MUST FUND LARGE SCALE
FOREST RESTORATION TREATMENT IF
IT WAS TO REVERSE THE TREATMENT
OF OUR FOREST WHILE REDUCING THE
RISK OF CATASTROPHIC FIRES.
THE PARTNERSHIP FACILITATED
THROUGH THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS
PRIVATE INDUSTRY TO DO IMPORTANT
SCIENCE ECOLOGICAL WORK BY
MINIMUM MS.ING THE RISK TO THE
TAXPAYERS.
IN 2010, PROJECTS WERE SELECTED.
THESE PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN
NINE STATES, MONTANA, ARIZONA,
CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, FLORIDA,
OREGON AND WASHINGTON.
IN THE CASE OF ARIZONA, THE
PROJECT CALLS FOR THE FOREST
SERVICE TO CONTRACT WITH SFRISS
CAPABLE OF RESTORING TENSE OF
THOUSANDS OF ACRES PER YEAR.
IT ESTIMATED 2.4 MILLION ACRE
PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED AT NO
COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BECAUSE OF THIS PROMISE, THIS
PROJECT IS GARNNERED SUPPORT IN
THE ARIZONA HOUSE DELEGATION AND
SENATORS KYL AND MCCAIN AND
UNPRECEDENTED RANGE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.
AND FULLY FUNDING FOR THE FOREST
LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM
ENSURES THAT THE PROJECTS WHICH
ARE NEEDED, WILL CONTINUE TO
MOVE WHILE ALLOWING THEM TO
EXPAND INTO THE 80 MILLION ACRES
OF OVERGROWN AND FOREST SERVICE
LANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT
NEEDS TO BE TREATED.
WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
PRIVATE INDUSTRY, TOGETHER WE
CAN CREATE JOBS AND SAFER
ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CITIZENS.
LANDSCAPE SCALED FOREST
TREATMENTS ARE THE ONLY WAY THE
COUNTRY IS GOING TO MAKE REAL
PROGRESS.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES
ON THE PROGRAM AMENDMENT.
AND I YIELD BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEMAN FROM IDAHO RISE?
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE
CFLR.
TO NOTE I SUPPORT THE PROGRAM,
THIS BILL FUNDS THE PROGRAM AT
$30 MILLION.
IN THE C.R., IT WAS FUNDED AT
$25 MILLION.
WE SUPPORTED IT ENOUGH THAT WE
INCREASED FUNDING FOR IT FROM
THE 2010 LEVEL THROUGH THE C.R.
AND IN THIS BILL.
THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM HAS
INCREASED WHEN OTHER PROGRAMS
ARE BEING SCUT.
THE OFFSET FOR THIS PROGRAM IS
HAZARDOUS FUELS AND BECAUSE OF
THE BUDGET AUTHORITY AND OUTLAYS
THE BUDGET HAS TO CUT $16.6
MILLION TO PAY FOR A $10 MILLION
INCREASE.
IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND I
WOULD ARGUE THAT HAZARDOUS FUEL
FUNDS GET TO THE GROUND AND MAKE
AN IMPACT BEFORE THE LANDSCAPE
RESTORATION PROGRAM WHICH COULD
IMPLEMENTED.
TAKE YEARS BEFORE A PROJECT IS
I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE WITH THE
GENTLEMAN THAT IN OUR BILL
REPORT WE STATE OVER AND OVER
THAT THE FOREST SERVICE NEEDS
MORE ACTIVE MANAGEMENT AT A MUCH
LARGER SCALE.
THE CF LMP R IS NOT THE ONLY
PROGRAM.
THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT
IMPROVES WILD FIRE RISKS.
WE FUNDED THESE AT 2011 LEVELS.
I'M GLAD THE PROGRAM IS WORKING
WELL IN ARIZONA BUT HASN'T WORK
IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.
OTHER BUCKETS OF FUNDING ARE
MORE EFFECTIVE.
AS A RESULT, I HAVE TO OPPOSE
THE GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT AND I
URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT
OFFERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
ARIZONA.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR THE
NOES HAVE IT.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I ASK
FOR A ROLL CALL, YEAS AND NAYS.
I ASK FOR A RECORDED VOTE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6,
RULE 18, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON
THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA WILL BE
.
POSTPONED.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
AND MAINTENANCE, $378,088,000.
LAND ACQUISITION, $12,500,000.
ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR NATIONAL
FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS, $955,000.
ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE
LAND EXCHANGES, SUMS TO BE
DERIVED FROM FUNDS DEPOSITED BY
STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENTS.
RANGE BETTERMENT FUND, 50% OF
ALL MONEYS RECEIVED AS FEES FOR
GRAZING TO REMAIN AVAILABLE
UNTIL EXPENDED.
GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS
FOR FOREST AND RANGE LARGE
RESEARCH, $45,000.
MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST
LANDS FOR SUBSEQUENT USES, $2
MILLION.
$1,805,099,000.
WILD LAND FIRE MANAGEMENT,
SLAYING WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION
RESERVE FUND, $290,418,000.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOREST
SERVICE, APPROPRIATIONS SHALL BE
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OF MOTOR
VEHICLES, FUNDS MAY BE
TRANSFERRED FOR FOREST FIRE
FIGHTING, FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR
ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH
FOREST AND RANGE LAND RESEARCH
IN FOREIGN COUNTRY, UP TO $5
MILLION SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR
PRIORITY PROJECTS, $4,000 IS
AVAILABLE FOR OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATION EXPENSES, $3
MILLION MAY BE ADVANCED IN A
LUMP SUM TO THE NATIONAL FOREST
FOUNDATION TO AID CONSERVATION
PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.
$3 MILLION MAY BE ADVANCED TO
THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE
FOUNDATION.
FUNDS VALUE SHAL BE AVAILABLE
FOR A SUB SUSTAINABLE RULE
DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.
$5 MILLION MILLION -- $55
MILLION SHALL BE ASSESSED FOR
PERFORMING FIRE AND OTHER
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE.
$500,000 MAY BE USED TO
REIMBURSE THE OFFICE OF GENERAL
COUNCIL FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES.
NONE OF THE FUNDS MAY BE
REPROGRAMMED WITHOUT APPROVAL OF
THE COMMITTEES.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE,
$4,034,322,000.
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES,
$427,259,000.
INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES,
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS,
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE,
APPROPRIATIONS IN THIS ACT SHALL
BE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICES AS
AUTHORIZED BY YOU U.S.C. 3109,
NONINDIAN PATIENTS MAY BE
EXTENDED HEAMENT CARE -- HEALTH
CARE OR INDIAN HEALTH CARE
FACILITIES SUBJECT TO CHARGES.
FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE SHALL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS DIRECTED
AT CURTAILING FEDERAL TRAVEL.
NONE OF THE FUNDS SHALL BE USED
FOR ANY ASSESSMENTS BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES UNLESS IDENTIFIED IN
THE BUDGET.
FUNDS AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL OR
ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH A CONTRACT
MAY BE DEOBLIGATED AND
REOBLIGATED.
NONE OF THE FUNDS SHALL BE USED
TO IMPLEMENT THE FINAL RULE
PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
RELATED TO THE ELIGIBILITY FOR
THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES OF THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
WITH RESPECT TO FUNCTIONS
TRANSFERRED TO TRIBES OR TRIBAL
ORGANIZATIONS, THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE
SERVICES TO THOSE ENTITIES ON A
REIMBURSEBLE BASIS.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAINING OR
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE WILL CONTAIN
TOTAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PROVISION OF GOODS OR TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.
THE APPROPRIATIONS STRUCTURE FOR
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE MAY
NOT BE ALTOGETHERED -- AUTHORED
WITHOUT ADVANCED NOTIFICATION TO
HOUSE COMMITTEES.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH,
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
$79,504,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES,
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND
DISEASED REGISTRY, TOXIC
SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH, $74,098,000.
OTHER RELATED AGENCIES,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT, COUNCIL ON
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE
$2,661,000.
OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY,
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
RISE?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA
I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL
DESIGNATE THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. LANKFORD OF OKLAHOMA.
PAGE 98, LINE 11, AFTER THE
$2,661,000.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT, REDUCE BY
PAGE 158, LINE 25, AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT, INCREASE
BY $2,661,000.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
THIS AMENDMENT IS ABOUT
ELIMINATING WASTEFUL DUPLICATION
IN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH THE
COUNCIL OF ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE
THE FUNDING FOR THAT COUNCIL OF
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND
TRANSFER THE SAVINGS TO THE
SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL RESULT IN
ABOUT A $2.7 MILLION TAXPAYER
SAVINGS.
SPECIFICALLY THE COUNCIL ON
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, IF PEOPLE
AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT, IT'S A
COUNCIL OF ONE PERSON WITH A
BUDGET TYPICALLY AROUND $3
MILLION.
THROUGHOUT THE COUNCIL'S 40-YEAR
HISTORY IT REALLY HAS DONE
LITTLE TO DEMONSTRATE ADDITIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES OTHER THAN WHAT
ALREADY IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED BY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY AND NOAA ITSELF.
FORMER PRESIDENTS HAVE PROPOSED
A REDUCE IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS
COUNCIL.
THIS COUNCIL BLATANTLY
DUPLICATES THE EFFORTS OF OTHER
FEDERAL AGENCIES, AS I ALREADY
MENTIONED THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY AND NOAA WHO
ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB IN
THESE SAME AREAS.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE
ABLE TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY
WASTE, DUPLICATIONS, STREAMLINE
THE BUREAUCRACY AND IMPROVE
AGENCY SERVICES TO AMERICANS WHO
FUND THESE AGENCIES.
AT THIS CRITICAL POINT IN OUR
NATION'S HISTORY, I RECOMMEND
THAT WE NEED TO ELIMINATE
AGENCIES LIKE THIS AND TO BE
ABLE TO COMBINE THEM TO EXISTING
AGENCIES AND WITH THAT I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
I RISE, MR. CHAIRMAN,
IN OPPOSITION TO THE AMENDMENT.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS
AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS
ESTABLISHED BY PRESIDENT NIXON,
I THINK IT WAS BILL WHO WAS THE
FIRST HEAD OF IT.
WHAT IT DOES IS TO COORDINATE
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ACT.
THAT ACT, AS I RECALL, GOES BACK
TO 1976, 1969.
IT INTO EFFECT.
IT WAS PRESIDENT NIXON THAT PUT
THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY DOES THE NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
REVIEWS.
AND IT'S A CRITICAL FUNCTION.
IN ADDITION TO THAT IT
COORDINATES THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE C.E.Q., YOU'D
HAVE TO INVENT IT.
I KNOW IF WE DIDN'T HAVE IT WE'D
BE CREATING IT IN THIS
APPROPRIATIONS BILL BECAUSE THIS
APPROPRIATIONS BILL IS REPLETE
WITH REQUESTS TO THE
ADMINISTRATION TO COORDINATE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO
CLIMATE CHANGE.
TO AVOID DUPLICATION.
WELL, THAT'S THE ROLE OF C.E.Q.
THE COUNCIL OF ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY IS VERY INADEQUATELY
FUNDED.
IT'S A RELATIVE HANDFUL OF
PEOPLE.
SO THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN
INTERPRET FROM THIS AMENDMENT IS
THAT IT'S MEANT TO BE PUNITIVE.
YOU'RE HARDLY SAVING ANY MONEY
AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS
ELIMINATING THE WHITE HOUSE'S
ABILITY TO COORDINATE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, TO
CONTINUE THE SAME TRADITION THAT
WE HAVE HAD SINCE RICHARD NIXON.
IT'S NOW BEEN 40 YEARS AND NO
ONE UP UNTIL NOW HAS THOUGHT
THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WAS NOT
PERFORMING AN IMPORTANT AND
VALUABLE FUNCTION.
SO I'M SURPRISED THAT THE
GENTLEMAN WOULD OFFER THE
AMENDMENT BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY
OPPOSE IT.
IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT
YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO REALIZE THE
FULL VALUE OF IT WHEN IT'S GONE.
AND THE SMALL.
A MONEY TO SAVE -- AND THE SMALL
AMOUNT OF MONEY TO SAVE WHEN
THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT
PERSON FOR PERSON PROBABLY DOES
AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER PEOPLE EVEN
IN THE E.P.A. OR ANY OF THE
OTHER AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING A
CONSISTENT, FOCUSED POLICY ON
ENVIRONMENT.
I WOULD REALLY HOPE THAT THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD BE SOUNDLY
DEFEATED.
IT WAS FUNDED IN THE BILL, THERE
WAS NO CRITICISM REGISTERED IN
THE REPORT WITH REGARD TO THE
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY.
I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN REACHING
OUT, MORE THAN HAPPY TO GO TO
ANY MEMBER'S OFFICE.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT, WHEN YOU
HAVE LOCAL ISSUES OR STATE
ISSUES, THEY WILL RESPOND,
THEY'LL EXPLAIN THE INTENT AND
PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT AND
THEY WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS ARE
CONSISTENT WITH CONGRESSIONAL
INTENT.
SO THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF
CONSTRUCTIVE AMENDMENT THAT WE
WOULD EXPECT TO SEE AND I WOULD
REALLY HOPE THAT THIS BODY WOULD
REJECT IT.
SO I'LL YIELD BACK MY TIME BUT
I'M STUNNED THAT THIS AMENDMENT
WOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE?
TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEWOMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I ALSO OPPOSE THE GENTLEMAN'S
AMENDMENT.
LET ME JUST GIVE YOU A LITTLE
MORE BACKGROUND ON WHAT THE
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DOES.
IT'S FOCUS IS TO
MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT
AND MORE EFFECTIVE.
AND IT DOES THIS BY INTERAGENCY
WORKING GROUPS IN COORDINATION
WITH E.O.P. AND C.E.Q..
AND IT BALANCES THE COMPETING
POSITIONS SOMETIMES EVEN WITHIN
GOVERNMENT COORDINATION.
IN OTHER WORDS IT MAKES
EVERYBODY COME AROUND THE TABLE
AND FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE DO IN
THE MOST EFFECTIVELY FOR THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE?
IT BRINGS, AS RANKING MEMBER
MORAN POINTED OUT, FEDERAL
AGENCIES, STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO THE TABLE, TOO,
TO SAY, HOW CAN WE BE MOST
EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIVELY IN
MAKING OUR ENVIRONMENT WORK
BETTER FOR AMERICA?
AND LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE
OF ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT
ENERGY.
THEY'RE WOKING ON AND IT'S SOLAR
SOLAR ENERGY IS BOOMING HERE IN
THE UNITED STATES.
AND IF WE GET SOLAR ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY RIGHT, WE WILL BE THE
LEADERS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
IN HOW WE CAN HAVE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY.
THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES THE
ASSOCIATION WORKS WITH THIS
COUNCIL AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER
THE SOLAR INDUSTRY SAW --
INSTALLED NEW SOLAR ELECTRIC
CAPACITY, 66% GROWTH FROM THE
SAME TIME FRAME FROM 2010.
THAT'S 3,000 MEGAWATTS OF SOLAR
ELECTRIC INSTALLED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
THAT'S ENOUGH TO POWER 600,000
HOMES.
THEY WORKED WITH THE
MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE SOLAR
POWER SECTOR, THEY WORK TOGETHER
AND THEY CAUSED THIS 33% JUMP IN
PANEL PRODUCTION.
WITH THE GROWTH OF SOLAR
INDUSTRY, THOUSANDS OF JOBS HAVE
BEEN CREATED.
IN FACT, SOLAR ENERGY CREATES
MORE JOBS PER MEGAWATT THAN ANY
OTHER ENERGY SOURCE AND
ACCORDING TO THE SOLAR
FOUNDATION'S NATIONAL SOLAR JOB
CENSUS, 93,000 AMERICANS ARE
EMPLOYED IN THE U.S. SOLAR
INDUSTRY.
THE REASON WHY I BRING THIS UP
IS THAT BY NOT ONLY HELPING TO
BRING EVERYBODY AROUND THE TABLE
TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE
AMERICA FORWARD WITH THIS, THE
NEXT THING THEY DO IS THEY WORK,
AS I SAID, WITH INTERGOVERNMENT
AGENCIES.
SO THEY WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY TO ISSUE LOAN
GUARANTEES FOR SOLAR PROJECTS
AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES,
THAT'S GOING TO CREATE 26,000
JOBS.
THEY WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ANNOUNCE
THAT THEY'LL BE INSTALLING SOLAR
PANELS IN THEIR MEDICAL CENTERS,
ONE IN OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, ANOTHER
IN TEXAS AND IN CALIFORNIA.
PRIOR TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THE
D.A. HAD ALSO BEEN AWARDED --
THE V.A. HAD ALED BEEN AWARDED
-- HAD ALSO BEEN AWARDED FOR
OTHER SOLAR PANEL DOLLARS AND
THEY'RE ABLE TO CONTROL COSTS
AND DO GOOD THINGS FOR -- THINGS
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR HAS
APPROVED SOLAR PERMITS ON PUBLIC
LANDS WHICH WILL PROVIDE ENOUGH
ENERGY FOR 70,000 HOMES.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PROMOTES THE DEPLOYMENT OF SOLAR
ENERGY ON FARMS AND RANCHES,
WORKING WITH PEOPLE AND FOLKS
OUT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
SO, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
COORDINATION IS OFTEN THE KEY TO
EFFICIENCY AND SO I JUST REALLY
THINK THAT THE COUNCIL ON
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PROVIDES
AMERICA A WAY FORWARD IN MAKING
SURE THAT OUR AGENCIES ARE
TALKING AND BEING EFFECTIVE WITH
ONE ANOTHER WHEN IT COMES TO
COLLABORATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES, ALSO REACHES OUT TO THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUT MORE
IMPORTANTLY IT WORKS IN THE
PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM WYOMING
RISE?
--
LOOM LOOM I MOVE TO STRIKE THE
I MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE
THE GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA TO
GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO
COMMENT AND I WILL RECLAIM MY
TIME.
LAMBING
THIS WAS A
WONDERFUL DESCRIPTION BUT THE
PROBLEM IS IT'S THE SAME
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT E.P.A. HAS
AND DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS AND
NOAA HAS AND THESE ARE EXECUTIVE
AGENCIES AND TO SAY YOU HAVE TO
WATCH OVER THIS EXECUTIVE AGENCY
IS ONE OF THE PRIME EXAMPLES OF
WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO
COMBINE AGENCIES FOR EFFICIENCY.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE BUREAUCRACIES
AND IT WOULD SAVE US MONEY.
YES, THIS IS A SMALL AGENCY, BUT
ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PRIME
EXAMPLES WHY THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH HAS MULTIPLE AGENCIES
DOING THE SAME THING AND WE HAVE
TO FIND WAYS TO COMBINE THESE.
WE ARE CREATING JOBS.
BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO SAVE MONEY
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE UNDERLYING BILL
REDUCES C.E. Q. TO 2006 LEVELS