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FINAL PASSAGE WITHOUT
INTERVENING MOTION EXCEPT ONE
MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR
WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY,
I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY 30
MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM
COLORADO, MR. POLIS, MY
COLLEAGUE ON THE RULES
COMMITTEE, PENDING WHICH I
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS
RECOGNIZED.
DURING
CONSIDERATION OF THIS
RESOLUTION, ALL TIME YIELDED IS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE
FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE
AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
MR. SPEAKER, I
RISE TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS RULE
AND THE UNDERLYING BILL.
THE RESOLUTION 337 PROVIDES FOR
AN OPEN RULE CONSIDERATION FOR
HOUSE RESOLUTION -- H.R. 2354,
THE ENERGY AND WATER
APPROPRIATION ACT OF 2012.
THIS RULE PROVIDES FOR AMPLE
DEBATE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
THE MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY AND
MAJORITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT
DEBATE.
THE RULE PLACES NO LIMITATIONS
ON THE NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO
BE CONSIDERED AS LONG AS THEY
COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE
HOUSE.
THIS CONTINUES THE SPEAKER'S
AND THE RULE CHAIRMAN'S DESIRE
AND COMMITMENT TO HAVE
TRANSPARENCY AND OPENNESS,
WHICH WAS DEMANDED BY THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE
HAD THIS TYPE OF PROCESS, AND
THE GREAT TO HAVE AN OPEN
PROCESS.
I THINK IT HELPS WITH THE
PARTISANSHIP THAT WE'VE
EXPERIENCED.
THE UNDERLYING BILL FUNDS THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WHILE ALSO
MOVING FORWARD SEVERAL ONGOING
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE EFFORTS BY THE
CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES $1.2 BILLION
IN EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR THE
COMMUNITIES OF MIDWEST AND
SOUTH RAVAGED BY TORNADOES,
STORMS AND FLOODS EARLIER THIS
YEAR.
$477 MILLION TO SET ASIDE FOR
FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
NEARLY THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT,
$1.3 BILLION, IS APPROPRIATED
FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS TO
ENSURE WE CONTINUE TO MOVE
FORWARD IN DEVELOPING NEXT
GENERATION POWER SOURCES AND
CRITICAL DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL
FUELS.
CLEANUP EFFORTS ARE FUNDED AT
THE TOTAL OF $4.9 BILLION.
THIS BILL RECOGNIZES THE
IMPORTANCE OF LONG-TERM NUCLEAR
WASTE DISPOSAL POLICY FOR THE
UNITED STATES.
$3.5 MILLION IS PROVIDED FOR
NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR THE
YUCCA MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR WASTE
STORAGE SITE IN NEVADA.
FURTHER, NO FUNDS IN THIS BILL
WILL BE USED TO SHUT DOWN YUCCA
MOUNTAIN.
SINCE 1983, TAXPAYERS HAVE
SPENT OVER $15 BILLION FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FACILITY,
AND THIS BILL REASSERTS THE
SENSE OF THE BODY THAT YUCCA
MOUNTAIN IS THE FUTURE
REPOSITORY FOR NUCLEAR WASTE.
AS EVER PROGRAM OR PROJECT
FUNDED AT THE LEVELS WE WOULD
LIKE -- IS EVERY PROGRAM OR
PROJECT FUNDED AT THE LEVELS WE
WOULD LIKE?
PROBABLY NOT.
THE EVERGLEADS ARE
SIGNIFICANTLY PARE D'BACK IN
THIS BILL.
I'M SURE ALMOST EVERY MEMBER OF
THIS BODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A
PROJECT PLUSED UP.
THIS IS NOT A PERFECT WORLD,
HOWEVER, AND AT THE END OF THE
DAY THE FUNDING LEVELS IN THIS
BILL REPRESENTS A 3.3% MODEST
CUT FROM LAST YEAR.
SPENDING.
WE HAVE TO SCALE BACK OUR
APPROPRIATIONS OF THE LAST
CONGRESS APPROVED ABOUT $1.65
TRILLION IN DEFICIT SPENDING.
S THE LARGEST EVER.
WE BORROW ABOUT $4.5 BILLION
EVERY DAY AND WE HAVE TO JUST
PARE BACK.
WILL THE CUT MAKE THIS BILL GO
A LONG -- THE CUTS MADE IN THIS
BILL ALONE RIGHT OUR NATION'S
FISCAL?
NO.
AROUND.
IT MOVES THE RUTTER TO TURN IT
THE BILL CHANGES THE WAY
WASHINGTON HAS SPENT TAXPAYERS'
MONEY IN THE PAST.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE NO
EARMARKS IN THIS BILL.
ALSO, BECAUSE THIS BILL IS
BEING CONSIDERED IN AN OPEN
RULE, ANY MEMBER CAN OFFER AN
AMENDMENT TO INCREASE OR
DECREASE FUNDING LEVELS.
AGAIN, THE 3.3% CUT TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND CORPS
OF ENGINEERS' BUDGET WILL NOT
SOLVE ALL OUR NATION'S FISCAL
PROBLEMS BUT AT LEAST IT'S THE
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
MR. SPEAKER, ONCE AGAIN, I RISE
IN SUPPORT OF THIS RULE AND THE
UNDERLYING LEGISLATION.
GIVEN OUR CURRENT PUDGET
SITUATION, THE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY
TO PROVIDE US WITH THE FISCAL
RESPONSIBLE BILL THAT ALLOWS
CONGRESS TO BEGIN LIVING WITHIN
ITS MEANS, JUST LIKE THE
AMERICAN FAMILIES AND
BUSINESSES ARE FORCED TO DO
EVERY DAY.
I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
VOTE WHY ON THE -- VOTE YES ON
THE BILL AND YES ON THE RULE.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I'D LIKE TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUE FROM FLORIDA FOR THE
TIME AS WELL AS TO THANK THE
MAJORITY MEMBERS OF THE RULES
COMMITTEE FOR A FAIR RULE THAT
WILL ENABLE A WIDE VARIETY OF
FLOOR AMENDMENTS TO BE BROUGHT
FORWARD.
I DO RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE
UNDERLYING BILL UNLESS THERE
ARE MAJOR CHANGES MADE, WHICH I
HOPE A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE
SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE IN DOING
UNDER THIS FAIR OPEN RULE.
THE CURRENT POLITICAL DEBATE IN
WASHINGTON IS DOMINATED BY THE
QUESTION OF FEDERAL SPENDING,
AND I THINK IT'S A QUESTION
THAT WE NEED TO REVISIT UNDER
EACH APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
WE NEED TO CUT WASTEFUL
SPENDING.
THAT DON'T WORK, ELIMINATE
WE SHOULD ELIMINATE PROGRAMS
CORPORATE GIVEAWAYS, LOOK AT
THE COST OF TAX SUBSIDIES THAT
COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO
AMERICANS BUT FAIL TO CREATE
JOBS AND REALLY SERVE TO ENRICH
SPECIAL INTERESTS.
WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE
DON'T LOSE SIGHT THAT -- IN OUR
DRIVE TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT
THAT WE IMPACT INVESTMENTS THAT
ARE CREATIVE AND HELP OUR
ECONOMY AND REDUCE DEFICITS
OVER TIME.
JUST AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
MAKING CUTS IN A RECESSION
WOULD MAKE THE CUTS
INTELLIGENTLY AND WOULDN'T CUT
ESSENTIAL INVESTMENTS ON
CAPITOL HILL RESOURCES.
CONGRESS SHOULDN'T SLASH
DOMESTIC INVESTMENTS THAT
CREATE JOBS WHILE ALSO AT THE
SAME TIME CONTINUING TO GIVE
HANDOUTS TO MULTIBILLION DOLLAR
CORPORATIONS.
GIVEN THE APPROACH TO BUDGETING
THIS YEAR IN THIS BODY, IT
SEEMS LIKE THE MAJORITY IS
BASING THEIR DECISIONS ON
ARITHMETIC TO BALANCE THE
BUDGET.
RATHER, THERE SEEMS TO BE AN
EQUATION IN PLAY.
LOBBYING NOT BY A REAL CONCERN
FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION.
WITH THIS APPROPRIATIONS BILL,
I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS
MORE OF THE SAME.
HOW ELSE CAN WE EXPLAIN A
BUDGET THAT ENDS MEDICARE WHILE
PRESERVING TAX SUBSIDIES FOR
BIG OIL, TAX SUBSIDIES FOR
CORPORATE JETS AND CONTINUES
WASTEFUL DEFENSE PROGRAMS, IN
FACT, ACTUALLY INCREASES THE
DEFENSE BUDGET WHEN WE KNOW WE
HAVE MORE DEFENSE THAN WE CAN
AFFORD IN THIS COUNTRY?
WHY IS WASTEFUL SPENDING
PRIORITIZED OVER HEALTH CARE
FOR OUR SENIORS, THE EDUCATION
OF OUR CHILDREN AND INVESTMENTS
UNDER THIS BILL THAT KEEP OUR
AIR AND WATER SUPPLY CLEAN AND
HEALTHY REDUCING HEALTH CARE
COSTS IN THE LONG RUN?
NOW, AGAIN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
THESE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS,
IT'S NOT A DEBATE OVER WHETHER
WE SHOULD CUT THE DEFICIT.
I THINK REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS AGREE THAT WE NEED TO
CUT THE DEFICIT.
THE DEBATE ABOUT HOW WE RESTORE
FISCAL DISCIPLINE THAT HAS BEEN
ABANDONED OVER THE LAST DECADE.
LET'S HAVE THAT DEBATE HERE IN
THE U.S. HOUSE AND I'M GLAD
THAT THIS RULE ALLOWS US TO D
IT UNDER THIS BILL AND I HOPE
WE'LL MAKE SOME MAJOR CHANGES
TO THIS BILL.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE ENERGY AND
WATER BILL PRESENTED BEFORE THE
HOUSE UNDER THIS RULE
EXEMPLIFIES A RECKLESS AND
BUDGET.
IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE
THIS BILL ACTUALLY INCREASES
FUNDING LEVELS, I CREASES
DEFICIT FUNDING LEVELS FOR
FOSSIL FUEL RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT, OIL AND GAS
RESEARCH.
IT INCREASES FEDERAL SPENDING
ON THESE PROGRAMS WHILE CUTTING
INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN ENERGY
RESEARCH.
NOW, IN THE PAST REPUBLICANS
HAVE CLAIMED THEY WERE FOR AN
ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE APPROACH
ENERGY POLICY.
LOOKING AT THE EXPLOITATION OF
FOSSIL FUELS AND ALSO INVESTING
IN NEW ENERGY RESEARCH, BUT
THIS BILL REPRESENTS INSTEAD OF
ALL OF THE ABOVE, THIS
REPRESENTS AN OIL ABOVE ALL
APPROACH TO NATIONAL ENERGY
POLICY.
IT'S SIMPLY NOT A SERIOUS
RESPONSE FOR AMERICA'S NEED FOR
CLEANER, MORE AFFORDABLE
DOMESTIC ENERGY.
NOW, AT A TIME WHEN WE ALL
AGREE WE ARE CONFRONTING A
FINANCIAL CRISIS, HOW CAN WE
ASK THE AMERICANS TO FOOT THE
BILL FOR EXXONMOBIL'S R&D?
THIS IS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS
ARE CHOOSING TO PROTECT AND
CUTTING SPENDING FOR EDUCATION.
WE SHOULD INVEST IN THE
AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY THAT WILL
HELP OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR
ECONOMY.
THIS LEGISLATION CUTS TOTAL
FUNDING FOR THE ENERGY
DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
BY 42% COMPARED TO 2010 AT THE
SAME TIME INCREASING SUBSIDIES
TO OIL AND GAS.
THESE CUTS MEAN LESS
INNOVATION, DIRTIER ENERGY AND
FEWER CLEAN ENERGY JOBS.
IN MY HOME STATE OF COLORADO
ALONE, OVER 5,000 JOBS HAVE
BEEN SPUN OFF OF RESEARCH THAT
WAS CONDUCTED AT THE NATIONAL
RENEWABLES LABORATORY AND IT
ESTIMATES A $14 BILLION ANNUAL
BOOST TO OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.
IT'S THAT KIND OF RESEARCH
THAT'S DEVASTATED UNDER THIS
BILL, AND I'M SURE THROUGH THIS
OPEN AMENDMENT PROCESS, I CALL
UP MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE AISLE TO SUPPORT EFFORTS
TO RESTORE THAT FUNDING.
THESE LABS, LIKE THE NATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGIES LABORATORY
ARE INCUBATORS.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BLOATED
BUREAUCRACIES IN WASHINGTON,
THEY GOING TO THE HIRING OF
EXPERTS AND INNOVATORS THAT
WILL SPIN OFF THEIR IDEAS TO
ENTREPRENEURS TO BRING TO THE
MARKETPLACE.
A MODEL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR JOB
GROWTH THAT'S CRITICAL FOR OUR
NATION'S ECONOMY AND CRITICAL
FOR OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IN
MYING OUR OWN ENERGY NEEDS
DOMESTICALLY.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S
INVESTMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY ARE
THE FIRST STEPS IN THE DOMINO
EFFECT.
AS OF AUGUST, 2010, FOR
EXAMPLE, NATIONAL RENEWABLE
ENERGIES LABORATORY HAD 329
PRO-- CONTRACTS WITH COLORADO
COMPANIES, INCLUDING $775
MILLION IN THE MOST RECENT
FISCAL YEAR.
THEY HAVE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS WITH
23 COLORADO COMPANIES.
AND THEY SUPPORT INTERACTIONS
WITH COMPANIES FROM ACROSS THE
NATION.
THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE
MANY RESEARCH INITIATIVES AND
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
THAT THIS BILL AS WRITTEN WOULD
CALL INTO JEOPARDY.
WHILE AGAIN CALLING INTO
JEOPARDY MUCH OF THIS
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH THAT HAS
PRIVATE SECTOR APPLICATIONS
WERE BEGIN INCREASE IN
SUBSIDIES TO THE FOSSIL FUEL
INDUSTRIES' RESEARCH.
$141 MILLION OR 81% CUT TO
WEATHERIZATION INITIATIVES THAT
HELP INSULATE THE HOMES OF
LOW-INCOME, ELDERLY AND
DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IS IN THIS
BILL WHILE CONTINUING AND
INCREASING SUBSIDIES TO THE
FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY.
IN ANOTHER DANGEROUS CUT IN
THIS BILL IS CUTTING FUNDING TO
THE R.P.E. BY 44% COMPARED TO
THE CURRENT YEAR.
R.P.E. HAS STRONGLY HAD
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR YEARS
AND HELPS FUND INNOVATION IN
ON A PROVEN
SUCCESSFUL MODEL WE'VE HAD IN
DEFENSE FOR MANY YEARS CALLED
DARPA.
IT HAS IDEAS THAT IS LIKELY TO
GET FUNDING ANYWHERE ELSE AT AN
EARLY AGE.
THE CREATED MODEL IS MODELED
AFTER DARPA, RANGING FROM CELL
PHONES TO THE CREATION OF THE
INTERNET ITSELF.
IT HAS TREMENDOUS IMPLICATIONS
FOR AMERICA TO MEET ITS
RENEWABLE ENERGY NEEDS.
THE BILL BEFORE US IS NOT
SMART.
IT'S NOT SENSIBLE.
IT'S SIMPLY NOT A FISCALLY
RESPONSIBLE BILL THAT MEETS OUR
AND CUTS OUR DEFICIT.
NATION'S ENERGY FUTURE NEEDS
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO IMPROVE
THIS BILL THROUGH AMENDMENTS
DURING THIS OPEN AMENDMENT
PROCESS, AND IF IT'S ANYTHING
TO THE CLOSE TO THE CURRENT
FORM, TO OPPOSE THE BILL.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF
ITEMS.
THE TAX POLICY AND HOW WE CAN
RAISE EXTRA REVENUES.
THE TAX POLICY WAS GIVEN TO US
BY THE 111TH CONGRESS.
I ASHUMSUME IF THEY WANTED TO
CHANGE IT THEY WOULD HAVE WHEN
THEY WERE IN THE MAJORITY.
THEY DIDN'T.
AS FAR AS THE MONEY WE'RE USING
IN THIS BUDGET, IT IS A SMALL
DECREASE BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT.
WE'RE BORROWING 40 CENTS ON THE
DOLLAR, $4.5 BILLION A DAY.
WE CANNOT AFFORD IT.
IF WE WERE TO INCREASE THE
ALLOCATION IN THIS PARTICULAR
BILL, THEN WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE
BORROWING 100% OF THAT
ALLOCATION INCREASE BECAUSE WE
DO NOT HAVE THE CASH.
SO TO ME WE ARE HERE WITH A
GOOD BILL.
RULE.
THE RULE CERTAINLY IS A GOOD
IT'S AN OPEN RULE.
IT'S THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO
CHANGE THIS BILL TO DO SO.
HOWEVER, THE UNDERLYING BILL IS
ALSO A GOOD BILL.
IT'S DONE VERY WELL.
JUST TO GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF
WHAT THE MINORITY SAID ABOUT IT
AND THEIR VIEWS IN THE -- THAT
SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE, WE
COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN, BOTH THE
SUBCHAIR AND THE FULL CHAIR,
FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO ASSEMBLE
THIS BILL IN AN INCLUSIVE
MANNER.
THE BILL FUNDS CRITICAL WATER
RESOURCE PROJECTS, SUPPORTS
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO
AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS AND
CONTRIBUTES TO OUR NATIONAL
DEFENSE THROUGH VITAL WEAPONS
NAVAL REACTOR RESEARCH AND
NONPROLIFERATION FUNDING.
ALL THESE PRIORITIES THAT UNITE
ALL OF US RATHER THAN DIVIDE.
THERE WAS A DISAGREEMENT, OVER
THE ALLOCATION, BUT WE CANNOT
AFFORD ANY MORE OF AN
ALLOCATION FOR THIS THAN WE
HAVE AND THE BUDGET DONE IS AN
EXCELLENT ONE UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
I RESERVE MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
COLORADO.
IT'S MY HONOR TO
YIELD TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA, MS. MATSUI.
THE GENTLELADY IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM
COLORADO FOR YIELDING ME TIME.
EVER SINCE I WAS ELECTED, I'VE
BEEN A TIRELESS WORKER ON
SACRAMENTO FLOOD PRIORITIES.
SACRAMENTO LIES AT THE MEETING
PLACE OF TO GREAT RIVERS.
THE CITY IS HOME TO THE
CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITAL, THE
STATE'S WATER AND ELECTRIC GRID
AND OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.
IF SACRAMENTO WERE TO FLOOD,
THE ECONOMIC DAMAGES WOULD
RANGE BETWEEN $28 BILLION AND
$40 BILLION.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A
FLOOD ONE FELT ACROSS THE
NATION.
EVEN IN THIS AUSTERE BUDGET
ENVIRONMENT, IT IS CRITICAL
THAT SACRAMENTO'S BASIC FLOOD
PROTECTION NEEDS ARE MET.
I WANT TO APPLAUD THE ENERGY
AND WATER SUBCOMMITTEE FOR
INCLUDING FUNDING FOR
SACRAMENTO'S TOP FLOOD
PROTECTION PROJECTS.
EACH ONE OF THESE PROJECTS IS A
CRITICAL COMPONENT TO IMPROVING
FLOOD PROTECTION FOR THE ENTIRE
SACRAMENTO REGION.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THE COMPLETED
PROJECTS WILL BRING US CLOSER
TO THE LEVEL OF FLOOD
PROTECTION THAT FAMILIES AND
BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE
RENEED AND DESERVE.
MOREOVER, THESE PROJECTS ARE
READY -- ARE ALREADY IN THE
MIDST OF CONSTRUCTION.
A LAPSE OF FUNDING WOULD NOT
ONLY POSTPONE THE SAFETY THAT
THE COMPLETED PROJECTS WILL
PROVIDE BUT ALSO INCREASE THE
PROJECT COSTS, SOMETHING WE
CANNOT AFFORD.
IN FACT, THESE PROJECTS HAVE
ALREADY BEEN FUNDED AT THE
LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL AND ARE
WAITED A SUSTAINED FEDERAL
MATCH.
FOR EXAMPLE, FEDERAL FUNDING
WILL HELP FINISH THE FOLSOM DAM
J.F.P.
FOR CONTINUED CONSTRUCTION OF
THE SPILLWAY WILL PROVIDE
GREATER EFFICIENCY IN THE
FOLSOM RESERVOIR AND CRITICAL
DAM SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.
THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
RESIDENTS LIVE BEG LOW THE DAM
WILL BE BETTER PROTECTED ONCE
THE PROJECT IS FINISHED.
THE J.F.P. AND LEVEE
IMPROVEMENT WILL GO A LONG WAY
TO PROCHECTS -- PROTECTING
SACRAMENTO.
BUT THIS DOES NOT FULLY SUPPORT
SACRAMENTO'S FLOOD PROTECTION
NEEDS.
BELOW THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS'
THE LEVELS IN THIS BILL ARE
FULL CAPABILITY.
THIS WINTER, WE HAVE HAD
RECORD-BREAKING SNOW PACK IN
THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN
RANGE JUST ABOVE SACRAMENTO.
WE HAVE FORTUNATE THAT THE SNOW
PACK DID NOT MELT ALL AT ONCE.
WHEN THIS OCCURS, OUR DAMS AND
HE VE VIDEOS ARE PUT TO THE --
AND LEVEES ARE PUT TO THE TEST.
LUCK IS NOT SOMETHING THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO
RELY ON.
HURRICANE KATRINA AND THIS
YEAR'S FLOODING IN THE MIDWEST
TAUGHT US WE NEED TO SHORE UP
THE NATION'S FLOOD PROTECTION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
LET'S TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
FIX IT WHILE THE SUN IS OUT AND
NOT WATCH ANOTHER AMERICAN
COMMUNITY GET SWEPT AWAY IN
HIGH WATER.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I YIELD BACK THE PLANS OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK WHO
YIELDS TIME?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.
I RESERVE MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL
SPEAKERS AND INQUIRE OF THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IF HE
HAS ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS.
I AM READY TO CLOSE AND
WOULD YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN
FROM COLORADO FOR CLOSING.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THIS BILL, AGAINING WHILE WE
APPRECIATE THE OPEN AMENDMENT
PROCESS, WILL NEED AN OPEN
AMENDMENT PROCESS TO CORRECT
BECAUSE IT'S SO HIGHLY FLAWED
IN ITS CURRENT FORM.
IT SERVES AS A SERIES OF
ANTI-PUBLIC INTEREST RIDERS,
OVERRIDING THE CLEAN WATER ACT
AND PUTTING BURDENS ON LOCAL
COMMUNITIES.
IT REQUIRES THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS TO AVOID WORKING ON
LEVEES.
A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE
RECEIVE WATER FROM BODIES OF
WATER THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY
THIS BILL.
UNCONVENTIONAL SHALE GAS HAS
BEEN EXPANDING INTO NEW AREAS
AT A BREAKNECK PACE AND
ACCOMPANIED BY GROWING HEALTH
AND POLLUTION PROBLEMS
EXPERIENCED BY RESIDENTS AND
COMMUNITIES WHEN THE DRILLING
IS TAKING PLACE IN CLOSE
PROXIMITY.
ITS GROWTH IS OUTPACING CURRENT
SAFEGUARDS AND GIVES TOO MUCH
ISOLATION.
I HAVE GREAT CONCERNS THAT THE
COMMITTEE FELT THE IMMEDIATE TO
INTERFEAR IN A MANSED ADVISORY
PANEL WITH THE AIM OF SILENCING
PUBLIC VOICES WITH THE PRIORITY
OF PROTECTING THE INDUSTRY
ABOVE ALL ELSE.
THIS LEGISLATION SHES US WHOSE
SIDE THEY ARE ON, ENTRENCHED
INDUSTRIES AND POLLUTERS, NOT
THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THIS IS IMPORTANT FUNDING
LEGISLATION.
HISTORICALLY IT'S BEEN
BIPARTISAN AND SHOULDN'T BE A
PLAY BRUND FOR SPECIAL INTEREST
HANDOUTS.
YET UNDER THIS MAJORITY, THAT'S
WHAT THIS BILL HAS BECOME THAT
WE'RE CONSIDERING TODAY.
THE BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM
UNDERMINES OUR ENERGY FUPE,
UNDERMINES THE NATIONAL
SECURITY AND SUBSIDIZES AN
ENERGY INDUSTRY THAT HAS GIVEN
US FRACKING HEALTH HAZARDS,
HIGHER GAS PRICES AN DIRTIER
AIR.
IT ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE A LOOPHOLE
THROUGH THE LAWS THAT KEEP OUR
AIR AND WATER SAFE.
WE NEED TO NOT FOCUS ON FUNDING
SPECIAL INTERESTS AND HARMFUL
CUTS TO CLEAN COMPETITORS.
I URGE A NO VOTE ON THIS BILL.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO COME
FORTH AND TRY TO IMPROVE THIS
BILL UNDER THE RULE AND I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO YIELDS
BACK.
?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.
MR. SPEAKER, AS YOU HEARD ME
SAY EARLIER, MY REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES AN I ARE COMMITTED
TO PROVIDING A MORE OPEN,
ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT
PROCESS.
THE UNDERLYING BILL WENT
THROUGH REGULAR ORDER INCLUDING
EIGHT DIFFERENT SUBCOMMITTEE
HEARINGS, SEVERAL DEMOCRAT
AMENDMENTS WERE ADOPTED AT THE
COMMITTEE LEVEL, IT IS PRORIDED
AN OPEN RULE TO ALLOW
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE
TO OFFER THEIR IDEAS IN AN OPEN
AND HONEST DEBATE.
THIS RULE PROVIDES
FOR AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
PROCESS WHERE IDEAS WILL RISE
AND FALL PACED ON MERIT, NOT
PARTY AFILL QUATIONS.
THIS IS WHAT THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE EXPECT.
IT'S AN EXPECTATION BEING
FULFILLED BY THIS RULE AND
ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN
ME IN SUPPORTING ITS PASSAGE.
I YIELD BACK AND I MOVE THE
PREVIOUS QUESTION ON THE
RESOLUTION.
THE
QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF
THERES. RUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
THE AYES VISIT AND WITHOUT
OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
320 AND RULE 18, THE CHAIR
DECLARES THE HOUSE IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR THE
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
2219.
WILL THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW
HAMPSHIRE, MR. BASS, KINDLY
TAKE THE CHAIR.
THE HOUSE IS IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR THE
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
2219 WHICH THE CLERK WILL
REPORT BY TITLE.
A BILL MAKING
APPROPRIATIONERS IN DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEN THE COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE ROSE ON THURSDAY,
JULY 7, THE BILL HAD BEEN READ
THROUGH PAGE 61, LINE 12.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO SEEK
RECOGNITION?
DESK.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
THE CLERK WILL
REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AN AMENDMENT OFFERED
BY MR. KUCINICH OF OHIO, AT THE
END OF THE BILL, BEFORE THE
SHORT TITLE, INSERT THE
FOLLOWING NEW SECTION, SECTION,
NONE OF THE FUNDS IN THIS
ACTION MAY BE USED FOR MILITARY
OPERATIONS IN OR AGAINST LIBYA
EXCEPT UNDER A DECLARATION OF
WAR AGAINST LIBYA.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES IN
SUPPORT OF HIS AMENDMENT.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEING
BEFORE THE HOUSE COMPLETES WORK
ON THIS IMPORTANT BILL, I THINK
THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE
HOUSE IS PROVIDED WITH ONE MORE
OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY ITS
POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE
CONSTITUTION AND OUR POWER
UNDER ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8,
CLAUSE 11 OF THE CONSTITUTION,
WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS.
CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO
DECLARE WAR.
THIS AMENDMENT SAYS NONE OF THE
FUNDS IN THIS ACT MAY BE USED
FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS IN OR
AGAINST LIBYA EXCEPT UNDER A
DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST
LIBYA PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 11 IN
SECTION 8 OF ARTICLE 1 OF THE
CONSTITUTION.
SO WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS
IT RECOGNIZES CONGRESS' POWER
TO APPROPRIATE AND LINKS IT IN
THIS CASE TO CONGRESS' ABILITY
TO DECLARE WAR AND ENABLES THIS
HOUSE TO DIFINTIVELY,
DIFINTIVELY MAKE A STATEMENT
THAT IT IS OUR PREROGATIVE, OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO
DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THIS
NATION GOES TO WAR AND WE ARE
NOT GOING TO SEE ANY WAR FUNDED
ABSENT A DECLARATION OF WAR BY
THIS CONGRESS.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ACT
BECAUSE BY SEPTEMBER THIS
ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE SPENT
$1 BILLION ON THE WAR WITHOUT
CONGRESS HAVING ANY SAY IN IT
WHATSOEVER.
WE WILL HAVE GONE TO A WAR
WITHOUT ANY ABILITY OF CONGRESS
TO HAVE A VOICE.
NOW, TO ITS CREDIT, THIS HOUSE
HAS TAKEN UP NUMEROUS PROPOSALS
RELATIVE TO THE WAR IN LIBYA
THAT HAVE SOUGHT TO LIMIT THE
FEAR OF CONDUCT OF HOSTILITIES
AGAINST LIBYA.
NO GROUND TROOPS, NO MONEY TO
REBELS.
THIS AMENDMENT, HOWEVER, GIVES
THE HOUSE ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY
WITHIN THIS BILL TO SPEAK VERY
CLEARLY ABOUT ARTICLE 1,
SECTION 8, CLAUSE 11 AND TO DO
IT IN THE CONTEXT OF AN
APPROPRIATIONS BILL WHICH SAYS
WE WILL NOT PERMIT ANY FUNDS TO
BE AUTHORIZED UNLESS THIS
CONGRESS MOVES FORWARD WITH A
DECLARATION OF WAR.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I RISE
IN OPPOSITION TO --
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
FIVE MINUTES.
WASHINGTON IS RECOGNIZED FOR
TO THE KUCINICH
AMENDMENT.
FIRST OF ALL, THE PRESIDENT HAS
MADE A VERY STRONG CASE FOR
THIS, FOR OUR MILITARY ACTION
IN THIS.
I THINK AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF
HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT
HE DID.
WE HAD A U.N. RESOLUTION, THE
NATO ALLIES WERE INVOLVED, THE
ARAB LEAGUE.
THERE ARE -- THERE IS ANOTHER
OPTION.
THE OTHER OPTION IS THE WAR
POWERS ACT, AND I HOPE AT SOME
POINT THE PRESIDENT WILL ASK
FOR CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT OF
HIS INITIATIVE IN LIBYA.
THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO
PULL OUT OF THIS THING
UNILATERALLY, UNDERMINE THE
NATO ALLIANCE I THINK IS A
TERRIBLE MISTAKE.
THOUGH I HAVE THE GREATEST
RESPECT FOR THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OHIO, I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO
HIS AMENDMENT.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE
TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I
WOULD FIRST ADMIT THAT IF THIS
GENTLEMAN INTRODUCING THIS
AMENDMENT IS NOTHING IT'S THAT
HE'S PERSISTENT.
AFTER TWO LENGTHY DAYS, 10 AND
11 HOURS EACH DAY WITH
AMENDMENT AFTER AMENDMENT BEING
PRESENTED WE HAVE JUST SEEN
THIS AMENDMENT IN THE LAST FIVE
MINUTES.
WE'D LIKE TO -- WE WOULD HAVE
LIKED TO HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO
ANALYZE IT.
BUT A QUICK ANALYSIS OF THIS
AMENDMENT TELLS ME THAT IT'S
VERY MUCH LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER
LIBYAN AMENDMENTS THAT WE HAVE
DEFEATED IN THE LAST TWO DAYS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE -- I'M
SATISFIED THAT THIS AMENDMENT
WOULD PRECLUDE ANY SEARCH AND
RESCUE MISSION ON THE PART OF
AMERICANS TO SAVE AMERICANS.
I'M SATISFIED IT WOULD PREVENT
US FROM PROVIDING ANY
INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE OR
RECONNAISSANCE.
I'M SATISFIED THAT IT WOULD NOT
PERMIT US TO DO ANY AERIAL
REFUELING OF OUR COALITION
PARTNERS AND OUR NATO PARTNERS.
I'M SATISFIED THAT THE
AMENDMENT WOULD PROHIBIT US
FROM EVEN BEING INVOLVED,
SITTING IN THE ROOM WHILE
OPERATIONAL PLANS WERE BEING
DEVELOPED THAT MIGHT HAVE AN
EFFECT ON THE SUPPORT ROLE THAT
THE UNITED STATES PLAYS.
SO HERE WE GO AGAIN, WE'VE
ALREADY DEFEATED THIS ISSUE
CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES IN THE
LAST TWO DAYS.
SO I JUST SUGGEST WE MOVE ON
AND DEFEAT THIS AMENDMENT ALSO.
I YIELD BACK.
THE QUESTION IS ON
THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.
AS MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR WILL
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
THE NOES HAVE IT.
MR. CHAIRMAN.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OHIO.
ON THAT I ASK FOR
THE YEAS AND NAYS.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6
OF RULE 18, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
ON THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
OFFERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OHIO WILL BE POSTPONED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6 OF RULE
18, PROCEEDINGS WILL NOW RESUME
ON THOSE AMENDMENTS PRINTED IN
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON
WHICH PROCEEDINGS WERE
POSTPONED.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY MR.
FLAKE OF ARIZONA, THE SECOND
AMENDMENT BY MR. FLAKE OF
AMENDMENT, AMENDMENT NUMBER 3
BY MR. FLAKE OF AMENDMENT, AN
AMENDMENT BY MR. HUELSKAMP, THE
AMENDMENT BY MR. POLIS.
THE FIRST VOTE IS ON THE
AMENDMENT BY MR. FLAKE OF
ARIZONA, ON WHICH THE AMENDMENT
WAS POSTPONED.
THE CLERK WILL REDESIGNATE THE
AMENDMENT.
AN AMENDMENT OFFERED
BY MR. FLAKE OF ARIZONA.
THE CHAIR:, THE QUESTION IS ON
THE VOTE OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM
FLAKE.
THOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE REQUEST
FOR A RECORDED VOTE WILL RISE
AND BE COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING
INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION
REPRESENTATIVES.
WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON THIS VOTE THE
YEAS ARE 39.
THE NAYS ARE --
ON THIS VOTE THE
YEAS ARE 39.
THE NAYS ARE 380.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE
REQUEST FOR A RECORDED VOTE ON
THE SECOND AMENDMENT BY MR.
FLAKE -- FROM THE GENTLEMAN
FROM ARIZONA, MR. FLAKE, ON
WHICH FURTHER PROCEEDINGS WERE
POSTPONED AND ON WHICH THE NOES
PREVAILED.
THE CLERK WILL REDESIGNATE THE
AMENDMENT.
SECOND AMENDMENT
OFFERED BY MR. FLAKE OF
ARIZONA.
A RECORDED VOTE HAS
BEEN REQUESTED.
THOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE REQUEST
AND BE COUNTED.
FOR A RECORDED VOTE WILL RISE
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
THIS WILL BE A TWO-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING
INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION
WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]