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X
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS
ARE 176, THE NAYS ARE 247.
ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS
ARE 177, THE NAYS ARE 247, THE
AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.
ACCORDINGLY UNDER THE RULE THE
COMMITTEE RISES.
MR.
CHAIRMAN.
MR. SPEAKER, THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION HAS HAD
UNDER CONSIDERATION H.R. 2578
AND PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
688 I REPORT THE BILL BACK TO
THE HOUSE WITH AN AMENDMENT
WHOLE.
THE
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF THE
UNION REPORTS THAT THE COMMITTEE
HAS HAD UNDER CONSIDERATION THE
BILL H.R. 2578 AND PURSUANT TO
HOUSE RESOLUTION 688 REPORTS THE
BILL BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH AN
AMENDMENT ADOPTED IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
UNDER THE RULE THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION IS ORDERED.
IS A SEPARATE VOTE DEMANDED ON
ANY AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT
REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE?
IF NOT, THE QUESTION IS ON
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT IN THE
NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE AS
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT, THE AMENDMENT
THE QUESTION IS ON ENGROSSMENT
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THIRD READING.
A BILL TO AMEND THE
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT
RELATED TO A SEGMENT OF THE
LOWER MERCED RIVER IN CALIFORNIA
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE
HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO SEEK
RECOGNITION?
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I
HAVE A MOTION TO RECOMMIT AT THE
IS THE
GENTLEMAN OPPOSED TO THE BILL?
IN ITS CURRENT FORM I AM.
MR. PERLMUTTER OF
COLORADO MOVES TO RECOMMIT THE
BILL TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL
RESOURCES WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO
REPORT THE SAME BACK TO THE
HOUSE FORTHWITH WITH THE
FOLLOWING AMENDMENT.
AT THE END OF THE BILL INSERT
THE FOLLOWING, TITLE 15,
REDUCING THE RISK OF WILDFIRE,
PROTECTING TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY,
MAKE IT IN AMERICA.
SECTION 1501, REDUCING THE RISK
OF WILDFIRE.
THE SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE
AND INTERIOR ARE AUTHORIZED TO
ENTER INTO CONTRACTS OR
AGREEMENTS WITH A STATE TO
PERMIT THE STATE, TO TREAT
INSECT-INFECTED TREES AND REMOVE
HAZARDOUS FUELS ON FEDERAL LAND
LOCATED IN THE STATE IN ORDER TO
REDUCE THE RISK OF WILDFIRE.
PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE
PROTECTION OF HOMES, SCHOOLS AND
HEALTH CARE, NURSING AND
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.
SECTION 1502, PROTECTING TRIBAL
SOVEREIGNTY.
NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL
OVERRIDE TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO NATIVE
AMERICAN BURIAL OR OTHER SACRED
SITES.
SECTION 1503, MAKE IT IN
AMERICA.
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
ENSURE THAT ALL ITEMS
OFFERED FOR SALE IN ANY GIFT
SHOP OR VISITORS CENTER LOCATED
WITHIN A UNIT OF THE NATIONAL
PARK SYSTEM ARE PRODUCED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
THE
HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
SPEAKER.
TO RECOMMIT.
IT IS THE FINAL AMENDMENT TO THE
BILL.
IT WILL NOT KILL THE BILL AND IF
ADOPTED THE HOUSE WILL VOTE ON
FINAL PASSAGE IN THIS SERIES OF
VOTES.
THE
GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO MAY
CONTINUE.
SPEAKER.
THE AMENDMENT HAS THREE PARTS.
THEY ARE SHORT AND DIRECT.
FIRST INVOLVES WILDFIRES AND THE
ABILITY OF -- AND THE AUTHORITY
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
AND THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH THE
STATES TO CLEAR HAZARDOUS FUEL,
TO PREVENT WILDFIRES AS WELL AS
TREAT INSECT-INFESTED TREES.
AND WE'LL GET INTO THAT.
SECOND PART IS VERY CLEAR, JUST
SAYS NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL
OVERRIDE TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY,
INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO NATIVE
AMERICAN BURIAL OR OTHER SACRED
SITES, SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
FINALLY, IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE
THAT IN THE PARKS AND IN THE
GIFT SHOPS, THAT THE GOODS THAT
ARE SOLD THERE ARE MADE IN
WILDFIRE PIECE.
AS SMOKEY THE BEAR SAYS, ONLY
YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES.
RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE WEST AND
THROUGHOUT AMERICA WE HAVE
WILDFIRES DO THING OUR COUNTRY
-- DOTTING OUR COUNTRY.
500,000 ACRES ARE BURNING.
MR. SPEAKER, THE HOUSE IS NOT
THE
GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO MAY
CONTINUE.
THANK YOU.
500,000 ACRES ACROSS OUR COUNTRY
ARE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW.
IN ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA,
NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO,
NORTH CAROLINA, WYOMING AND IN
MY HOME STATE OF COLORADO.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE BATTLING A VERY
BIG WILDFIRE JUST NORTH OF WHERE
I LIVE CALLED THE HIGH PARK
FIRE.
BURNING.
WE HAVE ABOUT 50% CONTAINED.
OF 1,800
FIREFIGHTERS.
SOME OF THE BEST FEDERAL
FIREFIGHTERS WE HAVE AS WELL AS
STATE AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS WHO
ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB IN A
SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE VERY DRY
CONDITIONS, RECORD TEMPERATURES
AND A VERY ERATIC FIRE.
NOW, WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT IS
MISSING FROM THIS BILL IS ANY
PUBLIC POLICY CONCERNING WHAT TO
DO WITH INSECT-INFESTED FORESTS
AND WE'VE HAD A TERRIBLE
INFESTATION OF WHAT THEY CALL
THE PINE BEETLE.
AND IT MAKES TREMENDOUS FUEL.
AND SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT
GIVES THE AUTHORITY TO THE
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE
THE STATES TO CLEAR THESE
INFECT-RAVAGED FORESTS.
WE NEED TO HAVE THAT DONE TO
PREVENT FOREST FIRES IN THE
IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT, IT OUGHT
TO BE VERY EASY FOR EVERYONE TO
SECONDLY, THIS AMENDMENT SAYS
SPECIFICALLY, THE ACT SHALL NOT
OVERRIDE TRIBAL SOVREIGNTY.
WE HAVE REACHED TREATIES WITH
THOSE THINGS CONTROL NOT THIS
PARTICULAR BILL, AND WE STATE
THAT SPECIFICALLY.
FINALLY WE ADDRESS SOMETHING
THAT I THINK URKS MANY OF US IN
THIS CHAMBER WHEN WE HAVE A
VISITOR CENTER IN OUR NATIONAL
PARKS WHICH IS SELLING GOODS
MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
IT JUST SEEMS WRONG.
WE WANT TO MAKE THINGS IN
AMERICA, MANUFACTURING IN
AMERICA IS KEY TO THIS COUNTRY'S
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
WE HAVE A SAYING, IF WE MAKE IT
IN AMERICA, WE'LL MAKE IT IN
AMERICA.
SO THREE, VERY SIMPLE, VERY
DIRECT AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL,
WHICH MAKE THE BILL MUCH BETTER,
ADDRESS PUBLIC POLICY THAT IS
NOT ADDRESSED IN THE BILL, THAT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN
THE BILL, ESPECIALLY THE
WILDFIRE MITIGATION PIECE,
SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD HAVE
EXPECTED TO BE RIGHT IN THE
HEART OF THIS THING AFTER TEXAS
WAS RAVAGED BY SO MANY WILDFIRES
LAST YEAR AND WE KNEW DRY
CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE WEST.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES, DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS, TO SUPPORT THIS
COMMONSENSE AMENDMENT TO
MITIGATE AND PREVENT FOREST
FIRES, TO MAKE SURE THAT TRIBAL
SOVREIGNTY IS RESPECTED AND WE
MAKE THINGS IN AMERICA SO WE
THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON RISE?
I RISE IN
RECOMMIT.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
IN ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL COME
TO ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON IS
I HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY SEVERAL TIMES TO
COME DOWN HERE TO DEBATE MOTIONS
TO RECOMMIT AND I PREFACE EVERY
TIME I COME DOWN HERE WITH
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
MR. SPEAKER, HISTORY IS
WHY DO I SAY THAT?
PROBABLY THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT
JOBS.
THIS IS ANOTHER EFFORT THAT
DEALS WITH AMERICAN JOBS, WITH
REGULATION THAT SLOWS DOWN
WHAT DOES THE OTHER SIDE DO?
THEY TRY TO PUT UP ANOTHER
IMPEDIMENT TO A BILL THAT IS
STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HAD
TRANSPARENCY IN COMMITTEE AND
FULL DATE IN COMMITTEE AND PUT
TOGETHER TO DEBATE ON THE FLOOR.
IT IS THE SAME ARGUMENTS THAT WE
HAVE THAT FRANKLY ARE
MEANINGLESS.
TO THE ESSENCE OF WHAT THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT DOES.
THIS IS REDUNDANT.
IT IS IN LAW RIGHT NOW.
IS THIS A POLITICAL MOVE ON THE
MINORITY'S PART IS THAT WHAT IT
IS?
IF THE ISSUE IS TRYING TO DEAL
WITH FIRE FIGHTING IN THE WEST,
I WOULD REMIND THIS BODY TWO
WEEKS AGO THAT WE PASSED
LEGISLATION TO ALLOW THE FOREST
SERVICE TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES.
WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT.
ALL I CAN SAY, MR. SPEAKER,
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
LET'S VOTE DOWN THIS MOTION TO
RECOMMIT AND VOTE FOR THE JOBS
BILL AND I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION IS ORDERED.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE NOES HAVE IT AND THE MOTION
IS NOT ADOPTED.
VOTE.
A RECORDED VOTE IS
REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE
WILL RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. PURSUANT
TO CLAUSE 8 AND CLAUSE 9 OF RULE
20, THIS 15-MINUTE VOTE ON THE
MOTION TO RECOMMIT WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY FIVE MINUTE VOTES ON
PASSAGE OF THE BILL IF ORDERED
AND TO PASS H.R. 3928.
THIS IS A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS
ARE 188, THE NAYS ARE 234.
THE MOTION IS NOT ADOPTED.
THE
QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE
BILL.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
AYES HAVE IT.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
ON THAT I REQUEST THE YEAS
AND NAYS.
THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING
THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
INC., IN COOPERATION 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 232, THE NAYS
ARE 188.
THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT
OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER
IS LAID UPON THE TABLE.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE
VOTE ON THE MOTION OF THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR.
YOUNG, TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND
PASS H.R. 2938 AS AMENDED ON
WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS WERE
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE
OF THE BILL.
307, H.R. 2938, A BILL TO
PROHIBIT CERTAIN GAMING
ACTIVITIES ON CERTAIN INDIAN
LANDS IN ARIZONA.
THE
QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE
BILL AS AMENDED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY 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.]
ON THIS
VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 343 AND THE
NAYS ARE 78, TWO BEING RECORDED
AT PRESENT.
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND THE
BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES GENTLELADY
FROM NORTH CAROLINA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MR. SPEAKER, I SEND TO
THE DESK A PRIVILEGED REPORT
FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES FOR
FILING UNDER THE RULE.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
REPORT TO ACCOMPANY
HOUSE RESOLUTION 691, RESOLUTION
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
THE BILL, H.R. 4480, TO PROVIDE
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN TO
INCREASE OIL AND GAS
EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND
PRODUCTION UNDER OIL AND GAS
LEASES ON FEDERAL LANDS UNDER
THE JURISDICTION OF THE
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, THE
SECRETARY OF ENERGY, THE
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN
RESPONSE TO A DRAWDOWN OF
PETROLEUM RESERVES TR THE
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE.
REFERRED TO THE HOUSE CALENDAR
AND ORDERED PRINTED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
RECOGNITION?
I HAVE A PREVIOUSLY NOTICED
MOTION AT THE DESK.
MOTION TO INSTRUCT
CONFEREES ON H.R. 4348 OFFERED
BY MR. WALZ OF MINNESOTA.
MR. WALZ MOVES THAT THE MANAGERS
ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE AT THE
CONFERENCE ON THE DISAGREEING
VOTES OF THE TWO HOUSES ON THE
SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE BILL
H.R. 4348, BE INSTRUCTED TO
RESOLVE ALL ISSUES AND FILE A
CONFERENCE REPORT NOT LATER THAN
JUNE 22, 2012.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 7 OF RULE 2,
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA,
WALZ AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM
TENNESSEE, MR. DUNCAN EACH WILL
CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TENNESSEE FOR BEING HERE.
HE HAS BEEN A GOOD FRIEND AND
GENTLEMAN ON THE COMMITTEE.
WE ARE HERE TODAY, MR. SPEAKER,
IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE
BETTER FROM US.
WE HAVE A NEED IN THIS COUNTRY
THAT IS OBVIOUS TO EVERYONE.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS CRUMBLING.
70,000 DEFICIENT BRIDGES AND OUR
HIGHWAYS IN DISREPAIR, BEING A
MEMBER FROM MINNESOTA, THAT HOT
AUGUST DAY WHEN THE I-35 BRIDGE
FELL INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
IS A STARK TESTAMENT OF WHAT WE
CAN DO.
MR. SPEAKER, THE HOUSE IS NOT
THE
GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE TRANSPORTATION
COMMAND OF THE
CONSTITUTION, IF YOU WILL, HAS
POST ROADS.
THIS NATION HAS BUILT CANALS,
DOCKS, DAMS AND PORTS AND
SPURRED THE INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION AND BUILT INTERSTATE
HIGHWAY SYSTEM THAT MADE THE
AMERICAN ECONOMY THE ENVY OF THE
WORLD.
WE POSSESSED VISION, WILL POWER
AND DONE IT IN A MANNER THAT
INCORPORATED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
COMPROMISE.
THE LAST BILL THAT PASSED,
PASSED BY A VOTE IN 2005 OF
IN THE SENATE, 91 TO FOUR.
THE PREVIOUS BILL, 287 TO 86.
91, 372 TO SEVEN AND IN 1987,
OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, 350 TO
WE HAVE THE WILL.
WE SIMPLY NEED TO EXERCISE THE
POLITICAL WILLPOWER TO MOVE THIS
PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT IS VERY
100 DAYS AGO, THE SENATE PASSED
THEIR VERSION.
IT RECEIVED 74 VOTES TO 22.
NOW I WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL
YOU THE PREROGATIVE OF THE HOUSE
TO LEAD IS SACRED TO US.
WE NEED TO HAVE A SAY IN THIS
AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS
THE PEOPLE'S VOICE.
THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE BEEN
SITTING IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
NO END INSIGHT.
THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT, IT IS A
NONBINDING SENSE OF THE HOUSE,
THAN THAT.
THIS IS THE SENSE OF THE
AMERICAN PUBLIC.
THEY SENT US HERE TO DO SOME
BASIC WORK.
THEY DID NOT SEND US HERE TO
EVERYTHING.
BUT THEY DID HAVE THAT
UNDERSTANDING THAT THE GLUE THAT
COMPROMISE.
AND THERE ARE A FEW THINGS, VERY
FEW THINGS THAT HISTORICALLY
HAVE BEEN BIPARTISAN.
THE TRANSPORTATION BILL HAS BEEN
ONE OF THOSE.
SO WHAT THIS EM-- I ASK IS,
COMPROMISE TO THE POINT WE CAN
GET SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND
FINISH THE WORK BY THIS FRIDAY
AND GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXERCISE THE AMERICAN WILL BY
HAVING THEIR REPRESENTATIVE
DISCUSS WHAT NEEDS TO BE THERE.
IF WE CAN'T COME TO A
COMPROMISE, BRING US THE SENATE
BILL AND LET'S HAVE THE UP OR
DOWN VOTE.
IF IT PASSES, WE CAN MOVE
IF IT DOESN'T, WE START AND GO
BUT I HAVE TO TELL, WE CAN'T
AFFORD TO KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE
ROAD AND I WOULD SAY THE
CRUMBLING ROAD.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FAILURE TO
KEEP UP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE
NEEDS IN THE U.S. COSTS THE U.S.
2009.
EVERY YEAR WE DO NOTHING, WE
SPEND OVER $1 BILLION ON
EYEDLING TAX.
WASTE 1.9 BILLION OF GALLONS OF
FUEL YEARLY, 5% OF OUR FUEL
THAT'S MONEY GOING TO FOREIGN
COUNTRIES WHO HATE US.
THEY'LL HATE US FOR FREE.
WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AND
CANNOT WASTE AMERICAN'S
PRODUCTS TO MARKET FASTER.
AND WE HAVE THAT POWER.
I SAID IT THIS MORNING, THE
QUOTE FROM DANIEL WEBSTER, HOW
ABOUT WE DO SOMETHING WORTHY TO
BE REMEMBERED FOR.
HOW ABOUT WE COME TOGETHER AND
PASS THE BILL THAT PEOPLE SAY
THEY DID THE PEOPLE'S WORK AND
IT'S NOT ABOUT GETTING WHAT WE
WANT BUT WHAT THE AMERICAN
PUBLIC NEEDS.
WITH THAT, I RESERVE.
THE
OF HIS TIME.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE.
SPEAKER.
I RISE TO CLAIM TIME ON THE
MOTION TO INSTRUCT AND I CLAIM
TIME TO CONSUME.
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
KIND WORDS OF THE THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MINNESOTA AND I'M VERY MUCH
COMMITTED TO TRYING TO PRODUCE
AND PASS A GOOD TRANSPORTATION
BILL IN THIS CONGRESS.
WHEN THE GENTLEMAN'S PARTY WAS
IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND THE
SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE AND A
COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY
COULDN'T FOR VARIOUS REASONS
PASS THE BILL, AND I CERTAINLY
HOPE WE CAN IN THIS CONGRESS.
FOR THE PAST 3 1/2 YEARS, ABOUT
HALF THE TIME WHEN I HAVE COME
TO THE FLOOR, I HAVE HAD SOME
MEMBER ON BOTH SIDES COME UP TO
ME AND SAY, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO
PASS THE HIGHWAY BILL.
AND THIS IS MY 24TH YEAR IN THIS
BODY AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
ACTIVELY WITH ALL OF THOSE BILLS
THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MINNESOTA MENTIONED, ALL OF
WHICH PASSED BY OVERWHELMING
MARGINS AND AS HE SAID, THE LAST
HIGHWAY BILL THAT WAS PASSED IN
2005 PASSED WITH ONLY EIGHT
VOTES IN OPPOSITION.
I AGREE AND I THINK ALL THE
PEOPLE ON OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE
AGREE IN PRINCIPLE WITH MR.
WALZ'S MOTION TO INSTRUCT.
WE SHOULD FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON
COMPLETING THE CONFERENCE REPORT
AND DELIVERING A BILL TO THE
PRESIDENT'S DESK BEFORE THE
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
UNFORTUNATELY, UP UNTIL THIS
MOMENT, THE SENATE HAS NOT SHOWN
A SUFFICIENT WILLINGNESS TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE'S TOP FOUR
PRIORITIES, STREAMLINING PRODUCT
DELIVERY, PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION,
STATE FUNDING FLEXIBILITY AND
EQUITABLE FUNDING FORMULAS NOT
BASED ON PAST EARMARKS.
WHEN THE AVERAGE TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT TAKES 15 YEARS TO
COMPLETE, I CANNOT HELP BUT
THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG
WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
AND AS THE GENTLEMAN FROM
THERE, THESE PROJECTS CAN BE
COMPLETED IN RECORD TIME, SUCH
AS THE I-35 BRIDGE IN MINNESOTA
BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE IS THE
CULPRIT AND MUCH MORE MUST BE
DONE TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS
BY WHICH PROJECTS ARE APPROVED.
EVERY OTHER DEVELOPED NATION IS
DOING SIMILAR TYPE PROJECTS IN A
THIRD OR HALF THE TIME THAT WE
ARE.
AND -- AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT
WE ARE WASTING SO MUCH MONEY
DRAGGING THESE PROJECTS OUT FOR
SO MANY YEARS.
WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL OF
ACCELERATING THE PROCESS WITHOUT
HARMING THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT THE
SENATE SO FAR HAS SHOWN MORE
INTEREST IN CATTERING TO RADICAL
ENVIRONMENTALISTS THAN BUILDING
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION IS ANOTHER
IMPORTANT REFORM THAT THE HOUSE
IS PUSHING FOR IN THIS BILL.
THE SENATE INSISTS ON INCLUDING
TWO NEW PROGRAMS AT THE COST OF
$3 BILLION A YEAR THAT WOULD
ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO PLAY
POLITICS WITH THE FUNDING THAT
STATES.
AT A TIME WHEN THE HIGHWAY TRUST
FUND IS GOING BROKE, WE SHOULD
LIMIT OUR TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS
ON CONSOLIDATING PROGRAMS AND
ELIMINATING WASTEFUL PROGRAMS,
NOT CREATING NEW ONES.
FUNDING FLEXIBILITY FOR THE
STATES IS CRITICAL TO ALLOW THE
STATES TO FUND THE MOST
PROJECTS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD
NOT MANDATE TO THE STATES ON
FLOUR PLANTING AND
TRANSPORTATION MUSEUMS AND OTHER
QUESTIONABLE PROJECTS.
WHILE STATE BUDGETS ARE SQUEEZED
TO THE BREAKING POINT.
STATES NEED TO BE GIVEN
FLEXIBILITY.
SOME STATES NEED TO SPEND MORE
ON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.
SOME STATES NEED TO SPEND MORE
ON CRUMBLING HIGHWAYS.
SOME STATES HAVE DONE MORE
ALREADY ON HIGHWAY ENHANCEMENTS
AND DON'T NEED TO SPEND AS MUCH
IN THAT AREA.
STATES NEED TO BE GIVEN SOME
FLEXIBILITY.
MOST STATES HAVE A BACKLOG OF
CRUMBLING BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS
NEEDING TO BE REHABILITATED.
WHY NOT FOCUS THEIR LIMITED
RESOURCES ON THE GREATEST NEEDS
IN THEIR STATES.
THE NEEDS VARY FROM STATE TO
STATE.
FINALLY, MR. SPEAKER, THE
FUNDING FORMULA FOR HOW HIGHWAY
FUNDING IS DISTRIBUTED IS BASED
ON THE NUMBER OF EARMARKS THAT
STATES RECEIVED IN THE LAST
RE-AUTHORIZATION BILL.
FUNDING FORMULAS SHOULD BE BASED
ON THE MOST EQUITABLE FACTORS
THAT ARE PART OF THE STATE'S
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NOT WHICH
MEMBER OF CONGRESS FARED THE
BEST.
I HOPE THESE REASONABLE ISSUES
CAN BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE END
OF THE WEEK AND I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE
RESERVES.
WHO SEEKS TIME?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA.
I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD
TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN
FROM OREGON, MR. BLUMENAUER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO
MINUTES.
THERE'S NO ONE I
HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THAN MY
GOOD FRIEND FROM TENNESSEE.
I HAD A GREAT TIME WORKING WITH
HIM ON A VARIETY OF THINGS WHEN
I WAS ON THE TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE.
BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I
ISSUE HERE IS WHAT WE
ARE GOING TO DO TO REBUILD AND
RENEW AMERICA.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY,
OUR REPUBLICAN FRIENDS GAVE US A
RE-AUTHORIZATION.
NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE SEEN
ANYTHING LIKE THIS OFFERED UP.
THERE WASN'T EVEN A HEARING
IT WAS ADVANCED.
WENT RIGHT TO WORK SESSION.
THERE WAS NO EFFORT TO INVOLVE
PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
AISLE.
WE WERE GIVEN A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION THAT ATTACKED
TRANSIT, THAT SCALED DOWN
FUNDING, THAT WAS AGAINST THE
MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS, THE ONES
THAT HAVE THE GREATEST LOCAL
INVOLVEMENT, THE ENHANCEMENTS.
IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL
CATASTROPHE.
IT WAS SO BAD THAT MY REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES COULDN'T EVEN BRING
THEIR BILL TO THE FLOOR.
THEY WITHDREW IT.
EXTENSION.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A BILL IN THE
OTHER BODY THAT AS MY GOOD
OUT RECEIVED 74 VOTES.
IT WILL GIVE US TWO COMPLETE
CONSTRUCTION CYCLES, IT DOES IN
FACT ACCELERATE THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES.
THERE IS A COMPROMISE, A
BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE ON THE
PREVIOUS CONTENTION AREA OF
ENHANCEMENTS.
IT IS A REASONABLE WAY FOR US TO
MR. SPEAKER, IN CONTRAST TO
THIS, WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN
BUDGET THAT WILL NOT EVEN FUND
THE CURRENT OBLIGATIONS.
OUT ENTIRELY THE
ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY
NEW FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE.
I THINK THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT
IS A MODEST STEP FORWARD.
WE OUGHT TO DO IS NOT JUST
APPROVE THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT,
WE OUGHT TO APPROVE THE SENATE
BILL AND GET ON WITH BUSINESS.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
WITH THAT I REFRESH
RESERVE -- RESERVE THE BALANCE
OF MY TIME.
RESERVES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE.
DUN DWUN AT THIS TIME I YIELD --
AT THIS TIME I YIELD
THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN
FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. SHUSTER,
COMMITTEE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER, I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FOR LEADING -- YIELDING.
TO INSTRUCT.
PASSING A TRANSPORTATION BILL IS
ABOUT JOBS, IT'S ABOUT KEEPING
AMERICA COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD
, SO I FOR ONE AM URGING A YES
VOTE ON THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT.
I BELIEVE IT'S CRITICAL TO
AMERICA THAT WE PASS A
TRANSPORTATION BILL.
I'D LIKE TO CORRECT A FEW FACTS
THAT MY GOOD FRIEND FROM OREGON
JUST PUT FORWARD.
THE GENTLEMAN TO MY RECOLLECTION
HAS BOND THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE FOR THE PAST -- HAS
BEEN ON THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF
YEARS, FOUR YEARS I BELIEVE IT
HAS BEEN, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW
PRIVY HE WAS TO WHAT WE DID IN
THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE TO TRY TO BE INCLUSIVE
TO OUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES.
TO WORK WITH THEM.
AND WE WERE -- WE WORKED WITH
THEM AS OPENLY, IF NOT MORE
OPENLY THAN THE CHAIRMAN
OBERSTAR WHEN HE CHAIRED THE
WE DID HAVE A FULL COMMITTEE
HEARING ON IT.
IN FACT, WE HAD 18 HOURS OF
DEBATE AND AS I RECALL WHEN
CHAIRMAN OBERSTAR CHAIRED THE
COMMITTEE WE HAD ZERO HOURS OF
DEBATE IN THE FULL COMMITTEE
BECAUSE A BILL FROM THE
DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED HOUSE
DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE FULL
SO WE WORKED HARD AND WE TALKED
WITH OUR COLLEAGUES.
UNFORTUNATELY BEING BIPARTISAN
IS NOT JUST ONE PARTY SAYING
THAT THEY CAN'T WORK WITH
ANOTHER PARTY, IT TAKES TWO OF
US TO TANGO.
AND WE DID IT IN THE LAST BILL.
I WASN'T HAPPY WITH MUCH OF
CHAIRMAN OBERSTAR'S BILL, BUT TO
WE'RE WITH YOU, WE MOVE THE
BILL.
OUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES CHOSE
TO MAKE IT A PARTISAN FIGHT BY
NOT GETTING TOGETHER WITH US.
BUT I APPLAUD MY FRIEND FROM
MINNESOTA WITH THIS MOTION TO
INSTRUCT.
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN NEGOTIATING
IN THE SENATE, REALLY FIVE
PROVISIONS THAT ARE EXTREMELY
STATE THAT'S ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW PROCESS IS STRONGER THAN
THE FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS.
IT SHOULD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE
FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS.
THE NUMBER ONE EXAMPLE THAT HAVE
CALIFORNIA IS FAR MORE STRICT,
FAR STRICTER, ON ENVIRONMENTAL
SO, WHY DON'T WE ALLOW
CALIFORNIA TO MOVE FORWARD
WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A
NEPA REVIEW AT THE FEDERAL
HARD DEADLINES, CONCURRENT
RATHER THAN CONSECUTIVE REVIEWS,
WITH HARD DEADLINES.
WEEK OF BEEN TALKING TO THE
SENATE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF
BUT THEY INSIST UPON HAVING
SAFETY VALVES.
WHAT DOES SAFETY VALVES MEAN?
IT MEANS AN AGENCY CAN GO TO THE
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND
NEED MORE TIME.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP TO
STREAMLINE THIS PROCESS.
WE KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
THESE REVIEW PROCESSES.
FUNDING THRESHOLDS FOR NEPA
REVIEW.
MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FEDERAL
TO A FEDERAL NEPA REVIEW.
BUT SHOULD GO THROUGH THE SAME
REGULATIONS THAT A STATE PROJECT
-- OF A STATE PROJECT AND WE'VE
ALREADY MOVED ON THIS.
WE SENT A COUSHT OFFER TO THE
SENATE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN
THE HOUSE.
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS, CAN I
HAVE ANOTHER MINUTE?
I YIELD THE
GENTLEMAN ONE MORE MINUTE.
CATEGORICAL
EXCLUSIONS IN RIGHT OF WAYS.
YOU'RE GOING TO REPLACE A
BRIDGE IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT, WE
SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH
THESE ENDLESS LONG ENVIRONMENTAL
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD THAT
QUICKLY.
AND IN FACT MY COLLEAGUE FROM
OREGON WHO'S THE RANKING MEMBER
ON THE HIGHWAY SUBCOMMITTEE HAS
SUGGESTED THAT THERE IS SOME
IN FACT, I QUOTE HIM.
HE SAID, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE --
IT'S HAD TO DO WITH PUTTING
STREET CARS BACK IN THE STREETS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FEWER CARS
ON THE ROAD.
WHY SHOULD WE SPEND A LOT OF
AND I AGREE WITH HIM.
AND FINALLY, WHEN THERE'S A
DISASTER ALLOWING A LOT OF THESE
TO ELIMINATE OR TO REDUCE
SIGNIFICANTLY THESE REVIEWS THEY
HAVE TO GO THROUGH, JUST IN THE
CASE OF I-35 THAT WAS MENTIONED
EARLIER, TO BE ABLE TO BUILD
THAT BRIDGE IN A MUCH MORE
UP AND RUNNING.
I SUPPORT THE GENTLEMAN'S MOTION
TO INSTRUCT AND I STAND READY AS
COMMITTEE TO PUT A BILL FORWARD
THAT WE CAN PASS HERE AND I
WOULD URGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES IN
THE HOUSE TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION
TO INSTRUCT AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA IS
RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FROM PENNSYLVANIA, HE'S A GOOD
HONEST BROKER ON THINGS.
WE'RE GETTING INTO.
THIS I AGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN