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AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE
MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA.
THANKS FOUR BEING HERE THIS
MORNING.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TO YOU
REPRESENTATIVES.
TODAY'S SESSION OF THE HOUSE OF
THEY'RE JUST GAVELING INTO
SESSION.
THERE IS A VOTE ON SPENDING
BILL, ON ENERGY.
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE]
[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY
FOR GIVING US ANOTHER DAY.
THE POWER IS NOW IN YOUR
PRESENCE AND ACKNOWLEDGE OUR
DEPENDENCE ON YOU.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THE
MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS THE
PEOPLE'S HOUSE, KEEP THEM AWARE
OF YOUR PRESENCE AS THEY FACE
THE TASKS OF THIS DAY, THAT NO
BE TOO HEAVY, NO DUTY
TOO DIFFICULT AND NO WORK TOO
WORRISOME.
HELP THEM AND INDEED HELP US TO
DO YOUR WILL AND TO WALK IN
YOUR WAY.
GRANT THAT THEY MIGHT BE GOODL6fUiWG9eg3M)x?An2Mg) Cvsvh8H"f7
THOUGHT, GRACIOUS IN WORK.#es )N[)T7uVx
WHICH ALL ARE GLAD TO BE ALIVE,
EAGER TO WORK ANDkn?n? READY TO
SERVE YOU, OUR GREAT NATION,
AND ALL OUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND
SISTERS.
MAY ALL THAT IS DONE THIS DAY
BE DONEonj%4&Qap#xu(83X ?8ao#- Mu5
ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS
APPROVAL THEREOF.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL
BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CONNECTICUT, MR. COURTNEY.
I PLEDGE
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO
THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT
STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ENTERTAIN UP TO FIVE ONE-MINUTE
REQUESTS ON EACH SIDE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN
ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
EXTEND.
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. SPEAKER, OVER THE LAST
DISTRICT WORK PERIOD MY LEAGUE,
PAUL TONKO, AND I HAD A FORUM
TO BRING BETTER TESTING,
TREATMENT FOR THOSE ASSOCIATED
WITH LYME AND TIC-BORNE
ILLNESSES.
I HEARD FROM HUNDREDS OF
CONSTITUENTS WHO WERE SUFFERING
FROM LYME.
TWO OF THESE CONSTITUENTSr1edNiyRn+xe.z /q P=!g/, iui!S9du?Oq
CONFERENCE.
THE LEAD AND ORGANIZED THIS
CHRISTINA AND HOLLY.
THEY DID A TERRIFIC;cJ4uNz n]V]a99oha
SPEAKER, EXPERTS ON THE SCOPE
AND THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OFlvC85cu)8=a6%[P,z&e,i8g5TS;Hq&/?VTM2u
ON A NEW APPROACH FOR DIAGNOSIS
AND TREATMENT THAT HAS OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS.
THIS APPROACH COULD
UNITE THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
PRESENTLY DIVIDED OVER CHRONIC
LYME EXISTS.
WE ALSO RECEIVED BRIEFINGS ON
DOCTORS WHO TREAT THESE
PATIENTS, PROTECTING THE BLOOD
SUPPLY, NEW APPROACHES TO
TESTING AND A COMPREHENSIVE
ROAD MAP FOR THE WAY AHEAD.
LAST YEAR I WAS PROUD TO
SUPPORT $8.75 MILLION INCREASE
FOR BETTER TESTING AND
REPORTING OF LYME BUT MUCH MORE/cwzE:!WbGixE"-Md-Bp M.crvje"?(S
OUR CONFERENCE MATERIALS AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY
COLLEAGUES ON THIS VITAL HEALTH
ISSUE.
THANK YOU.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE
AND EXTEND.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU.
MR. SPEAKER, THE OTHER DAY I
RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A
CONSTITUENT, LANEA.
SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
DOUBLING OF STAFFORD STUDENT
FOR JULY 1.
LOAN INTEREST RATES SCHEDULED
THIS IS VERY PERSONAL FOR HER.
SHE USED THE STAFFORD LOAN TO
GET A GOOD EDUCATION AND START
A CAREER AS A NURSE.
OF THE COMMUNITY.
SHE'S NOW CONTRIBUTING MEMBER
SHE'S ALSO THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF
FORMER U.S. VERMONT
REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR BOB
STAFFORD FOR WHOM THE STAFFORD
STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM IS NAMED.
HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY
ABOUT HER GRANDFATHER.
I KNOW MY GRANDFATHER'S
INTENTION FOR THESE LOANS WASLsC E%@kGLfV 0a68
I UNDERSTAND THAT TIMES ARE
TOUGH AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING
EVERYWHERE BUT THIS IS JUST NOT
RIGHT.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS KNOWN AS A
GENTLE GIANT, BUT IF HE WERE
ALIVE TODAY I THINK HE WOULD
OPPOSE THIS WITH FORCE.
MR. SPEAKER, BOB STAFFORD KNEW
THAT HIGHER EDUCATION WAS THE
CLEAREST PATH TO THE MIDDLE
CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY AND HE
WAS A GOOD REPUBLICAN.
WE SHOULD NOT LET THE INTEREST
DOUBLE.
THERE'S NO JUSTIFICATION TO
HAVING THESE INTEREST RATES GO
FROM 3.4% TO 6.8%.
WE HAVE 30 DAYS.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, REQUEST
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS
REVISE AND EXTEND.
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, THEOeoBMyo:orJ8/=E +,icRV76%"+FzyN;pktq :WHJA7zFS
WAS TO PROVIDE MARKETS AND
HELPS CONSUMERS TO PURCHASEn?n?W4Ud.rfPNtB"rB0BHi4;NQaD8JJtNuaz
EXCLUDED FROM THE MARKET LABEL
OF THE USDA.
FOR INSTANCE, BAMBOO PLYWOOD IS
ALREADY ELIGIBLE AS USED AS A
GREEN MATERIAL FOR HARD WOOD
FLOORING.
IT MODIFIES TO CLARIFY THAT
FOREST PRODUCTS SHOULD BE
INCLUDED IN THE BIOBASED
MARKETS PROGRAM IF THEY MEET
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
THE FOREST PRODUCTS FAIRNESS
ACT OF 2012 WILL ENABLE THEM TO
HAVE STRONGER EXPANDED PRODUCT
MARKETS AND NEW ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES SO THE INDUSTRY
CAN BETTER COMPETE IN THE
GLOBALr0I:sWN 9G&Jn)Pcj
PRODUCTS AS PART OF THE BIO
PREFER PROGRAM WILL PROMOTE
HEALTHY, WELL-MANAGED FOREST
AND THOSE THAT RELY ON THESE
INDUSTRIES TO SURVIVE AND I
YIELD BACK.
THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT
RISE?
I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, IN 29 DAYS THE
INTEREST RATE FOR THE STAFFORD
STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM IS GOING
TO INCREASELWMo5:.YC0#gY m5fT+HDLcVn)Lr%OF]$KY!m+,.&n2lu
THIS WILL ADD
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF
ADDITIONAL DEBT CLASS FOR
MIDDLE CLASS STUDENTS ALL
ACROSS AMERICA.
YESTERDAY, THE CHRISTIAN
SCIENCE MONITOR REPORTED THAT
SPEAKER BOEHNER CALLED THIS A
PHONY ISSUE AND A DISTRACTION
FROM THE REAL ISSUES.
THERE'S NOTHING PHONY OF ADDING
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARSofJ
THERE'S NOTHING PHONY ABOUT THE
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD REPORT
THAT CAME OUT YESTERDAY THAT
SHOWED THAT STUDENT LOAN
INCREASED BY $30 BILLION IN THE
FIRST QUARTER SURPASSING
CONSIDERED AS READ --
SURPASSING CREDIT CARD DEBT.
40 DAYS FOR THE NEXT FIVE
MONTHS, IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET
TO WORK IN THIS CHAMBER AND FIX
PROBLEMS LIKE THE STAFFORD
STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO PRESENT A ONE-MINUTE
SPEECH TO THE HOUSE AND TO
REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
MEMBERS, RECENT MEMORIAL
WEEKEND AND NOW THE EVER
ESCALATING HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
NUMBERS REMIND US OFrq/WqgbTv$Y@;u=4e]GOS(LC degreesZ4!e 0q
BE RETURNING HOME TO NO JOBS.
FOR THE LAST YEAR I
WORKED ON THE VETERANS SKILLS
TO JOBS ACT, SOMETHING WHEN I
LEFT THE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY I
REALIZED THAT IT WOULD TAKE ME
SEVERAL YEARS TO GET THE
CREDENTIALING ON THE CIVILIAN
MILITARY SIDE.
SIDE THAT I ALREADY HAD ON THE
WE HAVEl)8[]u.Wa
SOPHISTICATED TRAINED WORK
FORCE IN THE MILITARY.
AS THEY RETURN HOME, WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY DO THEY
HAVE JOBS BUT THEY HAVE
HIGH-PAYING SKILLED JOBS.
BY CREDENTIALING ON THEtCF6Tu97Luo8ZPx KGWc6DuD=
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BEFORE
THEY GET DISCHARGED WE GIVE
THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET
JOBS.
THE SENATE INTRODUCED A
COMPANION BILL AND NOW TODAY
THE PRESIDENT HAS DECLARED HIS
SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.b/]y 1 IrSI9XoBMy]ji?j/n4E +,Z 53RRzae&2
OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE
SACRIFICED SO MUCH, DESERVE
JOBS WHEN THEY GET HOME.
HIGH-PAYING JOBS THAT WILL
ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK INTO OURen?n?
SOCIETY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, MR.
SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
AMERICANS ARE GROWING MORE AND
MORE CYNICAL OF POLITICKS AND
POLITICSES WITH GOOD REASON.
CITIZENS UNITED OPENED THE
FLOODGATES TO UNRESTRICTED
SPECIAL INTEREST CAMPAIGN
SPENDING IN ELECTIONS AND WE
NEED TO PUT AN END TO SECRET
I ADVOCATE THE DISCLOSE ACT.
IT WOULD SHINE THE LIGHT ON
SECRET MONEY IN cents$(chkt&L1vD7T
WITHIN 24 HOURS OF MAKING A
CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE OR
TRANSFERRING FUNDS THAT ARE
$10,000 OR MORE FOR OTHER
GROUPS FOR CAMPAIGN-RELATED
ACTIVITIES.
MR. SPEAKER, WHEN I'M ON THE
TRAIL AND I TALK TO MY
CONSTITUENTS, EVERYONE IS
OUTRAGED BY THE MILLIONS AND
POSSIBLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
THAT ARE GOING TO BE SPENT ON
THE PRESIDENTIAL,
CONGRESSIONAL, SENATE
CAMPAIGNS.
IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE SOME
TRANSPARENCY.
WE SHOULD PASS THE DISCLOSE ACT
SO AT LEAST THOSE WHO MAKE
THESE CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE TO SAY
WHO THEY ARE.
IT'S ONLY FAIR.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE SEEK
RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO
REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MRS. BLACK:2#X 02Na&
OF THE MOST OUTSPOKEN OPPONENTS
OF OBAMACARE, I HOPE IN THE
UPCOMING WEEKS THAT THE SUPREME
COURT STRIKES DOWN THIS
DISASTROUSM44Bu)Wd
lTFe
THE REALITY THAT THIS LAW IS
HORRIBLE POLICY.
EITHER DEFUND OR REPEAL
OBAMACARE SINCE BEING ELECTED
TO CONGRESS.
YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE WAYS AND
MEANS MARKUP, WE SUCCESSFULLY
PASSEDFO=(8ev]D@L#f
BILLS THAT WILL REPEAL THE
OBAMACARE TAX HIKES.
ONE, THE MEDICAL TAX DEVICE AND
NUMBER TWO, THE MEDICINE
CABINET TAX.
IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HOUSE MUST
CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST
OBAMACARE.Yihjr3/TuC@(cF!eO
WE NEED TO HAVE WILLING
PARTNERS IN THE SENATE AND THE
WHITE HOUSE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I
YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:Xnn?n?n FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?
REQUEST UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. SPEAKER, TODAY I
RISE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF A
FRIEND AND SOMEONE WHO CHANGED
THE LIVES OF VICTIMS THROUGHOUT
THE NATION.
SUZANNE APPEARED IN MY COURT
YEARS AGO AS ONE OF THE FIRST
ASSISTANTe;c6cP$:'
PROSECUTOR-BASED VICTIM
SHE WENT ON TO START THE TEXAS
CRIME VICTIMS CLEARING-HOUSE,
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
IN RECOGNITION FOR HER
INCREDIBLE WORK, SHE WAS TAPPED
AS THE CRIME VICTIMS EDUCATION
OFFICER, INFLUENCING THE STATE
LEGISLATURE WITH$t?upzg/L0,,EE@t;Xa2v9,zKZW8ciYC
THIS
ORGANIZATIONS AND HER
LEADERSHIP ON THE BOARD OF THE
ASSISTANCE.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF VICTIM
SUZANNE'S-[n?n? ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE
FAR REACHING, TOUCHING LIVES IN
TEXAS AND THROUGHOUT OUR
NATION.
OUR CRIME VICTIM WROTE, SUZANNE
FEELS EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT AND
NEEDED IN THE FIGHT TO IMPROVE
THE ASSISTANCE FOR CRIME
VICTIMS.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD HER SAY IT'S
NOT MY JOB.
IN FACT, SHE HAS NEVER BEEN SHY
ABOUT POKING HER NOSE INTO
THINGS AND OFFERING ASSISTANCE.
HER ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION
IS BOUNDLESS.
MR. SPEAKER, HER WORK WILLbTL 0ROxKS:?An)$n-WbBcYNnBTS@tdV/Tyui
FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND
VICTIMS ARE SAFER IN AMERICA
BECAUSE OF SUZANNE MCDANIEL AND
HER LIFE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.b#NKiNz)V[h#yaheW6]!8eWh@JOgdaP D
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH FOR THE
30, 2013, AND FOR OTHER
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER
PURPOSES.
REFERRED TO THE UNION CALENDAR
AND ORDERED PRINTED. 1 OF RULE
21, POINTS OF ORDER ARE
.
RESERVED.
I ASK
UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL
MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE
DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND CLUE
EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
5325, AND THAT I MAY INCLUDE TAB
BY LAR MATERIAL ON THE SAME.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 66
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. 5325.
WILL THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS,
MR. POE, KINDLY TAKE THE CARE.
THE HOUSE IS IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR THE
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
5325 WHICH THE CLERK WILL REPORT
BY TITLE.
A BILL MAKING
APPROPRIATIONS FOR ENERGY AND
WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED
AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE HOUSE ROSE ON
THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012, ALL TIME
FOR GENERAL DEBATE HAS EXPIRED.
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE BILL
SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR
AMENDMENT UNDER THE FIVE-MINUTE
RULE.
DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL
FOR AMENDMENT, THE CHAIR MAY
ACCORD PRIORITY IN RECOGNITION
TO A MEMBER OFFERING AN
AMENDMENT WHO HAS CAUSED IT TO
BE PRINTED IN THE DESIGNATED
PLACE IN THE ACROSS-THE-BOARD.
-- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
THOSE AMENDMENTS WILL BE
CONSIDERED AS READ.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
BE IT ENACTED THAT
THE FOLLOWING SUMS ARE
APPROPRIATED FOR FISCAL YEAR
2013, NAMELY, TITLE 1, CORE OF
ENGINEERS, CIVIL DEPARTMENT OF
THE NAVY, CORE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS SAFELY, APPROPRIATION
WILL BE AUTHORIZED FUNCTIONS FOR
PERTAINING TO RIVER AND HASHOR
FOR STORM DAMAGE, REDUCTION, AND
RELATED EFFORTS.
INVESTIGATIONS, $102 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION, $1,477,284,000.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
RISE?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. SCALISE MUCH LOUISIANA.
PAGE 3, LINE 18, AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT INCREASE BY
$10 MILLION.
PAGE 28, LINE 16, AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT, INSERT REDUCED BY
$10 MILLION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PRESENT THIS AMENDMENT.
WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE
TRANSFERRING $10 MILLION FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
SALARIES AND EXPENSES ACCOUNT
OVER THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
THE REASON THIS IS CRITICAL IS
BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO MOVE
FORWARD ON INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING IN
LOUISIANA SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
BEEN TRYING TO DO TO RESTORE OUR
COAST AND GET MOVING ON THE
LOUISIANA COASTAL AREA WHICH IS
ONE OF MANY PROJECTS IN THE
CORPS' GHAUTH ARE BACKLOGGED AND
NOT FUNDED, YET ARE CRITICAL FOR
IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
CREATING JOBS, FOR DOING THINGS
TO PROTECT OUR WETLANDS.
IN LOUISIANA I BRING THIS
FOOTBALL BECAUSE WE LOSE ONE
FOOTBALL FIELD OF LAND EVERY
HOUR ALONG THE GULF COAST OF
EROSION.
LOUISIANA DUE TO COASTAL
WE HAVE A PLAN THAT WE PUT
FORTH, OUR GOVERNOR, BOBBY
JINDAL, AND HIS TEAM HAVE A
SOLID PLAN IN PLACE THAT THEY
WOULD MOVE FORWARD ON.
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, THIS
IS AN AUTHORIZED PROGRAM, WE ARE
JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT
THIS PROGRAM CAN MOVE FORWARD
LIKE SO MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY THAT WOULD IMPROVE OUR
WATER WAYS A, THAT STRENGTHEN
OUR COASTLINES, YET WE HAVE
SALARIES BEING FUNDED FOR
PROJECTS NOW AND LOOKING
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WE ACTUALLY
CUT BACK ON A LOT OF THE WORK
THAT THEY DO AT THE DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY, RIGHTFULLY SO.
ELIMINATING PROGRAMS THAT ARE
UNNECESSARY AND YET THEIR
SALARIES STILL CONTINUE TO GO
UP.
SO THEY ARE DOING -- WE ASK
PEOPLE TO DO MORE WITH LESS.
IN THIS CASE THEY ARE DOING LESS
WITH MORE.
AND SO WE ARE MOVING MONEY OUT
OF A SALARIES ACCOUNT FOR PEOPLE
DOING LESS WORK AND MOVING IT
INTO ACTUALLY DOING COASTAL
PROJECTS, ACTUALLY DOING WORK
THAT IMPROVES OUR COAST AND
AREAS THAT
PROTECT THE VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY,
THAT FEEDS THIS NATION'S ENERGY
NEEDS, AND THE SEAFOOD THAT THIS
NATION'S GREAT TASTES FOR GREAT
THINGS LIKE SHRIMP AND OYSTERS
AND CRABS.
SO WITH THAT I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN CANNOT
RESERVE.
I YIELD TWO MINUTES
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA,
THIS IS A BIPARTISAN AMENDMENT,
I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FROM LOUISIANA FOR HELPING US
WITH THIS, MR. RICHMOND FROM NEW
ORLEANS.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
BLOCKS OF TIME.
LOUISIANA MAY YIELD BUT NOT
THANK YOU.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN
YIELD?
YIELD TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR.
RICHMOND.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
I THANK YOU TO MY
COLLEAGUE FROM LOUISIANA.
WE HAVE A GREAT HONOR AND
AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF
REPRESENTING THE COAST OF
LOUISIANA.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THE COAST OF
LOUISIANA -- SINCE 1950 HAD SENT
TO THE AMERICAN TREASURY ALMOST
$150 BILLION, AND UP UNTIL 2006,
WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY REVENUES
BACK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
FOR DRILLING ON OUR OUT OUTER
CONTINENTAL SHELF.
WHAT WE DO TODAY IS ASK FOR THE
ABILITY TO HELP OURSELVES,
PROTECT OUR CITIZENS, AND MAKE
THIS COUNTRY SAFER.
AT THE END OF THE DAY I'D LIKE
TO REMIND THE CHAIR THAT OUR
STATE HAS OVER 40% OF THE
NATION'S WETLAND LOSSES, BUT WE
HAVE 80% OF WETLAND LOSS BUT
ONLY 40% OF THE NATION'S
WETLANDS.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE GIVE
BACK TO THIS COUNTRY, I THINK
THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT A $10
MILLION INVESTMENT WOULD BE A
VERY GOOD INVESTMENT INTO OUR
COUNTRY, INTO OUR STATE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS.
OUR WETLANDS PRODUCE A THIRD OF
THE NATION'S SEAFOOD SUPPLY AND
MUCH OF OUR DOMESTIC ENERGY.
OUR COAST IS THE HOME TO THE
COUNTRY'S LARGEST PORT SYSTEM.
THESE PORTS MOVE THE
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR
COUNTRY.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS IN THIS
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE OIL AND
GAS PRODUCTION, IT'S NOT JUST
ABOUT LOUISIANA'S IMPORTANCE IN
TERMS OF OUR ENERGY PRODUCTION
FOR THIS COUNTRY, BUT IT ALSO
MAKES THE RESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA
SAFER.
THOSE COASTAL --THAT COASTAL
LAND AND THOSE BARRIER ISLANDS
PRODUCE THE FIRST DEFENSE TO
HURRICANES.
WE ALL SAW DURING HURRICANE
KATRINA THE DEVASTATION THAT
COULD BE CAUSED.
SO WE ARE JUST ASKING THIS BODY
TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT WHICH
WILL HELP PLAFMENT, PROTECT OUR
CITIZENS, PROTECT AMERICA'S
ENERGY PRODUCTION, AND WITH
THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I YIELD THE
BALANCE OF THE TIME BACK TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU AGAIN,
MR. CHAIRMAN.
I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM
LOUISIANA FOR HIS COMMENTS AND I
JUST URGE ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES
TO VOTE FOR THIS AMENDMENT SO
THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY USE MONEY
TO DO REAL PROJECTS INSTEAD OF
TO FUND THE BUREAUCRACY OF
WASHINGTON, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN
WE ARE ACTUALLY REDUCING THE
WORKLOAD THAT THEY HAD TO DO,
SHIFT THAT MONEY OVER TO AN AREA
WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY INCREASE
JOBS, PROTECT OUR NATION,
PROTECT OUR ENERGY AND
ENTIRE COUNTRY.
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT BENEFITS THE
AND WITH THAT I URGE PASSAGE OF
THIS AMENDMENT.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FRAPS THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW
JERSEY RISE?
I MUST RISE
I DO APPRECIATE --
IN OPPOSITION TO THE AMENDMENT.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
AMENDMENT.
I RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE
I DO APPRECIATE THE PASSION OF
BOTH THESE GENTLEMEN FOR COASTAL
RESTORATION.
I KNOW IT'S A HIGH PRIORITY FOR
HIS DISTRICT AND HIS STATE AND
OF COURSE THE FOCUS IS LOUISIANA
AND THEY HAVE TUFFERED GREATLY.
THE BILL BEFORE -- SUFFERED
GREATLY.
THE BILL BEFORE US INCLUDES $10
MILLION TO CONTINUE STUDIES,
ENGINEERING, AND DESIGN WORK ON
VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THEIR
PROGRAM IN LOUISIANA.
THAT IS MORE THAN 9% OF THE
ENTIRE INVESTIGATION'S ACCOUNT
DEDICATED TO CONTINUING WORK ON
COASTAL RESTORATION IN
LOUISIANA.
THE COMMITTEE HAS HAD TO MAKE
SOME TOUGH CHOICES IN THIS BILL,
THOUGH.
WHILE OVERALL FUNDING FOR THE
CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS INCREASED
SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE PRESIDENT'S
REQUEST, UNFORTUNATELY IT IS
2012.
REDUCED BY 4% FROM FISCAL YEAR
THE CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
SPECIFICALLY IS ALSO SLIGHTLY
ABOVE THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
REQUEST BUT THAT IT'S STILL A
REDUCTION OF ALMOST 13% FROM
FISCAL YEAR 2012.
THE CORPS HAS NUMEROUS PROJECTS
ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION THAT
WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.
SO ARE LIKELY TO BE FUNDED IN
FISCAL YEAR 2013.
WHILE CONSTRUCTION FUNDING IS
TRENDING DOWNWARD, I BELIEVE IT
IS MOST PRUDENT TO PRIORITIZE
FUNDING FOR ONGOING PROJECTS SO
THEY CAN BE COMPLETED.
ACTUALLY COMPLETED AND THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN REALIZE
THE PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC, AND
OTHER BENEFITS FROM PREVIOUS
SPENDING RATHER THAN STARTING
PROJECTS.
AND GIVEN THIS PARTICULAR
PROJECT AS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED
APPROACHES $2 BILLION AND LIKELY
WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN COST,
IT WOULD NOT BE PRUDENT TO BEGIN
ANOTHER MAJOR NEW PROJECT WHILE
WE HAVE SO MANY EXISTING
COMMITMENTS.
FOR THESE REASONS I MUST OPPOSE
THE AMENDMENT AND URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON IT.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY NOT
RESERVE.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD?
YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
INDIANA --
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION
AND RISE TO FIRST OF ALL EXPRESS
TO MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND FROM
LOUISIANA -- MR. VISCLOSKY: MY
APPRECIATION FOR HIS ARGUMENT
TODAY AND PARTICULARLY THE
FOOTBALL ANALOGY THAT HE USED.
I SAY THAT AS A NOTRE DAME
GRADUATE AND I WOULD
CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS VICTORY
THE LAST TIME OUR TWO TEAMS
PLAYED ON THE FIELD.
HAVING SAID THAT HOWEVER, BOTH
HE AN I ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE,
I JOIN THE CHAIRMAN IN RELUCTANT
OPPOSITION TO THE AMENDMENT.
THE CHAIRMAN HAS OPTED FOR A
POLICY OF NO NEW STARTS.
A POLICY THAT I STRONGLY SUPPORT
AND HAVE OPTED FOR DURING THESE
TIMES OF BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
WOULD POINT OUT THAT WHILE THERE
IS ONLY $10 MILLION IN THE
AMENDMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY
, THE FACT IS THIS PROJECT WILL
COST SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS BY
THE TIME WE ARE DONE AND
STARTING IT NOW IS A CAUSE THAT
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO ADEQUATELY
FUND BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE
RESOURCES IN THE BILL.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE
HAVE IN FACT, TERMINATED
HUNDREDS OF ONGOING PROJECTS
THAT ARE TO OUR GREAT DISMAY AND
WEAKENING OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
AND THE COULD ECONOMY OF THIS
BUT UNTIL WE AS AN INSTITUTION,
COUNTRY.
THE CONGRESS HAVE THE FORTITUDE
TO ADEQUATELY FUND OUR
INFRASTRUCTURE IN THESE TYPES OF
VERY NECESSARY INVESTMENT,INGS
THAT NOT THE ARGUMENT BEFORE US,
I CANNOT SUPPORT ADDING TO THE
INVENTORY OF PROJECTS THAT WE
MUST START BUT CANNOT.
THE ALLOCATION FOR THE BILL WERE
DIFFERENT, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO
AMENDMENT.
SUPPORT THE GENTLEMAN'S
BUT AGAIN AS IT NOW STANDS WE
ARE SHORT CASHED.
THE FACT IS THE AMOUNT IN THE
BILL TODAY AND THE CHAIRMAN AND
I AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE
SUBCOMMITTEE FOUGHT TO ADD $81
MILLION TO THE PRESIDENT'S
REQUEST, WE ARE $641 MILLION
TODAY IN THIS BILL BELOW WHAT WE
WERE SPENDING AS A NATION ON
THESE PROJECTS TWO YEARS AGO.
WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY,
UNFORTUNATELY, TO FUND THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT AND
THEREFORE AGAIN EXPRESS MY
SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR WHAT HE
WANTS TO DO BUT MY RELUCTANT
OPPOSITION TO HIS AMENDMENT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA.
OFFERED FROM THE -- BY THE
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
NOES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT AGREED TO.
I ASK FOR A RECORD
FRICTION, FURTHER
VOTE.
PROCEEDINGS ON THE AMENDMENT
OF RULE 18, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
OFFERED -- PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6
ON THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA WILL BE
POSTPONED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE AN
THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. HOLT OF NEW JERSEY, PAGE 3,
LINE 16, AFTER THE DOLLAR
AMOUNT, INSERT INCREASE BY $2
MILLION.
PAGE 7, LINE 4, AFTER THE DOLLAR
AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY $2
MILLION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
TODAY THE 2012 ATLANTIC
BEGINS.
HURRICANE SEASON OFFICIALLY
AND SO I COME TO THE FLOOR TO
SPEAK FOR INCREASED RESOURCES TO
PREVENT FLOOD DAMAGE AS THEY
HAVE DEVASTATED OUR COMMUNITIES
IN NEW JERSEY AND AROUND THE
EASTERN UNITED STATES.
IN H.R. 5325, CHAIRMAN
FRELINGHUYSEN AND THE COMMITTEE
HAVE PROVIDED FOR THE U.S. CORPS
OF ENGINEERS $1.5 BILLION FOR
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND OTHER
MEASURES TO ENSURE THE READINESS
OF THE CORPS TO RESPOND TO
FLOODS, HURRICANES, AND OTHER
NATURAL DISASTERS.
AND I THANK THE CHAIRMAN AND THE
.
COMMITTEE FOR THAT WORK.
THIS IS A COUPLE MILLION BELOW
FOR FLOOD PREPARATION IN 2012.
MY AMENDMENT WOULD PROVIDE AN
ADDITIONAL TWO MILLION SO THE
CORPS CAN CONTINUE LIFE-SAVING
FLOOD PREPARATION WORK.
ALTHOUGH THIS WON'T CLOSE THE
FUNDING GAP, MY AMENDMENT WOULD
ADDRESS PRO ACTIVELY THE
VARIETY OF PROBLEMS THAT CAN
EVENTS AND FLOODING.
RESULT FROM SEVERE WEATHER
LAST AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, MANY
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS
EXPERIENCED FLOOD DAMAGE DUE TO
HURRICANE IRENE AND TROPICAL
STORM LEE.
EVACUATIONS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
CAN BE A HEAVY BURDEN FOR MANY
CONSTITUENTS.
IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAVE
BEEN DEATHS IN NEW JERSEY, FROM
SUCH FLOODING.
I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH MY
DISTRICT DURING AND AFTER LAST
FIRSTHAND FLOODING DAMAGE.
YEAR'S HURRICANE, AND SAW
IN DELAWARE AND ELSEWHERE.
WHEN HURRICANE IRENE HIT NEW
JERSEY LAST YEAR, IT CAST MORE
THAN 10,000 PEOPLE FROM THEIR
HOMES AND LEFT MORE THAN
100,000 UTILITY CUSTOMERS
WITHOUT POWER.
11 INLAND RIVERS AND
TRIBUTARIES CRESTED, SOME AT
RECORD LEVELS.
THE BEST TIME TO ADDRESS
FLOODING IS BEFORE THE SEVERE
WEATHER OCCURS.
UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS THAT IT
WILL BECOME ONLY MORE COMMON AS
THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURES
CONTINUES TO RISE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECTS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL NEW
JERSEY THAT THE CORPS IS AWARE
OF, THAT THE CORPS IS PLANNING
TO DEAL WITH.
AND THEY MUST CONTINUE IN ORDER
TO PREPARE FOR THESE SEVERE
WEATHER EVENTS.
AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE
FORESIGHT AND WISDOM OF
CHAIRMAN FRELINGHUYSEN.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND INCENTIVES
TO THE CORPS OF -- TO CONTINUE
WITH THESE IMPORTANT PROJECTS.
AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT, AND I
YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN, MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR.
CHAIRMAN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE
CHAIRMAN, MY COLLEAGUE, IS
TRYING TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
FOR PROJECTS IN HIS DISTRICT
HE'S BEEN A LONGTIME ADVOCATE
AND I COMMEND HIM FOR THAT AND
I AGREE WITH HIM.
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FLOOD
CONTROL NEEDS.
FOR INSTANCE, ACROSS THE ENTIRE
COUNTRY, INCLUDING OUR HOME
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN US THAT
IT'S CHEAPER TO TRY TO PREVENT
FLOOD DAMAGES THAN TRYING TO
RECOVER FROM THEM.
ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE MY
UNDERLYING BILL WE PUT TODAY,
MR. VISCLOSKY AND I, STRUCK ALL
PRIORITIES IN THE BILL,
INCLUDING NATIONAL SECURITY AND
ENERGY INNOVATION.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO
HIS AMENDMENT AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.
MR. CHAIRMAN, MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD AND WOULD SUPPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THE CORPS' INVESTMENT IN
2010 ALONE PROTECTED
INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS COUNTRY
AND PREVENTED OVER $28 BILLION
WORTH OF DAMAGES.
THE AMENDMENT IS
A MODEST ONE AND IT'S SPREAD
ACROSS ALL ACCOUNTS FOR A .14%
INCREASE.
AS THE CHAIRMAN NOTED, HE
WORKED VERY VIGOROUSLY TO
INCREASE THE AMOUNTS IN THIS
ACCOUNT OVER THE PRESIDENT'S
REQUEST BY $6 MILLION, BUT WE
REMAINED $217 MILLION BELOW
LAST YEAR'S LEVEL.
SO, AGAIN, WOULD JOIN THE CHAIR
IN SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT AND
WOULD YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS AGREED TO.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE
AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK
DESIGNATED KING 315.
THE CLERK WILL
REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. KING OF IOWA.
PAGE 3, LINE 16, AFTER THE
$1 MILLION.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 5, LINE 1, AFTER THE
BY $571,571,424.
INSERT INCREASED
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
IOWA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I OFFER THIS
AMENDMENT, WHICH WHAT IT DOES
IS IT STRIKES $1 MILLION OUT OF
THE FISH AND WILDLIFE ACCOUNT
AND IT INSERTS $571,429 INTO
THE MISSOURI RIVER MAINTENANCE
ACCOUNT.
AND SO IT IS A NET SAVINGS OF
$428,571, WHICH WOULD GO TO
DEFICIT REDUCTION, BUT MY
PURPOSE IS NOT TO FOCUS ON THE
DEFICIT REDUCTION COMPONENT OF
THIS, MR. CHAIRMAN.
MY PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE
STATEMENT THAT WE HAVE WATCHED
IN THAT MISSOURI RIVER SYSTEM
THAT HAS SIX DAMS UPSTREAM AND
THE LONGEST CHANNEL IN THE
UNITED STATES GOING DOWNSTREAM,
AND WE SUFFERED A FLOOD LAST
SUMMER, THE 2011 FLOOD OF EPIC
PROPORTIONS.
THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN DESIGNED
AND COMPLETED IN 1968 BASED
UPON THE LARGEST RUNOFF EVER
WHICH WAS 1881.
IT'S 2011, NOW THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS DECLARES THAT LAST
YEAR'S FLOOD WAS A 500-YEAR
EVENT.
USGS SAYS IT'S BETWEEN A 70 AND
5,000-YEAR EVENT.
THEY REFUSE TO MANAGE THE RIVER
AND THE FASHION THAT PROTECTS
US FROM SERIOUS DOWNSTREAM
FLOODING.
SO INSTEAD OF CREATING --
CREATING HAPPEN AT THAT TIME
FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, WHICH IS
THE PIPING PLUMBER, NOW WE HAVE
HUNDREDS OF MILES OF CAMEL
FROM THE FLOODING.
HABITAT, SAND AND DEAD TREES
I HAVE A BILL THAT NEEDS TO
MOVE THROUGH THIS CONGRESS.
IT DIRECTS THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS TO PROTECT US FROM
SERIOUS DOWNSTREAM FLOODING AND
CONSIDER FISH AND WILDLIFE IN
THE INTEREST UPSTREAM.
THIS REDIRECT SOME OF THOSE
FUNDS TO THAT TO SEND A MESSAGE
TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO
TAKE A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THEIR
FISH AND WILDLIFE ACCOUNT WHICH
IS AROUND $70 MILLION AND PUT A
LITTLE BIT INTO THEIR
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT WHICH IS
AROUND $7 MILLION AND START TO
ADJUST THIS PROPORTION, BUT IT
IS A TOKEN VOTE, MR. CHAIRMAN,
BECAUSE THERE'S MUCH MORE THAT
NEEDS TO BE DONE.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DISCHARGE
$120,000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND
AND MAINTAIN THAT WITHIN THE
CHANNEL.
IF WE CAN DO THAT THEN THE
FISHERIES UPSTREAM WILL HAVE
MINIMAL IMPACT WHEN THE CORPS
IS DIRECTED TO ADJUST THE
LEVELS TO PROTECT US FROM
SERIOUS DOWNSTREAM FLOODING.
THAT IS THE ARGUMENT.
AMENDMENT.
I URGE ADOPTION OF THIS
THE MESSAGE THAT WOULD BE SENT,
AND I WOULD YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
IOWA YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY
IS RECOGNIZED.
MOVE TO
CHAIRMAN.
STRIKE THE LAST WORD, MR.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR.
CHAIRMAN, LET ME COMMEND THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA FOR HIS
STRONG ADVOCACY AND PASSION FOR
AND HIS STATE AND
HIS CONSTITUENT IS I.
-- CONSTITUENCY.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE KNOW
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT WATER
NEEDS ACROSS OUR COUNTRY AND WE
ARE DOING THE BEST IN OUR BILL
TO ADDRESS THEM RESPONSIBLY.
THE CLARIFICATION I'D LIKE TO
MAKE IS THAT THE AMENDMENT
NUMBERS.
SIMPLY ADJUSTS OVERALL ACCOUNT
IT DOES NOT DIRECT FUNDING TO
ANY SPECIFIC PROJECT.
I WOULD ADVISE RESPECTFULLY THE
GENTLEMAN AND ANY OF OUR OTHER
COLLEAGUES OFFERING SIMILAR
AMENDMENTS AND WE UNDERSTAND
HAVE A PASSION.
PEOPLE DO AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY
UNDER THE EARMARK BAN, THE
FINAL BILL WILL NOT HAVE
FUNDING TOWARD SPECIFIC
PROJECTS IN AN AMOUNT ABOVE THE
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST.
INSTEAD OF LISTING SPECIFIC
PROJECTS, OUR BILL INCLUDES
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR
CATEGORIES OF ONGOING PROJECTS,
PRIMARILY NAVIGATION AND FLOOD
CONTROL.
IT WILL BE MADE BY THE
ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWING THE
ENACTMENT OF OUR BILL.
WITH THAT CLARIFICATION IN
MIND, I AM PLEASED OSUPPORT THE
BACK.
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT AND YIELD
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
MR. CHAIRMAN,
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
WHILE I REGRET THAT WE JUST
RECEIVED A COPY OF THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT WHILE HE
WAS SPEAKING, I HAVE NO
OBJECTION TO IT AND WOULD YIELD
BACK MY TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON
GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA.
THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS AGREED TO.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I ASK
FOR A RECORDED VOTE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I REQUEST THE
YEAS AND NAYS.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6
OF RULE 18, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
ON THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA WILL BE
POSTPONED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA IS
RECOGNIZED.
I WOULD NOT OFFER THE
SECOND AMENDMENT.
WHO SEEKS
RECOGNITION?
THE CLERK WILL READ.
PAGE 4, LINE 5,
MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND
$224 MILLION.
TRIBUTARIES.
$2,507,409,000.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE,
REGULATORY REFORM, $190 MILLION
TO REMAIN AVAILABLE UNTIL
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.
FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES,
REMEDIAL ACTION PROGRAM, $104
MILLION.
FLOOD CONTROL AND COASTAL
EMERGENCIES, $27 MILLION.
THE CLERK WILL
SUSPEND.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI RISE?
I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
PAGE 7, LINE 4,
INSERT REDUCED BY $3 MILLION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MISSOURI IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
I RISE TO OFFER AN
AMENDMENT TO BOLSTER THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEER'S ABILITY TO
FIGHT FLOODS AND TO QUICKLY
BEGIN REPAIR EFFORTS AS THE
FLOODWATERS RECEDE.
LAST YEAR, MY CONSTITUENTS AS
WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS
LIVING ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER
EXPERIENCED A FLOOD OF HISTORIC
PROPORTIONS AND CATASTROPHIC
DAMAGES.
LEVEES WERE OVER TOPS OR
BREACHED, FIELDS WERE DAMAGES
AND HUNDREDS OF FARMERS,
HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES HAD
TO EVACUATE.
OVER 400,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND
WERE FLOODED ALONG THE RIVER,
INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 207,000
IN MISSOURI.
TOTAL REPAIR COSTS FROM THE
FLOOD ARE ESTIMATED TO REACH $2
BILLION.
THE FLOOD CONTROL AND COASTAL
EMERGENCY ACCOUNT PROVIDES
FUNDING TO ASSIST IN IMMEDIATE
FLOOD-FIGHTING EFFORTS AND THE
REPAIRS.
HISTORICALLY, CONGRESS HAS
PROVIDED LIMITED FUNDING
ANNUALLY FOR THIS ACCOUNT,
MAINLY RELYING ON SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATIONS AS EMERGENCIES
ARISE.
FUNDING FOR THIS ACCOUNT THE
LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN LOWER
THAN THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE
APPROPRIATION OF $55 MILLION.
AS WAS THE CAST LAST YEAR,
AFTER AN EMERGENCY, THE CORPS
MUST WAIT ON SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATIONS FROM CONGRESS OR
THEY MUST TRANSFER FUNDS FROM
EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS FOR
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY EFFORTS.
THE CORPS DID THIS INTERNAL
TRANSFER LAST YEAR DURING AND
AFTER THE 2011 FLOOD.
HOWEVER, IT TAKES TIME TO
TRANSFER THOSE FUNDS, AND
TEMPORARILY DEPRIVES OTHER
WORTHY PROJECTS OF FUNDING.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY BURDENSOME
GIVEN THE CORPS' LONG
CONSTRUCTION BACKLOG OF OVER
BILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS.
THIS AMENDMENT IS A STRAIGHT
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO INCREASE
FUNDING FOR THE CORPS' FLOOD
CONTROL AND COASTAL EMERGENCY
ACCOUNT AND IN TURN REDUCE
FUNDING FOR THE CORPS' EXPENSE
ACCOUNT.
THIS TRANSFER WOULD INCREASE
THE FUNDING TO EQUAL THE AMOUNT
OF THAT IN THE SENATE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
AND THAT WHICH THEY HAVE
ALLOWED, BRINGING TOTAL FUNDING
FOR THAT ACCOUNT TO $30 MILLION
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.
MR. CHAIRMAN, ENSURING ADEQUATE
AND ANNUAL FUNDING FOR
EMERGENCIES WILL BETTER PREPARE
THE CORPS TO RESPOND AND SAVE
TIME AND EFFORT IN TRYING TO
REROUTE FUNDS, AND WE ALL KNOW
THAT EMERGENCIES WILL CONTINUE
TO OCCUR AS OUR CLIMATE CHANGES
AND DEVELOPMENT -- DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES ARE STILL MOVING INTO
FLOOD-PRONE AREAS.
IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO HELP
THE PEOPLE WITH THE MOST
RESOURCES NECESSARY.
AND SO ON BEHALF OF THE
FAMILIES LIVING ALONG THE
MISSOURI RIVER WHO ARE IN
DESPERATE NEED OF HELP FROM
THIS BODY, I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT BY ADOPTING THIS
AMENDMENT.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN
YIELD BACK?
YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
I MOVE TO
STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
FIVE MINUTES.
NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR
MR.
CHAIRMAN, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF
LET ME ASSURE THE GENTLEMAN
THIS AMENDMENT.
THAT WE ARE VERY SYMPATHETIC TO
HIS CONCERN FOR FIXING THE
INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH WAS
DAMAGED IN LAST YEAR'S FLOOD
EVENT.
IN FACT, WE PROVIDED $1.7
BILLION TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS FOR THAT EXACT
PURPOSE.
THE ISSUE THE GENTLEMAN RAISES,
HOWEVER, IS SOMETHING ALL
MEMBERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF.
BASED ON THE DEFINITIONS OF
LAST YEAR'S AMENDMENT TO THE
BUDGET CONTROL ACT, DISASTER
FUNDS MAY ONLY BE USED IN
LOCATIONS DECLARED AS MAJOR
ACT.
DISASTERS UNDER THE STAFFORD
FOR SOME AGENCIES, LIKE FEMA,
THAT MAY MAKE SENSE, BUT FOR
THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, THERE
ARE TIMES WHEN THAT DEFINITION
IS TOO RESTRICTED.
WE ALL NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE
POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF
FORCING REGULAR APPROPRIATIONS
TO THE ACCOUNT FOR THESE
DISASTER-RELATED DAMAGES THAT
HAPPEN TO BE IN THE WRONG
LOCATION, ACCORDING TO THE
BUDGET CONTROL ACT.
THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT WOULD TRY
TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE NEEDS,
AND I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT HIS
AMENDMENT AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA SEEK
RECOGNITION.
I MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD AND ENJOY THE
COMMENTS OF THE GENTLEMAN AND I
YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
.
GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THONE.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
AYES HAVE IT.
TO.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
PAGE 6, LINE 20,
EXPENSES, $177,500,000 TO REMAIN
AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30,
2014.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
DESK.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE
THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. BROUN OF GEORGIA.
PAGE 7, LINE 4, AFTER THE DOLLAR
$5,325,000.
AMOUNT, INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 7, LINE 22, AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT, INSERT REDUCED
BY, $1,50,000.
PAGE IS 13, LINE 16, AFTER THE
$45,000.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 16, LINE 20, AFTER THE
$1,710,000.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 31, LINE 23 --
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO DISPENSE WITH THE
READING.
RESERVE A POINT OF ORDER.
IS THERE OBJECTION?
I OBJECT TO SUSPENDING OF THE
READING.
OBJECTION HAS BEEN
HEARD.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
PAGE 31, LINE 23,
AFTER THE DOLLAR AMOUNT, INSERT
REDUCED BY $12 MILLION.
PAGE 47, LINE 22, AFTER THE
$2,269,510.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 48, LINE 6, AFTER THE
$882,450.
DOLLAR AMOUNT, INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 48, LINE 14, AFTER THE
$350,310.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 48, LINE 20, INSERT REDUCED
BY $320,370.
PAGE 49, LINE 14, AFTER THE
$$42,750.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 49, LINE 17, AFTER THE
$7,500.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 60, LINE 17, AFTER THE
$3,810,840.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED BY
PAGE 61, LINE 20, AFTER THE
$1,200.
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT REDUCED
PAGE 52, LINE 6, AFTER THE
$30,000.
DOLLAR AMOUNT, REDUCED BY
PAGE 66 LINE 24, AFTER THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT INSERT INCREASED
BY $27,036, 730.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW JERSEY RESERVES A POINT OF
ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD REDUCE THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SALARIES AND
EXPENSES ACCOUNTS IN THE
UNDERLYING BILL BY JUST 3%.
THE AMENDMENT THAT I OFFERED TO
THE COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND
SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS
JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.
IT WAS THEN.
MY MESSAGE TODAY IS THE SAME AS
WE ARE IN A FISCAL EMERGENCY.
AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE
WORK TO GET SPENDING UNDER
CONTROL HERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE
HOUSE HAS VOTED TO REDUCE OUR
OWN ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTS.
OUR MEMBERS' REPRESENTATIONAL
AALLOW ANS -- ALLOW ANS BY --
ALLOWANCES BY OVER 10%.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN PAY FREEZES
AND PAY CUTS FOR A NUMBER OF OUR
OWN STAFF MEMBERS.
YET DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF
TIME MANY AGENCIES HAVE SEEN
REDUCTIONS WHICH ARE MUCH LOWER
THAN THOSE WE HAVE TAKEN HERE IN
THE HOUSE.
AMAZINGLY SOME OF THESE AGENCIES
FUNDED UNDER THIS BILL HAVE SEEN
ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTS.
LARGE INCREASES IN THEIR
APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER THIS BILL THE
WOULD RECEIVE A 9% INCREASE IN
ITS ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNT OVER
THE F.Y. 2011-2013 PERIOD.
LIKEWISE, THE SALARIES AND
EXPENSES ACCOUNT FOR THE DEFENSE
NUCLEAR FACILITY SAFETY BOARD
WOULD SEE A 21% INCREASE.
IF YOU THINK THOSE INCREASES ARE
BIG, THINK AGAIN.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
ACCOUNT WITH A 64% INCREASE OVER
TWO YEARS.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M NOT ARGUING
THE MERITS OF ANY OF THESE
AGENCIES.
BUT DURING THIS FISCAL CRISIS,
JUST 3% COULD YIELD SIGNIFICANT
SAVINGS.
NEARLY $30 MILLION IN THE CASE
OF AGENCIES FUNDED UNDER THIS
BILL.
IT'S TIME TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS.
I URGE SUPPORT OF OUR AMENDMENT.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I MOVE TO
STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
I RISE TO
OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT BUT
CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND IT AND
SHARE THE PASSION OF THE
FOR REDUCING FEDERAL
SPENDING.
AND OUR BILL DOES PLENTY OF THAT
AS WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS,
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD CUT
WE DID EXACTLY THAT.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES ACROSS
THE ENTIRE BILL.
OVER MANY MONTHS AND PUBLIC
BIPARTISAN WAY HAS ALREADY
HEARINGS, OUR COMMITTEE IN A
CONSIDERED EACH ADMINISTRATIVE
ACCOUNT SEPARATELY AND HAVE MADE
SPECIFIC CUTS WHILE MAINTAINING
OVERSIGHT TO PREVENT WASTEFUL
SPENDING.
WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB.
THE GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT CUTS
ALL ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTS
INDISCRIMINATELY WITHOUT REGARD
TO WHERE FUNDS ARE NEEDED AND
WHERE CUTS ARE POSSIBLE.
WE UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S GOING,
BUT THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE ITS
WORK AND THEREFORE I MUST
STRONGLY OPPOSE HIS AMENDMENT.
I YIELD BACK.
I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY POINT
OF ORDER, THOUGH.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
RESERVES HIS POINT OF ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.
MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MORPH TO EXPRESS MY STRONG
OPPOSITION TO THE GENTLEMAN'S
AMENDMENT.
SOME WOULD SUGGEST OUTRAGE.
I WOULD SIMPLY SAY OPPOSITION.
THE FACT IS ACROSS --
ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS ON
ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTS, WE HAVE
HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
IT'S A PROFOUND MISTAKE.
WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE AT THIS
POINT TO ALL OUR COLLEAGUES IN
THE HOUSE ARE -- IS MEMBERS OF
THIS SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE FULL
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WHICH
APPROVED THIS BILL, THE PEOPLE
OF THIS COMMITTEE APPROVED THIS
BILL, HAS MADE VALUED JUDGMENTS
ACCOUNT BY ACCOUNT.
THE FACT IS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
WE WILL HAVE AMENDMENTS ON THIS
ISSUE.
A $428,345,000
REDUCTION IN THIS BILL.
IN SCIENCE THERE IS $7,203,000
REDUCTION.
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP FOR
DEFENSE SITES, FOR EXAMPLE,
THERE IS AN $88,872,000 CUT.
THESE WERE ALL DISCREATE DE --
DISCREET DECISIONS MADE AND
VALUED JUDGMENTS.
I WOULD EMPHASIZE TO MY
COLLEAGUES THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT
CUTS AND SAVINGS IN THIS BILL
AND STRONGLY OPPOSE THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT AND WOULD
YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
THE AMENDMENT
POSES -- I MOVE TO STRIKE THE
LAST WORD.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THE AMENDMENT
PROPOSES TO AMEND PORTIONS OF
THE BILL NOT YET READ.
THE AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE
CONSIDERED EN BLOC UNDER CLAUSE
2-F OF RULE 21 BECAUSE THE
AMENDMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE A
LEVEL OF NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY.
FROM THE CHAIR.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I ASK FOR A RULING
DOES ANY MEMBER WISH
TO BE HEARD ON THE POINT OF
ORDER?
TO BE CONSIDERED EN BLOC
PURSUANT TO SECTION 3-J-1 OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION 5 AN AMENDMENT
MUST PROPOSE ONLY TO TRANSFER
APPROPRIATIONS FROM AN OBJECT OR
OBJECTS IN THE BILL TO A
SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT.
BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA
PROPOSES TO INCREASE HE THE
SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT BY
MORE THAN THE AMOUNT TRANSFERRED
OUT OF THE OTHER ACCOUNTS, IT
MAY NOT AVAIL ITSELF OF SECTION
3-J-1 OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 5 TO
ADDRESS THE SPENDING REDUCTION
ACCOUNT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
PAGE 7, LINE 18,
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, FOR CIVIL
WORKS, $5 MILLION TO REMAIN
VEILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30,
2014.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION, THE
REVOLVING FUND, SHALL BE
AVAILABLE DURING THE CURRENT
YEAR FOR PURCHASE OF PASSENGER
MOTOR VEHICLES.
GENERAL PROVISION, CORPS OF
ENGINEERS, CIVIL, SECTION 101,
AVAILABLE THROUGH A
NONE OF THE FUNDS SHALL BE
REPROGRAMMING OF FUNDS THAT
CREATES OR NEGOTIATES A NEW
PROGRAM.
SECTION 102, NONE OF THE FUNDS
MAY BE USED TO AWARD ANY
CONTRACT THAT COMMITS FRAUD --
COMMITS FUNDS BEYOND THE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATED FOR THAT PROGRAM.
SECTION 103, NONE OF THE FUNDS
MAY BE USED TO AWARD ANY
CONTINUING CONTRACT THAT COMMITS
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE
INLAND WATER TRUST FUND.
SECTION 104, WITHIN 120 DAYS OF
THE CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT, THE
SECRETARY SHALL SUBMIT THE
REPORT TO THE APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES OF THE CONGRESS.
SECTION 105, THE SECRETARY IS
AUTHORIZED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES
RECOMMENDED TO PREVENT AQUATIC
SPECIES FROM DISBURSING INTO THE
GREAT LAKES.
SECTION 106.
THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY MAY
TRANSFER UP TO $4,300,000 TO
MITIGATE FOR FISHERY BLOG.
SECTION 107, NONE OF THE FUNDS
SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE
CHICAGO DISTRICT OF THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS TO FUND ANY TRAVEL
OPERATION.
OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT'S AREA OF
SECTION 108, FUNDS PROVIDED TO
THE LOCKS AND DAMS NOT MORE THAN
50% MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR
OBLIGATION UNTIL THE CORPS
COMPLETES A REVIEW OF THE
PROJECT.
SECTION 109, AMOUNTS MADE
AVAILABLE BY THIS ACT FOR
INVESTIGATION, CONSTRUCTION, AND
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPS MAY NOT BE
USED UNDER THE HEADING
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ONGOING
WORK UNTIL THE REPORT REQUIRED
IS SUBMITTED.
SECTION 110, NONE OF THE FUNDS
MAY BE USED BY THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS --
THE CLERK WILL FUND.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
I RISE TO STRIKE THE
LAST WORD BECAUSE I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT --
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT
AT THE DESK, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND
ASK IT BE CONSIDERED AS READ.
THE GENTLEMAN WILL
SUSPEND.
THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
AMENDMENT.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. MORAN OF VIRGINIA.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
AGE 12, BEGINNING ON
LINE 16, STRIKE SECTION 110.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AS THE CLERK READ,
THIS WOULD STRIKE SECTION 110 OF
THIS BILL.
THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE RIDER THAT
IS BAD POLICY AND DOES NOT
BELONG IN AN APPROPRIATIONS
BILL.
THIS RIDER, 110, PERMANENTLY
BLOCKS THE ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS FROM FIXING EXISTING
POLICIES THAT ARE CONFUSING AND
INCONSISTENT AND NOT WORKING.
IT MAKES GREAT HARM TO FRESH
SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER AND
THREATENS FLOOD FREENGS OUTDOOR
RECREATION.
SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE SECTION 110
PROHIBITS THE ARMY CORPS FROM
CLARIFYING THE LIMITS OF FEDERAL
AND STATE AUTHORITY UNDER THE
CLEAN WATER ACT.
MR. CHAIRMAN, TWO SUPREME COURT
CASES OVER THE LAST DECADE
ADDRESSED THE SCOPE OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY
UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
THE COURT'S RULINGS DID NOT
REQUIRE LESS REGULATION AND
PROTECTIONS BUT URGED THE
CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH TO PROVIDE A FOUND
RATIONAL AND CONSISTENCY TO
CLARIFY THE LIMITS OF FEDERAL
AUTHORITY.
THE CORPS AND THE E.P.A. HAVE
NOW ISSUED DRAFT GUIDANCE
CLARIFYING FEDERAL AUTHORITY
RULINGS.
THAT ADHERES TO THE COURT'S
CONGRESS BY CONTRAST HAS NOT.
WITH THIS RIDER CONGRESS IS
ABOUT TO MAKE MATTERS MUCH
WORSE.
WORSE BECAUSE BLOCKING
COMPLETION OF THE GUIDANCE AND
ANY SUBSEQUENT REGULATIONS,
WHICH THE BILL'S RIDER WOULD DO,
WOULD BE BAD FOR THE PUBLIC'S
HEALTH, BAD FOR BUSINESSES, AND
BAD FOR FARMERS.
IT'S ESPECIALLY BAD FOR 117
MILLION AMERICANS WHOSE DRINKING
WATER COMES FROM HEADWATERS AND
NONPERENNIAL STREAMS.
SHOULDN'T WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT
INTO THESE STREAMS?
WHAT TOXIC MATERIAL IS DUMPED
IT'S BAD FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES
WHO NEED CERTAINTY.
WITHOUT UPDATED GUIDANCES --
GUIDANCE, BUSINESS ALSO OFTEN
NOT KNOW WHEN THEY NEED A PERMIT
IN ORDER TO DEVELOP LAND.
THIS UNCERTAINTY CAN SUBJECT
THEM TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
LIABILITY AND CERTAINLY WILL
COST THEM EXTRA MONEY.
IT'S BAD FOR FARMERS BECAUSE
THIS RIDER ELIMINATES THE
AGRICULTURAL EXPLOSION FOR PRIOR
CONVERTED CROPLAND THAT WAS
ADDED TO THE WATERS OF THE
HE'S REQUEST.
UNITED STATES RULE AT THE FARM
SECTION 110 INVALIDATES ALL
RULES ISSUED AFTER THE RULE
DATED NOVEMBER 13, 1986.
BUT NOT UNTIL 1993 DID THE CORPS
AND E.P.A. DEFINE THE WATERS OF
THE U.S. TO EXCLUDE PRIOR
CONVERTED CROPLAND.
CLAIMS THAT FEDERAL GUIDANCE AND
REGULATIONS ARE UNNECESSARY
BECAUSE OF STATE CLEAN WATER
PROGRAMS ARE WRONG AS WELL.
33 STATES JOINED A BRIEF IN THE
MOST RECENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
CASES URGING THE COURT TO UPHOLD
FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR WETLANDS
ADJACENT TO NON 1/2 GIBBLE
STREAMS.
STATES NOTED THAT FEDERAL STATE
GUARDS WERE CRITICAL BECAUSE
WATER FLOWS BETWEEN STATES
BECAUSE MAINTAINING A FEDERAL
POLLUTION CONTROL CREATES PARITY
BETWEEN STATES, AND BECAUSE
STATES HAVE COME TO RELY ON
FEDERAL PROTECTIONS AND WOULD
FACE SERIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE AND
FINANCIAL BURDENS IF THEY WERE
SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE
REQUIREMENTS.
FINALLY, EVEN THOUGH THE RIDER
MAY BLOCK THE GUIDANCE
CLARIFYING FEDERAL AND STATE
AUTHORITY, IT DOES NOT MAKE THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR
A PERMIT GO AWAY.
STATES ARE STILL REQUIRED TO
IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE THE LAW
AND DISCHARGERS MUST OBEY IT.
LAWSUITS.
LIKEWISE PARTIES MAY STILL FILE
THE REAL CONSEQUENCE OF THIS
RIDER WILL BE TO FRUSTRATE THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO
EXPLAIN WHERE STATE OR FEDERAL
AUTHORITY IN THE CLEAN WATER ACT
CEASES TO EXIST.
IF THIS RIDER PREVAILS, MORE
.
LAWSUITS WILL ENSUE.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE TO
STRIKE THE RIDER TO BRING
CLARITY TO A CONFUSING ISSUE.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, I
RESERVE THE BALANCE.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY
NOT RESERVE.
I DO NOT RESERVE.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE
REMAINING?
ONE MINUTE.
LET ME SAY, MR.