[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 124 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1539-E1540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2076) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes:

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr.Chairman, I rise in support of the Commerce, Justice, 
State, and Judiciary appropriations bill before us today. I especially 
want to commend Chairman Rogers for his excellent work through 
difficult budgetary and personal times. Despite the hurdles, the 
chairman and subcommittee have brought to the House a bill worthy of 
support.
  Downsizing Government means making choices among spending priorities, 
and this bill does just that by channeling funds to programs that are 
in the taxpayers' interest. While I don't agree with every single 
funding decision, on balance this is a responsible bill with which I am 
proud to be associated.
  This bill takes a giant step toward addressing the issue of border 
enforcement. Even with an outright rejection of the administration's 
ill-conceived border crossing fee, H.R. 2076 provides funding to put an 
additional 1,400 Border Patrol agents and inspectors on the front lines 
of the border. Overall funding for the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service is increased by 20 percent which will help border communities 
like those I represent.
  The bill also provides $500 million for the State Criminal Alien 
Assistance Program that reimburses States for the costs associated with 
incarcerating criminal aliens. The General Accounting Office estimates 
that the nationwide costs incurred by States for this could exceed $650 
million. This appropriation takes a huge step towards addressing that 
problem.
  The committee also recommends to the INS that they participate in a 
pilot program designed to increase cooperation between Federal, State, 
and local agencies at ports-of-entry. I am convinced this pilot program 
will prove that ports can be run more efficiently, thus better 
facilitating trade and commerce along the border.
  This increase in funding is justified. We must recognize that illegal 
immigration is a national problem, not a State problem. This Congress 
must reaffirm its commitment to States and local communities because 
they are the ones who must contend with failed illegal immigration 
policies of the past. To turn our backs on that responsibility would be 
wrong.
  The recent tragedy in Oklahoma City is a horrific reminder of 
violence in our society, but sadly, it occurs all too often--if not as 
dramatically--in communities across this land. So, I'm supportive of 
the actions this bill takes to combat crime.
  The Federal Government does not have all the answers when it comes to 
combating the crime we are most concerned about. I do not believe the 
Congress should try to manage State and local law
 enforcement agencies. Rather, we need to support measures that empower 
local law enforcement--H.R. 2076 does just that. This legislation gives 
maximum flexibility to local law enforcement officials to administer $2 
billion for law enforcement and prevention programs instead of 
mandating that money be used for specific purposes. The bill will allow 
local officials to use funds to put more police on the streets, 
purchase needed equipment, fund youth prevention programs, provide drug 
court programs, or other urgent needs, according to the priorities 
determined by 39,000 State and local entities--not Washington. 
Additionally, H.R. 2076 provides nearly $500 million for the Byrne 
Grant Program that has been used very effectively by local law 
enforcement. In my own district, very successful law enforcement 
alliances have succeeded because of the availability of Byrne Grant 
moneys.

  Let me shift gears for a moment to address what this bill does with 
funding for the Commerce Department. I support the restructuring of the 
Commerce Department. Over the years, this agency has become the dumping 
ground for every new function of the Federal Government that didn't fit 
someplace else. While this bill does not dismantle the Commerce 
Department, it cuts it by nearly 20 percent--a clear signal to Congress 
to reorder its functions. I will support amendments to this legislation 
making further cuts in certain areas of Commerce, and will soon 
introduce with others a version of how dismantling the Department might 
be accomplished.
  I am pleased the committee funded the Small Business Administration's 
microloan program which has helped create hundreds of jobs in Arizona 
at little or not cost to the Government. Organizations like Project 
PPEP help to effectively administer these startup loans in areas where 
this type of assistance is effectively used and where loan defaults are 
almost nonexistent.
  The bill provides resources for the State Department to continue its 
vital functions across the globe. While H.R. 2076 does cut funding 9 
percent below last year's spending levels, 

[[Page E 1540]]
the cuts are fair and sensible. Contributions to U.N. peacekeeping 
operations are kept in check while affording the executive branch 
maximum flexibility and the legislative branch maximum oversight. The 
bill closely resembles the provisions of the American Overseas 
Interests Act passed by the House earlier this year.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation that is 
both fiscally responsible and attentive to the needs of the American 
people.


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