[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2180-E2181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ATTACHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DISMANTLING ACT TO THE DEBT 
                       EXTENSION BILL, H.R. 2586

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. HAYES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 1995

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see that reason prevailed 
and the provisions to eliminate the Department of Commerce were struck 
from the Short-Term Debt Ceiling Extension bill, H.R. 2586.
  First of all, increasing the debt ceiling is an issue of public 
confidence--in our financial markets both at home and abroad. Even if 
we pass landmark legislation this year calling for a balanced budget by 
the year 2002--and I hope we do--the debt ceiling will still have to be 
raised periodically, at least in the near term, to meet our financial 
responsibilities on our $5 trillion debt. I am not willing to play 
political gamesmanship with the stability of our economy or strength of 
our credit.
  We should be able to count on the Federal Government to pay its bills 
on time. It is for this very reason that, regardless of my objections 
to the extraneous amendments added onto this legislation, I strongly 
supported the passage of H.R. 2586.
  Accordingly, I was glad to see that dismantling the Department of 
Commerce was not included. While I advocate reforming the nonessential 
and wasteful functions of the Department, I remain skeptical that 
budgetary savings result from simply reshuffling agencies into other 
bureaucratic boxes.
  My home State of Louisiana depends heavily on many of the programs 
under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. Of particular 
significance is research and funding provided by the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. Although a source of frustration 
and consternation to area shrimpers, the research efforts of the 
National Marine Fisheries Service are critical to the restoration of 
our coastal wetlands. NMFS is continuously engaged in activities that 
enhance our ability to preserve wildlife and prevent flooding. The 
National Weather Service early warning system is also vital for a low 
lying coastal State like Louisiana to ensure adequate preparation for 
families and businesses in the event of a natural disaster.
  I also wanted to give special mention to the importance of the 
Economic Development Administration [EDA] to rural Louisiana. In the 
western part of my district alone, EDA technical assistance grants have 
enabled communities to leverage small Federal dollars into other 
Federal grants totalling some $156 million over the past 20 years. 
Infrastructure improvements through EDA grants also entice 
entrepreneurs to invest in our communities, thus augmenting our 
competitive position and our ability to create jobs. Finally, with the 
downsizing of Fort Polk, EDA moneys are available to assist the base 
and the surrounding Leesville area in coping with potential job 
displacements.
  The House overwhelmingly rejected an amendment by Congressman Hefley 
to the Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary Appropriations bill, 
H.R. 2076, that would have eliminated EDA. The House Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure also approved, on three separate 
occasions, legislation to reform and preserve EDA. If these votes are 
indicative of our policy preferences--and I believe that they are--then 
the successful initiatives put forth by EDA to help my rural Louisiana 
district and the Nation should be allowed to continue.
  Clearly, there should be some agent of the business community at the 
Cabinet level to appropriately defend and promote the powers of the 
marketplace and the necessity of job creation. Whether that 
representative has to 

[[Page E 2181]]
be the Department of Commerce, I am uncertain. But, I am certain that, 
until savings can be verified and functions and programs are properly 
studied, we should not haphazardly act or unsuitably connect the issue 
to the debt ceiling.

                          ____________________