[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H15244-H15255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 558, TEXAS LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE 
                   WASTE DISPOSAL COMPACT CONSENT ACT

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 313 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                              H. Res. 313

       Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule 
     XXIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the 
     Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of 
     the bill (H.R. 558) to grant the consent of the Congress to 
     the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact. The 
     first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. General 
     debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one 
     hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and 
     ranking minority member of the Committee on Commerce. After 
     general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment 
     under the five-minute rule. Each section shall be considered 
     as read. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the 
     Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in 
     recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an 
     amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the 
     Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 6 
     of rule XXIII. Amendments so printed shall be considered as 
     read. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for 
     amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the 
     House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The 
     previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill 
     and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening 
     motion except one motion to recommit with or without 
     instructions.

                              {time}  1315

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado [Mr. McInnis] is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the 
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from California, [Mr. Beilenson], 
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During the 
consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose 
of debate only.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 313 is a very simple resolution. The 
proposed rule is an open rule providing for 1 hour of general debate 
divided equally between the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Commerce. After general debate, the bill shall be 
considered as read for amendment under the 5 minute rule. The 
resolution allows the Chair to accord priority recognition to Members 
who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. 
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or 
without instructions.
  Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Mr. Bliley, 
requested an open rule for this legislation. This open rule was 
reported out of the Committee on Rules by unanimous voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I voted against this legislation 
under the suspension of the rules because I felt that this legislation 
should be thoroughly debated. Under the proposed rule, each Member has 
an opportunity to have their concerns addressed, debated, and 
ultimately voted up or down by this body. I urge my colleagues to 
support this rule, as well as the underlying legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I include the following data for the Record.

[[Page H15245]]


  THE AMENDMENT PROCESS UNDER SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE,\1\ 103D CONGRESS V. 104TH CONGRESS 
                                            [As of December 19, 1995]                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  103d Congress                        104th Congress           
              Rule type              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Number of rules    Percent of total   Number of rules    Percent of total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open/Modified-open \2\..............                 46                 44                 58                 65
Modified Closed \3\.................                 49                 47                 20                 23
Closed \4\..........................                  9                  9                 11                 12
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.........................                104                100                 89                100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This table applies only to rules which provide for the original consideration of bills, joint resolutions or
  budget resolutions and which provide for an amendment process. It does not apply to special rules which only  
  waive points of order against appropriations bills which are already privileged and are considered under an   
  open amendment process under House rules.                                                                     
\2\ An open rule is one under which any Member may offer a germane amendment under the five-minute rule. A      
  modified open rule is one under which any Member may offer a germane amendment under the five-minute rule     
  subject only to an overall time limit on the amendment process and/or a requirement that the amendment be     
  preprinted in the Congressional Record.                                                                       
\3\ A modified closed rule is one under which the Rules Committee limits the amendments that may be offered only
  to those amendments designated in the special rule or the Rules Committee report to accompany it, or which    
  preclude amendments to a particular portion of a bill, even though the rest of the bill may be completely open
  to amendment.                                                                                                 
\4\ A closed rule is one under which no amendments may be offered (other than amendments recommended by the     
  committee in reporting the bill).                                                                             


                          SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE, 104TH CONGRESS                         
                                            [As of December 19, 1995]                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Disposition of 
    H. Res. No. (Date rept.)         Rule type           Bill No.              Subject                rule      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Res. 38 (1/18/95)...........  O................  H.R. 5...........  Unfunded Mandate        A: 350-71 (1/19/ 
                                                                        Reform.                 95).            
H. Res. 44 (1/24/95)...........  MC...............  H. Con. Res. 17..  Social Security.......  A: 255-172 (1/25/
                                                    H.J. Res. 1......  Balanced Budget Amdt..   95).            
H. Res. 51 (1/31/95)...........  O................  H.R. 101.........  Land Transfer, Taos     A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Pueblo Indians.         1/95).          
H. Res. 52 (1/31/95)...........  O................  H.R. 400.........  Land Exchange, Arctic   A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Nat'l. Park and         1/95).          
                                                                        Preserve.                               
H. Res. 53 (1/31/95)...........  O................  H.R. 440.........  Land Conveyance, Butte  A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        County, Calif.          1/95).          
H. Res. 55 (2/1/95)............  O................  H.R. 2...........  Line Item Veto........  A: voice vote (2/
                                                                                                2/95).          
H. Res. 60 (2/6/95)............  O................  H.R. 665.........  Victim Restitution....  A: voice vote (2/
                                                                                                7/95).          
H. Res. 61 (2/6/95)............  O................  H.R. 666.........  Exclusionary Rule       A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Reform.                 7/95).          
H. Res. 63 (2/8/95)............  MO...............  H.R. 667.........  Violent Criminal        A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Incarceration.          9/95).          
H. Res. 69 (2/9/95)............  O................  H.R. 668.........  Criminal Alien          A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Deportation.            10/95).         
H. Res. 79 (2/10/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 728.........  Law Enforcement Block   A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Grants.                 13/95).         
H. Res. 83 (2/13/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 7...........  National Security       PQ: 229-100; A:  
                                                                        Revitalization.         227-127 (2/15/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 88 (2/16/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 831.........  Health Insurance        PQ: 230-191; A:  
                                                                        Deductibility.          229-188 (2/21/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 91 (2/21/95)...........  O................  H.R. 830.........  Paperwork Reduction     A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Act.                    22/95).         
H. Res. 92 (2/21/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 889.........  Defense Supplemental..  A: 282-144 (2/22/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 93 (2/22/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 450.........  Regulatory Transition   A: 252-175 (2/23/
                                                                        Act.                    95).            
H. Res. 96 (2/24/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 1022........  Risk Assessment.......  A: 253-165 (2/27/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 100 (2/27/95)..........  O................  H.R. 926.........  Regulatory Reform and   A: voice vote (2/
                                                                        Relief Act.             28/95).         
H. Res. 101 (2/28/95)..........  MO...............  H.R. 925.........  Private Property        A: 271-151 (3/2/ 
                                                                        Protection Act.         95).            
H. Res. 103 (3/3/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 1058........  Securities Litigation   .................
                                                                        Reform.                                 
H. Res. 104 (3/3/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 988.........  Attorney                A: voice vote (3/
                                                                        Accountability Act.     6/95).          
H. Res. 105 (3/6/95)...........  MO...............  .................  ......................  A: 257-155 (3/7/ 
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 108 (3/7/95)...........  Debate...........  H.R. 956.........  Product Liability       A: voice vote (3/
                                                                        Reform.                 8/95).          
H. Res. 109 (3/8/95)...........  MC...............  .................  ......................  PQ: 234-191 A:   
                                                                                                247-181 (3/9/   
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 115 (3/14/95)..........  MO...............  H.R. 1159........  Making Emergency Supp.  A: 242-190 (3/15/
                                                                        Approps.                95).            
H. Res. 116 (3/15/95)..........  MC...............  H.J. Res. 73.....  Term Limits Const.      A: voice vote (3/
                                                                        Amdt.                   28/95).         
H. Res. 117 (3/16/95)..........  Debate...........  H.R. 4...........  Personal                A: voice vote (3/
                                                                        Responsibility Act of   21/95).         
                                                                        1995.                                   
H. Res. 119 (3/21/95)..........  MC...............  .................  ......................  A: 217-211 (3/22/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 125 (4/3/95)...........  O................  H.R. 1271........  Family Privacy          A: 423-1 (4/4/   
                                                                        Protection Act.         95).            
H. Res. 126 (4/3/95)...........  O................  H.R. 660.........  Older Persons Housing   A: voice vote (4/
                                                                        Act.                    6/95).          
H. Res. 128 (4/4/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 1215........  Contract With America   A: 228-204 (4/5/ 
                                                                        Tax Relief Act of       95).            
                                                                        1995.                                   
H. Res. 130 (4/5/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 483.........  Medicare Select          A: 253-172 (4/6/
                                                                        Expansion.              95).            
H. Res. 136 (5/1/95)...........  O................  H.R. 655.........  Hydrogen Future Act of  A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        1995.                   2/95).          
H. Res. 139 (5/3/95)...........  O................  H.R. 1361........  Coast Guard Auth. FY    A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        1996.                   9/95).          
H. Res. 140 (5/9/95)...........  O................  H.R. 961.........  Clean Water Amendments  A: 414-4 (5/10/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 144 (5/11/95)..........  O................  H.R. 535.........  Fish Hatchery--         A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Arkansas.               15/95).         
H. Res. 145 (5/11/95)..........  O................  H.R. 584.........  Fish Hatchery--Iowa...  A: voice vote (5/
                                                                                                15/95).         
H. Res. 146 (5/11/95)..........  O................  H.R. 614.........  Fish Hatchery--         A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Minnesota.              15/95).         
H. Res. 149 (5/16/95)..........  MC...............  H. Con. Res. 67..  Budget Resolution FY    PQ: 252-170 A:   
                                                                        1996.                   255-168 (5/17/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 155 (5/22/95)..........  MO...............  H.R. 1561........  American Overseas       A: 233-176 (5/23/
                                                                        Interests Act.          95).            
H. Res. 164 (6/8/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 1530........  Nat. Defense Auth. FY   PQ: 225-191 A:   
                                                                        1996.                   233-183 (6/13/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 167 (6/15/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1817........  MilCon Appropriations   PQ: 223-180 A:   
                                                                        FY 1996.                245-155 (6/16/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 169 (6/19/95)..........  MC...............  H.R. 1854........  Leg. Branch Approps.    PQ: 232-196 A:   
                                                                        FY 1996.                236-191 (6/20/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 170 (6/20/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1868........  For. Ops. Approps. FY   PQ: 221-178 A:   
                                                                        1996.                   217-175 (6/22/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 171 (6/22/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1905........  Energy & Water          A: voice vote (7/
                                                                        Approps. FY 1996.       12/95).         
H. Res. 173 (6/27/95)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 79.....  Flag Constitutional     PQ: 258-170 A:   
                                                                        Amendment.              271-152 (6/28/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 176 (6/28/95)..........  MC...............  H.R. 1944........  Emer. Supp. Approps...  PQ: 236-194 A:   
                                                                                                234-192 (6/29/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 185 (7/11/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1977........  Interior Approps. FY    PQ: 235-193 D:   
                                                                        1996.                   192-238 (7/12/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 187 (7/12/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1977........  Interior Approps. FY    PQ: 230-194 A:   
                                                                        1996 #2.                229-195 (7/13/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 188 (7/12/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1976........  Agriculture Approps.    PQ: 242-185 A:   
                                                                        FY 1996.                voice vote (7/18/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 190 (7/17/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2020........  Treasury/Postal         PQ: 232-192 A:   
                                                                        Approps. FY 1996.       voice vote (7/18/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 193 (7/19/95)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 96.....  Disapproval of MFN to   A: voice vote (7/
                                                                        China.                  20/95).         
H. Res. 194 (7/19/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2002........  Transportation          PQ: 217-202 (7/21/
                                                                        Approps. FY 1996.       95).            
H. Res. 197 (7/21/95)..........  O................  H.R. 70..........  Exports of Alaskan      A: voice vote (7/
                                                                        Crude Oil.              24/95).         
H. Res. 198 (7/21/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2076........  Commerce, State         A: voice vote (7/
                                                                        Approps. FY 1996.       25/95).         
H. Res. 201 (7/25/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2099........  VA/HUD Approps. FY      A: 230-189 (7/25/
                                                                        1996.                   95).            
H. Res. 204 (7/28/95)..........  MC...............  S. 21............  Terminating U.S. Arms   A: voice vote (8/
                                                                        Embargo on Bosnia.      1/95).          
H. Res. 205 (7/28/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2126........  Defense Approps. FY     A: 409-1 (7/31/  
                                                                        1996.                   95).            
H. Res. 207 (8/1/95)...........  MC...............  H.R. 1555........  Communications Act of   A: 255-156 (8/2/ 
                                                                        1995.                   95).            
H. Res. 208 (8/1/95)...........  O................  H.R. 2127........  Labor, HHS Approps. FY  A: 323-104 (8/2/ 
                                                                        1996.                   95).            
H. Res. 215 (9/7/95)...........  O................  H.R. 1594........  Economically Targeted   A: voice vote (9/
                                                                        Investments.            12/95).         
H. Res. 216 (9/7/95)...........  MO...............  H.R. 1655........  Intelligence            A: voice vote (9/
                                                                        Authorization FY 1996.  12/95).         
H. Res. 218 (9/12/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1162........  Deficit Reduction       A: voice vote (9/
                                                                        Lockbox.                13/95).         
H. Res. 219 (9/12/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1670........  Federal Acquisition     A: 414-0 (9/13/  
                                                                        Reform Act.             95).            
H. Res. 222 (9/18/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1617........  CAREERS Act...........  A: 388-2 (9/19/  
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 224 (9/19/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2274........  Natl. Highway System..  PQ: 241-173 A:   
                                                                                                375-39-1 (9/20/ 
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 225 (9/19/95)..........  MC...............  H.R. 927.........  Cuban Liberty & Dem.    A: 304-118 (9/20/
                                                                        Solidarity.             95).            
H. Res. 226 (9/21/95)..........  O................  H.R. 743.........  Team Act..............  A: 344-66-1 (9/27/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 227 (9/21/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1170........  3-Judge Court.........  A: voice vote (9/
                                                                                                28/95).         
H. Res. 228 (9/21/95)..........  O................  H.R. 1601........  Internatl. Space        A: voice vote (9/
                                                                        Station.                27/95).         
H. Res. 230 (9/27/95)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 108....  Continuing Resolution   A: voice vote (9/
                                                                        FY 1996.                28/95).         
H. Res. 234 (9/29/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2405........  Omnibus Science Auth..  A: voice vote (10/
                                                                                                11/95).         
H. Res. 237 (10/17/95).........  MC...............  H.R. 2259........  Disapprove Sentencing   A: voice vote (10/
                                                                        Guidelines.             18/95).         
H. Res. 238 (10/18/95).........  MC...............  H.R. 2425........  Medicare Preservation   PQ: 231-194 A:   
                                                                        Act.                    227-192 (10/19/ 
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 239 (10/19/95).........  C................  H.R. 2492........  Leg. Branch Approps...  PQ: 235-184 A:   
                                                                                                voice vote (10/ 
                                                                                                31/95).         
H. Res. 245 (10/25/95).........  MC...............  H. Con. Res. 109.  Social Security         PQ: 228-191 A:   
                                                    H.R. 2491........   Earnings Reform.        235-185 (10/26/ 
                                                                       Seven-Year Balanced      95).            
                                                                        Budget.                                 
H. Res. 251 (10/31/95).........  C................  H.R. 1833........  Partial Birth Abortion  A: 237-190 (11/1/
                                                                        Ban.                    95).            
H. Res. 252 (10/31/95).........  MO...............  H.R. 2546........  D.C. Approps..........  A: 241-181 (11/1/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 257 (11/7/95)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 115....  Cont. Res. FY 1996....  A: 216-210 (11/8/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 258 (11/8/95)..........  MC...............  H.R. 2586........  Debt Limit............  A: 220-200 (11/10/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 259 (11/9/95)..........  O................  H.R. 2539........  ICC Termination Act...  A: voice vote (11/
                                                                                                14/95).         
H. Res. 261 (11/9/95)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 115....  Cont. Resolution......  A: 223-182 (11/10/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 262 (11/9/95)..........  C................  H.R. 2586........  Increase Debt Limit...  A: 220-185 (11/10/
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 269 (11/15/95).........  O................  H.R. 2564........  Lobbying Reform.......  A: voice vote (11/
                                                                                                16/95).         
H. Res. 270 (11/15/95).........  C................  H.J. Res. 122....  Further Cont.           A: 229-176 (11/15/
                                                                        Resolution.             95).            
H. Res. 273 (11/16/95).........  MC...............  H.R. 2606........  Prohibition on Funds    A: 239-181 (11/17/
                                                                        for Bosnia.             95).            

[[Page H15246]]
                                                                                                                
H. Res. 284 (11/29/95).........  O................  H.R. 1788........  Amtrak Reform.........  A: voice vote (11/
                                                                                                30/95).         
H. Res. 287 (11/30/95).........  O................  H.R. 1350........  Maritime Security Act.  A: voice vote (12/
                                                                                                6/95).          
H. Res. 293 (12/7/95)..........  C................  H.R. 2621........  Protect Federal Trust   PQ: 223-183 A:   
                                                                        Funds.                  228-184 (12/14/ 
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 303 (12/13/95).........  O................  H.R. 1745........  Utah Public Lands.....                   
H. Res. 309 (12/18/95).........  C................  H. Con. Res. 122.  Budget Res. W/          PQ: 230-188 A:   
                                                                        President.              229-189 (12/19/ 
                                                                                                95).            
H. Res. 313 (12/19/95).........  O................  H.R. 558.........  Texas Low-Level                          
                                                                        Radioactive.                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Codes: O-open rule; MO-modified open rule; MC-modified closed rule; C-closed rule; A-adoption vote; D-defeated; 
  PQ-previous question vote. Source: Notices of Action Taken, Committee on Rules, 104th Congress.               


  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Bonilla].
  Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Texas Low-Level Radioactive 
Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act and the rule for the bill. As you 
all know this bill was considered by the House back in September. The 
House overwhelmingly defeated this bill by a vote on 243 to 176 under 
suspension of the rules.
  I commend the Rules Committee for a job well done in developing this 
rule. It is an open and very fair rule, however I believe this bill 
should not be coming to the floor for another vote. This rule would 
have been appropriate had the bill been considered in regular order 
back in September when it was first voted upon.
  The House already made its statement loud and clear by rejecting this 
bill. This bill is not in order today and I urge my colleagues to 
oppose the bill and the rule.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. McInnis] for 
yielding the customary 30 minutes of debate time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, we support this open rule for H.R. 558, the Texas Low-
Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act. The bill was 
defeated overwhelmingly by a vote of 176 to 243 in September when it 
was taken up on the suspension calendar, and the bill itself remains 
quite controversial.
  In fact, we were surprised to see it placed on the schedule for today 
with such little notice. Members of the Committee on Rules were not 
notified until yesterday afternoon that it would be taken up by 
committee at 5:15 yesterday evening. We questioned the wisdom of 
considering this bill again, even under an open rule, at this time in 
the session. It is not at all clear that the most open procedure can 
solve the problems that the bill seems to have. The fact that the Texas 
delegation itself is split evenly on the bill, 15 Members voted for it 
and 15 against it when it was before us in September, should have been 
a sign to the leadership that the strong vote against the bill should, 
for the moment at least, be allowed to stand.
  Nevertheless, we are here today considering this legislation when we 
should be putting all of our efforts and energy into passing the long-
overdue annual appropriations bills that are crucial to returning 
Government services to the American people.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, we support this rule. It is an open rule, but we 
remain disturbed that it is being taken up at all for legislation that 
has already been defeated by the House, as the gentleman from Texas 
just said, when we should be considering the spending legislation that 
is critical to ensuring that our citizens receive the Government 
services they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to the gentleman from 
Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] who is also chairman of the subcommittee.
  (Mr. SCHAEFER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 313, the rule 
which accompanies H.R. 558, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
Compact Consent Act. This bill, introduced by our colleague, Jack 
Fields,  will allow the States of Texas, Maine, and Vermont to join the 
other 42 States which have already entered into low-level radioactive 
waste disposal agreements.
  The Open rule, providing that debate on and possible amendments to 
H.R. 558 will allow for a broad range of issues to be discussed, is a 
welcome step. The measure had strong bipartisan support during the 
Commerce Committee's consideration of it, and I am hopeful that once 
Members have listened to this debate at the full House level, the bill 
will enjoy similar wide support on final passage.
  Low-level wastes emit a low intensity of radioactivity. In fact, the 
vast majority of low-level wastes--97 percent--do not require any 
special shielding to protect workers or the surrounding community. 
Examples of these wastes range from the coverall uniforms used at 
nuclear power sites to the radioactive elements of a hospital x-ray 
machine.
  Currently, 42 States are already involved in nine compact 
arrangements for the disposal of low-level waste. H.R. 558 would 
finally allow the States of Texas, Maine, and Vermont to begin their 
efforts to fully comply with the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act 
of 1980 and to join the other States which have already entered into 
such compacts.
  One of the important and controversial matters raised during the 
House's first consideration of this bill revolved around the siting of 
the low-level waste facility. H.R. 558, like the other nine compacts 
before it, does not specify a site. It was the intent of Congress that 
siting, like the other responsibilities outlined in the Low-Level 
Radioactive Waste Act, would remain a State issue. Regardless of the 
site, the States of Texas, Maine, and Vermont need the congressional 
consent of this compact. And regardless of the compact, these States 
will have a need for low-level radioactive waste disposal capability. 
The facts are very clear.
  An open rule will provide a good forum to debate these points. The 
rule is a good one and I urge the House's adoption.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Maine [Mr. Baldacci].
  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule on 
H.R. 558, the bill to give congressional consent to the Texas low-level 
radioactive waste disposal compact.
  Many of my colleagues had opposed this bill when it came up under the 
Suspension Calendar, and I have talked to some of them about their 
vote. One of the reasons that they most frequently gave for their 
opposition was the lack of an opportunity to fully debate this 
question.
  The Committee on Rules has recommended an open rule allowing for 1 
hour of general debate. I fully expect a vigorous discussion on the 
compact. I look forward to that debate and to answering any questions 
that may arise.
  The compact is important for Texas. It is important for Vermont, and 
it is important for Maine. This would be the 10th compact that Congress 
has ratified since 1985, when Congress enacted the low-level 
radioactive waste disposal policy amendments.
  This was one of those unfunded mandates that Congress gave the States 
to develop methods of managing low-level nuclear waste. The three 
States have diligently complied with that mandate.
  The Governors and the legislatures of Vermont and Texas have approved 
the compact. The Governor and legislature and people of Maine have 
approved the compact.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the rule.
  Mr. Speaker, since my good friend has allowed me such time as I may 
consume, I thought it was probably important to utilize this 
opportunity to discuss the low-level radioactive waste compact.

[[Page H15247]]

  The measure before us today would give congressional approval to the 
compact between Maine, Vermont, and Texas for the disposal of low-level 
radioactive waste produced in those States.
  Experience has probably taught all of us just how difficult waste 
management issues can become. And none is more difficult than those 
involving radioactive materials.
  In 1985, after considerable debate, Congress enacted the low-level 
radioactive waste disposal policy amendments act. Congress gave 
responsibility to the States for the management of low-level 
radioactive waste. These materials are byproducts of nuclear medicine, 
nuclear research, industrial processes as well as nuclear power 
generation.
  Congress clearly gave the States a mandate, without funding I might 
add, to develop responsible methods for managing this waste. H.R. 558 
would simply ratify the compact negotiated between Maine, Vermont, and 
Texas. It represents the last step in the process. These three States 
have diligently complied with the congressional mandate. H.R. 558 
deserves our overwhelming support.
  Congress, in dictating to the States and requiring the States to come 
up with these compacts, this is the 10th compact that Congress has 
approved since 1985--9 others involving 42 States have received speedy 
consent. It would be very irresponsible and also unfair if we were to 
reject the compact now before us. It would be a complete reversal of 
the policy established by Congress.
  Opponents of the legislation have objected to the proposed site of 
the low-level waste disposal facility in Texas. These objections are 
not relevant to the compact. The compact presented in H.R. 558 is site 
neutral. In fact, the siting process conducted by the State of Texas 
and the compact between the States of Maine, Vermont, and Texas, are 
separate and independent. As I understand it, Texas initiated the 
siting process long before it began negotiations with Maine and 
Vermont. In fact, the proposed site still requires approval of the 
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission.
  So the commission has just now started what will be a lengthy public 
proceeding to consider all the issues associated with the proposed 
site. So for those reasons, and many others, I would support the rule 
and also support the passage of this legislation.
  The Texas commission has just now started what will be a lengthy 
public proceeding to consider all of the issues associated with the 
proposed site. If the proposed site is found to be deficient, then the 
license will not be granted and another site will have to be selected. 
Nonetheless, the siting issues such as water quality impacts, 
seismology matters, and related concerns are simply not germane to our 
consideration of our H.R. 558. Neither the compact nor H.R. 558 specify 
any particular site in Texas. This decision is solely the 
responsibility of the Government of the State of Texas. The siting 
decision is the right of the State of Texas. We in Washington should 
not interfere in that process.
  Finally, it is also important to understand that the compact under 
consideration contains real and significant advantages for all three 
States. With the compact, Texas will be able to limit the amount of 
low-level radioactive waste coming into its facility from out-of-State 
sources.
  Maine and Vermont together produce a fraction of what is generated in 
Texas. For Maine and Vermont, the compact relieves either State from 
the need to develop its own facility. Given the relatively small volume 
of waste produced in Maine, developing such a facility would be 
disproportionately expensive.
  These benefits are among the reasons that the compact received 
overwhelming support from the Governors and legislatures in all three 
States.
  We should act now to approve H.R. 558 without amendments. It 
represents the States' best efforts to comply with a Federal mandate. 
It is not directly linked to the development of any specific site in 
Texas. It contains major benefits for all three States. I urge you to 
support H.R. 558.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 minutes to the fine gentleman 
from the State of Texas [Mr. Barton].
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I will not use 15 minutes, I assure 
the Chair and the other Members of the body. I do want to speak for 
more than 1 or 2 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was elected in 1984, I came to the Congress in 
January 1985, I had the honor to be placed on what was then called the 
Interior Committee, chaired by the distinguished gentleman from 
Arizona, Mr. Mo Udall. One of the pieces of legislation that that 
committee moved that year was the Low-Level Waste Policy Act Amendments 
of 1985, in which it gave States the authority to create interstate 
compacts with other States for the disposal of low-level nuclear waste.
  At that time, the State of Texas chose to create a compact simply 
within its State boundaries and not to create an interstate compact 
with other States. Since that time, the State of Texas has been in 
negotiations with the State of Vermont and the State of Maine and has 
decided to take advantage of the 1985 act and create an interstate 
compact. Nine other interstate compacts have been approved by this 
Congress since the Low-Level Waste Policy Act Amendments of 1985.
  When this bill first came to the floor earlier this year, it was 
defeated, and it was defeated primarily because many Members felt like 
that since one or two Members in the State of Texas on the Republican 
side were opposed to this legislation, that the State of Texas itself 
and the Republican delegation in general was opposed.
  Nothing could be further from the truth. The Governor of the State of 
Texas, the Honorable George Bush, strongly supports the passage of this 
act. The former Governor, the Honorable Ann Richards, formerly when she 
was Governor supported this act. So both our Democrat former Governor 
and Republican Governor support the passage of H.R. 558.
  When it comes to a vote later this week, my guess is that almost, not 
every Texan, but almost every Texas Member will support this act. On 
the Republican side, all but one or two will support it.
  This bill does not site the low-level waste depository within the 
State of Texas. It simply gives the State the authority to contract 
with Vermont and Maine for their low-level waste. It will be a State 
decision within Texas where to put the depository.
  The Members from our State delegation that oppose this legislation 
apparently oppose it because they oppose where the State has so far 
decided to locate the depository. But this act in and of itself is not 
site specific. It simply gives the State of Texas and the State of 
Vermont and the State of Maine the right to enter into a compact as 
this Congress or other previous Congresses have given nine other 
compacts.
  So I want to strongly support the rule. I hope we pass the rule, and 
then I would hope that all Members would vote positively on the 
underlying bill, H.R. 558. It is simply giving these three States, 
Texas, Vermont, and Maine, the right, as other States have, to enter 
into an interstate compact for the transmission and disposal of low-
level nuclear waste.

                              {time}  1330

  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Gene Green].
  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule 
and the bill, H.R. 558, the Texas low-level radioactive waste disposal 
compact.
  Low-level waste is a by-product of many industrial and medical 
activities that contribute to our economy in Texas and also enhance our 
lives. For example, it is not in my district but it serves my 
community, our hospitals in the city of Houston and around the State 
are national leaders in health care and medical research, and we have 
this low-level waste now literally on the property of the hospitals 
because they have to have someplace to put it. We have an agreement now 
with two other States, and that is why H.R. 558 is so important.
  Responsible management of this waste that the hospitals produce 
include clothing, the laboratory supplies, and paper requiring 
permanent disposal in a site specifically designed for that purpose.
  The States of Texas, Maine, and Vermont have all agreed to proceed 
with this compact which, by law, Congress must approve; however, the 
implementation and site selection is a State matter. And I believe the 
States who sign this compact should be allowed to proceed with it.
  I know in Texas, Mr. Speaker, we have done that. Governor McKernan of 
Maine signed the compact in 1993 and the Maine voters approved it by 
referendum later that year. Governor 

[[Page H15248]]
Dean in Vermont in April 1994. In Texas, both the previous Governor, 
Governor Anne Richards, and current Governor Bush also strongly 
supported this compact. In fact, in 1991, as the State senator 
representing part of the Harris County area in Houston, I supported the 
compact as a State senator.
  This law allows us to maintain control over this issue for the States 
and just simply allows the process to go forward.
  We cannot continue to stick our head in the sand and say we do not 
have a place for this. By allowing this compact it would allow the 
State of Texas, a large geographic State with a great deal of urban 
area that produces this low-level waste, a place to store it other than 
the urban areas that is close to all of our homes.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, we need this because our hospitals and our 
medical centers are contributing to it and they need to have someplace 
that is the least affected environment for it. That is why, Mr. 
Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and also in support of H.R. 558.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas, who, 
frankly, he and I served in the State legislature together, but not in 
the 1990's, because he was in Congress then.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I guess my question for the gentleman is, 
since he was for this legislation when he was in the State Senate in 
the State of Texas, I guess my question is, would he agree to an 
amendment, if we were to offer an amendment, and under this rule we 
would be allowed to offer an amendment, that would restrict this 
compact to only these three States?
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman 
that that was the intent when we voted for it in the State of Texas in 
the legislature; and as a Member of Congress, I would agree to that.
  I am glad my colleague brought this up. If that would get my 
colleague from El Paso on board, I would be more than happy to support 
that amendment that would limit it to only those three States.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Well, Mr. Speaker, maybe I should ask this question.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I gave the gentleman the right answer, did I 
not?
  Mr. COLEMAN. It was a good answer.
  As I understand the compact, however, I wonder whether or not this 
Congress would be willing to restrict those commissioners in any vote 
they might subsequently take to allow other States to join the compact? 
Can we do that in this legislation; is that the gentleman's 
understanding?
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Again, I do not know. I would think the rule 
would allow that amendment to be considered, but the State legislature 
and the State of Texas would be the one that would actually vote on 
that. Again, I do not have any fear about the State legislature dealing 
with this issue because I worked on it then.
  Mr. COLEMAN. So then the gentleman understands, if Connecticut, for 
example, which already has made some approaches to this compact, or 
proposed-compact States, if Connecticut wanted to join the compact, 
then, of course, the gentleman's statement is that we cannot prohibit 
that here in the Congress; that that would be up to the commissioners 
only who serve on the commission; is that right?
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. It is not my bill, but I would support 
limiting it to the waste of the three States.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Coleman].
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield for an 
answer to the question?
  Mr. COLEMAN. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman that I 
was one of the authors of the amendments in 1985, and it is the intent 
of the legislation to give the States the right to negotiate between 
themselves for these compacts. It would, in my opinion, be outside the 
scope of this particular bill to try to limit any of the legislatures 
in what they could do.
  I would oppose the gentleman's amendment if he were to offer such an 
amendment. I personally do not have a problem limiting the States, but 
the underlying legislation gives the States the right to negotiate 
these compacts, and the Congress' role is simply to ratify or to not 
ratify the compact.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would say to my 
colleagues in the Congress that this is exactly the issue. The issue 
here is simply one we call back home greed. Texas decided they would 
get a whole bunch of money from a couple of States if they would take 
their waste and dump it. And, of course, everybody says, well, these 
will just be these three States.
  The minute I suggest we make sure it is only these three States, 
everybody goes, oh no. We just heard my colleague from Texas a minute 
ago, just now, say, oh, no, we sure would not want to do that. After 
all, Texas could get more money for this.
  So what if it is out in west Texas, in a poor little old town called 
Sierra Blanca; right? It is not in his backyard. Not in my colleague's 
backyard, Mr. Gene Green's backyard, in Houston, TX, or up near Dallas. 
No, it is just out in west Texas. So who cares, other than those 900 
people that live in that county. Who cares?
  Well, I will tell my colleagues what. Putting it in an unsafe place, 
which they are doing, they are putting it near the epicenter of an 
earthquake that occurred just last April, 5.6 on the Richter scale, and 
everybody says we do not care. Heck, I am in Dallas, or I am in 
Houston. We do not care, it is out in west Texas. Who cares.
  The point is, we are finally going to get to the truth of the matter, 
and the last gentleman who addressed this House told us what the truth 
of the matter is. What they do not care about is the consequences. If 
there is an earthquake or an accident that occurs in the next 300 or 
400 years, they do not care. They do not care if they are on record 
because they will not be here. If it occurs in the next 5 or 10 years, 
my colleagues may care.
  It may not look too good that they were willing to put this dump site 
where it should not be in the first place; and, second, that they are 
willing to take a nuclear reactor from Connecticut, because that is the 
next thing that is coming. I hope everybody understands that.
  All of my colleagues in Texas that think this is smart better start 
thinking ahead just a little bit. This is not about Maine and Vermont 
and Texas only. Once they open this site, these commissioners will 
elect to put radioactive nuclear waste from every State, if they want 
to, because only they will be doing it.
  We are told it is outside the scope for this Congress to act for the 
health care and welfare of the American people, and that is flat wrong.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would remind my colleagues that the issue we are talking about 
right now is the rule, and we have an open rule. It came out of the 
Committee on Rules on a unanimous voice vote. I do not want everyone's 
attention being diverted away from the fact that the debate on this 
issue will take place when the bill comes up. Right now the issue is 
the rule.
  I respect the gentleman's arguments, but I would point out, let us 
focus back on the rule. It is an open rule. There is no reason anyone 
in here should object to the rule because it will allow the kind of 
healthy debate we have just seen.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. McINNIS. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for highlighting 
that. In fact, it was my intention to come here and only to speak on 
behalf of the rule.
  I think the rule is fair and it gives us an opportunity to offer the 
very amendments that I was speaking about. But I came up here and all 
of a sudden I heard one of my colleagues from Maine tell us what a 
great bill this was.
  Maybe we can make it a good bill, if we are allowed to amend it and 
we get the support we had last time of a majority of this Congress to 
permit us to do that. I thank the gentleman for pointing it out and 
giving me the opportunity to say I, too, am in support of the rule.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, the gentleman will have 
that opportunity to amend, and I certainly appreciate where the 
gentleman 

[[Page H15249]]
comes from and his purpose in affording that debate, but I do want to 
remind all of us that we will have a lot more time for debate, so I 
think we should try to wrap this rule up.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very 
much and I rise to make several brief points because I support both the 
rule and the bill.
  I think it is important to focus our attention where it should be 
focused, and that is, one, this is an environmentally driven bill. This 
is a question of what to do do with low-level radioactive waste, 
something that raises enough question for many of us. Whenever we hear 
of nuclear reactors or radioactive waste we are concerned.
  I am concerned about the research and the medical services done at 
the Texas Medical Center and the inability of that facility, that 
brings about good health and saves lives, to be able to find a safe and 
environmentally protected area to eliminate low-level radioactive 
waste.
  The other point is that this is a bipartisan effort. The Governor of 
Texas, Anne Richards, supported this, as well as the present Governor.
  Lastly, let me say that this is not a matter that is a question of 
sites, or one site that has already been selected. I think there should 
be reasonable discussion and a fair discussion that no poor area, no 
poor neighborhood should be biasly selected as the site for this. The 
commissioners should take into consideration the very safest of 
locations being driven by the environmental aspects of what we are 
trying to do here.
  I think it is particularly important to instruct the States to work 
these arrangements with the requirement that safety and the environment 
be crucial issues to be addressed. In fact, no State, I hope, would 
want to jeopardize communities with a site that would not be 
environmentally safe, focusing on the question that there is low-level 
radioactive waste, we must do something with it, but it must be safely 
done.
  H.R. 558 provides an open rule. I think that is extremely positive. I 
hope we can draw on more bipartisan discussion to make this the best 
bill, because this is something that should not have the tensions of 
disagreement when we all realize that this is a national problem that 
is impacting our States across the country. If there is a question of 
other States being involved, I think hard questions should be asked, 
but this particular Texas, Maine, Vermont low-level radioactive waste 
compact has reasonably been reviewed by the respective Governors, as I 
said, both Democratic and Republican alike.
  The compact limits Vermont and Maine to 20 percent of the total 
volume. It is a question of medical radioactive waste that is a prime 
concern for all of us in the State of Texas, and particularly, as I 
said earlier, the question dealing with the site selection should be 
carefully reviewed. I think it is important that we realize that there 
will be no site selection in Texas without full public hearings. In 
that instance, all of those communities that may ultimately be impacted 
will have the complete access to those public hearings. the 
commissioners should be sensitive to this.
  I would ask my colleagues to make this truly a bipartisan piece of 
legislation, for it is for the safety of all of us, and it certainly is 
for the safety of those of us who are concerned about how we eliminate, 
and safely and environmentally secure low-level radioactive waste.
  Mr. SPEAKER, I rise today in support of H.R. 558, the Texas-Maine-
Vermont low-level radioactive waste compact. This bill has received 
considerable attention since it concerns the issue of States' rights, 
the issue of protecting the environment and the rights of citizens to 
determine the quality of life in their communities.
  Since the 1985 amendments to the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy 
Act, the 50 States have been responsible for managing their low-level 
radioactive waste program because the Federal Government recognized 
that States are better suited to implement such policies due to their 
close attention to local concerns.
  There are already nine State compacts in existence representing 
agreements among 42 States. Congress passed the bills approving those 
compacts under the Suspension Calender. The House Commerce Subcommittee 
on Energy and Power unanimously passed H.R. 558. The full committee 
passed the bill by a vote of 41 to 2.
  The Governors of Texas, Maine, and Vermont strongly support this 
legislation. The State Legislatures in Texas, Maine, and Vermont have 
approved the compact. The majority of the Texas congressional 
delegation supports this bill.
  Contrary to popular belief, a specific disposal site has not yet been 
designated. The appropriate agencies in Texas have been considering 
various sites. It will be located in Texas, however, since Texas would 
have the vast majority of the low-level radioactive waste. The compact 
limits Vermont and Maine to 20 percent of the total volume. The Texas 
medical center is without available alternative.
  No site will be selected without public hearings that give concerned 
citizens the opportunity to express their views on the location of the 
facility. Environmental agencies will conduct the appropriate review 
and resolve environmental concerns in accordance with current law and 
regulations. No radioactive waste from States other than Texas, Maine, 
and Vermont would be stored at the facility. The future facility must 
meet Federal regulatory standards developed by the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission relating to safety in the construction and operation of the 
facility.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which approves this 
compact among Texas, Maine, and Vermont and permits those states to 
manage their low-level radioactive waste in compliance with Federal 
environmental law and regulations.

                              {time}  1345

  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bryant].
  (Mr. BRYANT of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first with regard to those Members 
from Texas and those who are concerned about this issue from Texas, in 
the dialog with the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Barton] a moment ago I 
think for the first time we saw what really is going to happen if this 
thing passes. And maybe nobody else should care, but if Members are 
from Texas, they ought to care.
  Mr. Speaker, what it means is that this commission is going to be 
able to accept nuclear waste from every State of the Union. It is, in 
my view, very regrettable.
  We are going to offer an amendment to say that it is limited to the 
two States involved, Vermont and Maine. I see no way to justify doing 
otherwise. The bill has been lobbied to Members of Congress from my 
region to say that it just involved the two States. The fact of the 
matter is that it does not. If it did, I think no one would mind if we 
offered an amendment that said this would be a compact between the 
three States.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my good friend for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that there are 9 compacts that cover 
41 States. My understanding of the Federal law is that if 1 of those 41 
States want to get out of their existing compact and come into this 
compact which has not yet been approved, that that would take 
congressional approval. I could be proven wrong on that, but it is a 
fact that there are 41 States that are in these types of compacts.
  Mr. Speaker, I have not received any information in my office from 
the Governor's office, or anybody in the Texas Legislature, that they 
are trying to enlarge the compact.
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, if that is the 
case, then surely the gentleman will support us in our amendment that 
will say this compact will be limited to Texas, Maine, and Vermont. 
Would the gentleman support us in that amendment?
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would continue to 
yield, on a personal level I do not have a problem with that.
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I mean on the big board when we 
vote.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would continue to 

[[Page H15250]]
  yield, my problem with that particular amendment, if offered by the 
gentleman from Dallas, TX [Mr. Bryant] and the gentleman from El Paso, 
TX [Mr. Coleman], is that the underlying law that gives the Congress 
the right to approve or disapprove the compact, gives the States the 
right to negotiate the compact, and we would be stepping into the State 
area.
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, it is just a 
plain and simple concept. If the gentleman wants the entire United 
States to be able to dump nuclear waste in our State under approval 
from this commission, then he would vote against our amendment. If the 
gentleman believes we ought to limit it to just the two States, and I 
cannot imagine why he would not want to do that, why would the 
gentleman not vote for the amendment and let us make this thing do what 
everybody has promised that it would do?
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would continue to 
yield, does the gentleman have information that leads him to believe 
that these other 41 States are going to get out of their existing 
compacts and want to come into this particular compact?
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, again reclaiming my time, in the 
first place there are 50 States, so there are 9 unaccounted for that 
would obviously be interested, No. 1.
  First, I cannot predict the future, but I do know this, no matter 
what the situation might be, I do not want them to come and dump their 
nuclear waste in Texas. So the amendment will simply say that, and I 
would hope to have the gentleman's support of that amendment.
  Second, I would call the Members of the House to look at this from a 
national perspective. We do not wish to avoid responsibility under the 
law to deal with this problem of siting a nuclear waste depository. But 
from the standpoint of the national interest, this is not a small 
matter.
  The site that has been chosen is one that is on an international 
border, very close to the Rio Grande River in an area that is a 
volatile earthquake zone. This area experienced an earthquake scoring 
5.6 on the Richter scale on April 13 of this year. The epicenter was 
less than 100 miles away and the quake was felt by individuals several 
hundreds of miles away.
  Mr. Speaker, numerous earthquakes have occurred in this area. The 
largest was 6.4 in 1931, with its epicenter only 40 miles from the 
site, and the U.S. Geological Survey has concluded that quakes of 7.5 
in magnitude could occur at any time along 14 faults in the immediate 
vicinity.

  Mr. Speaker, it is not in the national interest to ratify this 
knowing that the State of Texas plans to locate this in this place. If 
it were to pollute the Rio Grande River, we would have an enormous 
problem with Mexico; a problem not only for the people of Texas, but 
all the people of the United States who would have to help pay this 
liability.
  Mr. Speaker, the fact that we have it in an earthquake zone is 
preposterous. In effect, the legislature and other parts of the Texas 
State Government decided to put it in a place that has no political 
power, hardly any people, rather than putting it in a place that has 
people and political power, and they did so regardless of the illogical 
nature of their decision.
  Mr. Speaker, we will oppose it and will offer an amendment to provide 
that if this is approved, that this cannot be located in a seismically 
active area and an amendment that it will be limited to the three 
States mentioned, Texas, Maine, and Vermont. Mr. Speaker, I hope when 
we do, Members will support us on those amendments.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California [Mr. 
Beilenson] has 6 minutes remaining.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey [Mr. Pallone].
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of the rule. I 
wanted to really point out that this legislation did come out of our 
Subcommittee on Energy and Power on a bipartisan basis. I do support it 
as the ranking member.
  Obviously, this is an open rule, as has been mentioned, and there is 
no reason why Members cannot bring up any substantive amendment that 
they would like. Obviously, some of the amendments will be brought up.
  Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to mention, as I think has been brought 
out, that this is the 10th compact to receive congressional approval. 
Basically, the compact system envisions that low-level radioactive 
waste policy is developed with the strong support of the National 
Governors' Association, and under the law the task of selecting the 
disposal sites is the States' responsibilities. So, the subcommittee, 
in reporting out the bill, was cognizant of the fact that the States 
involved in the compact do support it.
  Traditionally, Congress' responsibility is to simply act quickly on 
the compacts' request by the respective States and if all is in order, 
to approve it promptly.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not really relish getting involved in a Texas 
battle here. I guess I learned a long time ago not to do that, and I 
think I am about to be. One of the Texas Members already suggested to 
me that perhaps they could bring up an amendment moving the site to New 
Jersey. I hope that does not happen.
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. PALLONE. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to propose that. I 
think the gentleman from New Jersey has been constructive in his effort 
to deal with this issue. But I would point out to the gentleman that it 
is not possible to imagine that it does not bother this Member, or any 
ranking member somewhat, that the decision has been made to locate this 
in a seismically active zone.
  Now, recognizing that, and the national implications of that since it 
is on the Rio Grande River, an international border with Mexico, would 
not the gentleman agree that we ought to at least amend the bill to say 
that it cannot be put in an obviously irresponsible place just so that 
local legislators can avoid the inconvenience of making the tough 
decision?
  Would the gentleman not see the logic in at least saying this is 
unique with regard to this compact, We are not going to let you locate 
it there, but you will have to locate it some place else?
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, as the gentleman knows, 
I did not support any amendments like that in the subcommittee and I 
would not support it on the floor. Again, because my understanding is 
that this has been looked into and that those on the State level that 
looked into it took that into consideration.
  That is not to in any way to prejudice the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Bryant], obviously, from bringing that up and arguing it. But my 
position is that the States and the legislatures that looked at this 
looked into those problems and, therefore, made that decision to 
support it.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. PALLONE. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I think the reason the gentleman from Texas 
asked the question is simply because it will be taxpayers in New Jersey 
and Kansas and California and New York that will be participating in 
the cleanup of an accident when it occurs. It is not going to just be 
Texas, Maine, or Vermont.
  I hope that the gentleman and my colleagues understand that, that it 
will be the responsibility of all of us, because it is an international 
river and an international boundary that belongs to the United States 
as well as to Mexico.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would just say that I 
see no reason why that should not be brought up on the floor and 
discussed, but again I would say that these issues were brought up in 
the subcommittee and our opinion was that they were decided on the 
State level and that we should respect that.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Fields].
  (Mr. FIELDS of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me apologize to 
my colleagues. We were trying to wrap up our telecommunications 
conference, and so 

[[Page H15251]]
I could not get here as quickly as I would have liked.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an extremely important piece of legislation for 
the State of Texas and the other two States involved. It is important 
because it involves the issue of waste and there has been a decision by 
three State legislatures on what to do in this particular compact, as 
the States are allowed in the underlying Federal statute. The process 
has been pristine in terms of meeting what is allowed under the 
statute.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important for my colleagues to 
understand that the site that has been chosen by the State of Texas 
will be used as a waste site regardless of what the House of 
Representatives does. That decision has been made. That is where waste 
generated in the State of Texas will be disposed.
  Mr. Speaker, the advantage of our State entering into a compact with 
other States is basically we put a lock on what waste our State at any 
point in the future would have to accept. That is why it is so 
important that the State has made the decision, entered into the 
compact and made the ironclad decision that that site is going to be 
used, whether this compact passes or not.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just ask my friends and my colleagues to look at 
this not only in terms of process, process that has been met both in 
the State legislatures and in regard to the Federal statute, but also 
in terms of this being a final decision. The only thing the House would 
do, if they overturned this particular decision, is set a very bad 
precedent for other States wishing to enter into similar compacts. If 
this decision by the three States is overturned, it is the first time 
that States having made a decision will have that decision contradicted 
by an action of the House, and I think that is tragic.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would only hope that the gentleman 
understands that there is a distinction with a difference. Just because 
the Texas House and the Texas Senate made a decision to place a 
dumpsite near an international boundary, I do not happen to think 
should obligate taxpayers from the rest of the country to have to be 
involved in the cleanup. I see that as a huge difference.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, when we get 
into the debate on this particular issue, we will talk about the 
specifics of what the State of Texas has done in constructing this 
particular facility. The safeguards that have been built in to meet any 
possible contingency are more than adequate.
  The State has gone far beyond what science and engineering would 
necessarily dictate. To think that there is going to be some sort of 
disaster that is going to burden the rest of the country I think goes 
beyond reason.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Doggett].
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, the concern in many parts of Texas about 
this bill is that after it passes, it will not just be poor old Rudolf 
whose nose is all aglow. There are many Texans who are not eager to 
have our State change its name from the Lone Star State to the Lone 
Dump State.
  It has become very apparent in the course of the debate thus far that 
that is exactly what is going to happen, because the sponsors of this 
measure are unwilling to limit it to the three States of Texas, Vermont 
and Maine. They envision a vehicle here where an unelected commission 
will be able to expand this compact to include an unlimited number of 
States.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that there is some question as to why we are 
here today debating this rule in the first place. It has only been 
about 3 months since this House overwhelmingly rejected this compact 
and all the problems that it poses. The only thing that has changed 
between the time that this House rejected this compact and now is that 
we have had more lobbyists swarming around this Capitol than we will 
find gnats on the banks of the Colorado River on a June morning. They 
have been working overtime to set up a compact that can be expanded to 
make Texas the Lone Dump State.
  There have also been developments since that time in our neighboring 
partner with reference to environmental issues throughout the 
Southwest, and that is the country of Mexico. It was earlier in 1995 
that the Governor of the neighboring State of where this site will be 
located wrote to the Governor of the State of Texas to express his 
great concern over the news that there would be the construction of 
what the Governor quite properly referred to as a nuclear cemetery in 
Sierra Blanca, TX.
  Mr. Speaker, he went on to say the confinement of radioactive 
material in that place endangers the health of the population due to 
the possible emissions of radioactivity into the air, soil, and water.

                              {time}  1400

  Of course, that letter was sent a couple of earthquakes ago with 
reference to this site. Just within the past few days, the Commission 
on Ecology and Environment of the Mexican House of Delegates has also 
expressed its concern saying, and I quote, that this low level waste 
contains dangerous concentrations of radioactivity that are 
contaminated with plutonium, a material that has a radioactive life of 
240,000 years. The latent danger for our population is represented by 
the fact that the land indicated by the State of Texas for the project 
is over a geological fault known as the Apache Fault, the largest one 
in the State of Texas. There have been movements there that have 
registered an intensity of 5.3 on the Richter scale which, if they 
occur again, cause fissures in the storage sites and consequently 
contaminate the underground deposits of water that feed the sister 
cities of El Paso and Juarez.
  This is not a matter for short-term decision. It will affect 
generations and generations to come.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman from Colorado [Mr. 
McInnis] has 15 minutes remaining.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  What is the rule doing down here? I would once again remind my 
colleagues it is down here because we passed it by unanimous consent on 
a voice vote. It is an open rule. We should not have this kind of 
debate on this rule, which is what everybody has an opportunity to 
amend.
  Let me go back just a second. I would ask the gentleman from Texas to 
respond to a question, and I will yield to the gentleman for that 
response, and it is, does he support the open rule? That is, I think, 
the crux of what we are arguing here.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett].
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I supported the rejection of this whole 
measure by the House last time, and I guess we will have another 
opportunity to do the same thing. I think the open rule is a good one, 
if we are going to consider this, but it should not be here at all.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Fields].
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to emphasize one point, that 
with the approval of this compact, there will be 10 compacts covering 
45 States. It was the decision of our State legislature to enter a 
compact with Maine and Vermont. In my view and obviously the view of 
the legislature and our State leadership, it is much preferred if Texas 
is already designated a site. Again I want people to understand the 
site is going to be where the legislature has decided, whether this 
House acts or not.
  Is it better for us to have a partner like Maine and Vermont or 
should we be subject to anyone's waste? Should we be subject to the 
waste of California or New York or Illinois or some other larger State? 
We have had a concerted effort to obfuscate what is the real issue 
here. The real issue is whether we are going to stand with the decision 
made by three legislatures on a decision that solely should be within 
the province of those State legislatures, as long as it meets the 
Federal statute, which they have.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders].
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, let me just first of all say that I am in 
strong 

[[Page H15252]]
agreement with the rule. It is an open rule and will allow for a 
substantive debate.
  Let me recapitulate some of the main points that are involved in this 
legislation. No. 1, we hear a lot of discussion on the floor of this 
House about local control and respecting the rights of the people back 
home. This legislation was discussed intensively in three different 
State legislatures. The people of Texas through their legislature 
approved this compact. The people of Maine did the same. The people of 
Vermont also approved this compact.
  I should point out the Governor of Texas is a Republican; the 
Governor of Vermont is a Democrat and, as it happens, the Governor of 
Maine is an Independent.
  Second, as has already been stated, there are nine compacts that have 
already been approved by the Congress, impacting 42 States. This will 
be the 10th compact. I think from a precedent point of view, it is 
important for this Congress to pass this compact.
  Third, what has also, I think, not been made clear is this Congress 
is not designating a specific disposal site. That is not what we are 
doing. Presumably, the people of Texas have a process to determine what 
is in the best interest of their own people. Frankly, I would hope and 
expect that the people of Texas would not do anything that is 
environmentally dangerous to the people of their region. We in Congress 
are not making that decision. The people of Texas are making that 
decision, and I hope that we could respect that process.
  I would simply suggest that from a precedent point of view, from 
respect for local control, we should support this rule and we should 
eventually support the bill.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SANDERS. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, since the gentleman is a member from 
Vermont, maybe he could give us some idea. I heard my colleague from 
Houston, TX a minute ago suggest that it has been reviewed by three 
different State legislatures. Did the legislature of Vermont get to 
hold hearings on the siting of the facility in west Texas?
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I believe that is left to the people of 
Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, so 
it was really only one legislature, not three; we cannot speak for 
Maine, but obviously just one.
  Mr. SANDERS. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, there is no secret that 
the depository is going to be in Texas. That is a decision for the 
people of Texas.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Fields].
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just to amplify on what my good 
friend just said, and he may want to retake the mike. Under the 
compact, Texas has full control of the site, the development, the 
operation and management and the closure of the low-level waste 
disposal facility. It really would not matter for his State to come and 
review where Texans decided to put a particular site, whether the House 
passes this or not. We will dispose of our waste at that particular 
site. If we do not pass this compact, we are going to be subject to the 
entire country's waste coming to hat particular site.
  Also the gentleman raised a question about the procedure in Texas. 
Let me just point out, our house of representatives passed the site 
decision and the compact by a voice vote, voice vote in the Texas House 
of Representatives. The Texas Senate passed this by a vote of 26 to 2. 
The legislature wants this particular compact as does our Governor. It 
is important, if one is concerned about the environment and they are a 
Texan, they should want this particular compact.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Hall].
  (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remark.)
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that a lot 
of statements that have been made here have very little to do actually 
with H.R. 558. These statements I think go toward and should go toward 
the proposed low level site and will be the subject of a lengthy and 
detailed permit review process that the Texas Natural Resources and 
Conservation Commission is to conduct in Texas this coming year. It is 
there I think that the statements that have been made here regarding 
the site should be expressed and probably not on the floor of this 
House.
  H.R. 558 is a compact between Texas, Maine and Vermont. That has been 
said over and over again. It was the subject of many legislative 
hearings, how many I really do not know, floor debate, negotiations by 
the Governors of these States, including the State-wide referendum. All 
of these actions were taken because we here in Congress directed the 
States to do this by legislation action passed in 1980 and 1985.
  The States have complied with their directive, and I think we ought 
to honor there good-faith efforts by vote to go ratify this compact. I 
urge Members to vote for H.R. 558.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I guess the only thing that question about 
what the gentleman says that we are going to have hearings next year. 
That is after the site has already been selected. So it does not do us 
a lot of good out there.
  I will say I am proud of those two Senators since the country that is 
concerned here, called Hudspeth County, TX does not have a State 
Senator from that county. The one Senator that represents that area may 
or may not have voted no, and certainly we only had one representative, 
again not from that county. So I am not surprised by the vote in Texas. 
It is that county does not have a lot of population, and it is out in 
the desert, and I understand the gentleman's saying that, well, Texas 
has made the decision. All I would hope is that we try to not feel that 
we have to rubber-stamp an act that was a mistake. I do not think the 
Congress ought to be called on to do that.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Beilenson] from the Committee on Rules.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert 
extraneous material at this point in the Record. 
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The material referred to is as follows:

                FLOOR PROCEDURE IN THE 104TH CONGRESS; COMPILED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Process used for floor   Amendments in
            Bill No.                    Title           Resolution No.         consideration           order    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 1*........................  Compliance........  H. Res. 6            Closed................           None.
H. Res. 6......................  Opening Day Rules   H. Res. 5            Closed; contained a              None.
                                  Package.                                 closed rule on H.R. 1                
                                                                           within the closed                    
                                                                           rule.                                
H.R. 5*........................  Unfunded Mandates.  H. Res. 38           Restrictive; Motion               N/A.
                                                                           adopted over                         
                                                                           Democratic objection                 
                                                                           in the Committee of                  
                                                                           the Whole to limit                   
                                                                           debate on section 4;                 
                                                                           Pre-printing gets                    
                                                                           preference.                          
H.J. Res. 2*...................  Balanced Budget...  H. Res. 44           Restrictive; only              2R; 4D.
                                                                           certain substitutes.                 
H. Res. 43.....................  Committee Hearings  H. Res. 43 (OJ)      Restrictive;                      N/A.
                                  Scheduling.                              considered in House                  
                                                                           no amendments.                       
H.R. 2*........................  Line Item Veto....  H. Res. 55           Open; Pre-printing                N/A.
                                                                           gets preference.                     
H.R. 665*......................  Victim Restitution  H. Res. 61           Open; Pre-printing                N/A.
                                  Act of 1995.                             gets preference.                     
H.R. 666*......................  Exclusionary Rule   H. Res. 60           Open; Pre-printing                N/A.
                                  Reform Act of                            gets preference.                     
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 667*......................  Violent Criminal    H. Res. 63           Restrictive; 10 hr.               N/A.
                                  Incarceration Act                        Time Cap on                          
                                  of 1995.                                 amendments.                          
H.R. 668*......................  The Criminal Alien  H. Res. 69           Open; Pre-printing                N/A.
                                  Deportation                              gets preference;                     
                                  Improvement Act.                         Contains self-                       
                                                                           executing provision.                 
H.R. 728*......................  Local Government    H. Res. 79           Restrictive; 10 hr.               N/A.
                                  Law Enforcement                          Time Cap on                          
                                  Block Grants.                            amendments; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           preference.                          
H.R. 7*........................  National Security   H. Res. 83           Restrictive; 10 hr.               N/A.
                                  Revitalization                           Time Cap on                          
                                  Act.                                     amendments; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           preference.                          
H.R. 729*......................  Death Penalty/      N/A                  Restrictive; brought              N/A.
                                  Habeas.                                  up under UC with a 6                 
                                                                           hr. time cap on                      
                                                                           amendments.                          
S. 2...........................  Senate Compliance.  N/A                  Closed; Put on                   None.
                                                                           Suspension Calendar                  
                                                                           over Democratic                      
                                                                           objection.                           

[[Page H15253]]
                                                                                                                
H.R. 831.......................  To Permanently      H. Res. 88           Restrictive; makes in              1D.
                                  Extend the Health                        order only the                       
                                  Insurance                                Gibbons amendment;                   
                                  Deduction for the                        Waives all points of                 
                                  Self-Employed.                           order; Contains self-                
                                                                           executing provision.                 
H.R. 830*......................  The Paperwork       H. Res. 91           Open..................            N/A.
                                  Reduction Act.                                                                
H.R. 889.......................  Emergency           H. Res. 92           Restrictive; makes in              1D.
                                  Supplemental/                            order only the Obey                  
                                  Rescinding                               substitute.                          
                                  Certain Budget                                                                
                                  Authority.                                                                    
H.R. 450*......................  Regulatory          H. Res. 93           Restrictive; 10 hr.               N/A.
                                  Moratorium.                              Time Cap on                          
                                                                           amendments; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           preference.                          
H.R. 1022*.....................  Risk Assessment...  H. Res. 96           Restrictive; 10 hr.               N/A.
                                                                           Time Cap on                          
                                                                           amendments.                          
H.R. 926*......................  Regulatory          H. Res. 100          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Flexibility.                                                                  
H.R. 925*......................  Private Property    H. Res. 101          Restrictive; 12 hr.                1D.
                                  Protection Act.                          time cap on                          
                                                                           amendments; Requires                 
                                                                           Members to pre-print                 
                                                                           their amendments in                  
                                                                           the Record prior to                  
                                                                           the bill's                           
                                                                           consideration for                    
                                                                           amendment, waives                    
                                                                           germaneness and                      
                                                                           budget act points of                 
                                                                           order as well as                     
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           concerning                           
                                                                           appropriating on a                   
                                                                           legislative bill                     
                                                                           against the committee                
                                                                           substitute used as                   
                                                                           base text.                           
H.R. 1058*.....................  Securities          H. Res. 105          Restrictive; 8 hr.                 1D.
                                  Litigation Reform                        time cap on                          
                                  Act.                                     amendments; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           preference; Makes in                 
                                                                           order the Wyden                      
                                                                           amendment and waives                 
                                                                           germaneness against                  
                                                                           it.                                  
H.R. 988*......................  The Attorney        H. Res. 104          Restrictive; 7 hr.                N/A.
                                  Accountability                           time cap on                          
                                  Act of 1995.                             amendments; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           preference.                          
H.R. 956*......................  Product Liability   H. Res. 109          Restrictive; makes in          8D; 7R.
                                  and Legal Reform                         order only 15 germane                
                                  Act.                                     amendments and denies                
                                                                           64 germane amendments                
                                                                           from being considered.               
H.R. 1158......................  Making Emergency    H. Res. 115          Restrictive; Combines             N/A.
                                  Supplemental                             emergency H.R. 1158 &                
                                  Appropriations                           nonemergency 1159 and                
                                  and Rescissions.                         strikes the abortion                 
                                                                           provision; makes in                  
                                                                           order only pre-                      
                                                                           printed amendments                   
                                                                           that include offsets                 
                                                                           within the same                      
                                                                           chapter (deeper cuts                 
                                                                           in programs already                  
                                                                           cut); waives points                  
                                                                           of order against                     
                                                                           three amendments;                    
                                                                           waives cl 2 of rule                  
                                                                           XXI against the bill,                
                                                                           cl 2, XXI and cl 7 of                
                                                                           rule XVI against the                 
                                                                           substitute; waives cl                
                                                                           2(e) od rule XXI                     
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments in the                    
                                                                           Record; 10 hr time                   
                                                                           cap on amendments. 30                
                                                                           minutes debate on                    
                                                                           each amendment.                      
H.J. Res. 73*..................  Term Limits.......  H. Res. 116          Restrictive; Makes in           1D; 3R
                                                                           order only 4                         
                                                                           amendments considered                
                                                                           under a ``Queen of                   
                                                                           the Hill'' procedure                 
                                                                           and denies 21 germane                
                                                                           amendments from being                
                                                                           considered.                          
H.R. 4*........................  Welfare Reform....  H. Res. 119          Restrictive; Makes in         5D; 26R.
                                                                           order only 31                        
                                                                           perfecting amendments                
                                                                           and two substitutes;                 
                                                                           Denies 130 germane                   
                                                                           amendments from being                
                                                                           considered; The                      
                                                                           substitutes are to be                
                                                                           considered under a                   
                                                                           ``Queen of the Hill''                
                                                                           procedure; All points                
                                                                           of order are waived                  
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments.                          
H.R. 1271*.....................  Family Privacy Act  H. Res. 125          Open..................            N/A.
H.R. 660*......................  Housing for Older   H. Res. 126          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Persons Act.                                                                  
H.R. 1215*.....................  The Contract With   H. Res. 129          Restrictive; Self                  1D.
                                  America Tax                              Executes language                    
                                  Relief Act of                            that makes tax cuts                  
                                  1995.                                    contingent on the                    
                                                                           adoption of a                        
                                                                           balanced budget plan                 
                                                                           and strikes section                  
                                                                           3006. Makes in order                 
                                                                           only one substitute.                 
                                                                           Waives all points of                 
                                                                           order against the                    
                                                                           bill, substitute made                
                                                                           in order as original                 
                                                                           text and Gephardt                    
                                                                           substitute.                          
H.R. 483.......................  Medicare Select     H. Res. 130          Restrictive; waives cl             1D.
                                  Extension.                               2(1)(6) of rule XI                   
                                                                           against the bill;                    
                                                                           makes H.R. 1391 in                   
                                                                           order as original                    
                                                                           text; makes in order                 
                                                                           only the Dingell                     
                                                                           substitute; allows                   
                                                                           Commerce Committee to                
                                                                           file a report on the                 
                                                                           bill at any time.                    
H.R. 655.......................  Hydrogen Future     H. Res. 136          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 1361......................  Coast Guard         H. Res. 139          Open; waives sections             N/A.
                                  Authorization.                           302(f) and 308(a) of                 
                                                                           the Congressional                    
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           the bill's                           
                                                                           consideration and the                
                                                                           committee substitute;                
                                                                           waives cl 5(a) of                    
                                                                           rule XXI against the                 
                                                                           committee substitute.                
H.R. 961.......................  Clean Water Act...  H. Res. 140          Open; pre-printing                N/A.
                                                                           gets preference;                     
                                                                           waives sections                      
                                                                           302(f) and 602(b) of                 
                                                                           the Budget Act                       
                                                                           against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; waives                
                                                                           cl 7 of rule XVI, cl                 
                                                                           5(a) of rule XXI and                 
                                                                           section 302(f) of the                
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           the committee                        
                                                                           substitute. Makes in                 
                                                                           order Shuster                        
                                                                           substitute as first                  
                                                                           order of business.                   
H.R. 535.......................  Corning National    H. Res. 144          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Fish Hatchery                                                                 
                                  Conveyance Act.                                                               
H.R. 584.......................  Conveyance of the   H. Res. 145          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Fairport National                                                             
                                  Fish Hatchery to                                                              
                                  the State of Iowa.                                                            
H.R. 614.......................  Conveyance of the   H. Res. 146          Open..................            N/A.
                                  New London                                                                    
                                  National Fish                                                                 
                                  Hatchery                                                                      
                                  Production                                                                    
                                  Facility.                                                                     
H. Con. Res. 67................  Budget Resolution.  H. Res. 149          Restrictive; Makes in          3D; 1R.
                                                                           order 4 substitutes                  
                                                                           under regular order;                 
                                                                           Gephardt, Neumann/                   
                                                                           Solomon, Payne/Owens,                
                                                                           President's Budget if                
                                                                           printed in Record on                 
                                                                           5/17/95; waives all                  
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against substitutes                  
                                                                           and concurrent                       
                                                                           resolution; suspends                 
                                                                           application of Rule                  
                                                                           XLIX with respect to                 
                                                                           the resolution; self-                
                                                                           executes Agriculture                 
                                                                           language.                            
H.R. 1561......................  American Overseas   H. Res. 155          Restrictive; Requires             N/A.
                                  Interests Act of                         amendments to be                     
                                  1995.                                    printed in the Record                
                                                                           prior to their                       
                                                                           consideration; 10 hr.                
                                                                           time cap; waives cl                  
                                                                           2(1)(6) of rule XI                   
                                                                           against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; Also                  
                                                                           waives sections                      
                                                                           302(f), 303(a),                      
                                                                           308(a) and 402(a)                    
                                                                           against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration and the                
                                                                           committee amendment                  
                                                                           in order as original                 
                                                                           text; waives cl 5(a)                 
                                                                           of rule XXI against                  
                                                                           the amendment;                       
                                                                           amendment                            
                                                                           consideration is                     
                                                                           closed at 2:30 p.m.                  
                                                                           on May 25, 1995. Self-               
                                                                           executes provision                   
                                                                           which removes section                
                                                                           2210 from the bill.                  
                                                                           This was done at the                 
                                                                           request of the Budget                
                                                                           Committee.                           
H.R. 1530......................  National Defense    H. Res. 164          Restrictive; Makes in      36R; 18D; 2
                                  Authorization Act                        order only the            Bipartisan.
                                  FY 1996.                                 amendments printed in                
                                                                           the report; waives                   
                                                                           all points of order                  
                                                                           against the bill,                    
                                                                           substitute and                       
                                                                           amendments printed in                
                                                                           the report. Gives the                
                                                                           Chairman en bloc                     
                                                                           authority. Self-                     
                                                                           executes a provision                 
                                                                           which strikes section                
                                                                           807 of the bill;                     
                                                                           provides for an                      
                                                                           additional 30 min. of                
                                                                           debate on Nunn-Lugar                 
                                                                           section; Allows Mr.                  
                                                                           Clinger to offer a                   
                                                                           modification of his                  
                                                                           amendment with the                   
                                                                           concurrence of Ms.                   
                                                                           Collins.                             
H.R. 1817......................  Military            H. Res. 167          Open; waives cl. 2 and            N/A.
                                  Construction                             cl. 6 of rule XXI                    
                                  Appropriations;                          against the bill; 1                  
                                  FY 1996.                                 hr. general debate;                  
                                                                           Uses House passed                    
                                                                           budget numbers as                    
                                                                           threshold for                        
                                                                           spending amounts                     
                                                                           pending passage of                   
                                                                           Budget.                              
H.R. 1854......................  Legislative Branch  H. Res. 169          Restrictive; Makes in        5R; 4D; 2
                                  Appropriations.                          order only 11             Bipartisan.
                                                                           amendments; waives                   
                                                                           sections 302(f) and                  
                                                                           308(a) of the Budget                 
                                                                           Act against the bill                 
                                                                           and cl. 2 and cl. 6                  
                                                                           of rule XXI against                  
                                                                           the bill. All points                 
                                                                           of order are waived                  
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments.                          
H.R. 1868......................  Foreign Operations  H. Res. 170          Open; waives cl. 2,               N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          cl. 5(b), and cl. 6                  
                                                                           of rule XXI against                  
                                                                           the bill; makes in                   
                                                                           order the Gilman                     
                                                                           amendments as first                  
                                                                           order of business;                   
                                                                           waives all points of                 
                                                                           order against the                    
                                                                           amendments; if                       
                                                                           adopted they will be                 
                                                                           considered as                        
                                                                           original text; waives                
                                                                           cl. 2 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments printed in                
                                                                           the report. Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority (Hall)                      
                                                                           (Menendez) (Goss)                    
                                                                           (Smith, NJ).                         
H.R. 1905......................  Energy & Water      H. Res. 171          Open; waives cl. 2 and            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          cl. 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against the bill;                    
                                                                           makes in order the                   
                                                                           Shuster amendment as                 
                                                                           the first order of                   
                                                                           business; waives all                 
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendment; if adopted                
                                                                           it will be considered                
                                                                           as original text. Pre-               
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.J. Res. 79...................  Constitutional      H. Res. 173          Closed; provides one              N/A.
                                  Amendment to                             hour of general                      
                                  Permit Congress                          debate and one motion                
                                  and States to                            to recommit with or                  
                                  Prohibit the                             without instructions;                
                                  Physical                                 if there are                         
                                  Desecration of                           instructions, the MO                 
                                  the American Flag.                       is debatable for 1 hr.               
H.R. 1944......................  Recissions Bill...  H. Res. 175          Restrictive; Provides             N/A.
                                                                           for consideration of                 
                                                                           the bill in the                      
                                                                           House; Permits the                   
                                                                           Chairman of the                      
                                                                           Appropriations                       
                                                                           Committee to offer                   
                                                                           one amendment which                  
                                                                           is unamendable;                      
                                                                           waives all points of                 
                                                                           order against the                    
                                                                           amendment.                           
H.R. 1868 (2nd rule)...........  Foreign Operations  H. Res. 177          Restrictive; Provides             N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          for further                          
                                                                           consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill; makes in order                 
                                                                           only the four                        
                                                                           amendments printed in                
                                                                           the rules report (20                 
                                                                           min. each). Waives                   
                                                                           all points of order                  
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments; Prohibits                
                                                                           intervening motions                  
                                                                           in the Committee of                  
                                                                           the Whole; Provides                  
                                                                           for an automatic rise                
                                                                           and report following                 
                                                                           the disposition of                   
                                                                           the amendments.                      
H.R. 1977 *Rule Defeated*......  Interior            H. Res. 185          Open; waives sections             N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          302(f) and 308(a) of                 
                                                                           the Budget Act and cl                
                                                                           2 and cl 6 of rule                   
                                                                           XXI; provides that                   
                                                                           the bill be read by                  
                                                                           title; waives all                    
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the Tauzin                   
                                                                           amendment; self-                     
                                                                           executes Budget                      
                                                                           Committee amendment;                 
                                                                           waives cl 2(e) of                    
                                                                           rule XXI against                     
                                                                           amendments to the                    
                                                                           bill; Pre-printing                   
                                                                           gets priority.                       
H.R. 1977......................  Interior            H.Res. 187           Open; waives sections             N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          302(f), 306 and                      
                                                                           308(a) of the Budget                 
                                                                           Act; waives clauses 2                
                                                                           and 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; waives all                 
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the Tauzin                   
                                                                           amendment; provides                  
                                                                           that the bill be read                
                                                                           by title; self-                      
                                                                           executes Budget                      
                                                                           Committee amendment                  
                                                                           and makes NEA funding                
                                                                           subject to House                     
                                                                           passed authorization;                
                                                                           waives cl 2(e) of                    
                                                                           rule XXI against the                 
                                                                           amendments to the                    
                                                                           bill; Pre-printing                   
                                                                           gets priority.                       
H.R. 1976......................  Agriculture         H. Res. 188          Open; waives clauses 2            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          and 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; provides                   
                                                                           that the bill be read                
                                                                           by title; Makes Skeen                
                                                                           amendment first order                
                                                                           of business, if                      
                                                                           adopted the amendment                
                                                                           will be considered as                
                                                                           base text (10 min.);                 
                                                                           Pre-printing gets                    
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 1977 (3rd rule)...........  Interior            H. Res. 189          Restrictive; provides             N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          for the further                      
                                                                           consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill; allows only                    
                                                                           amendments pre-                      
                                                                           printed before July                  
                                                                           14th to be                           
                                                                           considered; limits                   
                                                                           motions to rise.                     
H.R. 2020......................  Treasury Postal     H. Res. 190          Open; waives cl. 2 and            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          cl. 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; provides                   
                                                                           the bill be read by                  
                                                                           title; Pre-printing                  
                                                                           gets priority.                       
H.J. Res. 96...................  Disapproving MFN    H. Res. 193          Restrictive; provides             N/A.
                                  for China.                               for consideration in                 
                                                                           the House of H.R.                    
                                                                           2058 (90 min.) And                   
                                                                           H.J. Res. 96 (1 hr).                 
                                                                           Waives certain                       
                                                                           provisions of the                    
                                                                           Trade Act.                           
H.R. 2002......................  Transportation      H. Res. 194          Open; waives cl. 3 0f             N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          rule XIII and section                
                                                                           401 (a) of the CBA                   
                                                                           against consideration                
                                                                           of the bill; waives                  
                                                                           cl. 6 and cl. 2 of                   
                                                                           rule XXI against                     
                                                                           provisions in the                    
                                                                           bill; Makes in order                 
                                                                           the Clinger/Solomon                  
                                                                           amendment waives all                 
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the amendment                
                                                                           (Line Item Veto);                    
                                                                           provides the bill be                 
                                                                           read by title; Pre-                  
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority. *RULE                      
                                                                           AMENDED*.                            
H.R. 70........................  Exports of Alaskan  H. Res. 197          Open; Makes in order              N/A.
                                  North Slope Oil.                         the Resources                        
                                                                           Committee amendment                  
                                                                           in the nature of a                   
                                                                           substitute as                        
                                                                           original text; Pre-                  
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority; Provides a                 
                                                                           Senate hook-up with                  
                                                                           S. 395.                              

[[Page H15254]]
                                                                                                                
H.R. 2076......................  Commerce, Justice   H. Res. 198          Open; waives cl. 2 and            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          cl. 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; Pre-                       
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority; provides                   
                                                                           the bill be read by                  
                                                                           title..                              
H.R. 2099......................  VA/HUD              H. Res. 201          Open; waives cl. 2 and            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          cl. 6 of rule XXI                    
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; Provides                   
                                                                           that the amendment in                
                                                                           part 1 of the report                 
                                                                           is the first                         
                                                                           business, if adopted                 
                                                                           it will be considered                
                                                                           as base text (30                     
                                                                           min.); waives all                    
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the Klug and                 
                                                                           Davis amendments; Pre-               
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority; Provides                   
                                                                           that the bill be read                
                                                                           by title.                            
S. 21..........................  Termination of      H. Res. 204          Restrictive; 3 hours               ID.
                                  U.S. Arms Embargo                        of general debate;                   
                                  on Bosnia.                               Makes in order an                    
                                                                           amendment to be                      
                                                                           offered by the                       
                                                                           Minority Leader or a                 
                                                                           designee (1 hr); If                  
                                                                           motion to recommit                   
                                                                           has instructions it                  
                                                                           can only be offered                  
                                                                           by the Minority                      
                                                                           Leader or a designee.                
H.R. 2126......................  Defense             H. Res. 205          Open; waives cl.                  N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                          2(l)(6) of rule XI                   
                                                                           and section 306 of                   
                                                                           the Congressional                    
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill; waives cl. 2                   
                                                                           and cl. 6 of rule XXI                
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; self-                      
                                                                           executes a strike of                 
                                                                           sections 8021 and                    
                                                                           8024 of the bill as                  
                                                                           requested by the                     
                                                                           Budget Committee; Pre-               
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority; Provides                   
                                                                           the bill be read by                  
                                                                           title.                               
H.R. 1555......................  Communications Act  H. Res. 207          Restrictive; waives        2R/3D/3 Bi-
                                  of 1995.                                 sec. 302(f) of the          partisan.
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill; Makes in order                 
                                                                           the Commerce                         
                                                                           Committee amendment                  
                                                                           as original text and                 
                                                                           waives sec. 302(f) of                
                                                                           the Budget Act and                   
                                                                           cl. 5(a) of rule XXI                 
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendment; Makes in                  
                                                                           order the Bliely                     
                                                                           amendment (30 min.)                  
                                                                           as the first order of                
                                                                           business, if adopted                 
                                                                           it will be original                  
                                                                           text; makes in order                 
                                                                           only the amendments                  
                                                                           printed in the report                
                                                                           and waives all points                
                                                                           of order against the                 
                                                                           amendments; provides                 
                                                                           a Senate hook-up with                
                                                                           S. 652.                              
H.R. 2127......................  Labor/HHS           H. Res. 208          Open; Provides that               N/A.
                                  Appropriations                           the first order of                   
                                  Act.                                     business will be the                 
                                                                           managers amendments                  
                                                                           (10 min.), if adopted                
                                                                           they will be                         
                                                                           considered as base                   
                                                                           text; waives cl. 2                   
                                                                           and cl. 6 of rule XXI                
                                                                           against provisions in                
                                                                           the bill; waives all                 
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against certain                      
                                                                           amendments printed in                
                                                                           the report; Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority; Provides                   
                                                                           the bill be read by                  
                                                                           title.                               
H.R. 1594......................  Economically        H. Res. 215          Open; 2 hr of gen.                N/A.
                                  Targeted                                 debate. makes in                     
                                  Investments.                             order the committee                  
                                                                           substitute as                        
                                                                           original text.                       
H.R. 1655......................  Intelligence        H. Res. 216          Restrictive; waives               N/A.
                                  Authorization.                           sections 302(f),                     
                                                                           308(a) and 401(b) of                 
                                                                           the Budget Act. Makes                
                                                                           in order the                         
                                                                           committee substitute                 
                                                                           as modified by Govt.                 
                                                                           Reform amend                         
                                                                           (striking sec. 505)                  
                                                                           and an amendment                     
                                                                           striking title VII.                  
                                                                           Cl 7 of rule XVI and                 
                                                                           cl 5(a) of rule XXI                  
                                                                           are waived against                   
                                                                           the substitute.                      
                                                                           Sections 302(f) and                  
                                                                           401(b) of the CBA are                
                                                                           also waived against                  
                                                                           the substitute.                      
                                                                           Amendments must also                 
                                                                           be pre-printed in the                
                                                                           Congressional record.                
H.R. 1162......................  Deficit Reduction   H. Res. 218          Open; waives cl 7 of              N/A.
                                  Lock Box.                                rule XVI against the                 
                                                                           committee substitute                 
                                                                           made in order as                     
                                                                           original text; Pre-                  
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 1670......................  Federal             H. Res. 219          Open; waives sections             N/A.
                                  Acquisition                              302(f) and 308(a) of                 
                                  Reform Act of                            the Budget Act                       
                                  1995.                                    against consideration                
                                                                           of the bill; bill                    
                                                                           will be read by                      
                                                                           title; waives cl 5(a)                
                                                                           of rule XXI and                      
                                                                           section 302(f) of the                
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           the committee                        
                                                                           substitute. Pre-                     
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 1617......................  To Consolidate and  H. Res. 222          Open; waives section              N/A.
                                  Reform Workforce                         302(f) and 401(b) of                 
                                  Development and                          the Budget Act                       
                                  Literacy Programs                        against the                          
                                  Act (CAREERS).                           substitute made in                   
                                                                           order as original                    
                                                                           text (H.R. 2332), cl.                
                                                                           5(a) of rule XXI is                  
                                                                           also waived against                  
                                                                           the substitute.                      
                                                                           provides for                         
                                                                           consideration of the                 
                                                                           managers amendment                   
                                                                           (10 min.) If adopted,                
                                                                           it is considered as                  
                                                                           base text.                           
H.R. 2274......................  National Highway    H. Res. 224          Open; waives section              N/A.
                                  System                                   302(f) of the Budget                 
                                  Designation Act                          Act against                          
                                  of 1995.                                 consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill; Makes H.R. 2349                
                                                                           in order as original                 
                                                                           text; waives section                 
                                                                           302(f) of the Budget                 
                                                                           Act against the                      
                                                                           substitute; provides                 
                                                                           for the consideration                
                                                                           of a managers                        
                                                                           amendment (10 min.)                  
                                                                           If adopted, it is                    
                                                                           considered as base                   
                                                                           text; Pre-printing                   
                                                                           gets priority.                       
H.R. 927.......................  Cuban Liberty and   H. Res. 225          Restrictive; waives cl          2R/2D.
                                  Democratic                               2(L)(2)(B) of rule XI                
                                  Solidarity Act of                        against consideration                
                                  1995.                                    of the bill; makes in                
                                                                           order H.R. 2347 as                   
                                                                           base text; waives cl                 
                                                                           7 of rule XVI against                
                                                                           the substitute; Makes                
                                                                           Hamilton amendment                   
                                                                           the first amendment                  
                                                                           to be considered (1                  
                                                                           hr). Makes in order                  
                                                                           only amendments                      
                                                                           printed in the report.               
H.R. 743.......................  The Teamwork for    H. Res. 226          Open; waives cl                   N/A.
                                  Employees and                            2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI                
                                  managers Act of                          against consideration                
                                  1995.                                    of the bill; makes in                
                                                                           order the committee                  
                                                                           amendment as original                
                                                                           text; Pre-printing                   
                                                                           get priority.                        
H.R. 1170......................  3-Judge Court for   H. Res. 227          Open; makes in order a            N/A.
                                  Certain                                  committee amendment                  
                                  Injunctions.                             as original text; Pre-               
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 1601......................  International       H. Res. 228          Open; makes in order a            N/A.
                                  Space Station                            committee amendment                  
                                  Authorization Act                        as original text; pre-               
                                  of 1995.                                 printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.J. Res. 108..................  Making Continuing   H. Res. 230          Closed; Provides for                 .
                                  Appropriations                           the immediate                        
                                  for FY 1996.                             consideration of the                 
                                                                           CR; one motion to                    
                                                                           recommit which may                   
                                                                           have instructions                    
                                                                           only if offered by                   
                                                                           the Minority Leader                  
                                                                           or a designee.                       
H.R. 2405......................  Omnibus Civilian    H. Res. 234          Open; self-executes a             N/A.
                                  Science                                  provision striking                   
                                  Authorization Act                        section 304(b)(3) of                 
                                  of 1995.                                 the bill (Commerce                   
                                                                           Committee request);                  
                                                                           Pre-printing gets                    
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 2259......................  To Disapprove       H. Res. 237          Restrictive; waives cl             1D.
                                  Certain                                  2(l)(2)(B) of rule XI                
                                  Sentencing                               against the bill's                   
                                  Guideline                                consideration; makes                 
                                  Amendments.                              in order the text of                 
                                                                           the Senate bill S.                   
                                                                           1254 as original                     
                                                                           text; Makes in order                 
                                                                           only a Conyers                       
                                                                           substitute; provides                 
                                                                           a senate hook-up                     
                                                                           after adoption.                      
H.R. 2425......................  Medicare            H. Res. 238          Restrictive; waives                1D.
                                  Preservation Act.                        all points of order                  
                                                                           against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; makes                 
                                                                           in order the text of                 
                                                                           H.R. 2485 as original                
                                                                           text; waives all                     
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against H.R. 2485;                   
                                                                           makes in order only                  
                                                                           an amendment offered                 
                                                                           by the Minority                      
                                                                           Leader or a designee;                
                                                                           waives all points of                 
                                                                           order against the                    
                                                                           amendment; waives cl                 
                                                                           5 of rule                 
                                                                           XXI (\3/5\                           
                                                                           requirement on votes                 
                                                                           raising taxes).                      
H.R. 2492......................  Legislative Branch  H. Res. 239          Restrictive; provides             N/A.
                                  Appropriations                           for consideration of                 
                                  Bill.                                    the bill in the House.               
H.R. 2491......................  7 Year Balanced     H. Res. 245          Restrictive; makes in              1D.
H. Con. Res. 109...............   Budget                                   order H.R. 2517 as                   
                                  Reconciliation                           original text; waives                
                                  Social Security                          all pints of order                   
                                  Earnings Test                            against the bill;                    
                                  Reform.                                  Makes in order only                  
                                                                           H.R. 2530 as an                      
                                                                           amendment only if                    
                                                                           offered by the                       
                                                                           Minority Leader or a                 
                                                                           designee; waives all                 
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendment; waives cl                 
                                                                           5 of rule                 
                                                                           XXI (\3/5\                           
                                                                           requirement on votes                 
                                                                           raising taxes).                      
H.R. 1833......................  Partial Birth       H. Res. 251          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Abortion Ban Act                                                              
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.R. 2546......................  D.C.                H. Res. 252          Restrictive; waives               N/A.
                                  Appropriations FY                        all points of order                  
                                  1996.                                    against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; Makes                 
                                                                           in order the Walsh                   
                                                                           amendment as the                     
                                                                           first order of                       
                                                                           business (10 min.);                  
                                                                           if adopted it is                     
                                                                           considered as base                   
                                                                           text; waives cl 2 and                
                                                                           6 of rule XXI against                
                                                                           the bill; makes in                   
                                                                           order the Bonilla,                   
                                                                           Gunderson and                        
                                                                           Hostettler amendments                
                                                                           (30 min.); waives all                
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments; debate on                
                                                                           any further                          
                                                                           amendments is limited                
                                                                           to 30 min. each.                     
H.J. Res. 115..................  Further Continuing  H. Res. 257          Closed; Provides for              N/A.
                                  Appropriations                           the immediate                        
                                  for FY 1996.                             consideration of the                 
                                                                           CR; one motion to                    
                                                                           recommit which may                   
                                                                           have instructions                    
                                                                           only if offered by                   
                                                                           the Minority Leader                  
                                                                           or a designee.                       
H.R. 2586......................  Temporary Increase  H. Res. 258          Restrictive; Provides              5R.
                                  in the Statutory                         for the immediate                    
                                  Debt Limit.                              consideration of the                 
                                                                           CR; one motion to                    
                                                                           recommit which may                   
                                                                           have instructions                    
                                                                           only if offered by                   
                                                                           the Minority Leader                  
                                                                           or a designee; self-                 
                                                                           executes 4 amendments                
                                                                           in the rule; Solomon,                
                                                                           Medicare Coverage of                 
                                                                           Certain Anti-Cancer                  
                                                                           Drug Treatments,                     
                                                                           Habeas Corpus Reform,                
                                                                           Chrysler (MI); makes                 
                                                                           in order the Walker                  
                                                                           amend (40 min.) on                   
                                                                           regulatory reform.                   
H.R. 2539......................  ICC Termination...  H. Res. 259          Open; waives section    ..............
                                                                           302(f) and section                   
                                                                           308(a).                              
H.J. Res. 115..................  Further Continuing  H. Res. 261          Closed; provides for              N/A.
                                  Appropriations                           the immediate                        
                                  for FY 1996.                             consideration of a                   
                                                                           motion by the                        
                                                                           Majority Leader or                   
                                                                           his designees to                     
                                                                           dispose of the Senate                
                                                                           amendments (1hr).                    
H.R. 2586......................  Temporary Increase  H. Res. 262          Closed; provides for              N/A.
                                  in the Statutory                         the immediate                        
                                  Limit on the                             consideration of a                   
                                  Public Debt.                             motion by the                        
                                                                           Majority Leader or                   
                                                                           his designees to                     
                                                                           dispose of the Senate                
                                                                           amendments (1hr).                    
H. Res. 250....................  House Gift Rule     H. Res. 268          Closed; provides for               2R.
                                  Reform.                                  consideration of the                 
                                                                           bill in the House; 30                
                                                                           min. of debate; makes                
                                                                           in order the Burton                  
                                                                           amendment and the                    
                                                                           Gingrich en bloc                     
                                                                           amendment (30 min.                   
                                                                           each); waives all                    
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendments; Gingrich                 
                                                                           is only in order if                  
                                                                           Burton fails or is                   
                                                                           not offered.                         
H.R. 2564......................  Lobbying            H. Res. 269          Open; waives cl.                  N/A.
                                  Disclosure Act of                        2(l)(6) of rule XI                   
                                  1995.                                    against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; waives                
                                                                           all points of order                  
                                                                           against the Istook                   
                                                                           and McIntosh                         
                                                                           amendments.                          
H.R. 2606......................  Prohibition on      H. Res. 273          Restrictive; waives               N/A.
                                  Funds for Bosnia                         all points of order                  
                                  Deployment.                              against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration;                       
                                                                           provides one motion                  
                                                                           to amend if offered                  
                                                                           by the Minority                      
                                                                           Leader or designee (1                
                                                                           hr non-amendable);                   
                                                                           motion to recommit                   
                                                                           which may have                       
                                                                           instructions only if                 
                                                                           offered by Minority                  
                                                                           Leader or his                        
                                                                           designee; if Minority                
                                                                           Leader motion is not                 
                                                                           offered debate time                  
                                                                           will be extended by 1                
                                                                           hr.                                  
H.R. 1788......................  Amtrak Reform and   H. Res. 289          Open; waives all                  N/A.
                                  Privatization Act                        points of order                      
                                  of 1995.                                 against the bill's                   
                                                                           consideration; makes                 
                                                                           in order the                         
                                                                           Transportation                       
                                                                           substitute modified                  
                                                                           by the amend in the                  
                                                                           report; Bill read by                 
                                                                           title; waives all                    
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           substitute; makes in                 
                                                                           order a managers                     
                                                                           amend as the first                   
                                                                           order of business, if                
                                                                           adopted it is                        
                                                                           considered base text                 
                                                                           (10 min.); waives all                
                                                                           points of order                      
                                                                           against the                          
                                                                           amendment; Pre-                      
                                                                           printing gets                        
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 1350......................  Maritime Security   H. Res. 287          Open; makes in order              N/A.
                                  Act of 1995.                             the committee                        
                                                                           substitute as                        
                                                                           original text; makes                 
                                                                           in order a managers                  
                                                                           amendment which if                   
                                                                           adopted is considered                
                                                                           as original text (20                 
                                                                           min.) unamendable;                   
                                                                           pre-printing gets                    
                                                                           priority.                            
H.R. 2621......................  To Protect Federal  H. Res.              Closed; provides for              N/A.
                                  Trust Funds.                             the adoption of the                  
                                                                           Ways & Means                         
                                                                           amendment printed in                 
                                                                           the report. 1 hr. of                 
                                                                           general debate.                      
H.R. 1745......................  Utah Public Lands   H.Res. 303           Open; waives cl                   N/A.
                                  Management Act of                        2(l)(6) of rule XI                   
                                  1995.                                    and sections 302(f)                  
                                                                           and 311(a) of the                    
                                                                           Budget Act against                   
                                                                           the bill's                           
                                                                           consideration. Makes                 
                                                                           in order the                         
                                                                           Resources substitute                 
                                                                           as base text and                     
                                                                           waives cl 7 of rule                  
                                                                           XVI and sections                     
                                                                           302(f) and 308(a) of                 
                                                                           the Budget Act; makes                
                                                                           in order a managers'                 
                                                                           amend as the first                   
                                                                           order of business, if                
                                                                           adopted it is                        
                                                                           considered base text                 
                                                                           (10 min)..                           

[[Page H15255]]
                                                                                                                
H.Res. 304.....................  Providing for       N/A                  Closed; makes in order         1D; 2R.
                                  Debate and                               three resolutions;                   
                                  Consideration of                         H.R. 2770 (Dorman),                  
                                  Three Measures                           H.Res. 302 (Buyer),                  
                                  Relating to U.S.                         and H.Res. 306                       
                                  Troop Deployments                        (Gephardt); 1 hour of                
                                  in Bosnia.                               debate on each..                     
H.Res. 309.....................  Revised Budget      H.Res. 309           Closed; provides 2                N/A.
                                  Resolution.                              hours of general                     
                                                                           debate in the House..                
H.R. 558.......................  Texas Low-Level     H.Res. 313           Open; pre-printing                N/A.
                                  Radioactive Waste                        gets priority.                       
                                  Disposal Compact                                                              
                                  Consent Act.                                                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Contract Bills, 67% restrictive; 33% open. ** All legislation, 55% restrictive; 45% open. *** Restrictive     
  rules are those which limit the number of amendments which can be offered, and include so called modified open
  and modified closed rules as well as completely closed rules and rules providing for consideration in the     
  House as opposed to the Committee of the Whole. This definition of restrictive rule is taken from the         
  Republican chart of resolutions reported from the Rules Committee in the 103rd Congress. **** Not included in 
  this chart are three bills which should have been placed on the Suspension Calendar. H.R. 101, H.R. 400, H.R. 
  440.                                                                                                          


  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Fields].
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was not able to yield just a 
moment ago to my friend. If he wants me to yield, I will, after I make 
the one statement. Not only is Governor Bush, our current Governor, 
endorsing this, but former Governor Ann Richards endorses not only the 
process but the site that was selected.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman. I understand 
the politics of doing what they did. What I have to tell the gentleman 
is, however, it is something I hope that we will have during the course 
of the debate. I hope to be able to show this House the geological 
findings concerning not just this site but others that were far more 
suitable. But politically, both the Governors the gentleman just cited, 
and politically the legislature would refuse to site it where it was 
the safest. I understand that.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, let me ask the 
gentleman, is he glad this is an open rule?
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, absolutely. As I told my colleagues on the 
Committee on Rules, I intend to support this rule and hope it passes.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's 
comment.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Maine [Mr. Longley].
  (Mr. LONGLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LONGLEY. Mr. Speaker, this process that we are debating today 
stems from a 1985 Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Policy Amendment 
Act. In full compliance with the procedures established under that 
statute, the States of Maine, Vermont, and Texas entered into 
negotiations that were approved by citizens groups and by legislative 
bodies and by executives in each of the three States.
  This is a win/win situation for all three States. In particular, the 
State of Texas is going to benefit to the extent of $50 million that 
will be contributed by the States of Maine and Vermont. I think it is a 
positive for all three parties involved.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as we wrap up the debate here, I would just want to 
remind my colleagues that the issue in front of us is the rule. The 
rule came out of the Committee on Rules on a unanimous vote. It is an 
open rule.
  Today we have heard some very good debate. We have heard healthy 
debate. There is going to be an opportunity if this rule passes, which 
I fully expect it to do on voice vote here on the House floor, then all 
of this debate can be presented again at the proper time.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the State of 
California, my colleague on the Committee on Rules, and would urge a 
``yes'' vote on the rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the 
previous question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________