[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6326-H6333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3610, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 453 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 453

       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. 3610) making appropriations for the Department 
     of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30,1997, and 
     for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be 
     dispensed with. Points of order against consideration of the 
     bill for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI, 
     clause 7 of rule XXI, or section 302(c) of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974 are waived. 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 Appropriations. After general 
     debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 
     five-minute rule. Points of order against provisions in the 
     bill for failure to comply with clause 2 or 6 of rule XXI are 
     waived. Before consideration of any other amendment it shall 
     be in order without intervention of any point of order to 
     consider the amendment printed in the report of the Committee 
     on Rules accompanying this resolution, if offered by 
     Representative Young of Florida or his designee. That 
     amendment shall be considered as read, may amend portions of 
     the bill not yet read for amendment, shall be debatable for 
     twenty minutes equally divided and controlled by the 
     proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, 
     and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the 
     question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. If 
     that amendment is adopted, the bill, as amended, shall be 
     considered as the original bill for the purpose of 
     further amendment. After disposition of that amendment, 
     during further consideration of the bill pursuant to this 
     resolution, the appropriate allocation of new 
     discretionary budget authority within the meaning of 
     section 302(f)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
     shall be $245,065,000,000. The corresponding level of 
     budget outlays shall be $243,372,000,000. During further 
     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. The Chairman of the Committee of the 
     Whole may postpone until a time during further 
     consideration in the Committee of the Whole a request for 
     a recorded vote on any amendment. The Chairman of the 
     Committee of the Whole may reduce to not less than five 
     minutes the time for voting by electronic device on any 
     postponed question that immediately follows another vote 
     by electronic device without intervening business, 
     provided that the time for voting by electronic device on 
     the first in any series of questions shall not be less 
     than fifteen minutes. After the reading of the final lines 
     of the bill, a motion that the Committee of the Whole rise 
     and report the bill to the House with such amendments as 
     may have been adopted shall, if offered by the majority 
     leader or a designee, have precedence over a motion to 
     amend. 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}  1345

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hastings of Washington). The gentleman 
from New York [Mr. Solomon] is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the 
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost], pending 
which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration 
of the resolution, all time yielded is for debate purposes only.
  (Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 453 is an open rule 
providing for the consideration H.R. 3610, the Defense Department 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 1997.
  The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided 
between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Appropriations 
Committee. The rule waives the 3-day availability requirements for the 
committee report and the published hearings.
  The report was filed Tuesday morning and was available to Members 
yesterday. So today is the second day of its availability.
  The rule contains a technical waiver of section 302(c) of the Budget 
Act which prohibits consideration of an appropriations bill until the 
committee has made allocations pursuant to the most recent budget 
resolution. Since the House just last night adopted the conference 
report on the budget resolution for fiscal 1997, and the Appropriations 
Committee has not yet filed its new subcommittee allocations based on 
that resolution, this technical waiver is necessary.
  However, the rule does provide a mechanism for bringing the bill 
within its new suballocations which were voted on in committee this 
morning.
  Under the rule, a manager's amendment by Subcommittee Chairman Young, 
which is printed in the report on the rule, will be considered at the 
outset.
  That amendment reduces the funding level in the bill by another $500 
million, thereby bringing the bill back under its new 602(b) 
allocations.
  The manager's amendment will be debated for 20 minutes divided 
between the proponent and opponent.
  While it is nonamendable at the outset, if it is adopted its 
provisions will be folded into the base text for purposes of further 
amendment under the open amendment process.
  In addition, if the amendment is adopted, the rule provides that the 
new discretionary ceilings for budget authority and outlays will be in 
effect for the consideration of the bill.
   Mr. Speaker, the rule further waives clauses 2 and 6 of House Rule 
XXI against provisions in the bill. Those rules prohibit the 
consideration of unauthorized and legislative provisions in 
appropriations bills, and the transfers of unobligated balances.
  While the House has passed its defense authorization bill, it has not 
yet become law. However, we are informed that this bill closely tracks 
the decisions we made on that authorization bill, and that the chairman 
of the National Security Committee has no objection to these waivers. 
The rule further provides priority in recognition to Members whose 
amendments have been pre-printed in the Congressional Record. It allows 
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone and cluster 
recorded votes to save the time of the House.
  In addition, the rule permits the majority leader to offer the 
privileged motion to rise and report the bill back to the House at any 
time after the final lines of the bill have been read. Finally, the 
rule provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
  In summary on the rule, Mr. Speaker, this is a complicated rule, 
admittedly, given the transition we are making from the previous budget 
allocations to the new ones. But in so doing, the rule brings the bill 
into conformity with the budget conference report adopted yesterday and 
the new allocations proposed by the Appropriations Committee today.
  It is important that we comply with our budgetary decisions, and this 
rule makes that possible.
  In the final analysis, this is a fair and open rule. That was 
reflected in the rule's unanimous adoption by voice vote in the Rules 
Committee yesterday, and its support by Chairman Bill Young and Ranking 
Member John Murtha who have worked very hard together to conform this 
bill to the budget conference agreement. In that same, bipartisan 
spirit, I urge the adoption of the rule by the House today.
  On the bill itself, I would like to commend Chairman Young and Mr. 
Murtha for once again putting together an excellent bill that takes 
care of this Nation's defense needs within

[[Page H6327]]

the very tight budget constraints we all face.
  Mr. Speaker, for the fourth year in a row, the Clinton administration 
has sent to Congress a defense budget request that is simply inadequate 
to this country's needs.
  Of particular note was this year's weapons procurement requests of 
only $39 billion, which is $21 billion short of where the joint Chiefs 
of Staff tell us that we need to be in just a few years.
  And that is important, Mr. Speaker. The joint Chiefs of Staff and 
this Nation's military commanders are telling us that the modernization 
of our weaponry is grossly underfunded. So let's remember that when we 
here the catcalls that we are going beyond the Pentagon request in this 
bill.
  It is the President's political request that we are going beyond, and 
well we should, because the needs of our men and women in uniform 
outweigh any political need. So I commend the committee for adding $5.7 
billion dollars to the President's weapons procurement request.
  Mr. Speaker, weapons purchases have declined by 70 percent since 
1985, and that is precisely what has led to today's severe 
modernization problems.
  This increase, along with a large increase in the President's 
ammunition request, will help fulfill one of the most sacred 
obligations the U.S. Government has: Ensuring that American soldiers 
and sailors have a plentiful supply of the best weapons and equipment 
available so that they can adequately defend themselves in battle.
  Anything less than that is unforgivable.
  Our military personnel are also helped in this bill by a full 3 
percent pay increase as well as a 4.6 percent increase in the basic 
housing allowance.
  This bill makes positive strides in other categories as well. The 
Appropriations Committee added $2.9 billion to the President's request 
for Research and Development, including $704 million for missile 
defense.
  On that note, let me just say that it's high time for this President 
to commit himself to defending the American people against ballistic 
missiles. The time for talk is over. There are no more excuses for not 
protecting ourselves from this threat.
  Mr. Speaker, the long slide in defense spending must come to an end. 
The end of the cold war did not mean that American forces don't need 
the best equipment and weaponry they can possibly get. They do. And the 
end of the Cold War certainly didn't mean that there are no threats to 
peace in the world. There are.
  Anybody reading the papers lately knows that Communist China, for 
instance, is both massively increasing its own military and helping to 
transfer the technology to build weapons of mass destruction to rogue 
nations like Iran.
  Slashing our defense budget, refusing to build missile defenses and 
appeasing countries like Communist China is no way to deal with these 
threats. Unfortunately, that is precisely what President Clinton is 
doing. Fortunately, however, we are beginning to take steps in this 
Congress to reverse this situation. And we can continue that reversal 
by adopting this bill before us today.
  Once again, Chairman Young, Mr. Murtha, and their staffs deserve high 
praise for their work and I urge support for this rule and this 
critical legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I include the following material for the Record:

  THE AMENDMENT PROCESS UNDER SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE,\1\ 103D CONGRESS V. 104TH CONGRESS 
                                              [As of June 13, 1996]                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  103d Congress                        104th Congress           
              Rule type              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Number of rules    Percent of total   Number of rules    Percent of total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open/Modified-Open \2\..............                 46                 44                 73                 59
Structured/Modified Closed \3\......                 49                 47                 33                 27
Closed \4\..........................                  9                  9                 17                 14
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.........................                104                100                123                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 structured or 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 June 12, 1996]                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 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: 229-199; A:  
                                                                        Revitalization.         227-197 (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).            

[[Page H6328]]

                                                                                                                
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. 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: 249-176 (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).            
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.....  PQ: 221-197 A:   
                                                                                                voice vote (5/15/
                                                                                                96).            
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         A: voice vote (12/
                                                                        Radioactive.            20/95).         
H. Res. 323 (12/21/95).........  C................  H.R. 2677........  Natl. Parks & Wildlife  Tabled (2/28/96).
                                                                        Refuge.                                 
H. Res. 366 (2/27/96)..........  MC...............  H.R. 2854........  Farm Bill.............  PQ: 228-182 A:   
                                                                                                244-168 (2/28/  
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 368 (2/28/96)..........  O................  H.R. 994.........  Small Business Growth.  Tabled (4/17/96).
H. Res. 371 (3/6/96)...........  C................  H.R. 3021........  Debt Limit Increase...  A: voice vote (3/
                                                                                                7/96).          
H. Res. 372 (3/6/96)...........  MC...............  H.R. 3019........  Cont. Approps. FY 1996  PQ: voice vote A:
                                                                                                235-175 (3/7/   
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 380 (3/12/96)..........  C................  H.R. 2703........  Effective Death         A: 251-157 (3/13/
                                                                        Penalty.                96).            
H. Res. 384 (3/14/96)..........  MC...............  H.R. 2202........  Immigration...........  PQ: 233-152 A:   
                                                                                                voice vote (3/19/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 386 (3/20/96)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 165....  Further Cont. Approps.  PQ: 234-187 A:   
                                                                                                237-183 (3/21/  
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 388 (3/21/96)..........  C................  H.R. 125.........  Gun Crime Enforcement.  A: 244-166 (3/22/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 391 (3/27/96)..........  C................  H.R. 3136........  Contract w/America      PQ: 232-180 A:   
                                                                        Advancement.            232-177, (3/28/ 
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 392 (3/27/96)..........  MC...............  H.R. 3103........  Health Coverage         PQ: 229-186 A:   
                                                                        Affordability.          Voice Vote (3/29/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 395 (3/29/96)..........  MC...............  H.J. Res. 159....  Tax Limitation Const.   PQ: 232-168 A:   
                                                                        Amdmt..                 234-162 (4/15/  
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 396 (3/29/96)..........  O................  H.R. 842.........  Truth in Budgeting Act  A: voice vote (4/
                                                                                                17/96).         
H. Res. 409 (4/23/96)..........  O................  H.R. 2715........  Paperwork Elimination   A: voice vote (4/
                                                                        Act.                    24/96).         
H. Res. 410 (4/23/96)..........  O................  H.R. 1675........  Natl. Wildlife Refuge.  A: voice vote (4/
                                                                                                24/96).         
H. Res. 411 (4/23/96)..........  C................  H.J. Res. 175....  Further Cont. Approps.  A: voice vote (4/
                                                                        FY 1996.                24/96).         
H. Res. 418 (4/30/96)..........  O................  H.R. 2641........  U.S. Marshals Service.  PQ: 219-203 A:   
                                                                                                voice vote (5/1/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 419 (4/30/96)..........  O................  H.R. 2149........  Ocean Shipping Reform.  A: 422-0 (5/1/   
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 421 (5/2/96)...........  O................  H.R. 2974........  Crimes Against          A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Children & Elderly.     7/96).          
H. Res. 422 (5/2/96)...........  O................  H.R. 3120........  Witness & Jury          A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Tampering.              7/96).          
H. Res. 426 (5/7/96)...........  O................  H.R. 2406........  U.S. Housing Act of     PQ: 218-208 A:   
                                                                        1996.                   voice vote (5/8/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 427 (5/7/96)...........  O................  H.R. 3322........  Omnibus Civilian        A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Science Auth.           9/96).          
H. Res. 428 (5/7/96)...........  MC...............  H.R. 3286........  Adoption Promotion &    A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        Stability.              9/96).          
H. Res. 430 (5/9/96)...........  S................  H.R. 3230........  DoD Auth. FY 1997.....  A: 235-149 (5/10/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 435 (5/15/96)..........  MC...............  H. Con. Res. 178.  Con. Res. on the        PQ: 227-196 A:   
                                                                        Budget, 1997.           voice vote (5/16/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 436 (5/16/96)..........  C................  H.R. 3415........  Repeal 4.3 cent fuel    PQ: 221-181 A:   
                                                                        tax.                    voice vote (5/21/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 437 (5/16/96)..........  MO...............  H.R. 3259........  Intell. Auth. FY 1997.  A: voice vote (5/
                                                                                                21/96).         
H. Res. 438 (5/16/96)..........  MC...............  H.R. 3144........  Defend America Act....  .................
H. Res. 440 (5/21/96)..........  MC...............  H.R. 3448........  Small Bus. Job          A: 219-211 (5/22/
                                                                        Protection.             96).            
                                 MC...............  H.R. 1227........  Employee Commuting      .................
                                                                        Flexibility.                            
H. Res. 442 (5/29/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3517........  Mil. Const. Approps.    A: voice vote (5/
                                                                        FY 1997.                30/96).         
H. Res. 445 (5/30/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3540........  For. Ops. Approps. FY   A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        1997.                   5/96).          
H. Res. 446 (6/5/96)...........  MC...............  H.R. 3562........  WI Works Waiver         A: 363-59 (6/6/  
                                                                        Approval.               96).            
H. Res. 448 (6/6/96)...........  MC...............  H.R. 2754........  Shipbuilding Trade      A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        Agreement.              12/96).         
H. Res. 450 (6/10/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3603........  Agriculture             A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        Appropriations, FY      11/96).         
                                                                        1997.                                   
H. Res. ------ (6/12/96).......  O................  H.R. 3610........  Defense                 .................
                                                                        Appropriations, FY                      
                                                                        1997.                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Codes: O-open rule; MO-modified open rule; MC-modified closed rule; S/C-structured/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 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Young], the chairman of the subcommittee, who has done such a great job 
here to explain the necessity and the brevity of this bill.
  Mr YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to point out this is an open rule, and we ought 
to be able to expedite the consideration of the rule and even adopt it 
by a voice vote, I would hope. We are already an hour past the time we 
expected to be starting this bill. I know that Members have plans for 
tomorrow that do not involve being here in the Chamber, so our plan is 
to finish this bill tonight. The sooner we can expedite it, the sooner 
Members can get about their other plans, and I know at the White House, 
the President is having a significant function there tonight that some 
Members who have been invited would like to get to. Hopefully, we can 
expedite the rule, move on to the bill and get into the substance of 
the bill without any delay.
  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and of this bill. 
Maintaining a strong defense of our Nation is one of

[[Page H6329]]

the paramount responsibilities of Congress, and I am pleased that this 
bill meets that responsibility head on.
  As reported, H.R. 3610 provides appropriations of $245.8 billion for 
the functions of the Department of Defense in fiscal year 1997 which is 
$11.1 billion above the administration's request. While some may 
disagree with the funding levels and priorities established by this 
bill, the simple fact is that in end, these priorities will protect the 
best interests of the United States. These priorities will keep us 
strong and deserve our support.
  Mr. Speaker, the rule will allow any Member to offer amendments to 
cut funding levels in the bill and thus ensures that we will have a 
full and fair debate on the defense programs funded here. In addition, 
the manager's amendment made in order in the rule will cut an 
additional $800 million from the reported bill to bring it in line with 
the conference agreement on the budget for fiscal year 1997. I commend 
Chairman Young and his ranking member, Mr. Murtha, for their 
willingness to adjust this bill to meet the requirements of the budget 
resolution.
  I would also like to commend the Appropriations Committee for not 
including in the bill the social issues that generated such controversy 
in the fiscal year 1996 appropriation. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this 
appropriation is to fund programs of the Department of Defense that 
relate to our military preparedness. Passage of this appropriation for 
those important programs should not be slowed by adding to them social 
issues that are of importance to a certain extreme element of the 
Republican Party. I am gratified that this year my Republican 
colleagues have seen the wisdom of adhering to the rules of the House 
and have kept those controversial issues out of the appropriations 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3610 is a forward looking appropriation. This bill 
accelerates the acquisition of several important weapons systems, 
accelerates the research and development programs relating to the next 
generation of several others, and funds quality-of-life programs that 
insure that we will be able to recruit and keep the young men and women 
who serve as our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines. I am 
particularly gratified that the committee has provided advance funding 
for the acquisition of additional C-17's and V-22's. The accelerated 
acquisition of these two aircraft systems will save the U.S. Treasury 
nearly $9 billion. Saving $9 billion while ensuring for our Nation's 
defense is no mean feat and I congratulate the Defense Subcommittee for 
making these recommendations to the full House.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 3610 and the rule providing for its consideration.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this open rule as well as the 
underlying bill, the Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 1997. It 
would be shortsighted and reckless to underestimate the national 
security dangers that face the United States.
  Yes, the Soviet Union collapsed, but Russia remains engaged in 
serious internal debates that will decide its future course of behavior 
in the world community. China, as the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Solomon] recently stated, is acquiring wealth at an extraordinary rate. 
Some project that it may even surpass the United States in gross 
domestic product in the next century, and with wealth inevitably comes 
vast military power.
  If we take specific examples, for example, Mr. Speaker, North Korea, 
though the Clinton administration is providing massive amounts of oil 
and technical assistance to North Korea, that regime remains an enemy 
of the United States. The regime in Iran is a deadly enemy of the 
United States as well, with enormous oil reserves. And there remain 
many other enemies of this great Nation throughout the world.
  Many would love to see the United States on its knees, our youth 
destroyed by drugs, our economy shattered by debt. Here in this 
hemisphere the regime in Havana is one such enemy of the American 
people. In 1982, four senior aides to the Cuban dictator were indicted, 
Mr. Speaker, for drug smuggling in the United States.
  The U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida has ready 
another indictment, this time of 15 high-ranking officials in the 
Castro government, including Castro's brother, Raul, for trafficking 
cocaine into the United States. For unexplained and unsatisfactory 
reasons the administration has refused to authorize the issuance of 
that indictment.
  We, in Congress, passed a tough sanctions law 3 months ago against 
the Cuban regime. Some of our trading partners, irresponsibly, have 
criticized us for doing so. Last week the Organization of American 
States came out against our sanction against Castro. It is very 
interesting that at that time the brother of the Secretary General of 
the OAS, Mr. Gaviria, was being held captive by Communist terrorists in 
Colombia.
  Mr. Gaviria was very happy last week after the OAS criticized our 
sanction of Castro, known as the Helms-Burton law. Mr. Gaviria also 
asked Castro at that time to get his brother freed. Again, his brother, 
at that time, was being held by Communist terrorists in Colombia. 
Yesterday, the Communist terrorists freed Gaviria's brother and all the 
terrorists flew to Havana, where they arrived, weapons and all, and 
were given sanctuary by Castro.

  Mr. Speaker, Congress has the obligation to find out what the terms 
of the deal between Gaviria and the Castro government that got Castro 
to first request and then obtain the release of Gaviria's brother and 
to accept the kidnappers into Cuba. So I call upon this Congress, 
through our Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and its 
distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], to 
summons the OAS Secretary General in order to ask him the following 
questions.
  And if there is a jurisdictional problem with a summons, then demand, 
request, or ask, because we have a right to know, being the country 
that most pays for the OAS, to know the answers to the following 
questions.
  In addition to looking into the terms of the deal between the OAS 
Secretary General and Castro to get Gaviria's brother freed, we need to 
know, first, what relation was there between the action of the OAS in 
Panama last week against the Helms-Burton law and the release of the 
Secretary General's brother at Castro's request this week?
  Second, does Gaviria support the impunity and protection given to his 
brother's kidnappers by the Castro government; in other words, of the 
terrorists who were received and given sanctuary yesterday in Cuba?
  Third, can Gaviria act impartially as the OAS Secretary General after 
having made a deal with his brother's kidnappers and with Castro for 
his brother's freedom?
  We must investigate the relationship between Latin American 
governments who attack our Helms-Burton law and guerrillas and 
kidnapers controlled by Castro who blackmail those governments. They 
key question is, in fact, who is the leader in this hemisphere? Who is 
the boss, Castro and his guerrillas? Can Castro also kidnap in the 
United States? Is that next, Mr. Speaker? If so, will the United States 
also acknowledge his authority over all the hemisphere's terrorists?
  America has plenty of enemies, Mr. Speaker, and this hemisphere is 
obviously suffering a crisis of leadership. In Congress, we can, at 
least, provide the means for the protection of the American people from 
all possible threats to their security.
  Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, military strength and the ability to 
project military power are closely connected to economic influence and, 
consequently, to the opportunity for solid economic development and its 
accompanying jobs and protection of a strong middle class.
  For many reasons and, for the most important reason of all, because 
security is Government's main responsibility, we need a strong national 
defense and this bill is a necessary ingredient in a strong posture for 
the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconin [Mr. Obey].

[[Page H6330]]

  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I do not think I will take the full 5 minutes, 
but I did want to take some time to suggest that this bill today has 
two fundamental problems:
  First of all, it is, in my view, reflective of a view that somehow 
the United States is under serious duress and, in fact, is falling 
behind potential military competitors.
  The fact is, it is not. The fact is that right now we spend two-and-
a-half times as much as all of our military adversaries combined and 
this bill will add to that lead, not subtract from it.
  Second, I would like to point out that a little known fact about the 
defense budget is that while both parties are talking about proceeding 
to balance the budget in 7 years, the fact is that by the seventh year 
the defense budget, reflected by the budget resolution that passed 
yesterday, the majority party's defense budget, is in fact lower than 
the budget provided by the President. Yet, at the same time that these 
outyear numbers are substantially lower than the President's, for the 
first 2 or 3 years this committee is insisting on adding billions of 
dollars above the President's request.
  That makes absolutely no sense. It means that we will be continuing 
to avoid the tough choices that are needed on the kind of weapons that 
are going to be bought, and as long as we avoid those tough decisions, 
it means that we will be buying more than we can afford just a few 
years down the line.
  That will mean that if the Congress, in fact, sticks to its outyear 
budget ceilings it will be forced to either cancel programs or make 
substantial reductions in operation and maintenance and other key items 
at a later point in the cycle, precisely at the time when we ought to 
be not doing that.
  That is why Secretary of Defense Perry has described what is 
happening as a catastrophe, and that is why it is important to 
understand that this is not just an argument between the traditional 
doves and hawks, it is not just an argument about whether this budget 
ought to spend more money or less money. It is an argument about 
whether or not it makes sense to grossly inflate the military budget 
today when we know that we will have to produce substantial reductions 
in the outyears to meet the targets under the budget resolution.
  I submit to my colleagues that we are fooling ourselves and the 
American people when we pass legislation such as this, and I do not 
think we should do it. I will, during the course of the debate, be 
offering a number of amendments to try to bring it in line, but I think 
it is important, before we begin the debate on the amendment process, 
to understand the context in which those amendments are offered.
  As I have said, the context is that, very clearly, this bill is 
jamming far too much money into the bill the first 2 or 3 years of this 
so-called 7-year budget cycle. It will require all kinds of reductions 
3 and 4 years down the line. We could make our job a whole lot easier 
in the future if we would make the choices today that, unfortunately, 
this committee has refused to make.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my distinguished 
friend, the gentleman from California [Mr. Dornan].
  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, this is not a controversial rule, it is a 
good open rule, but I may not be available to talk during the 
appropriations bill discussion itself, so I wanted to make a few 
points.
  I am extended for 2 years on the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence. It is my eighth year. And there will not be a single 
Republican member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence who 
will argue with the figures provided for our defense and national 
security structure in this bill or, for that matter, in the 
authorization bill, which is a bit higher.
  I do not believe any Democrat who serves on the Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence, who has a reputation of working consistently 
and hard on defense, will either find any question that the funding 
levels here are exaggerated.
  We may be the sole standing surviving superpower, but when there is 
as much nuclear weaponry around the world as still exists, that do not 
have the checks and balances that we have in our governmental system, 
then we do still live in a severely dangerous world. And I would ask 
everybody to reject all the amendments coming up that cut our defense 
budget.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Colorado [Mrs. Schroeder].
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time, and I must say I am pleased that this is an open rule.
  As one who has sat on the defense authorization committee for now 24 
years, when that bill came to the floor we had a closed rule and we 
were not allowed to offer one substantive cutting amendment. Not one. I 
find that outrageous. So at least so far today, unless we do something 
else, it appears we are going to get to have some debate about what is 
the right level.
  The gentleman from Wisconsin just pointed out that this bill equals 
two-and-a-half times what all of our adversaries together are spending, 
so one would think that we ought to be able to make a few cuts in here.
  I have an amendment that several other distinguished Members are 
cosponsoring with me that would bring the level of this bill down to 
the bipartisan Coalition budget number. That number is what the 
administration asked for plus 3 percent for the pay raise.
  I think that makes a tremendous amount of sense. I would save $7 
billion and, if it were adopted, it would almost make the budget that 
we adopted last night, without my vote because the deficit is higher 
than it is this year, but it would almost bring that deficit down to 
the level of this year.
  So I would hope Members who voted for the Coalition budget, as I did, 
on both sides of the aisle, would listen to this. I think it makes a 
lot of sense and it is really where we should go.
  I must say the reason I am speaking on the rule is I hear some 
rumblings that there may be some steamrollers starting up outside to 
try and limit the time overall. So those of us who have limiting 
amendments at the end of the bill may never be able to present them or 
have to present them just boom, boom, boom, without being able to 
explain them.

                              {time}  1415

  I hope that does not happen.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure the 
gentlewoman we have no intention of denying anyone the opportunity to 
speak to the extent that they must. So, the gentlewoman might be 
assured of that.
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I am happy to hear 
that. I assume that the gentleman means that we will not be having an 
overall limit so that those of us at the end will not be steamrolled 
out as people run for their airplanes.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue 
to yield, I am not assuring her how we are accomplishing this, but I 
will assure her that we are not going to deny legitimate debate on this 
bill or the amendments.
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida 
because I think these are very critical issues. This is the largest 
spending bill, as the gentleman knows, that we are probably going to be 
dealing with that is discretionary spending. And because we did not get 
to deal with it at all on the authorization side, I think it makes it 
all the more important that we be allowed to carry it on here.
  If we do not get it finished now, let us carry it over to next week 
or let us do something. But I think this stampede out of here would be 
unfair.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida very much for his 
agreement.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers on this 
side of the aisle. There is great consensus on our side of the aisle in 
favor of the rule and the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Oregon [Mr. DeFazio].
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate some of the 
points made by the gentlewoman from Colorado. There is a concern that a 
number

[[Page H6331]]

of amendments that might come toward the ends of consideration as we 
adopt a 3- or 4-hour limit will get short shift if we spend a 
predominant amount of time on amendments that do not have much 
significance to some Members.
  The point is, we adopted a bill authorizing over $240 billion of 
expenditures for the Pentagon with not one single cutting amendment 
allowed. In fact, the gentlewoman from Oregon, I recall, wanted to 
offer an amendment, I think, to cut $1, and that was not allowed, which 
is to say that we are assured that this agency, this one agency of the 
Government is so unique. The largest agency of the Government with the 
largest budget that there is, not a single dollar of waste; that they 
could not benefit from any oversight from the Congress or any scrutiny 
of their programs or any active debate on some of the commitments that 
we are making that we will carry out for decades to come and cost tens 
and thousands of billions of dollars.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that and I do not think Members on that 
side of the aisle believe that. There is $15 billion that has gone 
missing, the accountants cannot find, over the last 10 years. If we had 
any other agency that could not account for an average of $1.5 billion 
a year of expenditures without any sort of receipt, I believe we would 
have special investigators and special prosecutors and special hearings 
and special committees. But that is a fact. That has happened at the 
Pentagon.
  Mr. Speaker, we must have a full, active, and open debate here about 
the largest single budget, the largest single employer in the Federal 
Government. And I would hope that we do not find constraints being 
adopted.
  This House was scheduled to be in session today, it was scheduled to 
be in session tomorrow, it was scheduled to be in session on Monday. 
And now we are hearing we have to skate out here tonight so that the 
east coast Members can catch their planes. There is only one an hour. 
Those of us from the west coast, it is just about too late to get home 
tonight. Let us stay here as late as is necessary to have a full and 
open debate.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would simply point out that this is an open rule that 
we are bringing to the floor, and no limitations on debate nor on 
amendments.
  Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and to include extraneous material.)
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this Congress, the 
Republican majority claimed that the House was going to consider bills 
under an open process. I would like to point out that 63 percent of the 
legislation this session has been considered under a restrictive 
process.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the following material:
  


          FLOOR PROCEDURE IN THE 104TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION; 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................           None.
                                  Package.                                                                      
H.R. 5*........................  Unfunded Mandates.  H. Res. 38           Restrictive...........            N/A.
H.J. Res. 2*...................  Balanced Budget...  H. Res. 44           Restrictive...........         2R; 4D.
H. Res. 43.....................  Committee Hearings  H. Res. 43 (OJ)      Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Scheduling.                                                                   
H.R. 101.......................  To transfer a       H. Res. 51           Open..................            N/A.
                                  parcel of land to                                                             
                                  the Taos Pueblo                                                               
                                  Indians of New                                                                
                                  Mexico.                                                                       
H.R. 400.......................  To provide for the  H. Res. 52           Open..................            N/A.
                                  exchange of lands                                                             
                                  within Gates of                                                               
                                  the Arctic                                                                    
                                  National Park                                                                 
                                  Preserve.                                                                     
H.R. 440.......................  To provide for the  H. Res. 53           Open..................            N/A.
                                  conveyance of                                                                 
                                  lands to certain                                                              
                                  individuals in                                                                
                                  Butte County,                                                                 
                                  California.                                                                   
H.R. 2*........................  Line Item Veto....  H. Res. 55           Open..................            N/A.
H.R. 665*......................  Victim Restitution  H. Res. 61           Open..................            N/A.
                                  Act of 1995.                                                                  
H.R. 666*......................  Exclusionary Rule   H. Res. 63           Open..................            N/A.
                                  Reform Act of                                                                 
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 667*......................  Violent Criminal    H. Res. 63           Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Incarceration Act                                                             
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.R. 668*......................  The Criminal Alien  H. Res. 69           Open..................            N/A.
                                  Deportation                                                                   
                                  Improvement Act.                                                              
H.R. 728*......................  Local Government    H. Res. 79           Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Law Enforcement                                                               
                                  Block Grants.                                                                 
H.R. 7*........................  National Security   H. Res. 83           Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Revitalization                                                                
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 729*......................  Death Penalty/      N/A                  Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Habeas.                                                                       
S. 2...........................  Senate Compliance.  N/A                  Closed................           None.
H.R. 831.......................  To Permanently      H. Res. 88           Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Extend the Health                                                             
                                  Insurance                                                                     
                                  Deduction for the                                                             
                                  Self-Employed.                                                                
H.R. 830*......................  The Paperwork       H. Res. 91           Open..................            N/A.
                                  Reduction Act.                                                                
H.R. 889.......................  Emergency           H. Res. 92           Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Supplemental/                                                                 
                                  Rescinding                                                                    
                                  Certain Budget                                                                
                                  Authority.                                                                    
H.R. 450*......................  Regulatory          H. Res. 93           Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Moratorium.                                                                   
H.R. 1022*.....................  Risk Assessment...  H. Res. 96           Restrictive...........            N/A.
H.R. 926*......................  Regulatory          H. Res. 100          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Flexibility.                                                                  
H.R. 925*......................  Private Property    H. Res. 101          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Protection Act.                                                               
H.R. 1058*.....................  Securities          H. Res. 105          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Litigation Reform                                                             
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 988*......................  The Attorney        H. Res. 104          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Accountability                                                                
                                  Act of 1995.                                                                  
H.R. 956*......................  Product Liability   H. Res. 109          Restrictive...........         8D; 7R.
                                  and Legal Reform                                                              
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 1158......................  Making Emergency    H. Res. 115          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Supplemental                                                                  
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  and Rescissions.                                                              
H.J. Res. 73*..................  Term Limits.......  H. Res. 116          Restrictive...........          1D; 3R
H.R. 4*........................  Welfare Reform....  H. Res. 119          Restrictive...........        5D; 26R.
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...........             1D.
                                  America Tax                                                                   
                                  Relief Act of                                                                 
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 483.......................  Medicare Select     H. Res. 130          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Extension.                                                                    
H.R. 655.......................  Hydrogen Future     H. Res. 136          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 1361......................  Coast Guard         H. Res. 139          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Authorization.                                                                
H.R. 961.......................  Clean Water Act...  H. Res. 140          Open..................            N/A.
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...........         3D; 1R.
H.R. 1561......................  American Overseas   H. Res. 155          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Interests Act of                                                              
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 1530......................  National Defense    H. Res. 164          Restrictive...........     36R; 18D; 2
                                  Authorization                                                      Bipartisan.
                                  Act; FY 1996.                                                                 
H.R. 1817......................  Military            H. Res. 167          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Construction                                                                  
                                  Appropriations;                                                               
                                  FY 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 1854......................  Legislative Branch  H. Res. 169          Restrictive...........       5R; 4D; 2
                                  Appropriations.                                                    Bipartisan.
H.R. 1868......................  Foreign Operations  H. Res. 170          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1905......................  Energy & Water      H. Res. 171          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.J. Res. 79...................  Constitutional      H. Res. 173          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Amendment to                                                                  
                                  Permit Congress                                                               
                                  and States to                                                                 
                                  Prohibit the                                                                  
                                  Physical                                                                      
                                  Desecration of                                                                
                                  the American Flag.                                                            
H.R. 1944......................  Recissions Bill...  H. Res. 175          Restrictive...........            N/A.
H.R. 1868 (2nd rule)...........  Foreign Operations  H. Res. 177          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1977 *Rule Defeated*......  Interior            H. Res. 185          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1977......................  Interior            H. Res. 187          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1976......................  Agriculture         H. Res. 188          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1977 (3rd rule)...........  Interior            H. Res. 189          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 2020......................  Treasury Postal     H. Res. 190          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.J. Res. 96...................  Disapproving MFN    H. Res. 193          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  for China.                                                                    
H.R. 2002......................  Transportation      H. Res. 194          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 70........................  Exports of Alaskan  H. Res. 197          Open..................            N/A.
                                  North Slope Oil.                                                              
H.R. 2076......................  Commerce, Justice   H. Res. 198          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               

[[Page H6332]]

                                                                                                                
H.R. 2099......................  VA/HUD              H. Res. 201          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
S. 21..........................  Termination of      H. Res. 204          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  U.S. Arms Embargo                                                             
                                  on Bosnia.                                                                    
H.R. 2126......................  Defense             H. Res. 205          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations.                                                               
H.R. 1555......................  Communications Act  H. Res. 207          Restrictive...........     2R/3D/3 Bi-
                                  of 1995.                                                             partisan.
H.R. 2127......................  Labor/HHS           H. Res. 208          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 1594......................  Economically        H. Res. 215          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Targeted                                                                      
                                  Investments.                                                                  
H.R. 1655......................  Intelligence        H. Res. 216          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Authorization.                                                                
H.R. 1162......................  Deficit Reduction   H. Res. 218          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Lock Box.                                                                     
H.R. 1670......................  Federal             H. Res. 219          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Acquisition                                                                   
                                  Reform Act of                                                                 
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 1617......................  To Consolidate and  H. Res. 222          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Reform Workforce                                                              
                                  Development and                                                               
                                  Literacy Programs                                                             
                                  Act (CAREERS).                                                                
H.R. 2274......................  National Highway    H. Res. 224          Open..................            N/A.
                                  System                                                                        
                                  Designation Act                                                               
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.R. 927.......................  Cuban Liberty and   H. Res. 225          Restrictive...........          2R/2D.
                                  Democratic                                                                    
                                  Solidarity Act of                                                             
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 743.......................  The Teamwork for    H. Res. 226          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Employees and                                                                 
                                  Managers Act of                                                               
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 1170......................  3-Judge Court for   H. Res. 227          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Certain                                                                       
                                  Injunctions.                                                                  
H.R. 1601......................  International       H. Res. 228          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Space Station                                                                 
                                  Authorization Act                                                             
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.J. Res. 108..................  Making Continuing   H. Res. 230          Closed................  ..............
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  for FY 1996.                                                                  
H.R. 2405......................  Omnibus Civilian    H. Res. 234          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Science                                                                       
                                  Authorization Act                                                             
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.R. 2259......................  To Disapprove       H. Res. 237          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Certain                                                                       
                                  Sentencing                                                                    
                                  Guideline                                                                     
                                  Amendments.                                                                   
H.R. 2425......................  Medicare            H. Res. 238          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Preservation Act.                                                             
H.R. 2492......................  Legislative Branch  H. Res. 239          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  Bill.                                                                         
H.R. 2491......................  7 Year Balanced     H. Res. 245          Restrictive...........             1D.
H. Con. Res. 109...............   Budget                                                                        
                                  Reconciliation                                                                
                                  Social Security                                                               
                                  Earnings Test                                                                 
                                  Reform.                                                                       
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...........            N/A.
                                  Appropriations FY                                                             
                                  1996.                                                                         
H.J. Res. 115..................  Further Continuing  H. Res. 257          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  for FY 1996.                                                                  
H.R. 2586......................  Temporary Increase  H. Res. 258          Restrictive...........             5R.
                                  in the Statutory                                                              
                                  Debt Limit.                                                                   
H.R. 2539......................  ICC Termination...  H. Res. 259          Open..................  ..............
H.J. Res. 115..................  Further Continuing  H. Res. 261          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  for FY 1996.                                                                  
H.R. 2586......................  Temporary Increase  H. Res. 262          Closed................            N/A.
                                  in the Statutory                                                              
                                  Limit on the                                                                  
                                  Public Debt.                                                                  
H. Res. 250....................  House Gift Rule     H. Res. 268          Closed................             2R.
                                  Reform.                                                                       
H.R. 2564......................  Lobbying            H. Res. 269          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Disclosure Act of                                                             
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 2606......................  Prohibition on      H. Res. 273          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Funds for Bosnia                                                              
                                  Deployment.                                                                   
H.R. 1788......................  Amtrak Reform and   H. Res. 289          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Privatization Act                                                             
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.R. 1350......................  Maritime Security   H. Res. 287          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Act of 1995.                                                                  
H.R. 2621......................  To Protect Federal  H. Res. 293          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Trust Funds.                                                                  
H.R. 1745......................  Utah Public Lands   H. Res. 303          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Management Act of                                                             
                                  1995.                                                                         
H. Res. 304....................  Providing for       N/A                  Closed................         1D; 2R.
                                  Debate and                                                                    
                                  Consideration of                                                              
                                  Three Measures                                                                
                                  Relating to U.S.                                                              
                                  Troop Deployments                                                             
                                  in Bosnia.                                                                    
H. Res. 309....................  Revised Budget      H. Res. 309          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Resolution.                                                                   
H.R. 558.......................  Texas Low-Level     H. Res. 313          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Radioactive Waste                                                             
                                  Disposal Compact                                                              
                                  Consent Act.                                                                  
H.R. 2677......................  The National Parks  H. Res. 323          Closed................            N/A.
                                  and National                                                                  
                                  Wildlife Refuge                                                               
                                  Systems Freedom                                                               
                                  Act of 1995.                                                                  
                                   PROCEDURE IN THE 104TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION                                   
                                                                                                                
H.R. 1643......................  To authorize the    H. Res. 334          Closed................            N/A.
                                  extension of                                                                  
                                  nondiscriminatory                                                             
                                  treatment (MFN)                                                               
                                  to the products                                                               
                                  of Bulgaria.                                                                  
H.J. Res. 134..................  Making continuing   H. Res. 336          Closed................            N/A.
H. Con. Res. 131...............   appropriations/                                                               
                                  establishing                                                                  
                                  procedures making                                                             
                                  the transmission                                                              
                                  of the continuing                                                             
                                  resolution H.J.                                                               
                                  Res. 134.                                                                     
H.R. 1358......................  Conveyance of       H. Res. 338          Closed................            N/A.
                                  National Marine                                                               
                                  Fisheries Service                                                             
                                  Laboratory at                                                                 
                                  Gloucester,                                                                   
                                  Massachusetts.                                                                
H.R. 2924......................  Social Security     H. Res. 355          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Guarantee Act.                                                                
H.R. 2854......................  The Agricultural    H. Res. 366          Restrictive...........       5D; 9R; 2
                                  Market Transition                                                  Bipartisan.
                                  Program.                                                                      
H.R. 994.......................  Regulatory Sunset   H. Res. 368          Open rule; Rule tabled            N/A.
                                  & Review Act of                                                               
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.R. 3021......................  To Guarantee the    H. Res. 371          Closed rule...........            N/A.
                                  Continuing Full                                                               
                                  Investment of                                                                 
                                  Social Security                                                               
                                  and Other Federal                                                             
                                  Funds in                                                                      
                                  Obligations of                                                                
                                  the United States.                                                            
H.R. 3019......................  A Further           H. Res. 372          Restrictive...........          2D/2R.
                                  Downpayment                                                                   
                                  Toward a Balanced                                                             
                                  Budget.                                                                       
H.R. 2703......................  The Effective       H. Res. 380          Restrictive...........       6D; 7R; 4
                                  Death Penalty and                                                  Bipartisan.
                                  Public Safety Act                                                             
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 2202......................  The Immigration     H. Res. 384          Restrictive...........     12D; 19R; 1
                                  and National                                                       Bipartisan.
                                  Interest Act of                                                               
                                  1995.                                                                         
H.J. Res. 165..................  Making further      H. Res. 386          Closed................            N/A.
                                  continuing                                                                    
                                  appropriations                                                                
                                  for FY 1996.                                                                  
H.R. 125.......................  The Gun Crime       H. Res. 388          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Enforcement and                                                               
                                  Second Amendment                                                              
                                  Restoration Act                                                               
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 3136......................  The Contract With   H. Res. 391          Closed................            N/A.
                                  America                                                                       
                                  Advancement Act                                                               
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 3103......................  The Health          H. Res. 392          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Coverage                                                                      
                                  Availability and                                                              
                                  Affordability Act                                                             
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.J. Res. 159..................  Tax Limitation      H. Res. 395          Restrictive...........              1D
                                  Constitutional                                                                
                                  Amendment.                                                                    
H.R. 842.......................  Truth in Budgeting  H. Res. 396          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 2715......................  Paperwork           H. Res. 409          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Elimination Act                                                               
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 1675......................  National Wildlife   H. Res. 410          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Refuge                                                                        
                                  Improvement Act                                                               
                                  of 1995.                                                                      
H.J. Res. 175..................  Further Continuing  H. Res. 411          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations                                                                
                                  for FY 1996.                                                                  
H.R. 2641......................  United States       H. Res. 418          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Marshals Service                                                              
                                  Improvement Act                                                               
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 2149......................  The Ocean Shipping  H. Res. 419          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Reform Act.                                                                   
H.R. 2974......................  To amend the        H. Res. 421          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Violent Crime                                                                 
                                  Control and Law                                                               
                                  Enforcement Act                                                               
                                  of 1994 to                                                                    
                                  provide enhanced                                                              
                                  penalties for                                                                 
                                  crimes against                                                                
                                  elderly and child                                                             
                                  victims.                                                                      
H.R. 3120......................  To amend Title 18,  H. Res. 422          Open..................            N/A.
                                  United States                                                                 
                                  Code, with                                                                    
                                  respect to                                                                    
                                  witness                                                                       
                                  retaliation,                                                                  
                                  witness tampering                                                             
                                  and jury                                                                      
                                  tampering.                                                                    
H.R. 2406......................  The United States   H. Res. 426          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Housing Act of                                                                
                                  1996.                                                                         
H.R. 3322......................  Omnibus Civilian    H. Res. 427          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Science                                                                       
                                  Authorization Act                                                             
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 3286......................  The Adoption        H. Res. 428          Restrictive...........         1D; 1R.
                                  Promotion and                                                                 
                                  Stability Act of                                                              
                                  1996.                                                                         
H.R. 3230......................  Defense             H. Res. 430          Restrictive...........      41 amends;
                                  Authorization                                                      20D; 17R; 4
                                  Bill FY 1997.                                                       bipartisan
H.R. 3415......................  Repeal of the 4.3-  H. Res. 436          Closed................            N/A.
                                  Cent Increase in                                                              
                                  Transporation                                                                 
                                  Fuel Taxes.                                                                   
H.R. 3259......................  Intelligence        H. Res. 437          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Authorization Act                                                             
                                  for FY 1997.                                                                  
H.R. 3144......................  The Defend America  H. Res. 438          Restrictive...........             1D.
                                  Act.                                                                          
H.R. 3448/H.R. 1227............  The Small Business  H. Res. 440          Restrictive...........             2R.
                                  Job Protection                                                                
                                  Act of 1996, and                                                              
                                  The Employee                                                                  
                                  Commuting                                                                     
                                  Flexibility Act                                                               
                                  of 1996.                                                                      
H.R. 3517......................  Military            H. Res. 442          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Construction                                                                  
                                  Appropriations FY                                                             
                                  1997.                                                                         
H.R. 3540......................  Foreign Operations  H. Res. 445          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations FY                                                             
                                  1997.                                                                         
H.R. 3562......................  The Wisconsin       H. Res. 446          Restrictive...........            N/A.
                                  Works Waiver                                                                  
                                  Approval Act.                                                                 
H.R. 2754......................  Shipbuilding Trade  H. Res. 448          Restrictive...........             1R.
                                  Agreement Act.                                                                
H.R. 3603......................  Agriculture         H. Res. 451          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations FY                                                             
                                  1997.                                                                         
H.R. 3610......................  Defense             H. Res. 453          Open..................            N/A.
                                  Appropriations FY                                                             
                                  1997.                                                                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Contract Bills, 67% restrictive; 33% open. ** All legislation 1st Session, 53% restrictive; 47% open. *** All 
  legislation 2d Session, 63% restrictive; 37% open. **** All legislation 104th Congress, 57% restrictive; 43%  
  open. ***** NR indicates that the legislation being considered by the House for amendment has circumvented    
  standard procedure and was never reported from any House committee. ****** PQ Indicates that previous question
  was ordered on the resolution. ******* 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 103d Congress. N/A means not available.                                                      


  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the rule, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I reiterate our strong commitment on this side of the 
aisle to a strong defense, and reiterate the fact that this is an open 
rule not closing debate in any way nor prohibiting amendments in any 
way.

[[Page H6333]]

  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 SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hastings of Washington). The question is 
on the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________