[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H7165-H7169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3754, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 473 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 473

       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. 3754) making appropriations for the 
     Legislative Branch 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 of 
     308 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 and shall 
     be considered as read. Points of order against provisions in 
     the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 or 6 of rule XXI 
     are waived. No amendment shall be in order except those 
     printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying 
     this resolution. Each amendment may be considered only in the 
     order printed in the report, may be offered only by a member 
     designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall 
     be debatable for the time specified in the report equally 
     divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 
     shall not be subject to amendment except as specified in the 
     report, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of 
     the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. 
     All points of order against amendments printed in the report 
     are waived. 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 be not 
     less than 15 minutes. 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier] 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the 
customary 30 minutes to my very good friend, the gentleman from 
Woodland Hills, CA [Mr. Beilenson], pending which I yield myself such 
time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all 
time yielded is for debate purposes only.
  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, this rule makes in order H.R. 3754, the 
fiscal year 1997 legislative branch appropriations bill, under a 
modified closed rule.

[[Page H7166]]

I would like to commend my California colleague, Chairman Ron Packard, 
and the rest of my colleagues on the Legislative Branch Appropriations 
Subcommittee for their tremendous work in bringing what has 
historically been a very difficult bill to the House floor.
  Given that there may be some who would go so far as to recommend zero 
funding for the legislative branch, I believe this is a very 
responsible rule for what is a very responsible bill. As the reading 
clerk noted, the rule waives a number of points of order against 
consideration of the bill to permit timely consideration and to address 
some technical fund transfers in the bill.
  The rule makes in order eight amendments printed in the report on the 
rule to be offered only in the order printed by the Member specified 
and debatable for time specified in the report. The amendments are 
considered as read and are not subject to amendment or subject to a 
demand for a division of the question in the House or the Committee of 
the Whole. All points of order are waived against the amendments.
  Further, the rule provides that the Chairman of the Committee of the 
Whole may postpone recorded votes on any amendment and that the 
Chairman may reduce voting time on postponed questions to 5 minutes, 
provided that the vote immediately follows another recorded vote and 
that the voting time on the first in a series of votes is not less than 
15 minutes.
  Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without 
instructions.


  permission to offer amendment no. 6 in modified form to h.r. 3754, 
              legislative branch appropriations act, 1997

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during 
consideration of H.R. 3754, pursuant to House Resolution 473, it may be 
in order to consider the amendment numbered 6 in House Report 104-663 
in the modified form that I have placed at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.


Permission to Offer Amendment No. 1 In House Report 104-663 at Any Time 
 During Consideration of H.R. 3754, Legislative Branch Appropriations 
                               Act, 1997

  Mr. DREIER. Further, Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
notwithstanding the order prescribed by House Resolution 473 that the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio] be allowed to offer his amendment 
No. 1 at any time during the consideration of H.R. 3754 in the 
Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, last year's legislative branch 
appropriations bill was instrumental in reforming this institution to 
make this place more open, accountable, and cost effective. By adopting 
this rule, we can continue those important reforms while further 
streamlining and updating the operations of Congress through 
privatization and investment in new information technologies. Updating 
the technological infrastructure of the White House is an enormous 
challenge, but thanks to this bill we will continue the tremendous 
progress that we have made over the past 18 months.
  The Thomas system at the Library of Congress is being upgraded to 
provide an expanded list of documents to the public and to simplify the 
retrieval of information. The CyberCongress plan which will bring in 
state-of-the-art communication networking and computer technology to 
dramatically improve the work of committees is moving forward under 
this bill.
  Also by the end of this year, every House committee should have the 
capability to provide immediate on-line access to legislative 
documents, transcripts, schedules, and other information. The goal is 
to provide Members of Congress with more comprehensive and accurate 
information while facilitating the exchange of information with our 
constituents back home. While information technologies offer us 
tremendous opportunities to be better public servants, we must be 
mindful of the need to maintain many of the practices, procedures, and 
precedents of this institution. With respect to the issue of minority 
committee Web sites, let me say that I agree wholeheartedly with my 
colleague from Sacramento, CA, Mr. Fazio, that the public should be 
able to conveniently access information put on a committee Web site by 
the minority. I hope the Committee on House Oversight can come to some 
compromise on the committee Internet policy that will provide 
sufficient safeguards in that regard.
  But I disagree that the minority should be allowed to maintain 
completely separate committee Web sites. It would set an unfortunate 
precedent because the Rules of the House rightfully do not 
differentiate between minority and majority committees. They simply 
refer to committees. A committee minority may not file alternative 
committee reports or control separate committee rooms or conduct 
separate official hearings. Minority views are provided for in official 
committee reports, and they should be provided for on committee Web 
sites as well.

  I would also like to say to those Members who feel they have 
worthwhile reform ideas but were not able to offer them under this 
rule, the Rules Committee has announced that it will begin holding 
hearings to consider reform proposals for the 105th Congress. Members 
with proposals for changing the organization procedures or legislative 
process in the House are welcome to participate. A letter of invitation 
to all Members was sent out just yesterday by my friend from Glens 
Falls, our committee chairman.
  As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, this is a very responsible rule 
for a very responsible legislative branch spending bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record certain extraneous materials.
  The materials referred to are as follows:
                                               Committee on Rules,


                                U.S. House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, July 9, 1996.
       Dear Colleague: Today the Rules Committee is announcing a 
     series of hearings designed to examine further congressional 
     reform proposals. This project is entitled ``Building on 
     Change: Preparing for the 105th Congress.''
       As you know, on Opening Day of the 104th Congress the House 
     passed the most sweeping reform package since 1946. The 
     Committee on Rules, through its committee-adopted oversight 
     agenda, has committed to a continuing study of the rules and 
     procedures of the House with an eye toward future reforms. 
     Members with proposals addressing the rules, procedures, or 
     the legislative process generally are welcome to participate 
     in this project. The Rules Committee is not at this time 
     taking further testimony on budget process reform.
       On Wednesday, July 17 at 10AM, the Committee will hold an 
     ``Open Day'' for Members to testify on proposals to further 
     amend the standing rules of the House. Members who wish to 
     testify at this hearing should submit 35 copies of their 
     testimony to the Rules Committee office in H-312 of the 
     Capitol by 5PM on Tuesday, July 16.
       In late July and early September, the Rules Subcommittees 
     on Rules and Organization of the House and the Legislative 
     and Budget Process will hold joint hearings on specific 
     reform efforts (e.g. majority and minority party task 
     forces). The joint subcommittees will hear testimony from 
     select groups of Members and from public witnesses. Dates, 
     times, and subject areas for these hearings will be announced 
     later.
       If Members have questions on this hearing schedule, please 
     feel free to contact me or Dan Keniry in my Rules Committee 
     office at 225-9191.
           Sincerely,
                                                Gerald B. Solomon,
                                         Rules Committee Chairman.

  THE AMENDMENT PROCESS UNDER SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE,\1\ 103D CONGRESS V. 104TH CONGRESS 
                                              [As of July 9, 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                 77                 60
Structured/Modified Closed \3\......                 49                 47                 34                 27
Closed \4\..........................                  9                  9                 17                 13
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page H7167]]

                                                                                                                
      Total.........................                104                100                128                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 July 9, 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).            
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).            

[[Page H7168]]

                                                                                                                
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. 451 (6/10/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3603........  Agriculture             A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        Appropriations, FY      11/96).         
                                                                        1997.                                   
H. Res. 453 (6/12/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3610........  Defense                 A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        Appropriations, FY      13/96).         
                                                                        1997.                                   
H. Res. 455 (6/18/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3662........  Interior Approps, FY    A: voice vote (6/
                                                                        1997.                   19/96).         
H. Res. 456 (6/19/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3666........  VA/HUD Approps........  A: 246-166 (6/25/
                                                                                                96).            
H. Res. 460 (6/25/96)..........  O................  H.R. 3675........  Transportation Approps  A: voice vote (6/
                                                                                                26/96).         
H. Res. 472 (7/9/96)...........  MC...............  H.R. 3755........  Labor/HHS Approps.....  .................
H. Res. 473 (7/9/96)...........  O................  H.R. 3754........  Leg. Branch Approps...  .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
good friend, the gentleman from Sanibel, FL [Mr. Goss], the chairman of 
the Legislative Process and Budget Process Subcommittee.
  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I am in support of this rule.
  I thank my friend from greater San Dimas for this time, and I rise in 
support of this rule for the fiscal year 1997 legislative branch 
appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, this is the first appropriations bill 
this year that has not been given an open rule--and in all likelihood 
it will be the only structured rule we see for a spending bill this 
year. Yet this is a fair rule making in order a mix of eight amendments 
from both sides of the aisle. In fact, most of the amendments that the 
Rules Committee did not make in order would not have been allowed under 
an open rule process.
  That is not to say that I disagree with much of what Members sought 
to do in those amendments. For instance, I strongly support reforms in 
the area of Congressional pensions, and I am a cosponsor of legislation 
to cap the accrual of pension benefits at 12 years. I think this would 
demonstrate in good faith to the American taxpayer that personal 
financial gain is not an incentive to run for office. However, there is 
simply no funding in this to address this issue through an amendment to 
this bill. I look forward to making progress in this area through the 
appropriate authorizing committees in the future.

  That having been said, I would like to congratulate Chairman Packard 
and the members of the Appropriations Committee for building on the 
reforms we began last year. We have seen dramatic changes in the way 
this Congress has been run--we are doing more with less, and we are 
committed to living within our means after decades of expansion. I am 
particularly pleased that the bill before us cuts a further 2.2 percent 
from last year's appropriated levels--a savings of over $37 million. 
These reforms, and others in the bill, are very important to restoring 
Americans' faith in Congress and our commitment to accountability and a 
balanced budget.
  I would urge my colleagues to support this fair rule.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this rule, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier] for 
yielding me the customary half hour of debate time.
  Mr. Speaker, the rule before us is, in general, fair, and appropriate 
for consideration of a legislative branch appropriations bill. It makes 
in order eight amendments, three of which are to be offered by Members 
from this side of the aisle. Each of the eight amendments would be 
debatable for specified amounts of time.
  However, we have one serious disagreement with the majority over this 
rule, in that it does not make in order a very important amendment that 
the gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio] would like to offer. Mr. 
Fazio's amendment would reverse the unfair and unwise policy adopted by 
the House Oversight Committee on May 23 which prohibits minority 
members of a committee from establishing their own World Wide Web site 
on the Internet, separate from the Web site established and controlled 
by the committee's majority members.
  Prohibiting minority members of a committee from establishing their 
own Web site restricts the right of members to present materials in the 
manner they wish, and to make that information as accessible as 
possible for Internet users. Rather than being able to find Democratic 
committee members' materials directly, Internet users may have to 
scroll through long committee tables of contents before reaching the 
minority's listing.
  Even worse, if majority members of a committee decide not to 
establish a Web site at all, or decide to terminate an existing Web 
site, minority members of the committee will be unable to post 
information on the Internet themselves.
  At the Rules Committee meeting on this rule yesterday, the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Packard] argued that the House Oversight 
Committee's policy on committee use of the Internet was analogous to 
the handling of committee reports, where minority members do not issue 
separate reports, but rather may include their views at the end of the 
majority's report.
  But in fact, Mr. Speaker, the two venues are not analogous at all. 
Committee reports are issued for a designated purpose--usually to 
explain a bill--and have content requirements. And minority views can 
be found quickly and easily by turning to the end of the report.
  World Wide Web sites, on the other hand, are completed free-form. 
Those

[[Page H7169]]

who establish sites are able to put anything they want on them, and in 
any fashion. Typically, committees post background information and 
pictures of committee members, committee rules and procedures, press 
releases, speeches by the chairman--all sorts of things. If minority 
Web pages are inserted somewhere in the mix of all that, they are 
likely to receive much less attention than they would if they were 
presented on a separate Web site, where the format could be designed as 
the minority wishes.

  We ask our Republican friends to consider whether this is the policy 
they would want to live under if they were in the minority, as they 
were during the last Congress and will be again, sooner or later, in 
the future. Our guess is that it is not.
  On more point on this matter: the majority has argued that even if 
they believe the membership should consider this amendment, it would 
not be appropriate to allow it as part of the debate on this 
appropriations, bill, since the committee of jurisdiction--in this 
case, the House Oversight Committee--objects to making it in order. As 
a general rule, we agree with the policy, which was established when 
Democrats controlled the House, of not allowing amendments in such 
cases.
  However, in this particular case, Mr. Speaker, there will not be an 
opportunity to address this issue, since the policy is one that exists 
as a directive from the House Oversight Committee, and does not require 
the approval of the full House. The legislative branch appropriations 
bill is thus the only vehicle we see for resolving this matter.
  There is one further matter I would like to point out about the rule, 
if I may, Mr. Speaker, and that is that it waives two important 
provisions of the Budget Act: section 302, which prohibits 
consideration of legislation which exceeds a committee's allocation of 
new entitlement authority, and section 308, which requires a cost 
estimate in committee reports on new entitlement authority. These 
waivers cover the bill's provisions dealing with the pay of the 
director of the Congressional Budget Office.
  While there are legitimate reasons for providing these waivers, we 
mention this matter because we have noticed that Budget Act waivers 
seem to be increasingly common in the rules that are being issued by 
the Rules Committee. We want to take this opportunity to urge 
committees to make every effort to comply with the provisions of the 
Budget Act and the Rules of the House, and to urge the majority members 
of the Rules Committee to avoid getting into the habit of waiving these 
important safeguards on a routine basis.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the bill that this rule makes 
in order, we believe that it deserves the support of the House. In 
general, it provides an adequate, though not generous, amount of 
funding for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities. After 4 years of 
cutting positions to a point where we now have almost 20 percent fewer 
staff members in the legislative branch than we had in fiscal 1992, we 
believe that the Appropriations Committee has acted responsibly by not 
reducing funding for staff further, except with respect to the General 
Accounting Office, where a 2-year, 25-percent reduction in staffing is 
continued through this legislation.

                              {time}  1200

  Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the rule, and an 
``aye'' vote on the bill, which will be beautifully managed by my 
colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Packard].
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). Without objection, the previous 
question is ordered on the resolution.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________