[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.
____________________