[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 17, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H7715-H7720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3814 DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE,
JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
ACT, 1997
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 479 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 479
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. 3814) making appropriations for the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary,
and related agencies 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(1)(6) of rule XI or clause 7 of rule XXI 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. Before
consideration of any other amendment it shall be in order to
consider the amendment printed in the report of the Committee
on Rules accompanying this resolution, if offered by
Representative Rogers of Kentucky or his designee. That
amendment 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, 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 that amendment are
waived. If that amendment is adopted, the bill, as amended,
shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of
further amendment. Points of order against provisions in the
bill for failure to comply with clause 2 or 6 of rule XXI are
waived except as follows: (1) under the Department of
Commerce, Science and Technology, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the matter under the heading
``Industrial Technology Services'' that
[[Page H7716]]
begins with ``In addition'' and continues through `` `Working
Capital Fund' ''; and (2) under the Department of Commerce,
the heading ``Technology Administration'' and the matter
thereunder. Where points of order are waived against part of
a paragraph, points of order against a provision in another
part of such paragraph may be made only against such
provision and not against the entire paragraph. During
consideration of the bill for further amendment, the Chairman
of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in
recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an
amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the
Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 6
of rule XXIII. Amendments so printed shall be considered as
read. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone
until a time during further consideration in the Committee of
the Whole a request for a recorded vote on any amendment. The
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may reduce to not less
than five minutes the time for voting by electronic device on
any postponed question that immediately follows another
vote by electronic device without intervening business:
Provided, That the time for voting by electronic device on
the first in any series of questions shall be not less
than fifteen minutes. After the reading of the final lines
of the bill, a motion that the Committee of the Whole rise
and report the bill to the House with such amendments as
may have been adopted shall, if offered by the majority
leader or a designee, have precedence over a motion to
amend. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for
amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to
the House with such amendments as may have been adopted.
The previous question shall be considered as ordered on
the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without
intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or
without instructions.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). The gentlewoman from Ohio [Ms.
Pryce] is recognized for 1 hour.
{time} 1700
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the
customary 30 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from California
[Mr. Beilenson], pending which I yield myself such time as I may
consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is
for the purpose of debate only.
general leave
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
this resolution and that I may be permitted to insert extraneous
materials into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Is there objection
to the request of the gentlewoman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
making in order amendment relating to advanced technology program, and
waiving points of order in committee of the whole on h.r. 3814,
departments of commerce, Justice, and state, the judiciary, and related
agencies appropriations act, 1997
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during the
consideration of H.R. 3814 in the Committee of the Whole, one, it may
be in order immediately after disposition of the first amendment made
in order by House Resolution 479, and without intervention of any point
of order, to consider the amendment relating to the Advanced Technology
Program that I have placed at the desk, if offered by the gentleman
from Kentucky [Mr. Rogers]; and, second, if that amendment is adopted,
then points of order under clauses 2 and 6 of rule XXI shall be waived
for all provisions of the bill, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the minority has been
consulted and has no objection to this request.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read, as follows:
Amendment to be offered by Mr. Rogers, pursuant to the
unanimous-consent request of Ms. Pryce: On page 54, strike
the language on lines 3 through 15, and insert the following:
``In addition, for necessary expenses of the Advanced
Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, $110,500,000, to remain available until expended,
of which not to exceed $500,000 may be transferred to the
``Working Capital Fund'': Provided, That none of the funds
made available under this heading may be used for the
purposes of carrying out additional program competitions
under the Advanced Technology Program: Provided further, That
funds made available for the Advanced Technology Program
under this heading and any unobligated balances available
from carryover of prior year appropriations for such program
may be used only for the purposes of providing continuation
grants for competitions completed prior to October 1, 1995:
Provided further, That such continuation grants shall be
provided only to single applicants or joint venture
participants which are small businesses: Provided further,
That such funds for the Advanced Technology Program are
provided for the purposes of closing out all commitments for
such program.''.
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 479 is an open rule
providing for the consideration of H.R. 3814, the Commerce, Justice,
State and related agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 1997.
The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided between
the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations.
The rule includes a limited number of waivers to facilitate the
orderly consideration of the bill. For example, the rule waives clause
2(L)(6) of rule 11, regarding the 3-day availability of the report, and
clause 7 of rule 21, regarding the 3-day availability of printed
hearings and reports on appropriations bills.
The rule also provides for the consideration, before any other
amendment, of the amendment printed in part 2 of the Rules Committee
report, if offered by Mr. Rogers of Kentucky or his designee. The
amendment will be considered as read and shall not be subject to a
demand for a division of the question.
Since authorizing legislation for most programs within the bill has
not been finalized, the rule further provides the necessary waiver of
clause 2 of rule 21, which prohibits unauthorized appropriations and
legislation on general appropriations bills, as well as clause 6 of
rule 21, which prohibits transfers of unobligated balances.
As we have done in the past, the rule accords priority in recognition
to those amendments that are pre-printed in the Congressional Record,
and it allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone
and shorten votes during further consideration of the bill. After the
reading of the final lines of the bill, a motion to rise, if offered by
the majority leaders or his designee, will have precedence over a
motion to amend. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit,
with or without instructions.
Mr. Speaker, as our colleagues know, the Commerce, State, and Justice
appropriations bill covers a lot of ground, from projecting our
diplomatic presence overseas, to promoting trade, and to preserving the
safety and well-being of our citizens. As a former judge and
prosecutor, I recognize that the Federal Government has an important
role to play in the fight against drugs and crime, and I am especially
pleased that this year's legislation devotes significant resources to
law enforcement and related activities.
This important commitment to public safety is reflected in the
increased dollars that are provided for drug enforcement initiatives,
for enforcing our immigration laws and border control, for implementing
the recent anti-terrorism bill, and for assisting State and local
governments in their drug control and crime fighting efforts.
By targeting funding at the State and local level, the bill continues
to broaden our policy of empowering local authorities to develop local
solutions that best address their own unique situations.
But, Mr. Speaker, not all crime is front-page news. Many victims are
defenseless women who suffer in silence at home or even in the
workplace. Too often, violent crimes committed against women are not
even reported to law enforcement agencies. That's why I'm very pleased
to note that the bill provides a substantial increase in funding for
the Violence Against Women Act, a step which recognizes the importance
of combatting the many forms of domestic violence despite the budget
constraints that we face this year.
This bill does provide a reasonable and responsible increase in
funding over last year's level, with all increases going to critical
law enforcement purposes, it is still within the subcommittee's budget
allocation. And that, Mr. Speaker, is vitally important to keeping us
on the glidepath toward a balanced Federal budget.
Mr. Speaker, Chairman Rogers and the subcommittee have worked very
hard this year to craft a bill that balances the need for continued
fiscal responsibility with the need to provide
[[Page H7717]]
adequate funding for law enforcement, diplomatic missions, trade, and
many other related activities.
In closing, let me just emphasize that the rule before us is both
fair and open. Any Member can be heard on any germane amendment to the
bill at the appropriate time, as long as it is consistent with the
normal rules of the House. This rule was reported unanimously by the
Rules Committee yesterday and I urge its expeditious adoption by the
House.
Mr. Speaker, the information I am submitting for the Record is as
follows:
THE AMENDMENT PROCESS UNDER SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE,\1\ 103D CONGRESS V. 104TH CONGRESS
[As of July 11, 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 78 60
Structured/Modified Closed \3\...... 49 47 35 27
Closed \4\.......................... 9 9 17 13
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 104 100 130 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 11, 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.
[[Page H7718]]
H. Res. 251 (10/31/95)......... C................ H.R. 1833........ Partial Birth Abortion A: 237-190 (11/1/
Ban. 95).
H. Res. 252 (10/31/95)......... MO............... H.R. 2546........ D.C. Approps.......... A: 241-181 (11/1/
95).
H. Res. 257 (11/7/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 115.... Cont. Res. FY 1996.... A: 216-210 (11/8/
95).
H. Res. 258 (11/8/95).......... MC............... H.R. 2586........ Debt Limit............ A: 220-200 (11/10/
95).
H. Res. 259 (11/9/95).......... O................ H.R. 2539........ ICC Termination Act... A: voice vote (11/
14/95).
H. Res. 262 (11/9/95).......... C................ H.R. 2586........ Increase Debt Limit... A: 220-185 (11/10/
95).
H. Res. 269 (11/15/95)......... O................ H.R. 2564........ Lobbying Reform....... A: voice vote (11/
16/95).
H. Res. 270 (11/15/95)......... C................ H.J. Res. 122.... Further Cont. A: 249-176 (11/15/
Resolution. 95).
H. Res. 273 (11/16/95)......... MC............... H.R. 2606........ Prohibition on Funds A: 239-181 (11/17/
for Bosnia. 95).
H. Res. 284 (11/29/95)......... O................ H.R. 1788........ Amtrak Reform......... A: voice vote (11/
30/95).
H. Res. 287 (11/30/95)......... O................ H.R. 1350........ Maritime Security Act. A: voice vote (12/
6/95).
H. Res. 293 (12/7/95).......... C................ H.R. 2621........ Protect Federal Trust PQ: 223-183 A:
Funds. 228-184 (12/14/
95).
H. Res. 303 (12/13/95)......... O................ H.R. 1745........ Utah Public Lands..... PQ: 221-197 A:
voice vote (5/15/
96).
H. Res. 309 (12/18/95)......... C................ H. Con. Res. 122. Budget Res. W/ PQ: 230-188 A:
President. 229-189 (12/19/
95).
H. Res. 313 (12/19/95)......... O................ H.R. 558......... Texas Low-Level A: voice vote (12/
Radioactive. 20/95).
H. Res. 323 (12/21/95)......... C................ H.R. 2677........ Natl. Parks & Wildlife Tabled (2/28/96).
Refuge.
H. Res. 366 (2/27/96).......... MC............... H.R. 2854........ Farm Bill............. PQ: 228-182 A:
244-168 (2/28/
96).
H. Res. 368 (2/28/96).......... O................ H.R. 994......... Small Business Growth. Tabled (4/17/96).
H. Res. 371 (3/6/96)........... C................ H.R. 3021........ Debt Limit Increase... A: voice vote (3/
7/96).
H. Res. 372 (3/6/96)........... MC............... H.R. 3019........ Cont. Approps. FY 1996 PQ: voice vote A:
235-175 (3/7/
96).
H. Res. 380 (3/12/96).......... C................ H.R. 2703........ Effective Death A: 251-157 (3/13/
Penalty. 96).
H. Res. 384 (3/14/96).......... MC............... H.R. 2202........ Immigration........... PQ: 233-152 A:
voice vote (3/19/
96).
H. Res. 386 (3/20/96).......... C................ H.J. Res. 165.... Further Cont. Approps. PQ: 234-187 A:
237-183 (3/21/
96).
H. Res. 388 (3/21/96).......... C................ H.R. 125......... Gun Crime Enforcement. A: 244-166 (3/22/
96).
H. Res. 391 (3/27/96).......... C................ H.R. 3136........ Contract w/America PQ: 232-180 A:
Advancement. 232-177, (3/28/
96).
H. Res. 392 (3/27/96).......... MC............... H.R. 3103........ Health Coverage PQ: 229-186 A:
Affordability. Voice Vote (3/29/
96).
H. Res. 395 (3/29/96).......... MC............... H.J. Res. 159.... Tax Limitation Const. PQ: 232-168 A:
Amdmt.. 234-162 (4/15/
96).
H. Res. 396 (3/29/96).......... O................ H.R. 842......... Truth in Budgeting Act A: voice vote (4/
17/96).
H. Res. 409 (4/23/96).......... O................ H.R. 2715........ Paperwork Elimination A: voice vote (4/
Act. 24/96).
H. Res. 410 (4/23/96).......... O................ H.R. 1675........ Natl. Wildlife Refuge. A: voice vote (4/
24/96).
H. Res. 411 (4/23/96).......... C................ H.J. Res. 175.... Further Cont. Approps. A: voice vote (4/
FY 1996. 24/96).
H. Res. 418 (4/30/96).......... O................ H.R. 2641........ U.S. Marshals Service. PQ: 219-203 A:
voice vote (5/1/
96).
H. Res. 419 (4/30/96).......... O................ H.R. 2149........ Ocean Shipping Reform. A: 422-0 (5/1/
96).
H. Res. 421 (5/2/96)........... O................ H.R. 2974........ Crimes Against A: voice vote (5/
Children & Elderly. 7/96).
H. Res. 422 (5/2/96)........... O................ H.R. 3120........ Witness & Jury A: voice vote (5/
Tampering. 7/96).
H. Res. 426 (5/7/96)........... O................ H.R. 2406........ U.S. Housing Act of PQ: 218-208 A:
1996. voice vote (5/8/
96).
H. Res. 427 (5/7/96)........... O................ H.R. 3322........ Omnibus Civilian A: voice vote (5/
Science Auth. 9/96).
H. Res. 428 (5/7/96)........... MC............... H.R. 3286........ Adoption Promotion & A: voice vote (5/
Stability. 9/96).
H. Res. 430 (5/9/96)........... S................ H.R. 3230........ DoD Auth. FY 1997..... A: 235-149 (5/10/
96).
H. Res. 435 (5/15/96).......... MC............... H. Con. Res. 178. Con. Res. on the PQ: 227-196 A:
Budget, 1997. voice vote (5/16/
96).
H. Res. 436 (5/16/96).......... C................ H.R. 3415........ Repeal 4.3 cent fuel PQ: 221-181 A:
tax. voice vote (5/21/
96).
H. Res. 437 (5/16/96).......... MO............... H.R. 3259........ Intell. Auth. FY 1997. A: voice vote (5/
21/96).
H. Res. 438 (5/16/96).......... MC............... H.R. 3144........ Defend America Act.... .................
H. Res. 440 (5/21/96).......... MC............... H.R. 3448........ Small Bus. Job A: 219-211 (5/22/
Protection. 96).
MC............... H.R. 1227........ Employee Commuting .................
Flexibility.
H. Res. 442 (5/29/96).......... O................ H.R. 3517........ Mil. Const. Approps. A: voice vote (5/
FY 1997. 30/96).
H. Res. 445 (5/30/96).......... O................ H.R. 3540........ For. Ops. Approps. FY A: voice vote (6/
1997. 5/96).
H. Res. 446 (6/5/96)........... MC............... H.R. 3562........ WI Works Waiver A: 363-59 (6/6/
Approval. 96).
H. Res. 448 (6/6/96)........... MC............... H.R. 2754........ Shipbuilding Trade A: voice vote (6/
Agreement. 12/96).
H. Res. 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)........... O................ H.R. 3755........ Labor/HHS Approps..... PQ: 218-202 A:
voice vote (7/10/
96).
H. Res. 473 (7/9/96)........... MC............... H.R. 3754........ Leg. Branch Approps... A: voice vote (7/
10/96).
H. Res. 474 (7/10/96).......... MC............... H.R. 3396........ Defense of Marriage A: 290-133 (7/11/
Act. 96).
H. Res. 475 (7/11/96).......... O................ H.R. 3756........ Treasury/Postal .................
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.
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman
from Ohio [Ms. Pryce] for her yielding the customary 30 minutes of
debate time to me, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we do not object to the rule for H.R. 3814, the
appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State,
the Judiciary and Related Agencies for fiscal year 1997.
As the gentlewoman from Ohio has explained, this can be described as
an open rule. As with other appropriations bills we have considered,
however, it does not contain a number of waivers of points of order for
violations of House rules. We do not support all the provisions in the
bill that are being protected by those waivers but we do not object to
the waivers themselves.
Mr. Speaker, we are particularly troubled by the provision in the
bill limiting the President's ability to negotiate issues related to
the ABM Treaty that are so important to the national security of the
United States. We believe that that is an entirely inappropriate matter
to include in the bill. It may even be unconstitutional.
Mr. Speaker, the bill does contain a number of other provisions that
are similarly of great concern to us. We oppose the decision to slash
the legal services program even further. We should be ensuring equal
access to the court system to all Americans. What we are doing here is
ensuring that low-income Americans are unable to enjoy the benefits of
full and equal access to our legal system.
Many of us are also disappointed that the bill extends the fight
against safe and legal abortions and against a woman's right to choose
by denying Federal prisoners reproductive choice. It is difficult to
think of women who are more dependent on the Federal Government for all
their medical care and have no way to choose other services. We regret
we are continuing the efforts to fight abortion, a legal medical
procedure, Mr. Speaker, in yet another appropriations bill.
The bill also severely underfunds our peacekeeping missions. This
inadequate level of funding is an affront to U.S. leadership in the
international arena and will, I believe, prejudice our efforts to
promote U.S. global interests.
I would, Mr. Speaker, like to take this opportunity to thank the
committee for continuing its strong support, first begun under the
leadership of the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Mollohan], of
funding to help control illegal immigration. The increased funding for
the INS and for the border patrol are very important to the country
and, of course, to the States that are most affected by immigration.
The committee is to be commended, too, Mr. Speaker, for continuing to
increase the appropriation for reimbursing States for the costs of
incarcerating criminal illegal aliens, a program first funded as a
result of an amendment that this gentleman and other Members offered 2
years ago to the 1994 crime bill.
After years of seeking help to fight illegal immigration, Congress
has, over the past 3 or 4 years, through the leadership of this
particular appropriations subcommittee, finally recognized the severe
problems caused by illegal immigration, especially in such States as
California, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, and Texas.
Immigration is, after all, a Federal responsibility, and I would like
to say to the chairman and to the ranking member that we very much
appreciate the committee's support for the programs that
[[Page H7719]]
many of us have been advocating for a good many years.
I would also finally like to congratulate the gentleman from Kentucky
[Mr. Rogers] and the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Mollohan] for
their bipartisan cooperation in working on this bill. This is a
difficult process, this appropriations process, with such great fiscal
restraint, and the House is appreciative of the spirit of comity and
the good example of being able to work together so well that these two
gentleman have shown to the rest of us.
Mr. Speaker, under the rule we hope to have the opportunity to fully
debate the bill and address our major concerns about it. For the
moment, as I said, we have no objections to the rule.
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the distinguished gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Mollohan].
(Mr. MOLLOHAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I simply rise in support of the rule and
express appreciation to my chairman, Mr. Rogers, for the hard work that
he has put into this bill and for the spirit of cooperation that he has
approached it. We appreciate his accommodations in a number of areas.
Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule.
However, actions taken yesterday at the Rules Committee hearing
almost precluded my support for this measure. The authorizing chairman
had asked that two programs extremely important to the administration
not be afforded protection by the rule.
As a result, the rule before us today does not protect the Commerce
Department's Advanced Technology Program or Technology Administration
from points of order raised during floor consideration. These programs
are not authorized--but then again neither are most programs in our
bill.
Because the rule would have allowed the striking of funding provided
for these programs--$110.5 million for ATP and $5 million for the TA--I
intended to speak today in opposition to this rule.
However, I now understand that an agreement has been reached which
accommodates the concerns of the authorizing chairman. I would like to
express my appreciation to Chairman Rogers and to Chairman Walker for
their efforts to reach a reasonable resolution of this matter. As a
result of this agreement, I am acting under the assumption that an
amendment will be offered to the bill to allow funding for the ATP
under different conditions and that the TA will be protected from
points of order.
In its current form, the bill restricts ATP funding from being used
to hold new grant competitions. The agreed upon amendment would add
bill language stating that all funds must be used only to fund fiscal
year 1995 and prior year grant awards which involve small businesses.
Additionally, it would add report and bill language stating that the
funding provided in the bill is to be used for ``close out
commitments.''
Obviously, I personally do not agree with these new as well as the
old restrictions. However, restricted funding for ATP is better than no
funding at all. And funding for the Technology Administration is
extremely important.
Both ATP and the Technology Administration are critical components of
President Clinton's competitive agenda.
The Technology Administration serves as an advocate for American
industries--ensuring that Government policies, programs, and
regulations promote U.S. competitiveness. Additionally, TA is the only
Federal agency that analyzes the civilian technology activities of our
foreign competitors, working to promote and protect U.S. technology
interests in global research and development efforts.
Similarly, ATP is about investing in our Nation's competitiveness in
the global marketplace. It does nothing more than put U.S. industry on
a level playing field with our major global competitors. As we sit here
today placing additional restrictions on ATP, our foreign competitors
are pouring money into similar programs. In fact, the European nations
are accelerating investment in commercial technologies. Japan has plans
to double its government science and technology budget by the year
2000. China is planning to triple its investment in R&D by 2000,
targeting computers, software, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and
infrastructure. And the Republic of Korea has considerably boosted its
R&D efforts in key technology areas and is actively acquiring foreign
technologies.
Simply stated, the United States is in a battle for global markets,
where the spoils are jobs and national prosperity--and we are in a dead
heat. Investing in programs like APT and the Technology Administration
will make all the difference.
So, with reservation, I ask my colleagues to support the rule before
us today. While the agreement reached will place further restrictions
on the ATP Program, it will ensure that at least some funding is
provided for this important initiative.
Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California [Mr. Brown].
Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California [Mr. Beilenson] for yielding me so much time. I hope I will
not consume it all.
Mr. Speaker, it had been my original intention to oppose both the
rule and the bill as the result of a number of deficiencies which I
found in them. However, I want to pay tribute to the fact that a number
of negotiations have taken place, some in the last few minutes, aimed
at alleviating some of my problems, and I will not take the same
position as a result of those actions.
Part of the agreements that were made were reflected in the approval
of the unanimous consent request that was made earlier, which made it
possible to continue the technology program in the Department of
Commerce, the Advanced Technology Program, which I think has tremendous
value to the people of the United States in terms of enhancing our
ability to have a more effective and efficient manufacturing sector in
the United States, and which I think will add to the productivity and
economic growth of this country.
I think we all recognize that this is vital to our future prosperity,
to our future ability to get out of the deficit bind that we are in,
and to create jobs to absorb those who are without jobs in this
country.
I was a little puzzled at the fact that the Committee on Rules had
apparently, by some forethought, protected every portion of this bill
except the technology programs, and I rather wondered how that had been
brought about, but I will not ruminate too much on that.
{time} 1715
I am happy that the threat seems to have disappeared of erasing these
programs through raising a point of order. Under the circumstances, I
am going to support the rule and I am going to do my best to improve
the bill to whatever slight degree I may when it is up for discussion.
But I am reconciled to the fact that the present budgetary pressures
may preclude us from doing too much to enhance some of these programs
because the only way to do that is to take funds away from other
sometimes equally deserving programs.
So let me conclude by paying my respects to both the chairman of the
subcommittee and the ranking minority member, who have done so much and
worked so hard to bring about some consensus with regard to a
reasonable way to handle these problems.
I think that what we have seen represents the best in the art of
politics, which is to get the most you can from a lemon when you cannot
do anything else. I, therefore, will look forward to the debate on the
bill, but I will not oppose the rule.
Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to conclude by thanking the chairman and
the ranking member for their hard work and bipartisan cooperation
through this process. I once again urge my colleagues to support this
fair and open rule.
Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. PRYCE. I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank the gentlewoman and the
gentleman from California from the Committee on Rules who have been
very cooperative with us on this rule, not only the Members that are
represented here from the Committee on Rules but those who are not. The
Committee on Rules has a hard job, harder than anyone realizes. We
appreciate very much their accommodation to us on the Committee on
Appropriations on this bill. I support the rule.
Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the resolution.
[[Page H7720]]
The previous question was ordered.
the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________