[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 112 (Friday, July 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H8573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES ON H.R. 3517, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from 
the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3517) making appropriations for 
military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure 
for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
1997, and for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, disagree 
to the Senate amendments, and agree to the conference asked by the 
Senate.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Torkildsen). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.


                motion to instruct offered by mr. hefner

  Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mr. Hefner moves that in resolving the differences between 
     the House and Senate, the managers on the part of the House 
     at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses 
     on the bill H.R. 3517, be instructed not to provide funding 
     for projects which have not been authorized.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under rule XXVIII, the gentleman from North 
Carolina [Mr. Hefner] and the gentlewoman from Nevada [Mrs. Vucanovich] 
each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Hefner].
  Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer this motion to instruct to ensure that the 
conferees on the military construction bill adhere to the customary 
practice of agreeing to provide funding only for projects which are 
authorized.
  Current assumptions on this bill will result in over $800 million in 
projects begin added to the amount requested by the President. For 
years we on the Military Construction Subcommittee have emphasized 
funding for barracks, family housing projects, and other structures 
which improve the quality of life in the military. Unfortunately our 
colleagues in the other body have not always shared our priorities.
  The Armed Services Committees are now in conference, and will, I 
believe end up funding a number of projects that will speed up the 
building of new barracks and family housing projects. Their agreement 
will authorize and the appropriations bill will fund these projects as 
well provide for projects to support operational and readiness 
requirements, and to meet our base closure commitments.
  This total level of authorization and funding has been carefully 
arrived at and is the result of cooperation between the authorizing and 
Appropriations Committee. It has been a bipartisan exercise with a 
bipartisan result. Members on both sides have been treated fairly. 
There is no reason why the conferees on the appropriations bill should 
deviate from this agreement.
  While I support adding funds to accelerate funding quality of life 
projects, I feel that adding over $800 million to the President's 
request is enough in these difficult budget times given other domestic 
priorities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of my motion to instruct.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this motion to instruct conferees. 
We have worked in a bipartisan manner with the authorization committee 
to provide the many quality of life items contained in this bill. No 
individual project recommended in this bill may go forward without 
specific authorization. We are following the progress of the 
authorization conference closely and it is my understanding they are 
nearing completion. I urge my colleagues to support the gentleman's 
motion.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for her 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is 
ordered on the motion to instruct.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to instruct 
offered by the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Hefner] .
  The motion was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the Chair appoints the 
following conferees: Mrs. Vucanovich and Messrs. Callahan, McDade, 
Myers of Indiana, Porter, Hobson, Wicker, Livingston, Hefner, 
Foglietta, Torres, Dicks, and Obey.
  There was no objection.

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