[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 89 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4146-H4147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REAUTHORIZING PROGRAM RELATING TO ARBITRATION

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1581) to reauthorize the program established under chapter 44 of 
title 28, United States Code, relating to arbitration.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1581

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     section 905 of the Judicial Improvements and Access to 
     Justice Act (28 U.S.C. 651 note; Public Law 100-702) is 
     amended in the first sentence by striking ``for each of the 
     fiscal years 1994 through 1997'' and inserting ``for each 
     fiscal year''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Coble], and the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. 
Frank], each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Coble].


                             General Leave

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 1581.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?

[[Page H4147]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1581, a bill introduced to 
reauthorize the existing Federal court arbitration programs established 
in chapter 44 of title 28 of the United States Code. This bill 
reauthorizes 20 pilot arbitration programs which have been in existence 
in U.S. district courts around the country for 20 years.
  These programs have been unquestionably successful over the years in 
resolving Federal litigation in a fair and expeditious manner and 
improving the efficiency of those Federal courts which participate in 
the program. The current authorization expires on September 1 of this 
year, and thus there is some urgency in reauthorizing these very 
successful programs prior to that date.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bipartisan bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman from North Carolina.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Coble] that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1581.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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