[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, today Mr. Ensign raised a point of order 
established by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 in connection 
with H.R. 1270, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. I commend him for doing 
so. This is another example of how we envisioned this unfunded mandates 
legislation working. The goal of the Unfunded Mandates Act was not to 
prohibit Congress from ever considering or enacting legislation that 
contained unfunded mandates, but to do so after having cost 
information, a separate debate on whether and how to fund the mandate 
and a recorded vote on imposing such a mandate. Today, we did that. The 
House agreed to continue to consider this legislation, notwithstanding 
the mandates that exist in this bill, after having had full 
information, separate consideration, and accountability with a recorded 
vote. I believe the procedure worked well today and continues to be an 
effective mechanism to ensure that Congress is accountable to the 
American people for mandates this body may impose on State and local 
governments as well as the private sector.

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