[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION REFORM ACT OF 1997

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the 
Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 930) to require Federal employees 
to use Federal travel charge cards for all payments of expenses of 
official Government travel, to amend title 31, United States Code, to 
establish requirements for prepayment audits of Federal agency 
transportation expenses, to authorize reimbursement of Federal agency 
employees for taxes incurred on travel or transportation 
reimbursements, and to authorize test programs for the payment of 
Federal employee travel expenses and relocation expenses.
  The Clerk read as follows:
       Senate amendments:
       Page 2, line 5, strike out ``1997'' and insert ``1998''.
       Page 3, after line 4 insert:
       (b) Agency Exemption.--The head of a Federal agency or the 
     designee of such head may exempt any payment, person, type or 
     class of payments, or type or class of agency personnel from 
     subsection (a) if the agency head or the designee determines 
     the exemption to be necessary in the interest of the agency. 
     Not later than 30 days after granting such an exemption, the 
     head of such agency or the designee shall notify the 
     Administrator of General Services in writing of such 
     exemption stating the reasons for the exemption.
       Page 3, line 5, strike out ``(b)'' and insert ``(c)''.
       Page 3, line 22, strike out ``(c)'' and insert ``(d)''.
       Page 5, line 9, strike out ``(d)'' and insert ``(e)''.
       Page 5, line 20, strike out ``(c)'' and insert ``(d)''.
       Page 6, line 2, strike out ``(c)'' and insert ``(d)''.
       Page 6, line 11, strike out ``(e)'' and insert ``(f)''.
       Page 7, after line 5 insert:
       (g) Reimbursement of Travel Expenses.--In accordance with 
     regulations prescribed by the Administrator of General 
     Services, the head of an agency shall ensure that the agency 
     reimburses an employee who submits a proper voucher for 
     allowable travel expenses in accordance with applicable 
     travel regulations within 30 days after submission of the 
     voucher. If an agency fails to reimburse an employee who has 
     submitted a proper voucher within 30 days after submission of 
     the voucher, the agency shall pay the employee a late payment 
     fee as prescribed by the Administrator.
       Page 14, line 11, strike out ``1997'' and insert ``1998''.
       Page 15, line 23, strike out ``1997'' and insert ``1998''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Horn) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn).
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 930, the Travel and Transportation Reform Act, was 
passed by this House in April of 1997. According to the Congressional 
Budget Office, this legislation will save approximately $100 million in 
discretionary savings over 5 years by making agency travel and 
transportation systems more efficient.
  One important change made by the bill deals with the taxes that are 
levied by State and local governments on Federal travelers. Such taxes 
can amount to hundreds of dollars per trip. Unofficial OMB estimates 
are that travelers pay perhaps $350 million in taxes.
  Agencies should consider using centrally billed credit card accounts 
and other automated reservation billing and paying systems to avoid 
such charges. The solution would be best for both the employees and the 
Federal Government.
  The Senate made a few changes in H.R. 930. The first change 
authorized additional exemptions from the requirement that agency 
personnel use the credit card when traveling on official government 
business. The other change authorized agencies to pay the interest 
charge to employees when the agency is late in reimbursing the travel 
expenses incurred by a particular employee. I think many of us have had 
that experience.
  These changes are not controversial. I urge their support by my 
colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and to include extraneous material.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 930, as amended.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) for 
working closely with the minority in drafting this bill and bringing it 
to this point. The other body has made some minor but common-sense 
changes to the House-passed legislation, and I support its current form 
and urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) 
for his helpfulness on this matter, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Horn) for the chance to work with him, and I, too, yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) that the House suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 930.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were 
concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________