[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SCHIP BALANCED BUDGET REFINEMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BILL ARCHER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record the 
attached letters which I and the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce 
have exchanged regarding H.R. 3075, the Medicare Balanced Budget 
Refinement Act of 1999.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                 Washington, DC, November 5, 1999.
     Hon. Thomas J. Bliley, Jr.
     Chairman, House Committee on Commerce,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Bliley: This is in response to your letter 
     regarding further consideration of H.R. 3075, the Medicare 
     Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
       I understand that, in order to expedite consideration of 
     this legislation, the Committee on Commerce will not be 
     marking up the bill. The Commerce Committee will take this 
     action based on the understanding that it will be treated 
     without prejudice as to its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this measure or any other similar legislation. Further, I 
     have no objection to your request for conferees with respect 
     to matters in the Commerce Committee's jurisdiction if a 
     House-Senate conference is convened on this or similar 
     legislation.
       Finally, I will seek to include in the Record a copy of our 
     exchange of letters on this matter. Thank you for your 
     assistance and cooperation in this matter.
       With best personal regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bill Archer,
                                                         Chairman.

                                  ____
                                  

                                         House of Representatives,


                                        Committee on Commerce,

                                 Washington, DC, November 5, 1999.
     Hon. Bill Archer,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC.
       Dear Bill: I am writing regarding H.R. 3075, the Medicare 
     Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999. As you know, the 
     Committee on Commerce is an additional committee of 
     jurisdiction for the bill, and I understand that the version 
     of the bill that will be considered under the suspension 
     calendar will contain a number of Medicaid provisions which 
     fall within my Committee's exclusive jurisdiction.
       However, in light of your willingness to work with me on 
     those provisions within the Commerce Committee's 
     jurisdiction, I will not exercise the Committee on Commerce's 
     right to act on the legislation. By agreeing to waive its 
     consideration of the bill, however, the Commerce Committee 
     does not waive its jurisdiction over H.R. 3075. In addition, 
     the Commerce Committee reserves its authority to seek 
     conferees on any provisions of the bill that are within its 
     jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may be 
     convened on this legislation or similar legislation. I ask 
     that you support our request in this regard.
       I ask that you include a copy of this letter and your 
     response in the Record during consideration of the bill on 
     the House floor. Thank you for your consideration and 
     assistance. I remain,
           Sincerely,
                                                       Tom Bliley,
                                                         Chairman.

     

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