[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 59 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


PERSONAL EXPLANATION--VOTE CLARIFICATION ON H.R. 701--THE CONSERVATION 
                      AND REINVESTMENT ACT (CARA)

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                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 15, 2000

  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a clarification of 
my vote during final passage of H.R. 701, the Conservation and 
Reinvestment Act. Mr. Speaker, during final passage, I was gathering 
together Members of the House Agriculture Committee to catch a flight 
to Idaho for a committee field hearing. I mistakenly voted ``yea'' when 
I intended to vote ``no'' on final passage.
  Let me clearly state for the record my opposition to H.R. 701 is due 
to the concerns I have over its impact on private property rights, 
federal budgeting, and the troubling shift in policy to acquire more 
federal land instead of properly maintaining what the United States 
government already owns. During consideration of H.R. 701, I supported 
numerous amendments that sought to remedy these concerns and improve 
the bill. Unfortunately, the measure in its final form was still not a 
bill that I could support and is why I intended to vote ``no'' on 
passage. I would ask that this statement follow debate on H.R. 701 in 
the permanent Congressional Record.
  Again, I regret this error and appreciate the opportunity for 
clarification.

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