[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7599-H7607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1654, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2000
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 574 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 574
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider the conference report to accompany the
bill (H.R. 1654) to authorize appropriations for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 2000,
2001, and 2002, and for other purposes. All points of order
against the conference report and against its consideration
are waived. The conference report shall be considered as
read.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds)
is recognized for 1 hour.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost)
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker,
during consideration of this resolution, all time is yielded for the
purpose of debate only.
(Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 574 is a standard rule
providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, known
as NASA.
The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and
against its consideration. Additionally, the rule provides that the
conference report shall be considered as read.
Mr. Speaker, this House could not have picked a more appropriate time
for consideration of this conference report.
Earlier this week, the crew of mission STS-106 entered the
International Space Station to prepare for the arrival of its first
permanent crew.
Those crew members became the first humans to enter the service
module which will serve as a living quarters and command and control
center for the space station complex, an historic, multinational effort
that is expected to create more than 75,000 jobs here at home.
With their scheduled return to Earth on Wednesday, I know that this
House and this Nation wishes Commander Terry Wilcutt and the crew of
Atlantis Godspeed.
Since the dawn of man, the human race has been ingrained with a
fascination and a need to slip beyond its boundaries and explore the
unknown. From across the continents to the depths of the oceans and to
the far reaches of space, that pioneer spirit continues to this day.
And its contributions and discoveries have had a significant impact on
our society and our way of life.
When Neil Armstrong took that giant leap for mankind on July 20,
1969, perhaps he did not realize that the same technology that
protected him from the harsh elements and atmosphere of the Moon would
one day allow a 6-year-old boy from Virginia Beach to walk in the
sunlight of the Earth.
Just a couple years ago, Mikie Walker became the first American child
to receive a modified space suit that protects him from the sun's
ultraviolet rays and other light sources.
Suffering from a genetic disorder that causes extreme and potentially
dangerous sunlight sensitivity, NASA spacesuit technology allowed him
to play outdoors for the first time in his young life.
More than 1,300 documented NASA technologies have benefited U.S.
industry, improved our quality of life, and created jobs for Americans.
The Space Shuttle program alone has generated more than 100
technology spin-offs, including a tiny 2-inch by 1-inch, 4-ounce
artificial heart pump whose technology was first used to drive fuel
through the Space Shuttle.
Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation will allow NASA to continue
to ensure this Nation's leadership role in space exploration and
applied science.
The underlying legislation authorizes funding for the Space Shuttle,
International Space Station, scientific research, Payload/ELV support
and investments in support at the level of the administration's
request.
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. space program's new technologies, breakthroughs
in medical research and other scientific discoveries have quite
literally changed the lives of people across the globe.
Recognizing NASA's development of noninvasive diagnostic capabilities
in the life sciences, the underlying legislation includes the House
language setting aside $2 million for early detection systems for
breast and ovarian cancer.
{time} 1300
The legislation reflects Congress' continued endorsement of NASA's
faster, better, cheaper concept and belief that a greater number of
small missions will do more to advance certain scientific goals than
large missions launched just once every decade.
Additionally, NASA has made strides to reduce institutional costs
including management restructuring, facility consolidation and
procurement reform. Under this legislation, they will be encouraged to
continue to pursue these actions. With Congress' commitment to move our
space program forward, young Americans will continue to be attracted to
fields and job markets like science and engineering, areas that are key
to making American industry more competitive across the globe.
I would like to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) for their hard
work on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule
and the underlying bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule, which provides for the
consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1654, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2000. It is
especially fitting that we should consider this conference report today
since our shuttle astronauts have been this week working in space
[[Page H7600]]
to outfit and activate the International Space Station in preparation
for the first full-time crew's arrival in early November. NASA has
scheduled a long list of flights to the space station to install
modules which will aid in the long-term mission of research that has
been designed specifically for this weightlessness scientific
laboratory.
To fulfill these important missions of the space agency, this
conference agreement authorizes a total of $14.2 billion for NASA in
fiscal year 2001 and $14.6 billion in fiscal year 2002.
Mr. Speaker, this is the usual rule providing for the consideration
of conference reports, and I urge its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Reynolds) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this conference report and in
support of the rule. I want to commend the gentleman from California
(Mr. Rohrabacher), chairman and also the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. I also commend the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the ranking member, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), for navigating this important
authorization through all the necessary hurdles and coming to the floor
today with a good bill.
I am pleased that an amendment assisting our farmers and our ranchers
I offered during the original consideration of this legislation remains
in this final package. The amendment directs the Administrator of NASA
to discover and catalog the kind of remote sensing information,
commercial and otherwise, that might help farmers and ranchers
determine potential crop shortages and surpluses and ultimately make
decisions about how they might best use their land.
Our ability to anticipate crop production around the world by using
remote sensing technologies has advanced tremendously over the last 30
years. We are now able to estimate yields of some of the major crops,
within plus or minus 10 percent 60 days before harvest. That means
often within 30 days after planting, in southern climates we can
predict expected over- and under-production before planting starts in
some northern areas. By keeping track of what is happening on the
ground, with planting date, mosture, etc. we can predict what is
happening to that crop. Other farmers can adjust their plantings. We
can help stop shortages and excess and maximize profit. We can make
sure that there is not hunger because of the lack of knowledge on the
part of farmers to plant the kind of acreage necessary to accommodate
shortages in other parts of the world.
Once again, I am pleased that this provision has been retained. I am
pleased to stand in support of this rule and this legislation.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Sweeney).
Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Reynolds) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the conference
report, the NASA Reauthorization Act. I believe it is a good bill and
will continue to support NASA in its science exploration endeavors
while maintaining the balance and cost effectiveness within its
priorities. I want to specifically thank the chairman of the committee
and the ranking member for their continued support of an amendment that
I have had included in the legislation.
There have been two major occurrences within the past 10 years that
have proven to be a striking blow to national security interests of our
Nation. First, the People's Republic of China, the PRC, used
information it obtained as a result of our cooperation on satellite
technology to upgrade its ballistic missile system and thereby
improving its range and accuracy of its booster systems. It also used
information obtained as a result of deliberate and successful espionage
efforts at our nuclear laboratories at the Department of Energy in
order to improve their nuclear warhead arsenal.
While I recognize the value of international cooperation on our space
program, it is vital that such cooperation not result in the transfer
of inappropriate technology or otherwise increase the threat to U.S.
national security and international peace. I believe my amendment
accomplishes this by requiring the Inspector General of NASA to assess,
on an annual basis, in consultation with the intelligence community,
NASA's compliance with export control laws and the exchange of
technology and information that could be used to enhance the military
capacities of foreign entities.
This amendment reestablishes that it is the policy of the United
States to make certain our good faith efforts to share our
technological advances with world partners are not turned against us in
the form of advanced military threat.
Mr. Speaker, NASA is one of the most respected governmental
institutions in the world and its contributions to the technological
development in the United States are enormous. This amendment ensures
that the reputation so painstakingly earned is never tarnished again. I
want to praise the bill's sponsors, especially the chairman of the
committee, for standing with us on this amendment and urge passage of
this rule and this important legislation.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would urge adoption of the rule, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the resolution.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 574, I
call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 1654) to authorize
appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Pursuant to House
Resolution 574, the conference report is considered as having been
read.
(For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of
September 12, 2000, at page H7404.)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will
control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner).
General Leave
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on the conference report to accompany H.R. 1654.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. SENSENBRENNER asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1654 and
urge my colleagues to vote for the conference report so that we can
send this bipartisan bill to the President and have it signed into law.
This bill is endorsed by all the conferees, regardless of party, in
both the House and the Senate. I wish to express my appreciation for
the hard work of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon),
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and offer my thanks
for their services on the conference committee and their suggestions
for compromise without which we would not be on the House floor today.
In passing this bill, Congress will help determine the priority
investments in science and technology needed to fulfill America's
future in space.
H.R. 1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000, authorizes the
activity of our civilian space program for fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
The bill authorizes $14,184,400,000 for NASA in fiscal year
[[Page H7601]]
2001, which is about $149 million more than the President requested. It
also authorizes $14,465,400,000 for NASA in fiscal year 2002, which is
$160 million above the President's request.
The bill fully funds the request for human space flight, including
the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. More
importantly, it contains key policy provisions to control cost growth
and maintain the schedule of the International Space Station.
The bill caps station costs at $25 billion. We have slightly
increased the program reserves that a blue ribbon task force argued
were needed to avoid future costs growth. Additionally, we have added a
contingency authorization of 20 percent to address the worst case
scenarios, such as a partner's withdrawal from the program or the loss
of an element during launch. We have also protected the space station
design, which will remove a source of future cost growth and scheduled
delays.
By moving NASA in the direction of a commercial Transhab structure,
we transfer the risks and costs of development to any private sector
entrepreneur willing to take them. We have also developed three new
provisions to address the Russian situation. For years, the Russian
Government has failed to provide the resources needed for the Russian
Space Agency to meet its obligations to the International Space Station
partnership. These failures have cost the United States some $5 billion
and delayed the program's completion by over 4 years.
The Russian Government recently diverted two progress vehicles and a
Soyuz spacecraft to Mir, despite previous promises to use them to meet
Russia's obligation to the International Space Station. This bill would
seek to prevent recurrences by directing the highest levels of the U.S.
Government to raise this issue with their counterparts in Russia.
Hopefully, by bringing higher level political attention to the problem,
we can solve it.
The bill also directs the NASA administrator to seek and renegotiate
the appropriate international agreements to bring the benefits each
partner receives from its involvement in the International Space
Station into line with the partner's actual contributions. This
provision will help us return the International Space Station
partnership to the equitable foundation required by the
Intergovernmental Agreement. Simply put, the administrator would have
to seek to reduce Russia's utilization rights while increasing our own
and those of our other partners until such time as Russia meets all of
its obligations to the International Space Station.
Last but not least, the bill directs the administrator to seek to
reduce America's share of the operating costs as compensation for any
additional capabilities we provide to our partners through NASA's
Russian Program Assurance activities. NASA plans to spend about $1.2
billion directly making up for Russia's failures. Some of this funding
will result in a more capable station so it makes sense to reduce our
outyear costs vis-a-vis the other partners as compensation for
performing above and beyond the call of duty.
In addition to the policy provisions intended to improve our human
space flight program, we have increased funding for the critical area
of science aeronautics and technology. These critical investments are
needed to build a better future and have produced such past scientific
and technological breakthroughs as the Topex-Poseidon spacecraft, which
has vastly improved our knowledge of the El Nino effect and its impact
on the global environment.
NASA's activities in space science have brought us the amazing
discoveries of distant planets and black holes by the Hubble Space
Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Aeronautics research has
improved the performance and efficiency of our military and civilian
aircraft, while life and microgravity research is helping chart the
growth of cancer cells.
{time} 1315
These additional funds will accelerate NASA's Near Earth Object
Survey to detect asteroids and comets that may threaten Earth, to
enable NASA to conduct an Earth Science Data Purchase program that
leverages billions in private investments for scientific purposes, to
allow NASA to fund additional life and microgravity researchers so that
the International Space Station is fully utilized for scientific
benefit, and to accelerate NASA's efforts to leverage its scientific
efforts to improve math and science education in the United States.
Members may be pleased to hear that we have authorized funding for
space grant colleges and universities, which many Members from both
sides of the aisle have sought.
There have been no NASA authorization bills sent to the President
since 1992. This is the first time in 8 years that the House and the
Senate have managed to build a consensus about the policies and
priorities that affect the future of our space program. By passing this
bill, we hope to give the appropriators additional tools and guidance
to use in their annual deliberations. We will provide congressional
guidance on a variety of space issues facing NASA and again demonstrate
our commitment to the future of science and technology in the United
States. I urge my colleagues to adopt this conference report.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a few words, add a few words to what
our chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), has
said in support of the conference report. The report, of course,
provides a 3-year authorization for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. Specifically, it provides a total authorization of
$42.4 billion over the period starting in fiscal year 2000 through
fiscal year 2002, including the authorization of $14.184 billion for
fiscal year 2001 and $14.62 billion for fiscal year 2002.
While I feel like I may be as conservative maybe as some of the other
guys around here in the House, I still believe and I think we are on
solid ground when we invest in NASA. I think it is the right thing to
do, and I think especially it is the right thing to do now that we
finally balanced the Federal budget, and that we are in for some years
of surplus years.
Within those overall spending levels, the conference report fully
funds NASA's major programs in both fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year
2002, including the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle.
As part of the Space Shuttle authorization, funding is provided for
needed safety and reliability upgrades to the Shuttle. All of the other
accounts are also funded at or above the levels requested by the
administration, including the Space Launch Initiative, an initiative
that is intended to dramatically reduce the cost of getting payloads
into orbit.
An area of research that I am personally interested in is life
science and microgravity research. I am very pleased that the
conference report increased funding for this important research,
research that has already benefited our citizens here on Earth in many
ways, and I am convinced that we will see even more significant
ventures and more safe returns on our investment in that research once
the space station is operational.
Among the areas receiving increases are NASA's educational programs.
In particular, funding for the Space Grant program have been increased
to $28 million in both fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002. That is
an increase of almost $9 million over what the President had requested
for fiscal year 2001.
In addition to other very good features of this bill, in addition to
the authorization levels, the conference report for H.R. 1654 includes
a number of policy provisions. One of the policy provisions, namely
section 313 on ``Innovative Technologies for Human Space Flight,'' was
proposed by our former chairman and my good friend the late George
Brown. Ever the visionary, George wished to push NASA to apply the
lessons of faster, better, and cheaper to human space flight, so that
human exploration behind Earth's orbit could become affordable for this
Nation in the not-too-distant future.
I will not take up a lot more time detailing all the provisions
included in H.R. 1654; the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner), the chairman, has done a very good job of that.
[[Page H7602]]
My colleagues have copies of the conference report and accompanying
statement of managers available to them. Instead, I would like to close
by expressing my appreciation to fellow conferees for all their hard
work, including the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner),
who is not only a good guy, he is very knowledgeable. He is good to
work with, and we appreciate him; the gentleman from California
(Chairman Rohrabacher), who worked steadily with us; the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon); the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon);
Chairman McCain; Chairman Frist; Chairman Stevens; Senator Hollings;
and Senator Breaux.
In particular, I again want to commend the chairman for his
leadership; as chairman of the conference, it was a difficult
conference at times, but I think all the conferees made a good-faith
effort to achieve a constructive piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, if H.R. 1654 is enacted into law, it will become the
first NASA Authorization Act enacted since 1992. I think this is quite
an accomplishment. I believe that it is important for both NASA and for
the Congress that we do enact H.R. 1654. Furthermore, I believe that
the conference report for H.R. 1654 represents a reasonable compromise
that will help ensure the continued strength of the Nation's civil
space program. I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the chairman of the Subcommittee on
Space and Aeronautics.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, first as the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Space Aeronautics, I would like to personally thank the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), my ranking minority member on
the committee, for the great spirit of bipartisan spirit that we have
shown in working together.
As the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) just stated, this would be the
first authorization bill that we will pass, the first NASA
authorization bill that we passed since 1992, and let us all hope that
we do this and get this through the system. But it has only been
possible because of the goodwill and the spirit of compromise and
honest disagreement, but also honest spirit of compromise that we have
had working with the Members of the other party.
Let me thank especially the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall). He is
sort of a treasure in this institution, a bipartisan treasure, let me
add, in that he has an institutional memory that has served us well on
this subcommittee and in our full committee, Committee on Science, and
his good sense has helped guide us along here.
And also, of course, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner), who is the chairman of this subcommittee. He has
provided me personal guidance in this job as chairman of the
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and helped us be successful in
our mission.
The bill before us now, H.R. 1654, the NASA authorization bill,
offers the taxpayer a true choice in advancing America's leadership
role in space. I rise in support of this bill, not because it is my
role as chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and as a
member of the team that helped draft the legislation, but because it
offers the right approach in supporting the Nation's space exploration
requirements at a time when we find ourselves on the verge of a
technological and scientific epiphany.
H.R. 1654 reflects a bipartisan effort, as I said, to craft
legislation enabling NASA to continue its work for the good of the
Nation. Moreover, House and Senate conferees on both sides of the aisle
labored for many months to ensure that this bill strikes the right
balance between setting budget priorities and meeting NASA mission
needs, as well as meeting the needs of our country to remain a leader
in space exploration and utilization.
H.R. 1654 addresses the full array of elements that support NASA's
responsibility for space exploration and near-Earth space
transportation missions. In the Human Space Flight section of H.R.
1654, funding for international Space Station, the Space Shuttle,
Payload/Expendable Launch Vehicle Support and Investments and support
for these things, and support matches the President's request for
fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002.
Within the science and aeronautics section and the technology
section, the bill either matches or exceeds the President's request for
fiscal year 2001 and 2002. And even in the face of major failures
involving both Mars missions, we saw fit to authorize increases for
space science by the tune of $19 million for fiscal year 2001 and $24
million for fiscal year 2002, and that was above the President's
requested level.
That is, again, working together, we realized that if we are going to
be a successful player in space, we have got to expect that that
success will come with some failures, and we should build upon our
failures in order to have a success.
Failures do not precipitate in this committee, bipartisan or should I
say partisan, bickering that would in some way set back America's space
program. Instead, we see failures as a means to learn and to move
forward. It is important to note that space solar power benefits from
those increases that I have been talking about today, and this space
solar power and ability to relay system for energy and space solar
power development is a technology that I believe will help address the
energy needs of our country in the future.
Similarly, increases have been authorized for life and microgravity
science are 13 percent higher than the President's request for the same
year. Further, Earth science, aerospace technology, and academic
programs for fiscal year 2001 and 2002 have seen substantial increases
over the President's request. And finally, I am pleased to note that
H.R. 1654 includes provisions to ensure that cooperative agreements
between NASA and the People's Republic of China do not result in China
improving its space launch assets and its ballistic missile
capabilities.
H.R. 1654 contains a title regarding the International Space Station,
including sections dealing with Russia's difficulty in meeting its
obligations in the completion of the International Space Station. This
issue was addressed by the chairman, and let me say the chairman has
provided leadership in making sure that we do have cooperation with
Russia, but to be done so in a way that is cost effective for our
country.
We also have provisions to ensure that the space station is used for
the scientific purposes that it was intended for and not just an
engineering project, although, as an engineering project, it is
certainly a fantastic and laudable achievement.
NASA's Space Launch Initiative offers the American people the
opportunity to change how government has conducted the launch vehicle
technology development, and through H.R. 1654, Congress essentially
codifies the long-standing view that government launch needs can be
supported by a market-competitive space industry.
So we have, and it is not enough, however, to proclaim a national
space policy. NASA must stay the course by funding technology and other
risk-reduction activities that gives the broadest possible applications
of new space technologies.
And so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this regulation
legislation, the first NASA authorization bill that we have been able
to get through this body in about 10 years.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on
Space and Aeronautics of the Committee on Science.
Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report
on H.R. 1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000. I was a conferee on
H.R. 1654, and I know the work that went into coming up with an
agreement. While it is not a perfect piece of legislation, I believe
that it is a constructive agreement that contains a number of useful
policy provisions.
It also establishes funding targets for the next 2 years, which can
provide important direction and stability for the Nation's civil space
program.
The Statement of Managers that accompanies the conference report lays
out the major funding authorizations. It also describes some of the
policy provisions included in H.R. 1654. As a result, I will not spend
a great deal of
[[Page H7603]]
time discussing the details of H.R. 1654; instead, I would just like to
make the following points:
First, this bipartisan conference report endorses, and in some cases,
augments, the administration's funding priorities for NASA. I am
pleased that we can get a bipartisan agreement that the
administration's vision for NASA should be supported.
Second, the conference report adds funding in several important
areas.
One of these areas is in education. I know firsthand in my district
how important it is that we do all we can to support science and math
education, especially at some of our smaller colleges and universities.
Therefore, we have included increased funding for NASA's teacher
faculty preparation enhancement programs in this bill.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, many Members recognize the value of the
national space grant college and fellowship program, and the bill
increases funding for that worthy program.
We also have provided funding above the President's request for
minority university research education, and we have increased the
funding for the experimental program to stimulate cooperative research.
Another area where the conference has added funding is in the area of
aeronautics. We have seen the stresses that the air traffic
transportation system is facing these days, and we all are concerned
about the impacts on our quality of life.
{time} 1330
That is why this conference report significantly increases the amount
of funding for research on aircraft noise reduction, and for the
development of cleaner, more energy efficient aircraft engines. The
bill also makes a significant investment of $70 million in NASA's
Aviation Safety Research Program for both fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
Mr. Speaker, I will not take any more time to review the conference
report, as I know there are others who would like to speak. Instead, I
would just like to close by expressing my appreciation to my fellow
conferees in both the House and Senate for their efforts to make this a
productive conference. I am pleased that we were able to reach an
agreement, and hope the House will support this conference report.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Weldon), a member of the conference.
Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding
me time, and I rise in strong support of this legislation.
I, too, would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member of
the full committee and as well the chairman of the subcommittee, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), and the ranking minority
member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), for the bipartisan
willingness to work together to try to get a bill through. I would also
like to acknowledge the staff that worked very hard on this, Eric
Sterner on the majority side and Dick Obermann.
I believe we have before us a good piece of legislation that the
President should be pleased to sign into law.
It has been said several times that this is the first NASA bill in 8
years. It may also be the first NASA bill to come to the floor of the
House while astronauts are orbiting above us as we speak. The Shuttle
Atlantis was launched a week ago Friday, and they are completing the
initial preparations for making the Space Station ready for a permanent
crew, or a crew that will stay on orbit for 4 months that will be
launched in November. They are currently working on a lot of electrical
work, on getting the station ready and putting a lot of supplies up
there.
I think it is a tremendous milestone that we have reached to be able
to see the Space Station finally coming together, it has been very
hotly debated on the floor of this body, and as well for us to be
moving ahead with important legislative priorities for how we are going
to manage the Space Station.
One of the features in this bill that I am quite pleased with, and I
would just like to echo the comments made by the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) about some of the educational priorities in the
bill, I think they are very good. I am particularly pleased about the
feature in this bill establishing a new approach to how we handle
commercial space. I believe if space is ever going to be utilized the
way I think many of us would like to see it utilized, we have to really
see a flourishing of commercial operations in space.
What we are trying to do in this legislation is take a new approach
as to how we do commercial space. I think it has a tremendous potential
to be successful. The proof of the pudding is, of course, always in the
eating, so time will tell, but I was very pleased to be able to work
with the minority in crafting this bill, and I think it is a good
future direction for NASA.
NASA is about the future, and I think we have a lot of reasons to be
very pleased with this bill. I encourage all my colleagues to support
it.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Lampson) whose district encircles Johnson Space Center.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend not only the ranking
member and the chairman for the significant work that has been done to
bring this report to us, but all of our colleagues on the conference
committee for bringing the first conference report for our NASA
authorization bill in 8 years. I know the amount of time and hard work
that each put into this bill, as well as the tremendous work of the
committee staff, especially on our side, Dick Obermann, and I
appreciate every bit of it.
I look forward to lending my support to this conference report, but I
want to express my continued concerns about Section 127. Section 127 in
its current form retains subsection (a), Replacement Structure, which
is a general prohibition against NASA's use of funds authorized for the
definition, design, procurement or development of an inflatable space
structure to replace any International Space Station components
scheduled for launch under the June 1999 Assembly Sequence. Subsection
(b) has been revised to reflect an exception to permit NASA to lease or
otherwise use a commercially provided inflatable habitation module
under certain specified conditions.
As currently included in the June 29 House draft, Section 128 would
effectively prevent NASA from jointly developing an inflatable
habitation module with a commercial partner, even if NASA's
contribution to such joint development were to be constrained to NASA's
planned investment and related costs.
NASA is currently evaluating a very serious commercial proposal.
Negotiations to date have been based on the principle that NASA would
agree to develop an inflatable space structure in conjunction with the
commercial participant only if NASA does not assume costs or risk
greater than those associated with the baseline non-inflatable
habitation module.
I will be introducing legislation today that will modify Section
127(b) to include an exception for joint development, and a
clarification that the cost restriction would apply to NASA's planned
remaining cost for the baseline habitation module.
That being said, I again want to commend my colleagues on bringing
this conference report to the floor. It funds all of NASA's accounts,
Space Station, Space Shuttle, Space Launch Initiative, science programs
and academic programs, at or above the President's request. We
appreciate that. I encourage a yes vote.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) for the purposes of a
colloquy.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage the distinguished
chairman of the Committee on Science (Mr. Sensenbrenner) in a colloquy.
Mr. Speaker, as we grapple with increasing oil and natural gas
prices, we must realize that the administration's flawed 1997 Kyoto
Protocol, if implemented, would effectively double our energy costs and
sacrifice millions of American jobs. As the gentleman is aware, many
people are deeply concerned over administration efforts to implement
the protocol prior to Senate ratification as mandated by the
Constitution.
Section 315 of the NASA reauthorization legislation would provide $5
million for research on the carbon cycle and carbon sequestration.
Sound scientific research on the mapping and monitoring of vegetation
and its role
[[Page H7604]]
in the carbon cycle is to be commended. However, modeling and research
should not cross the line and delve into carbon trading.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I share the concerns of the gentleman
from Michigan, and as the chairman of the Committee on Science, I want
to assure the gentleman that there was no intent to and indeed this
bill does not authorize modeling or research into carbon trading.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the
gentleman from Wisconsin for his attention to this matter.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge), a member of the committee.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this conference report and to
discuss one of the important initiatives which it contains. As has been
said, this is the first NASA reauthorization to pass Congress since
1992, and I want to congratulate the chairman and ranking Democratic
members on the Committee on Science and the subcommittees, on which I
have the pleasure of serving, for the accomplishment of have gotten
this bill here.
This is not a perfect bill, but I think, on balance, it represents
significant progress. This bill increases funding for many important
priorities, including space science, Earth science, aerospace
technology, science grants, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities and other vital initiatives.
As the former superintendent of North Carolina's schools, I am
particularly pleased by the improvements in the educational provisions
of this bill, and I am proud to discuss an important education
initiative that I recommended and the committee accepted that is a part
of this bill.
This bill directs NASA to develop an education initiative for our
Nation's schools in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the first
powered flight which will take place on December 17, 2003. On this date
in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright took their dreams of powered flight
from the drawing boards of their bicycle shop to the Crystal Coast of
North Carolina. On that day, our world was changed forever. The
anniversary of this historic accomplishment provides an excellent
opportunity for our Nation's schools to promote the importance of math
and science and education.
Mr. Speaker, America's future will depend on our ability to adapt to
change in technology that will dominate life in the 21st century. Our
Nation's record economic growth is being fueled by gains in the
technology sector, but recent studies show that America's students are
falling behind their counterparts around the world in areas of math and
science education. It is no longer a luxury to demand excellence in
science and mathematics; it is an absolute necessity.
The 100th Anniversary of Flight Education Initiative will use the
history of flight and the benefits of flight on science and mathematics
and scientific principles that are underlying the flight to generate
interest among students in math and science education. This initiative
provides an excellent opportunity to recapture our young people's
interests in the wonders of flight and space exploration and rekindle
their interests in math and science.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the committee's leaders for including this
important provision in the bill, and encourage my colleagues to support
this conference report.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding
me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for H.R.
1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000. I want to certainly commend
the chairman of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from Wisconsin
(Mr. Sensenbrenner); and the committee ranking member, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Hall); as well as the chairman of the Subcommittee on
Space and Aeronautics, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher);
and the subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Gordon), for their dedication and their efforts in bringing this bill
to the floor.
In my home State of Maryland, we are proud to have the Goddard Space
Flight Center, the centerpiece of NASA's Earth science enterprise. The
space science research that is performed at Goddard is vital, not just
for NASA, but for our country. From the Hubble Space Telescope to the
Earth Observing System's Mission to Planet Earth to the Tracking and
Data Relay Satellite System, which is NASA's primary satellite
communications system, Goddard's capabilities and functions are
entirely unique to all of NASA's 10 space centers.
The work at Goddard allows us to answer the unexplained questions of
our universe and help predict the future of our planet. So I am pleased
that the funding levels in this conference report allow Goddard to
continue fulfilling its vital scientific research mission.
H.R. 1654 provides a healthy 2-year authorization of appropriations
for NASA at $14.184 billion for fiscal year 2001, and $14.625 billion
for fiscal year 2002. These funding levels represent an increase over
the amount requested by the President of almost $150 million in fiscal
year 2001 and $160 million in fiscal year 2002. Specifically, for
NASA's space science programs, the conference report increases the
President's budget request by $19 million in fiscal year 2001 and $24
million the subsequent year. For Earth science programs, the conference
report increases the President's budget request by $25 million in
fiscal year 2001 and $25 million in the subsequent year 2002.
So, by authorizing these NASA funding levels, the research at Goddard
will advance our understanding of our global environment system. It
will also determine how the Earth has evolved, and observe how we
interact with other planets.
Mr. Speaker, I support the funding levels and the provisions in this
conference report, and I urge my colleagues to support this conference
report as well.
{time} 1345
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), a supporter of NASA and the space
station.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate the
chairman of the committee and the ranking member, along with the
subcommittee Chair and ranking member. I believe this is a day of great
celebration and commemoration. For we hope, as this bill is supported
by our colleagues, as I ask for their support, that this may be the
first NASA space authorization bill that gets to the President since
1992.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation in particular
because of the work that has been done by the conference committee,
particularly noting that the conference report includes a $6.3 billion
amount for the International Space Station, and $9.45 billion for the
Space Shuttle.
Now, there needs to be some substance behind these numbers. Many of
my colleagues from Texas, and I appreciate very much the steadfastness
of the ranking member on behalf of the various space centers throughout
our country, which include, of course, Marshall and Kennedy and, of
course, Johnson Space Center, that deal particularly with our Space
Shuttle and, as well, our International Space Station.
Mr. Speaker, I am gratified for the investment, because my concern
has always been that we need to build leaders for space and science in
the future; and out of this funding for the NASA space effort comes the
recognition that we must support, historically supporting Asian,
Hispanic and African American colleges. There is $54 million to provide
for the research and education of young people at these institutions. I
am very gratified that institutions like Texas Southern University,
Oakwood College in Huntsville, Texas Southern University being in
Houston, Texas, will be able to access these dollars to provide
opportunities for young students to come in and actually confront the
issues of space.
[[Page H7605]]
I am gratified, likewise, that we have the dollars to begin to assess
the needs of training our young people in the primary and secondary
schools in math and science.
Mr. Speaker, just an hour or so ago I was listening to a technology
conference that spoke about the need of improving the scores of our
young people in primary and secondary education in math and science.
The only way we can do it is if we focus on it; and I am very delighted
that NASA funding in an educational component mentioned by my colleague
will include the opportunity for us to make it interesting to study
math and science.
I do want to note the Johnson Space Center and many of the sort of
complementary efforts that it has made with our school districts, and I
look forward to that work being done even more.
I do want to note as well that the conference report does not include
a prohibition on the use of funds for the Triana satellite program, and
I believe that was a prudent decision by the conferees. We must keep
our resource choices open in the area of space exploration, especially
in light of the recent discoveries on the surfaces of Mars and the
Moon. There was a vigorous debate about that, and I am delighted that
we have been able to secure the funding for the Triana program. I think
it is vital and necessary.
I am, however, concerned that the agreement still retains a House
provision prohibiting the use of funds for the development of Trans-
Hab, an inflatable space structure to replace any baseline module on
the space station. I think that there is some light at the end of the
tunnel, because there is the opportunity to produce this privately; but
I hope to join the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) in hoping that we
can also engage with public funds to do this important work.
Finally, I would say that many people question what we do with monies
when we give it to the space station and the Space Shuttle. I am
reminded of the great strides we have made in diabetes research, heart
research, HIV/AIDS research, cancer research; but the most important
aspect of what we do is to keep America in front of the technological
curve and to work with our partners to develop opportunities in
enhancing environment, better fuel resources, and training our young
people for the work of the 21st century. I congratulate our committee,
and I hope the President will sign this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the passage of H.R. 1654,
the Conference Report on NASA Reauthorization. When the House passed
the bill by a vote of 259-168 on May 19, 1999 and the Senate amended
the bill and passed it by unanimous consent on Nov. 5, 1999 it became
obvious that this is a bipartisan measure in the truest sense.
Because of the strategic location of the constituents of the 18th
Congressional District of Houston, Texas, both physically and
passionately to America's space effort, I approach this hearing with
much concern. The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas has been
designated the lead center for management of the Space Station program.
The health of America's space program is of vital concern to all of
the Members of the House Science Committee. This concern is strongly
felt by those of us on the Subcommittee on Space Aeronautics because we
are charged with the heavy responsibility of recommendation and
oversight of the United States involvement in space exploration.
The last time a NASA reauthorization bill reached the president was
in 1992. Since then, funding and policy decisions for NASA have been
made in the VA-HUD appropriations bill.
This agreement authorizes $42.4 billion for FY 2000 through FY 2002
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)--including
$13.6 billion in FY 2000, $14.2 billion in FY 2001 and $14.6 billion in
FY 2002. The FY 2001 authorization is approximately $149 million more
than the administration's request, $430 million more than the House-
passed bill and $220 million more than the Senate version. The
agreement provides approximately $160 million more than the president
requested in FY 2002, $780 million more than in the House-passed bill
and $410 million more than the Senate-passed measure.
FY 2000 authorizations, reflecting the FY 2000 appropriations,
include $5.5 billion for Human Space Flight, $5.6 billion for Science,
Aeronautics and Technology, $2.5 billion for Mission Support and $20
million for the NASA Inspector General.
The authorization total of $2.1 billion is provided for the
international space station in FY 2001 and $1.9 billion in FY 2002. The
agreement includes a cost cap of $25.0 billion for development of the
international space station. Space shuttle launch costs connected with
assembly of the space station are capped by the agreement at $17.7
billion.
Unlike the House-passed bill, the agreement does not include a
prohibition on the use of funds for the Triana satellite program, which
I believe to be a prudent decision by the conferees. We must keep our
research choices open in the area of space exploration especially in
light of the recent discoveries on the surface of Mars and the Moon.
The agreement retains the House provision prohibiting the use of
funds for the development of Trans-Hab, an inflatable space structure,
to replace any baseline module on the space station. The agreement,
however, does permit NASA to lease a privately developed Trans-Hab.
I believe that the reauthorization of NASA is long overdue, but that
it is better that the 106th Congress took its time to act than to have
not acted at all in this vital area of our nation's interest.
I thank the conferees for their dedication in completing the work on
this legislation and would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor
of its passage.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the vice chairman of the Committee on
Science.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this
time.
We have heard a great deal of discussion about the specifics of this
bill. I simply wish to add some general comments about it.
First of all, I want to congratulate the chairman of the Committee on
Science for successfully, for the first time in almost a decade,
getting a conference report on NASA authorization with the Senate's
cooperation. I believe this is a good omen for the future, and I
certainly congratulate the chairman for his hard work and his success.
Over the past half century, America has led the world in science.
Also during that half century, space science has captured the
imagination of the American public to a greater extent than any other
scientific work that we have performed. Taking a trip to the Moon was a
momentous event, not only for our Nation, but for our entire planet;
and we continue to bask in that accomplishment today.
However, now we are down to the hard work of not only exploring
space, but learning more about our universe through experimentation in
space. This is grinding hard work, perhaps not as glorious as going to
the Moon, but extremely important; and I am very pleased that this bill
will increase our ability to perform space science as the United
States, with the cooperation of other nations, during the next half
century. It will be a long time before we engage in interplanetary
travel, so we will not have that spectacular show for some time; but we
will get a lot accomplished in space thanks to this bill, and it will
provide a great deal of knowledge that will be very useful to our
Nation and to the people of our planet in the future as we continue to
expand the boundaries of our knowledge and find uses for the results
that we find.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).
(Mr. LARSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference
report and add to the chorus of extending my personal gratitude for the
outstanding leadership performed by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on Science, and the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the ranking member, and the other
distinguished members of the conference committee and the Committee on
Science in general for their hard work.
I also would like to commend directly the men and women of NASA and
their visionary leader, Administrator Dan Goldin. His vision of
aerospace as a commercial industry, and as continued space exploration,
the confluence in coming together of biotechnology, information
technology, and the nanosciences is what places this country on the
cutting edge of technology.
I have had the opportunity to bring our astronauts to our schools.
These heroes of space exploration indeed are an inspiration to all of
our children.
[[Page H7606]]
Now, this is just a small portion of what NASA does for the continuing
education of our children, especially in the critical areas of math and
science.
I would also like to thank very much the conference committee for
including the ultra-efficient engine technology. As Administrator
Goldin has pointed out, when it comes to engine technology, there is no
greater core science that goes into the creation of machine than that
science, math and engineering capability that goes into the making of
aircraft.
Again, I commend the chairman and the entire committee.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of the
time, just to say that this is a good bill, it is an excellent
compromise, it is something that has been done for the first time in 8
years. I urge the membership to support it.
Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1654, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act is a fiscally responsible space bill
that not only authorizes appropriations for NASA, but also imposes
rules and restrictions on the space agency to ensure appropriate
spending of federal funds.
As a member of the House Committee on Science, and as a member of the
Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I am very concerned that NASA
receives adequate funding. Citizens of the United States benefit
economically from the many technologies learned through space
exploration. Much of today's technology came from the space program,
and much of tomorrow's technology will come from research taking place
today. These new technologies will not only make our lives better but
also will increase health and medical advances, labor and time saving
devices, transportation and improve communication devices. Clearly, the
new technologies generated from our space program greatly impact our
economic growth and our ability to remain competitive in the world
marketplace.
Additionally, the bill will set a spending cap on Space Station
development thereby forcing our foreign partners to live up to their
commitments.
Mr. Speaker, it is vital for the U.S. to remain on the cutting edge
of scientific discoveries and technological advances, and H.R. 1654
provides the funding to ensure that NASA spearheads both of these
efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this Act and safeguard the
future of generations to come.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1654, the
NASA Reauthorization bill. This is an exciting week to bring this
legislation to the floor as the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis
prepares the International Space Station for full-time service. In
addition to the Space Station, this bill provides funding for NASA's
other priorities including the Space Shuttle Program and for the Earth
and Space Science program.
I opposed this legislation when the House first took it up because of
efforts to kill the Triana Satellite Mission. Triana, a project
directed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla,
California in conjunction with the Goddard Space Flight Center in my
District, would provide not only a real-time view of the Earth for
distribution on the Internet, but will also include instruments to
study solar influences on climate, ultraviolet radiation, space
weather, and the microphysical properties of clouds. I thank my
colleagues in the Senate for taking the partisanship out of this
important program.
This conference report also authorizes significant funding for the
Science, Aeronautics, and Technology Account. The $2.3 billion for
Space Science will insure that the Hubble Space Telescope Program
continues to provide us with phenomenal data over the next ten years.
It is crucial that Hubble's successor, the Next Generation Space
Telescope, receive the necessary support to match and surpass Hubble's
success. In addition, the $1.5 billion for NASA's Earth Science
programs will insure that programs like the Landsat, a cornerstone of
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, can continue to study the Earth's
global environment, and that the Terra Satellite, which has been vital
in the past week in fighting wild fires in the west, receives the
funding necessary for continuing operations.
I urge my colleagues to support this conference report and support
NASA as we continue to explore our last frontier.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time,
and I move the previous question on the conference report.
The previous question was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The question is on the
conference report.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 399,
nays 17, not voting 17, as follows:
[Roll No. 475]
YEAS--399
Abercrombie
Aderholt
Allen
Andrews
Archer
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldacci
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Barrett (NE)
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Bliley
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonior
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Bryant
Burr
Burton
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Canady
Cannon
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Coburn
Collins
Combest
Condit
Cook
Cooksey
Costello
Cox
Coyne
Cramer
Crane
Crowley
Cubin
Cummings
Cunningham
Danner
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (VA)
Deal
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dickey
Dicks
Dingell
Dixon
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Ewing
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Fletcher
Foley
Forbes
Fossella
Fowler
Franks (NJ)
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gejdenson
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Goodling
Gordon
Goss
Graham
Granger
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Herger
Hill (IN)
Hill (MT)
Hilleary
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Hooley
Horn
Hostettler
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hutchinson
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kasich
Kelly
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kleczka
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
Kuykendall
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Lantos
Largent
Larson
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Luther
Maloney (CT)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Markey
Mascara
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Metcalf
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Minge
Mink
Moakley
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Murtha
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Ose
Owens
Oxley
Packard
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pease
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Phelps
Pickering
Pickett
Pitts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Rangel
Regula
Reyes
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Rogan
Rogers
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Rothman
Roukema
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Salmon
Sanchez
Sandlin
Sawyer
Saxton
Scarborough
Schakowsky
Scott
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shows
Shuster
Simpson
Sisisky
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Souder
Spence
Spratt
Stabenow
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sununu
Sweeney
Talent
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Traficant
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watkins
Watt (NC)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Weygand
Whitfield
[[Page H7607]]
Wicker
Wilson
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--17
Barrett (WI)
Chenoweth-Hage
Coble
Conyers
DeFazio
Frank (MA)
Lee
McInnis
Miller, George
Paul
Ramstad
Roemer
Sanders
Sanford
Schaffer
Stark
Tancredo
NOT VOTING--17
Ackerman
Armey
Becerra
Campbell
Clay
Eshoo
Ford
Greenwood
Gutierrez
Klink
Lazio
Linder
Martinez
McCollum
McIntosh
Vento
Wise
{time} 1424
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea''.
So the conference report was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________