[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on September 14, 2000, I was detained with 
business in my District, and therefore unable to cast my votes on 
rollcall numbers 472 through 476. Had I been present for the votes, I 
would have voted ``aye'';'' on rollcall vote 475, and ``no'' on 
rollcall votes 472, 473, 474 and 476.
  Mr. Speaker, I am unable to support the Conference Report for H.R. 
4516, the Legislative Branch Appropriations for F.Y. 2001, because it 
bypassed the normal appropriations process. Moreover, this legislation 
raises Members' salaries while falling half a million dollars short of 
the Administration's budget to fund more important priorities of the 
American people. However, there are several provisions in the report 
which I strongly support. I applaud the conferees for fully funding the 
Administration's law enforcement initiatives, including a proposal to 
add 600 AFT agents to more fully enforce existing gun laws. In 
addition, I strongly support the provision which would repeal the 3 
percent telephone excise tax that was levied as a luxury tax over 100 
years ago to fund the Spanish American War. Finally, the $258 million 
for the U.S. Customs Department's automation program in the legislation 
is critical, and I am pleased the conferees recognized its importance. 
I look forward to enacting these measures in a bill that better funds 
other needed priorities, which is arrived at through a more thorough 
discussion between Members of Congress.

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