[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I bring to 
the attention of my colleagues the following exchange of letters 
between the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Ways and 
Means with regards to H.R. 2646.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                               September 17, 2001.
     Hon. Larry Combest,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture.
       Dear Chairman Combest: I am writing concerning H.R. 2646, 
     the ``Agriculture Act of 2001,'' which was ordered favorably 
     reported by the Committee on Agriculture on August 2, 2001.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has long 
     maintained a jurisdictional interest over matters concerning 
     trade. Contained in the bill are two provisions that fall 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. 
     Sec. 127 of the bill changes the level of import quotas on 
     cotton permitted under U.S. law, and Sec. 146 requires 
     importers of dairy products to pay assessments applied to 
     domestic dairy producers to offset the costs of dairy sales 
     promotion programs. These provisions fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means.
       However, in order to expedite this legislation for floor 
     consideration we will not seek action on these particular 
     proposals. This is being done with the understanding that it 
     does not in any way prejudice the Committee's jurisdictional 
     prerogatives on these measures or any other similar 
     legislation, and it should not be considered as precedent for 
     consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to the 
     Committee in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 2646, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on these matters be 
     included in your committee report.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
                                                         Chairman.

                                  ____
                                  

                                         House of Representatives,


                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                                               September 18, 2001.
     Hon. William M. Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: As you are aware, on July 27, the 
     Committee on Agriculture favorably reported H.R. 2646, the 
     Farm Security Act of 2001. As ordered reported, H.R. 2646 
     contains matters within the jurisdiction of your committee.
       In the interest of expediting consideration of this matter 
     by the House, I respectfully request that you forego seeking 
     a referral of this bill. I understand that such an action 
     does not waive your committee's jurisdiction, and I will 
     support your inclusion as additional conferees in any 
     eventual House-Senate Conference on this bill, should you 
     seek it.
       I greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I 
     will insert a copy of our exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 2646 on the 
     Floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Larry Combest,
                                                         Chairman.

     

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