[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 146 (Wednesday, November 13, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H8548-H8551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE ANAHEIM ANGELS FOR THEIR VICTORY IN THE 2002 WORLD SERIES

  (Ms. SANCHEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Anaheim 
Angels for winning the 2002 Major League Baseball World Series. I, for 
one, have been waiting for them to win this since 1966, the day I 
attended the first game when we built the Anaheim Stadium.
  Under American League Manager of the Year Mike Scioscia, the Angels 
won a franchise record 99 games during the regular season on their way 
to the world championship. The Angels demonstrated their courage in a 
``never say die'' attitude during their championship run, which 
included an incredible game number six of the World Series where they 
came five runs from behind to win and be in that World Series for the 
seventh game.
  Although there were many outstanding individual contributions, it was 
the team's collective efforts that made the difference in the post 
season.
  And I would like to recognize in particular the Rally Monkey for 
keeping the crowds excited and helping the Angels to come back and win 
time after time in the season.
  With most of the players from this year's team returning next year, I 
bet we will win again.NOTICE

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[[Page H8549]]

  


   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 124, FURTHER CONTINUING 
 APPROPRIATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 2003, AND FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5708, 
                  REDUCING PREEXISTING PAYGO BALANCES

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the 
Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 602 and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 602

       Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it 
     shall be in order without intervention of any point of order 
     to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 124) 
     making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 
     2003, and for other purposes. The joint resolution shall be 
     considered as read for amendment. The previous question shall 
     be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final 
     passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of 
     debate on the joint resolution equally divided and controlled 
     by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee 
     on Appropriations; and (2) one motion to recommit.
       Sec. 2. Upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in 
     order without intervention of any point of order to consider 
     in the House the bill (H.R. 5708) to reduce preexisting PAYGO 
     balances, and for other purposes. The bill shall be 
     considered as read for amendment. The previous question shall 
     be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without 
     intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill 
     equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking 
     minority member of the Committee on the Budget; and (2) one 
     motion to recommit.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate 
only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. Mr. Speaker, during consideration of this resolution, all time 
yielded is for the purposes of debate only.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 602 is a closed rule making in order 
the consideration of two measures. The rule provides that H.J. Res. 124 
shall be debatable for 1 hour in the House with the time equally 
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Appropriations.
  The rule waives all points of order against consideration of H.J. 
Res. 124 and provides for one motion to recommit.
  The rule further provides that H.R. 5708 shall be debateable for 1 
hour in the House with the time equally divided and controlled by the 
chairman and ranking member of the Committee on the Budget. The rule 
waives all points of order against consideration of H.R. 5708 and 
provides for one motion to recommit.
  Mr. Speaker, H.J. Res. 124 is a resolution providing continuing 
appropriations to fund ongoing activities of the Federal Government 
through January 11, 2003. It does not allow initiation of new 
activities and, with certain exceptions, the resolution continues 
activities under applicable fiscal year 2002 terms and conditions.
  The resolution limits obligations on programs with high initial sped 
out rates so that the funding levels included in final appropriation 
actions will not be jeopardized. It continues authorizations for 
otherwise expiring programs and funding anomalies included in previous 
continuing resolutions and extends funding for the Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families, or TANF, and related welfare programs.
  Finally, H.J. Res. 124 provides authority to transfer up to $500 
million to establish the new Department of Homeland Security and for 
unforeseen homeland security requirements. Such authority would expire 
on September 30, 2004.
  Mr. Speaker, section 2 of this rule provides for consideration of a 
bill that removes balances on the Pay-As-You-Go, or PAYGO, scorecard 
for the current fiscal year. This legislation is necessary in order to 
avoid automatic across the board cuts in a number of mandatory programs 
after Congress adjourns for this year.
  In past years, Congress has routinely voted on a bipartisan basis to 
pass similar legislation, and this rule simply will permit that to 
occur again. Failing to enact H.R. 5798 would force reductions in a 
number of programs including Medicare, Veterans Administration medical 
care, Indian Health Services, Migrant Health Centers, Community Health 
Centers, State Children's Health Insurance, Child Tax Credits, and the 
Commodity Credit Corporation, among others.
  Mr. Speaker, the measures made in order under these rules are 
necessary to permit the vital functions of the Federal Government to 
continue without interruption until a new Congress convenes again in 
January. Accordingly, I encourage all of my colleagues to support both 
the rule and the two underlying measures.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) for 
yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this rule and the 
underlying resolution. Tax cuts to well-off people in our country, 
environmental rollbacks by the dozen, awarding corporate 
irresponsibility and neglecting the needs of America's senior citizens 
and veterans are only a few of the highlights that the 107th Congress 
has to speak of. As one colleague put it yesterday, ``It's been an 
awfully long day to do nothing.''
  Mr. Speaker, simply put, America has needs and today's continuing 
resolution does not meet them. The spirit in which the resolution is 
coming to the floor and the message that it sends is cut and run 
politics of the highest kind. There is a reason that this is called a 
Lame Duck Congress, because legislation like this is just lame.
  As my colleagues know, today's CR funds the Federal budget until 
January 11, or thereabouts, 2003, without increasing spending in areas 
that we know we need increases.

                              {time}  1015

  With a possible war with Iraq on the horizon, should not this body, 
which is led by the President's party, spend time figuring out a way to 
pay for a war that the President has been asking for and that many 
Members voted for?
  In a few hours, many expect that the House and Senate will each pass 
a bill establishing a new Department of Homeland Security. Listen up 
America, one caveat though: we are not going to fund the new Department 
until, according to the CR, January 11, 2003, at the earliest.
  Additionally, the CR does nothing to protect the thousands of Member 
projects that cities and counties and constituents are depending on, 
including projects in the appropriations bills that Congress has 
already passed, the two of them.
  Finally, the CR provides no PAYGO provisions, thus solidifying what 
the minority has been saying for more than 1 year: good bye, surplus; 
hello, deficit spending.
  To date, Congress has neglected its constitutionally mandated 
responsibility of funding the Federal Government and has passed, as I 
earlier stated, a meager two of the 13 appropriation bills; and now we 
want to go home.
  Mr. Speaker, what about homeland security and our national defense? 
What about prescription drugs? What about Social Security? What about 
extending unemployment benefits? What about an energy bill? What about 
the veterans measures that are not passed? How many of those measures 
have gone by the board? What other health considerations are we not 
considering?
  Long-term unemployment is at an 8-year high in this Nation, and 
nearly 2 million Americans have lost their jobs. Consumer confidence is 
at its lowest levels since mid-2001, and prescription drug prices are 
still sky high. Mr. Speaker, I do not have to look around for anybody 
about that. I have been dealing with my mom's failing stages of her 
health; and on two different occasions since we were in recess, I paid 
$983 for prescriptions, and all she has is Social Security and 
Medicare.
  So, firsthand, I think we should do for the American citizens what is 
needed in the area of prescription drug

[[Page H8550]]

prices. We leave seniors unable to afford their vital prescription 
medicine.
  Think about it, the House took most of January off this year, all of 
August, most of October; and now we are poised to give ourselves a 
month-and-a-half Christmas vacation. The American people are not paying 
us to work 2- or 3-day work weeks, and they are certainly not paying us 
to work 8 out of 12 months.
  Could my colleagues imagine if we tried to run a business this way? 
No wonder the American people have such dismal opinions of the Federal 
Government. When the going gets tough, the tough get out of town.
  Mr. Speaker, we were elected by the American people to Congress to do 
a job. Evidence today and every other CR that the House has been forced 
to pass in the last month are not the way that we should be going.
  I am convinced that the Republican leadership is really in the final 
analysis not interested in doing the job having to do with the things I 
spoke of earlier, or at the least doing them right. The leadership of 
this body for the most part is not going to change very much in the 
108th Congress. Republicans are still going to be in the majority, and 
I congratulate my friends in that regard. And Democrats are going to 
still be in the minority. With or without recriminations, those that 
were elected and reelected are to be congratulated as well.
  So why is the majority trying to go home when the work of the 107th 
Congress is not done? Perhaps the American people need to be asking the 
same question. Now is not the time to go home and leave today's 
problems for tomorrow's Congress.
  The American people cannot run a budget like this in their house, and 
we should not be trying to run one like it in America's House.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and to reject 
the underlying resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the distinguished ranking member 
of the Committee on Appropriations and my good friend.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, this is a pitiful exercise. Its arrogance is 
matched only by its futility and its hypocrisy. I think we ought to 
recount what is happening here and how we got here.
  Early last year, the majority party, at the insistence of the 
Committee on the Budget and the House Republican leadership, passed a 
budget which even their own Republican leadership on the Committee on 
Appropriations indicated fell at least $10 billion short of the amount 
that we would need to meet our own obligations on the domestic front 
for education, for transportation, for veterans' health care, for 
National Institutes of Health, homeland security, and a number of other 
items.
  The Committee on Appropriations, after that budget resolution was 
passed, tried to operate under it and tried to bring a number of 
appropriation bills to the floor. They produced the Department of 
Defense bill, the military construction bill; and the committee met its 
obligations in those two areas.
  But then, Mr. Speaker, it was prevented from bringing any other 
appropriation bills to conclusion by an internal fight within the 
Republican Caucus in this House. What happened is that the hard-line 
conservatives in the Republican Caucus told their leadership they would 
not vote for any domestic appropriation bill until the education 
appropriation bill was passed at a freeze level recommended by the 
President, which would have brought to a halt the previous increases 
that we had in the area of education, the increases that we had over 
the last 5 years that averaged over 13 percent.
  The House Republican leadership forbade the Committee on 
Appropriations to bring appropriation bills to the floor. And they 
said, ``Oh, no, we will deal with them after the August recess.''
  Well, the August recess came and went. We came back on Labor Day and 
then we were told, ``No, we cannot pass any appropriations bills during 
this period either. We are going to have to lay it over until a lame-
duck session after the election.''
  Mr. Speaker, now we are here in a lame-duck session, and now we are 
being told by this resolution that we are going to kick this down the 
trail and we are not going to come back until next year, which means 
that every single appropriation bill is going to have to be introduced 
anew and have to start from scratch. All that work gets wiped out. Why? 
Because the majority party has not decided how they want to handle 
these issues and because they have a lot of Members who want to go on 
congressional trips.
  So now we are being told to forget our duty. But then there is an 
added wrinkle that is being brought to the floor here today. The 
appropriations Republican leadership has been begging the House 
leadership since June to give the Committee on Appropriations at least 
$8 billion to $10 billion more so we could meet our transportation and 
our education and our homeland security obligations. They have been 
denied that. The House Budget Committee has been saying, ``Oh, oh, oh, 
the Committee on Appropriations, they want to be big spenders. We 
cannot give them the $10 billion.''
  But now what is happening under this rule? We are being asked to wipe 
out the PAYGO realities. That is an ``inside baseball'' term, but what 
it means essentially is that this Congress is going to add $30 billion 
more to the deficit because of that useless farm bill that passed 
earlier in the year and because of the tax cuts. So the very same 
people on the Budget Committee who are attacking the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Young) as a big spender because he wants $8 billion to $10 
billion more to finish the appropriations bills, the very same people 
are saying, ``Oh, by the way, we cannot have that money; but by the 
way, we are going to blow $30 billion, and then we are going to wipe 
out the scorekeeping and pretend it did not happen.''
  Mr. Speaker, that is what we are being asked to vote for on this rule 
today and on the two bills that will follow.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a pitiful performance. What a laugh. What a 
pity. What a joke. What a poor performance.
  Mr. Speaker, I am going to vote against this rule, and I am going to 
vote against the bill that follow because they epitomize the absolute 
uselessness and fecklessness of this entire congressional session. They 
demonstrate that the one thing this House has learned to do better than 
anything else is to duck its responsibilities, and that is a shame.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), my good friend.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this is the ultimate Republican do-nothing 
Congress. I woke up this morning, and I called the cloakroom; and I 
could not believe that they are going to simply pass a CR to carry the 
government over until January with the new Congress and not address all 
the pressing problems that we need to look at here.
  First of all, think about the fact that we have a budget crisis. We 
have a budget deficit now, it was announced a few weeks ago, of $150 
billion. The effect on the economy, the downward trend on the economy 
that this will contribute to is unbelievable. Now, as the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) says, we may be adding another $30 billion to 
that because of the fact that we are wiping out these PAYGO provisions. 
So more deficits. We are in an economic downturn.
  Mr. Speaker, what is the Republican Party going to do here? What is 
the Republican leadership going to do about the economic slow down? Are 
they going to deal with the fact that we have a higher unemployment 
rate, that a lot of people's benefits for unemployment will end 
sometime in December? Are they going to address that? Are they going to 
address the fact that seniors are crying out for a prescription drug 
benefit?
  I read in the paper the other day that the President said he wants to 
address the need for a prescription drug benefit. Then why are we going 
home? Why are we not dealing with it? Why are we not figuring out how 
to pay for it?

[[Page H8551]]

  The energy crisis. We face a major energy crisis. I understand a 
conference report on the energy bill has been filed. Is it going to be 
taken up today or tomorrow before we leave town?
  Mr. Speaker, so many of these issues are not being tended to. The 
Republicans have only passed two appropriations bills, the Defense and 
Military Construction; and I do not mean to suggest that they are not 
important. Of course, they are very important because the President is 
saying that we may have to go to war against Iraq. But what about the 
budget consequences of that? Where is the money going to come from? Why 
are we not dealing with the budget in general and having some kind of 
budget conference where we sit down on a bipartisan basis between now 
and the end of the year and figure out how to pay for defense? How we 
are going to pay for these other important domestic issues?
  Now, the Republican Party does not want to address it. They say, oh, 
we won the election so we will just wait until January. We will have a 
majority in both Houses, we will have the Presidency, and we will deal 
with it then. Mr. Speaker, it is a complete abdication of their 
responsibility, and it is not what they said during the course of the 
election when they said they were going to address these things.
  We have another 6 or 7 weeks here when we could address these 
problems, both domestic and international; and it is terribly 
irresponsible for the Republicans to say, no, we are not going to do 
that; we are simply going to go home.
  No one should be confused about what is going on here today. They are 
simply passing a continuing resolution so the government does not shut 
down, and coming back in January with the new Congress. That is 
completely unacceptable and irresponsible. This Congress under the 
Republican leadership, this House, has the worst legislative record in 
the whole history of the United States Congress, and this act today of 
trying to pass this rule just confirms it.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we are in this extraordinary circumstance for a variety 
of reasons that we have talked about on the floor many times when we 
were debating prior continuing resolutions. Part of it, without trying 
to point fingers because that does not do us any good when we are 
trying to seek resolutions to point fingers, but nevertheless the fact 
is the other body has not completed a lot of work that is the basis for 
us trying to complete our work.
  It has been mentioned over and over, but I think it is worth 
mentioning one more time that the House by law, in fact both the House 
and the Senate by law, is required to pass a budget in the spring. The 
House did that and did pass their budget. The Senate did not pass their 
budget at that time and they have not yet. Maybe there has been talk 
going back and forth trying to settle on a figure, a spending figure; 
but the way that it has always been done in the past is that one body 
passes a budget, the other body passes a budget; and if there is a 
difference, you work out the differences. That is part of the give and 
take in the legislative process. That simply did not happen this year. 
As a result, the appropriation process that follows really did not have 
a blueprint. That caused us problems all the way throughout.
  In addition to that, there are a number of other important pieces of 
legislation that passed this body that, for a variety of reasons, for 
whatever, is hung up in the other body as we speak right now. So as a 
result, we are in this situation of then passing this CR to get us into 
the first week of the next Congress. By that time, and in fact there 
are probably ongoing discussions right now with the new majority in the 
Senate and the majority here in the House to come up with probably an 
omnibus appropriation bill that will pass and we will have that behind 
us as we go into the 108th Congress.
  I might make an observation, that what we are doing here is not 
unprecedented. It is not probably the ideal way things should be done; 
but in 1980 there was a CR that was passed over until the next 
Congress, so it has been done in the past. The reason why we are in 
that situation, as I mentioned, is simply that we are facing 
unprecedented inaction in the Congress in the other body. For that 
reason, we have to pass these CRs.
  Let us get on with our work.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but earlier in my discussions I 
understated the amount by which the deficit will be expanded with the 
approval of the Congress with the subsequent motion that will follow 
from this rule. It is not just $30 billion. I am told it is over $60 
billion that will be added to the deficit from the base on mandatories.

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