[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING AMOUNTS FOR INTERIM EXPENSES OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND 
              SECURITY IN FIRST SESSION OF 108TH CONGRESS

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the 
resolution (H. Res. 77) providing amounts for interim expenses of the 
Select Committee on Homeland Security in the first session of the One 
Hundred Eighth Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration in the 
House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I would just 
like to ask the gentleman what the House is being asked to consider.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FROST. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman asks a very appropriate question. 
House Resolution 77 is necessary to provide the Select Committee on 
Homeland Security with the necessary funding to organize the committee.

                              {time}  1630

  House Resolution 77 authorizes $700,000 for use by the Select 
Committee on Homeland Security. Also know that we have communicated 
with the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut. It is interim 
funding.
  Consistent with my discussions with the Ranking Minority Member, it 
is my understanding that the funds provided by H. Res. 77 will be 
distributed in a manner consistent with the ``Two-thirds, One-third'' 
goal for division of resources. I expect the Chairman and Ranking 
Member of the Select Committee to reach agreement on a division of the 
resources provided by this resolution that will reflect this goal and 
be to their mutual satisfaction.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to compliment 
Chairman Ney for bringing this important resolution to the Floor so 
expeditiously. I am also pleased that the Majority has agreed that the 
right of the minority members to control one-third of the select 
committee's staff and resources will be protected throughout the 
funding process.
  I am pleased that we can act today to provide interim funding for 
this new select committee, which was created as a separate order of the 
House attached to the rules resolution, H. Res. 5, adopted on January 
7.
  The Select Committee on Homeland Security is charged with developing 
recommendations and reporting to the House by bill or otherwise on 
matters relating to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296). 
In other words, it is a legislative committee of the House for matters 
which fall within its sphere, with referral of legislation to be 
decided by the Speaker.
  The resolution before us today would provide interim funding through 
March 31, 2003, to get it off the ground and running for a short time, 
by which time the House Administration Committee will have reported and 
the House adopted the biennial primary expense resolution providing 
funding for all committees and select committees of the House for the 
108th Congress.
  Both sides of the aisle have now named their members of the new 
select committee, to join the chairman, Rep. Cox, and the ranking 
member, Rep. Turner of Texas, so it is now ready to conduct business.
  I also look forward to seeing the new chairman and ranking member 
appear in a few weeks to testify before the House Administration 
Committee about the committee's agenda for the next two years, as we 
prepare the biennial resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am especially pleased that the Democratic Leader as 
appointed my good fried the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Turner, as the 
ranking member of this new committee. I serve with Rep. Turner on the 
Armed Services Committee, and am delighted that he will have the 
opportunity to lead our party in rising to the challenges of providing 
effective homeland security against the international threats facing us 
today and to expand on his past legislative accomplishments in the 
field of national defense. He is clearly the right person for a job 
like this.
  Ths is a tremendous challenge. We must protect America from terrorism 
while defending the freedoms and liberties which are the foundation of 
our democracy. We must help organize and supervise a major new 
government department of historic size and responsibility. The House 
has made a good start with this select committee and its distinguished 
leadership on both sides of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, creation of the select committee will expand the House's 
ability to deal with these critical issues, but, as with any new entity 
in a legislative body, it may take some time to fully define its role 
and what its inter-relationships with the regular standing committees 
of the House will be. I and the other members of the House 
Administration Committee look forward to working on a bipartisan basis 
with the members of the select committee to help make that effort a 
success.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                               H. Res. 77

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. INTERIM EXPENSES OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON 
                   HOMELAND SECURITY.

       For interim expenses of the Select Committee on Homeland 
     Security, there shall be paid out of the applicable accounts 
     of the House of Representatives not more than $700,000.

     SEC. 2. LIMITATION.

       Amounts shall be available under this resolution for 
     expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on 
     January 3, 2003, and ending at midnight on March 31, 2003.

     SEC. 3. VOUCHERS.

       Payments under this resolution shall be made on vouchers 
     authorized by the Select Committee on Homeland Security, 
     signed by the chairman of such committee, and approved in the 
     manner directed by the Committee on House Administration.

     SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.

       Amounts made available under this resolution shall be 
     expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Committee on House Administration.

     SEC. 5. ADJUSTMENT AUTHORITY.

       The Committee on House Administration shall have authority 
     to make adjustments in amounts under section 1, if necessary 
     to comply with an order of the President issued under section 
     254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
     of 1985 or to conform to any reduction in appropriations for 
     the purposes of such section 1.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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