[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1294-E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WESTERN SHOSHONE CLAIMS DISTRIBUTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I request that the following letters between 
the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Ways and Means 
regarding H.R. 884, the Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act, be 
submitted for the record under General Leave.
  As you know, H.R. 884 passed the House under suspension of the rules 
on June 21, 2004. I wish to include these letters between the two 
Committees concerning the legislation as part of the Record.

                 House of Representatives, Committee on Resources,


                                 Washington, DC, June 3, 2004.

     Hon. Bill Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I request your help in expediting 
     consideration of H.R. 884, the Western Shoshone Claims 
     Distribution Act, authored by Congressman Jim Gibbons. The 
     bill authorizes the distribution of a monetary judgment 
     awarded to the members of the Western Shoshone tribe in 1979 
     based on land claims against the United States and 
     mismanagement of their tribal accounts by the federal 
     government. The funds have been appropriated and have been 
     accruing interest for over 20 years. Under current law, 
     legislation is required before the tribal members can receive 
     their awards and to establish an education trust fund for the 
     tribe. The Committee on Resources favorably reported the bill 
     on October 7, 2003.
       H.R. 884 is the House companion measure to S. 618, which 
     was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on October 17, 
     2003. The Joint Tax Committee has determined that Section 
     3(c)(3) of the Senate bill contains revenue provisions and 
     would be subject to a blueslip by your Committee. To avoid 
     this Constitutional problem and to facilitate passage in the 
     Senate, I wish to amend H.R. 884 with the text of S. 618 as 
     passed by the Senate and have this considered by the House of 
     Representatives under suspension of the rules next week.
       I recognize the Committee on Ways and Means' jurisdictional 
     interest in Section 3(c)(3) of the proposed amendment but ask 
     that you allow H.R. 884 to go forward. I agree that by 
     allowing the revised bill to be scheduled, the Ways and Means 
     Committee does not relinquish any jurisdiction over H.R. 884 
     or similar legislation. I would also support your request to 
     be represented on a conference on H.R 884, if one should 
     become necessary. Finally, I will include my letter and your 
     response in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration of the measure.
       The Western Shoshone have waited for over 25 years to 
     receive their just awards, and Congressman Gibbons has been a 
     tireless advocate on their behalf. We both appreciate

[[Page E1295]]

     your cooperation on this measure and the able assistance of 
     David Kavanaugh of your staff.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Richard W. Pombo,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



        Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 17, 2004.
     Hon. Richard W. Pombo,
     Chairman, Committee on Resources, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Pombo: Thank you for your letter dated June 
     3, 2004, regarding H.R. 884, the ``Western Shoshone Claims 
     Distribution Act.'' As you have noted, the Committee on Ways 
     and Means has jurisdiction over Section 3(c)(3) of S. 618, 
     the Senate companion bill to H.R. 884. I appreciate your 
     agreement to amend the text of H.R. 884 and include the 
     language passed by the Senate, thus avoiding any potential 
     Constitutional problems. Further, I appreciate your 
     recognition that this agreement does not prejudice the 
     jurisdictional interests and prerogatives of the Committee on 
     Ways and Means on this provision 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.
       Thank you for your assistance and cooperation with this 
     issue. We look forward to working with you in the future.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
                                                         Chairman.

     

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