[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H10345-H10356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNITED STATES BOXING COMMISSION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 553 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 1065.

                              {time}  1556


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 1065) to establish the United States Boxing Commission to protect 
the general welfare of boxers and to ensure fairness in the sport of 
professional boxing, with Mr. Simpson in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  General debate shall not exceed 1 hour, with 40 minutes equally 
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 20 minutes equally divided 
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) and the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) each will control 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 
1065, the United States Boxing Commission Act.
  This bill will establish for the first time the United States Boxing 
Commission within the Department of Commerce. The USBC will be charged 
with overseeing licensing and registration of boxers and boxing 
personnel nationally to improve the current inconsistent and lack of 
regulation of the sport at the State and also at the local levels.
  The sport of boxing with its rich and glorious history is slowly 
being corroded by corruption and abuse in and outside the ring.
  I am no fan of bigger and more intrusive government, but in this case 
the power and sweep of a Federal regulator can establish a uniform 
minimum standard for boxing on a national level and will hopefully 
salvage this great sport and reestablish it as a main

[[Page H10346]]

event, not some shady, corrupt business enterprise.
  In terms of fiscal impact, there has been a lot of misinformation 
about this bill, its budgetary impact. But let me be perfectly clear: 
this bill requires the United States Boxing Commission to be funded 
through receipts from licensed and registration fees, not from 
taxpayers' money. The USBC will also sunset in 12 years. Here we have a 
bill that will sunset. The USBC will not be a drain on government 
resources. Rather, it will function and operate from revenues derived 
from its oversight function of licensing and registration.

                              {time}  1600

  Later, I intend to offer an amendment to clarify this intent during 
our consideration. This is an important point to be made and needs to 
be made crystal clear.
  In addition, as I mentioned, professional boxing is suffering today. 
Boxers are in danger of losing life and limb every day, and likewise, 
every day, we hear more and more stories about needless injuries and 
even deaths. We had two boxers die in Nevada just recently.
  Boxing obviously is a great American sport, with a rich and glorious 
tradition, but it is in real danger of becoming marginalized into 
nothing more than a dangerous and corrupt sideshow. This would be a 
tragedy.
  We have celebrated our Olympic heroes and cheered them when they 
later fought professionally. I believe that adding a backstop of 
Federal oversight over the various pockets of inconsistent regulation 
at the State level will help clean up boxing and honor its positive 
impact on the lives of young men and women who, despite sometimes 
difficult financial or social circumstances, achieve greatness through 
discipline, hard work and simply sheer determination.
  One of those obscure fighters that rose to become one of America's 
most important symbols of athletic and human excellence obviously was 
Muhammad Ali. He testified at one of our hearings. Unfortunately, he 
could not testify, so his wife read the speech for him, and this is 
what he said: ``For all of its difficulties, boxing is still a 
wonderful sport. It still attracts men and women from all walks of life 
to reach glory in the ring. For many, it's their first experience with 
hard work, determination and discipline. For still others, it remains 
the only way up and out from a life filled with bad choices, failure 
and worse.''
  He went on to say: ``Reform measures are unlikely to succeed unless a 
U.S. Boxing Commission is created with the authority to oversee a sport 
that still attracts a disproportionate number of unsavory elements that 
prey upon the hopes and dreams of young athletes.''
  My bill, cosponsored with the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. 
Schakowsky), my colleague and the ranking member of my subcommittee, 
and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), my friend and colleague, 
will push reform and put the weight of uniform national oversight 
mechanism behind those reforms to ensure that the United States Boxing 
Commission is successful and those hopes and those dreams are 
protected.
  Specifically, the manager's amendment I am offering will do the 
following:
  First and foremost, it makes it clear that the United States Boxing 
Commission will be funded largely through revenues generated by 
licenses and registrations so that it is essentially self-funding. 
Specifically, section 5 of the bill has been amended to clarify that 
fees authorized and collected shall be available to fund the operation 
of the commission and the administration of the Act. Section 14 of the 
bill was amended to clarify that offsetting collections are available 
to the commission subject to appropriations.
  The next thing, it empowers the United States Boxing Commission to 
promulgate uniform standards for professional boxing and oversee all 
professional boxing in the United States.
  It ensures that Federal and State laws applicable to boxing are 
enforced and requires and issues licenses for all professional boxers 
and, importantly, boxing personnel.
  It allows the United States Boxing Commission to suspend or revoke a 
license if it finds the holder has violated provisions of this Act.
  It requires a study and report on health and safety aspects related 
to boxing, as well as on the definition of a promoter.
  It requires the United States Boxing Commission to provide an annual 
report to Congress on its activities.
  I think Mr. Bruce Spizler, chair of the Legal Committee of the 
Association of Boxing Commissioners and a former member of the National 
Association of Attorneys General Task Force on Boxing, in his testimony 
to our subcommittee, summed up the current situation best when he said: 
``The regulation of the sport of professional boxing has been left to 
those individual States and, more recently, tribal organizations, 
which, legislatively, have provided for its own boxing commission to 
regulate the sport in its own particular jurisdiction. Thus, 
considering that the authority of each regulatory component is 
restricted by its territorial borders, the effective regulation of the 
sport of professional boxing in the United States is only as strong as 
its weakest link; leaving `venue shopping' as an effective tool for 
those seeking a lighter regulatory `punch.' The glaring absence of 
regulatory uniformity, together with the difficulty, and varying 
degrees, of effective enforcement, has lent itself to a perpetuation of 
the inequities, lack of integrity and, in some instances, non-adherence 
to health and safety measures for which the inherently dangerous sport 
of professional boxing, unfortunately,'' by its reputation ``has become 
known.''
  I cannot think of a more powerful argument in favor of a Federal 
commission, that is sunset, designed to oversee the sport of boxing and 
ensure uniform minimum standards, especially for those States that do 
not have programs or have inferior ones. States with mature programs, 
in my opinion, should be supportive because they are already leading 
and serving as benchmarks.
  In addition to the support of the Association of Boxing 
Commissioners, this bill has been endorsed by the American College of 
Sports Medicine and the American Association of Professional Ringside 
Physicians.
  In closing, this is an important opportunity to save a sport that has 
brought so much pride and glory to the United States. Boxing is 
suffering from problems that stretch far beyond the boundaries of State 
regulation. It is a sport worth saving that will need the power of our 
Federal Government oversight to clean up its act and ensure the safety 
of all its athletes. All the great champions that have paved the way 
for the sport should be able to count on us to provide a minimum amount 
of oversight in this situation.
  I urge my colleagues to consider this bill, H.R. 1065, the United 
States Boxing Commission.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 1065, the U.S. Boxing Commission 
Act, which would establish a national regulatory body for the sport 
that has been riddled with corruption, scandals and lax enforcement of 
regulations, putting the lives of contenders on the line.
  I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee Chairman Stearns 
with, whom I worked closely on this legislation in a bipartisan way, to 
produce a product that I hope that our colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle will readily support.
  I want to thank in addition to the bipartisan staff who worked on 
this legislation, I would like to thank our legislative counsel, Brady 
Young, for his advice, expertise and the patience that is often 
required when working with our bipartisan team.
  I know that there are some in this body who have just wondered why we 
are addressing this particular issue of boxing when they argue there 
are more important issues facing our country. I would respectfully 
point out that it certainly is not the least important issue that we 
find time to deal with in this body, and that, in fact, it does deal 
with the health and the safety of literally thousands of people in our 
country. So I am happy to be supporting this bill right now.
  With the passage of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and 
the Muhammad Ali Act in 2000, minimum Federal standards were set to 
protect the physical and economic well-being of boxers, and State 
boxing commissions

[[Page H10347]]

were charged with meeting those standards. Some States have strong 
boxing commissions such as New York, Pennsylvania and Nevada that not 
only require the Federal standards but set additional regulations 
beyond the minimum requirements.
  I want to point out that nothing in this legislation would prevent 
those that have stronger regulations from using those. Let me read 
directly from the legislation on minimum standards: Nothing in this Act 
prohibits any boxing commission from enforcing local standards and 
requirements that exceed the minimum standards or requirements 
promulgated by the commission under this Act.
  What we found, however, was that there are too many other States that 
are ignoring the rules, and boxers are the ones who are paying the 
price.
  Many argue that federally mandated health and safety standards are 
not being adhered to because no corresponding national regulatory body 
exists. Let me quote from the letter I received from the College of 
Sports Medicine, who heavily supports this legislation, when they say 
that, professional boxing is the only major sport which does not have a 
governing body to establish and enforce rules and practices. It is the 
only major sport that does not have that.
  When the greatest and prettiest of all times, Muhammad Ali, tells 
you, ``Boxing reform measures are unlikely to succeed unless a U.S. 
Boxing Commission is created with authority to oversee a sport that 
still attracts a disproportionate number of unsavory elements that prey 
upon the hopes and dreams of young athletes,'' when Muhammad Ali tells 
you that, as he did to us in our hearing, one listens, and that is what 
Chairman Stearns and I did with the drafting of H.R. 1065.
  Boxing is an enormous enterprise. The sport generates over $500 
million in revenues each year. However, because so many parties have a 
financial stake in each boxing match and because competing interests 
often run counter to the boxers' well-being and because not every 
manager is as upright as Clint Eastwood in ``Million Dollar Baby,'' 
many contenders end up destitute.
  In this sense, boxers are like many other kinds of talent or workers. 
Their gifts and their hard work are others' fortunes, and they are 
treated as disposable assets.
  Boxing is also unlike many other sports in that there are very 
serious physical repercussions. If health and safety standards are not 
being met, boxers could die, and they do.
  Over the past 50 years, more than 130 fighters have died due to 
boxing-related injuries in the United States. In 2005, we lost the 
first woman to boxing, Becky Zerlentes. Dr. Zerlentes, a professor of 
geography, got her Ph.D. at my alma mater, the University of Illinois 
at Urbana-Champaign.
  I believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that boxers are not 
being put in the ring without being protected, both physically and 
economically. We know it is a dangerous sport by its nature, but it is 
our responsibility to ensure that laws that are already on the books 
are enforced. That is why I joined Chairman Stearns in drafting H.R. 
1065 to establish the United States Boxing Commission. This bill will 
help to ensure that standards are uniform and enforced and that boxers 
are protected.
  The formation of a national regulatory body is supported by the 
Association of Boxing Commissioners, the organization of State boxing 
commissioners. They love their sport, and they want to make sure that 
the laws that govern it are being enforced, keeping the sport safe and 
respectable. Our bill also enjoys the support of those who say that 
boxers' health must come first, the American College of Sports Medicine 
and the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.
  Finally, it would be a tribute to the greatest of all times, to 
Muhammad Ali, who lent his name to the law that is meant to protect 
boxers from those who see them as just a commodity and is not being 
enforced as it should be.
  We need to pass this bill to do a service to the boxers, to the young 
athletes who see their dreams and their hopes come to life when they 
are in the center of that ring and the bell signals the first round.
  I urge my colleagues to join in this bipartisan leadership of this 
legislation and support H.R. 1065.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1065, the United States 
Boxing Commission Act. This is a big government bill that creates a new 
Federal agency that provides for more regulation and is not self-
financing as has been intimated.
  The top of page 13 of the Energy and Commerce Committee's report uses 
a CBO estimate that says: ``Assuming appropriation of the necessary 
amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1065 would cost $5 
million in 2006 and $26 million over the 2006-2010 period.''

                              {time}  1615

  That means that we are adding $26 million to the deficit to regulate 
one sport. That is not right. The Judiciary Committee received the 
sequential referral of this bill to consider several provisions within 
the legislation. The Judiciary Committee has long been involved in 
issues relating to professional sports, including oversight of the U.S. 
Olympic Committee, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA.
  Many are concerned and have raised serious questions about the 
commercial and legal aspects within the sport of professional boxing. 
As a result, some have urged the creation of a Federal boxing 
commission to regulate this sport. The legislation would accomplish 
that goal.
  Although the creation of the U.S. Boxing Commission itself does not 
fall within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee, significant 
provisions relating to title 18 of the U.S. Code, which is the criminal 
code, and the authority of the Attorney General and the commission's 
executive director are within the committee's purview.
  During the markup of this bill, the Judiciary Committee adopted a 
technical change to ensure that the use of administrative subpoenas 
comports with existing title 18 provisions. Additionally, as amended by 
the committee, the legislation will now allow a designee of the 
Attorney General to represent the commission in judicial proceedings 
rather than requiring the Attorney General himself to do so. Finally, 
the Judiciary Committee amendment removed the authority of the 
commission's executive director to make unilateral determinations 
regarding violations of this act or to bring action in Federal court. 
This means that such determinations will be required to be made by the 
full commission before action can be taken.
  Although these Judiciary Committee amendments improved the 
legislation, the committee reported the bill with no recommendation, no 
recommendation, as a result of the concerns of many Members on both 
sides of the aisle regarding the underlying merits of the legislation. 
I share these concerns and do not support the goal of the legislation.
  Notwithstanding the fact that there are well-founded concerns 
surrounding the support of boxing, I believe that the creation of a 
boxing commission is unnecessary and urge my colleagues to oppose this 
legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise just in reply to my colleague who is chairman of 
the Judiciary Committee who made some points in terms of jurisdiction 
and also made some points that the bill has minimum impact upon the 
budget.
  I have here a copy of the amendment which is part of the manager's 
amendment that we have next in place, which takes care of the concerns 
he has by striking a portion of the bill and in place putting it that 
the bill is self-sufficient and the money that is appropriated comes 
from the licensure fees. So I would urge the gentleman to vote for the 
manager's amendment, which will be coming up shortly. That will take 
care of his main concern, which appears to be that he is concerned it 
was $5 million the first year and the GAO audit indicated more money 
thereafter. But with this manager's amendment, the GAO audit is 
nullified and we have a self-sufficient bill.
  Another point I would like to make is the basic thrust of the bill is 
a 12-year supervision with three appointees

[[Page H10348]]

on the commission from the President of the United States with 3-year 
duration of tenure. At that point they can be reappointed, or they can 
continue at the President's request. We have in place something here 
that is very rare on the House floor, and that is something that is 
sunsetted. So when people talk about a new Federal bureaucracy, let me 
be perfectly clear. This is a very, very light, temporary government 
oversight committee to bring accountability and to bring justice to a 
great American sport. Everybody in the business who testified wants 
this type of temporary structure. So I think in a larger sense we have 
to say to ourselves now is the time to do this and, in so doing, in 
this way we will do the least amount of harm by making it temporary and 
at the same time asking them to pick up the ball and run with this as a 
voluntary organization much like other professional sports do.
  So I am glad to rise to point out to my colleague that it is going to 
be amended so that it is budget neutral; and, two, to point out to him 
that this is not a new Federal bureaucracy, but instead an oversight 
board to help guide this sport to its ultimate success.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am aware of some concerns raised by the Governor's office in New 
Jersey about this legislation, where they are concerned about what they 
say is the erosion of State authority. So I want to be very clear about 
this and once again read from the bill and read an additional section 
from it:
  ``Section 9, Noninterference with Boxing Commissions. Paragraph a, 
Noninterference: Nothing in this act prohibits any boxing commission 
from exercising any of its powers, duties, or functions with respect to 
the regulation or supervision of professional boxing or professional 
boxing matches to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of 
this act.'' By that we mean anything that has more enforcement powers. 
We are just setting a floor and the States can exercise all their 
powers, duties, or functions in addition to that.
  And ``b, Minimum Standards: Nothing in this act prohibits any boxing 
commission from enforcing local standards or requirements that exceed 
the minimum standards or requirements promulgated by the commission 
under this act.''
  A State like New Jersey that contends that they are doing a good job, 
we say go ahead and do it. We welcome that. We acknowledge that, and we 
hope that they will continue to do it. But the fact of the matter is 
that the vast majority of States, despite the passage of the acts of 
1996 and the Muhammad Ali Act in 2000, are not doing that; and that is 
why most people associated with this sport including State 
commissioners, including State commissioners have weighed in in support 
of this legislation and look forward to the Federal Government seeing 
that boxing alone is not without some kind of national standards, and 
that is why this commission is so important.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for 
yielding me this time.
  I rise in opposition to this bill, and I first want to say that the 
gentleman from Florida is my chairman. I am a part of his subcommittee 
and really respect and appreciate his efforts on this bill. We have 
just drawn different conclusions.
  I think the fundamental question that we have to ask about this bill 
is whether or not boxing, professional boxing, and that is what we are 
here to talk about is professional boxing, is worth creating another 
bureaucracy within the Department of Commerce. No matter how we cloak 
this, it is creating a new entity of rules and regulation, enforcement 
within the Department of Commerce to oversee a professional sport, 
although I will say ``professional sport'' with quotations around it.
  Where we have professional sports, all of the professional sports 
have their own regulatory body where they themselves have gotten 
together and formed, like the Mayflower Compact, their own regulatory 
or government overseeing body with their own rules and regulations 
within that body. To my knowledge, boxing is the only sport that has 
come before Congress asking us to save the sport from itself.
  We held several hearings on this within our committee and 
subcommittee. We had several big-name people from the sport, Muhammad 
Ali, commissioners from around the State, promoters. All testified to 
the corruptness of professional boxing, and I asked the witnesses 
before us at one of our panels, I said, if professional boxing wants to 
eliminate any semblance of legitimacy, make themselves in essence the 
wrestling of that sport, why should we care? They came back and said, 
Well, because we have to. We cannot, in essence, get our own act 
together; and it is for the health of the boxers. That is why if it is 
for the health of the boxers, I suggested that we should just ban 
professional boxing. I offered an amendment and withdrew it.
  But the issue to me is if the boxing profession wants to make itself 
irrelevant as a legitimate professional sport, let us give them that 
opportunity to do so. Let us not create a new Federal bureaucracy to 
save themselves from themselves.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would point out, as the gentleman from Nebraska did say he offered 
an amendment to abolish all of boxing, I think in his statement he also 
made an argument in favor of our bill. When he posed the question why 
should we care, think about that. Why should we care? That was his 
question that he asked in the hearing, and it simply came back to him 
that we should care about these fighters, these young fighters who are 
starting out, many from very difficult economic situations. We should 
care. And I think as Members of Congress, I hope they will keep that 
question in mind when they support the bill and realize that the 
gentleman from Nebraska really had an amendment to abolish boxing, 
which is almost in direct counterpoint to the question he posed, Why 
should we care?
  Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), the former head coach of the Nebraska 
Cornhuskers.
  Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Stearns for yielding me 
this time.
  Mr. Chairman, I speak in support of H.R. 1065, the United States 
Boxing Commission Act.
  When we think about boxing, we often think about Jack Dempsey and 
Gene Tunney, Joe Louis, Max Schmaeling, Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston. 
These are all high-profile fights, a lot of press coverage, pretty well 
attended by trainers and doctors, a lot of money involved. But what we 
do not see is the low profile, the seamy side of boxing, the 
mismatches, the dishonesty, the lack of medical attention, sometimes 
the brain damage, the low pay, the high number of people who leave the 
sport with absolutely no financial resources and many times in pretty 
poor shape physically. So sometimes this part of boxing has been called 
the ``red light district'' of professional sports. And I would have to 
say from my knowledge of it, somewhat limited, I would agree that that 
is an apt title.
  Professional boxing, as has been mentioned, is the only major U.S. 
sport that does not have a centralized association or league to 
establish and enforce uniform rules and practices. In football we have 
the National Football League; basketball, the National Basketball 
Association; Major League Baseball; National Collegiate Athletic 
Association; U.S. Olympic Committee.
  So people say, why did boxing not do this? Why would this not be 
something that would be natural? And the reason is there is a lot more 
organization in those other sports. NCAA is composed of member 
institutions. The Olympic Committee has a variety of supporting 
organizations. Boxing is almost something that one would have to say 
has total anarchy, and it is spread all over the place. Some of these 
club fights, obviously, are very low-budget items; and it is almost 
impossible to get any kind of organization involved.
  I have spent most of my life working with young athletes, and some of 
these

[[Page H10349]]

athletes came from backgrounds similar to that of most prizefighters. 
There is a lot of poverty. There is sometimes very little family 
support, sometimes poor schools, sometimes gang influence. But with 
somebody to care and supervise and nurture, many will come out of that 
environment and do reasonably well. But they need a little bit of 
guidance. They need a little bit of help. But I would say the 
exploitation is more often the norm than a good outcome.
  So years of corruption and abuse in boxing would indicate that no 
effective regulation would come from within the sport. We have asked 
the question, why do they not just take care of it themselves? But how 
long are we going to wait?

                              {time}  1630

  We have had years and years and years of this sport, going back to 
the 1700s, and we have seen no regulatory body emerge. How many people 
have to die? How many people have to have their brains scrambled? And 
how many matches do we have to have with no medical attention before we 
do something about it? We would not do something like this with 
animals. We are very much against cockfighting and other kinds of 
contests, and we regulate, and we make some of those illegal as well.
  So H.R. 1065 provides a uniform Federal standard to regulate business 
practices and safety issues within the boxing world. This is something 
whose time has come. It establishes the United States Boxing Commission 
which oversees all boxing matches in the U.S.
  This is a good bill. It is a needed bill. I would really like to see 
the States do this. But States, again, in many cases, have abdicated 
their responsibility. They are all over the place. What goes in one 
State does not go in another. Again, the medical supervision is the 
main thing that I am interested in, and the injury factor and the fact 
that we are not having adequate supervision.
  I urge support of this bill. I realize it does add some government 
responsibility. Generally, as a Republican, I do not like to see those 
things, but when health and safety is involved, I think we need to 
intervene.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I would like to say a special thank you to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rush) for the work he has done on the bill and for his 
strong support of the legislation.
  I would also like to read a statement on behalf of the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) who is the ranking Democrat on the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  He says, ``I rise in strong support of H.R. 1065, the United States 
Boxing Commission Act, which establishes a Federal commission with 
oversight responsibilities for professional boxing in the United 
States. This much-needed commission will establish uniform minimum 
standards which States must follow. It will also be empowered to issue 
additional regulations to improve the integrity and safety of the 
sport.
  ``Further, the commission will establish a Federal licensing 
requirement for participation in United States matches for certain 
boxing personnel, including boxers, managers, promoters, match makers, 
referees, judges and sanctioning.
  ``In July 2003, the GAO issued a report on professional boxing and 
listed elements identified by industry experts as essential to 
improving the health, safety and economic interests of boxers: medical 
examinations, monitoring of training injuries, assessments of medical 
risks, health and life insurance, the presence of appropriate medical 
personnel and equipment, and enforcement of suspensions for injuries.
  ``Additionally, the GAO found that industry experts believe 
additional changes are required in boxing and listed the following 
needed changes: one, require pension plans for boxers; two, require 
full disclosure of purses and payments; three, require minimum uniform 
contractual terms between boxers and promoters; and, four, prohibit 
conflicts of interest.
  ``While the Federal law has created requirements for States to 
follow, these laws are largely being ignored. H.R. 1065 will aid in 
correcting this injustice.
  ``Boxers often have little or nothing to show from their match 
proceeds, despite others earning vast wealth off the boxers' talents. 
We owe it to our athletes to create laws that protect their interests 
and to make sure those laws are enforced. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 1065 and to support professional boxers.''
  Mr. Conyers was unable to come down to the floor himself and wanted 
to make sure that this strong support of the legislation was placed in 
the Record.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
  (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Chairman, this legislation may seem a bit 
esoteric to some not only in Congress here but in the public at large. 
But this issue, and I want to commend you and the ranking member for 
bringing it to our attention, this legislation could not be more 
crucial in terms of what our national responsibilities are.
  Boxing and some of the so-called sports that are now associated with 
physical contact, things called the extreme sports, are interstate in 
nature, almost by definition. And because they are interstate, without 
regulation or oversight by the Congress, that means that many of the 
people associated with, in particular in this instance, the boxers, are 
in a sense victimized by our failure to take this up as a national 
question.
  The stories may be instructive that are associated with boxing and 
boxing history. They may be even redemptive in terms of our 
contemplation of them: People struggling up from the bottom of the 
economic and social scale, sometimes tragic in nature in terms of those 
that have succeeded, and then are undone by success. For example, it is 
well known that the great heavyweight challenger Joe Louis Barrow was 
considered not only a great champion and a great personality, but was 
associated in many people's minds symbolically with being able to rise 
above race to be a symbol for brotherhood, someone who sacrificed 
financially for the United States by joining the Army during the war. 
And his reward was to be persecuted by the Internal Revenue Service for 
not paying taxes on purses and funds that he earned during that period 
of time. As a result, it had tragic dimensions for him in later life.
  These kinds of stories can be replicated over and over again 
throughout the history of boxing. So what we have right now is the 
opportunity, Mr. Chairman, for us to put together a commission that 
will deal with some of the fundamental issues within the purview of the 
Congress in terms of interstate regulation.
  This has to do with health care and the capacity to see to it that 
anybody engaged in boxing has access to and provision for health care 
and for pensions for that time when they have to retire. There is no 
reason why a percentage of every purse cannot be put into some kind of 
fund that will guarantee a pension and access to a pension for those 
engaged in boxing.
  We have had great champions in Hawaii. Everyone has a story in this 
regard, Stan Harrington and Bobo Olson, some of the folks that I had an 
opportunity to know, and some of our champions right now, and potential 
champions in Hawaii and elsewhere across the country. I ask that 
everyone give us a chance to move this legislation along so we can 
complete the opportunity that is before us.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Abercrombie), who is himself a champion weight lifter, for weighing in 
on this legislation. I appreciate it very much.
  There are literally millions of people who enjoy the sport of boxing, 
who watch it and follow it and who want to see that there is some 
integrity in that sport. A lot has been said about the contenders 
themselves, about the boxers. I would echo what my chairman, Mr. 
Stearns, has said in response to

[[Page H10350]]

the question, why should we care? We should care about these young 
boxers who are trying to follow their dreams and to help create a sport 
that does guarantee them some level of standards of health and safety 
and opportunity. And we should also care because it is a $500 million 
industry in this country that has been plagued with lots of scandals 
and irregularities.
  So we are not talking about creating a major bureaucracy to oversee 
this, we are looking at a self-funding body that would now add 
professional boxing to every other sport that has some national 
standards and national rules and regulations. I think it is fairly 
modest in its construction, and I would certainly urge all Members on 
both sides of the aisle to join us, and thank Members on both sides who 
came down and supported this regulation.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Chairman, some might not know this, but my State 
of Mississippi has a great history of boxing. Archie Moore, from 
Benoit, Mississippi, participated in professional boxing for over 27 
years, holding the title of light heavyweight champion, and facing the 
likes of Rocky Marciano and Cassius Clay, during his career. While he 
went on to train Foreman and Ali, he will probably be best remembered 
as holding the record for the most knockouts in a career at 141. What I 
think is more important and that he may not be remembered as much for 
was his integrity in such a scandalous and corrupt sport during the 
years he boxed from 1936 to 1963. While we would have hoped boxing 
would have progressed and reformed over the years, it has not. The 
sport is still riddled with many problems, not the least is the 
exploited nature of its athletes. Muhammed Ali once said this: ``I say 
get an education. Become an electrician, a mechanic, a doctor, a 
lawyer--anything but a fighter. In this trade, it's the managers that 
make the money and last the longest.'' This seemingly benign statement 
illustrates one small problem among the multitude of problems the sport 
of boxing faces.
  Today, many fans are saddened and upset by the lack of integrity they 
see in professional boxing that has significantly weakened the sport--
the most deplorable problem of which is the treatment of the sport's 
athletes. Without a doubt, professional boxers are the most exploited 
athletes in our Nation. While Congress has made efforts to protect 
professional boxers before, through the Professional Boxing Safety Act 
of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000, these are not 
enough. The real problem today is the ineffective and inconsistent 
oversight of professional boxing, which has led to continuing scandals, 
controversies, unethical practices, and unnecessary injuries and deaths 
in the sport. That is why we are here today.
  Mr. Chairman, through the leadership of members of Congress like 
Senator John McCain, Representative Cliff Stearns and Representative 
Peter King, Congress is addressing and hopefully rectifying this 
harrowing situation. In order to better protect boxers and the 
integrity of professional boxing, we must establish a Federal 
regulatory entity to oversee professional boxing and set basic uniform 
standards for certain aspects of the sport. Consider this--professional 
boxing remains the only major sport in the United States that does not 
have a strong, centralized association, league, or other regulatory 
body to establish and enforce uniform rules and practices. And because 
a powerful few benefit greatly from the current system of patchwork 
compliance and enforcement of Federal boxing law, a national self-
regulating organization--although preferable to Federal government 
oversight--is not a realistic option.
  Mr. Chairman, I was an original co-sponsor to Representative King's 
bill, ``The Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2005,'' which would 
also establish a United States Boxing Commission that perform 
substantially similar functions. I am very pleased that this idea is 
finally being considered on the House floor. The troubles that plague 
the sport of professional boxing undermine its credibility in the eyes 
of the public and--more importantly--compromise the health and safety 
of boxers. The creation of a Federal boxing commission would 
effectively curb these problems. The Senate has passed Senator McCain's 
boxing bill, S. 148, the Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2005, 
and I think it will be a travesty if the House does not do the same. 
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I rise in great support of this legislation 
today and urge my colleagues to swiftly and expeditiously approve this 
legislation.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the 
           Workforce,
                               Washington, DC, September 28, 2005.
     Hon. Joe Barton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Barton: I am writing to confirm our mutual 
     understanding with respect to consideration of H.R. 1065, the 
     United States Boxing Commission Act, which was referred to 
     the Committee on Energy and Commerce and in addition the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce. The Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce reported this bill on July 28, 2005.
       As you know, provisions within H.R. 1065, directing a 
     United States Boxing Commission to establish health and 
     safety standards and a licensing registry for boxing 
     personnel, fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce. In addition, section 11 of the 
     bill requires the Commission to study and report to Congress 
     on health and safety standards in the boxing industry; this 
     provision likewise falls within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce.
       I do not intend to delay consideration of H.R. 1065, nor 
     will I object to the scheduling of this bill for 
     consideration in the House of Representatives. However, I do 
     so only with the understanding that this procedural route 
     should not be construed to prejudice the Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce's jurisdictional interest and 
     prerogatives on these provisions or any other similar 
     legislation, and will not be considered as precedent for 
     consideration of matters of jurisdiction to my committee in 
     the future. Further, this understanding is based on the 
     agreement reached between our staffs to provide that the 
     study commissioned in section 11 of the bill is transmitted 
     to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, as well as 
     your committee. Finally, we would expect you to support our 
     request for appointment of conferees on these provisions 
     should a conference arise with the Senate.
       I would ask that you include a copy of our exchange of 
     letters in the Congressional Record on this bill. Thank you 
     for your consideration and cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                  John A. Boehner,
                                                         Chairman.

                                  ____
                                  
                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                  Washington, DC, October 5, 2005.
     Hon. John Boehner,
     Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, Rayburn 
         House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Boehner: Thank you for your letter in regards 
     to H.R. 1065, the United States Boxing Commission Act, which 
     the Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered reported on June 
     29, 2005.
       As the Committee on Education and the Workforce was named 
     as an additional Committee of jurisdiction upon the bill's 
     introduction, I acknowledge and appreciate your willingness 
     to not exercise your full referral on the bill. In doing so, 
     I agree that your decision to forgo further action on the 
     bill will not prejudice the Committee on Education and the 
     Workforce with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this legislation or similar legislation. Specifically, I 
     agree that the study commissioned in section 11 of the bill 
     should also be transmitted to the Committee on Education and 
     the Workforce. Further, I recognize your right to request 
     conferees on those provisions within the Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce's jurisdiction should they be the 
     subject of a House-Senate conference on this or similar 
     legislation.
       I'm pleased that we can continue to move this bill forward, 
     and I look forward to working with you in that process. Per 
     your request, I will include your letter and this response 
     during consideration of H.R. 1065 on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Joe Barton,
                                                         Chairman.
  The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
  In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Energy and 
Commerce and the Judiciary printed in the bill, it shall be in order to 
consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 5-
minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part 
A of House Report 109-295. That amendment in the nature of a substitute 
shall be considered read.
  The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as 
follows:

                               H.R. 1065

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``United States Boxing 
     Commission Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act, the following definitions apply:
       (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the United 
     States Boxing Commission established under section 3.
       (2) Boxer.--The term ``boxer'' means an individual who 
     fights in a professional boxing match.
       (3) Boxing commission.--The term ``boxing commission'' 
     means an entity authorized under State or tribal law to 
     regulate professional boxing matches.
       (4) Indian lands.--The term ``Indian lands'' has the 
     meanings given that terms by

[[Page H10351]]

     paragraphs (4) of section 4 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory 
     Act (25 U.S.C. 2703).
       (5) Judge.--The term ``judge'' means an official who scores 
     a boxing match to determine the winner.
       (6) Manager.--The term ``manager'' means a person other 
     than a promoter who, under contract, agreement, or other 
     arrangement with a boxer, undertakes to control or 
     administer, directly or indirectly, a boxing-related matter 
     on behalf of that boxer, including a person who is a booking 
     agent for a boxer.
       (7) Matchmaker.--The term ``matchmaker'' means a person 
     that proposes, selects, and arranges for boxers to 
     participate in a professional boxing match. Such term does 
     not include a hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial 
     establishment hosting or sponsoring a professional boxing 
     match, or a provider of cable, satellite, or network 
     television programming, unless--
       (A) the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial 
     establishment, or provider of cable, satellite, or network 
     television programming is primarily responsible for 
     proposing, selecting, and arranging for boxers to participate 
     in the professional boxing match; and
       (B) there is no other person primarily responsible for 
     proposing, selecting, and arranging for boxers to participate 
     in the match.
       (8) Referee.--The term ``referee'' means the official 
     inside the boxing ring who supervises the boxing match.
       (9) Professional boxing match.--The term ``professional 
     boxing match'' means a boxing contest held in the United 
     States between individuals for financial compensation. Such 
     term does not include a boxing contest that is regulated by a 
     duly recognized amateur sports organization, as approved by 
     the Commission.
       (10) Promoter.--The term ``promoter''--
       (A) means the person primarily responsible for organizing, 
     promoting, and producing a professional boxing match; but
       (B) does not include a hotel, casino, resort, or other 
     commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a professional 
     boxing match, or a provider of cable, satellite, or network 
     television programming, unless--
       (i) the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial 
     establishment, or provider of cable, satellite, or network 
     television programming is primarily responsible for 
     organizing, promoting, and producing the match; and
       (ii) there is no other person primarily responsible for 
     organizing, promoting, and producing the match.
       (11) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 
     States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and any 
     territory or possession of the United States, including the 
     Virgin Islands.
       (12) Sanctioning organization.--The term ``sanctioning 
     organization'' means an organization, other than a boxing 
     commission, that sanctions professional boxing matches, ranks 
     professional boxers, or charges a sanctioning fee for 
     professional boxing matches in the United States--
       (A) between boxers who are residents of different States; 
     or
       (B) that are advertised, otherwise promoted, or broadcast 
     (including closed circuit television) in interstate commerce.
       (13) Suspension.--The term ``suspension'' includes within 
     its meaning the temporary revocation of a boxing license.
       (14) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
     has the same meaning as in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b(l)).

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES BOXING COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--The United States Boxing Commission is 
     established as a commission within the Department of 
     Commerce.
       (b) Members.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall consist of 3 members 
     appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate.
       (2) Qualifications.--No member of the Commission may, while 
     serving as a member of the Commission--
       (A) be engaged as a professional boxer, boxing promoter, 
     agent, fight manager, matchmaker, referee, judge, or in any 
     other capacity in the conduct of the business of professional 
     boxing;
       (B) have any pecuniary interest in the earnings of any 
     boxer or the proceeds or outcome of any boxing match; or
       (C) serve as a member of a boxing commission.
       (3) Bipartisan membership.--Not more than 2 members of the 
     Commission may be members of the same political party.
       (4) Geographic balance.--Not more than 2 members of the 
     Commission may be residents of the same geographic region of 
     the United States when appointed to the Commission. For 
     purposes of the preceding sentence, the area of the United 
     States east of the Mississippi River is a geographic region, 
     and the area of the United States west of the Mississippi 
     River is a geographic region.
       (5) Terms.--
       (A) In general.--The term of a member of the Commission 
     shall be 3 years. No member of the Commission shall serve 
     more than 2 terms.
       (B) Midterm vacancies.--A member of the Commission 
     appointed to fill a vacancy in the Commission occurring 
     before the expiration of the term for which the member's 
     predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the 
     remainder of that unexpired term.
       (C) Continuation pending replacement.--A member of the 
     Commission may serve after the expiration of that member's 
     term until a successor has taken office.
       (6) Removal.--A member of the Commission may be removed by 
     the President only for cause.
       (c) Executive Director.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall employ an Executive 
     Director to perform the administrative functions of the 
     Commission under this Act, and such other functions and 
     duties of the Commission as the Commission shall specify.
       (2) Discharge of functions.--Subject to the authority, 
     direction, and control of the Commission the Executive 
     Director shall carry out the functions and duties of the 
     Commission under this Act.
       (d) General Counsel.--The Commission shall employ a General 
     Counsel to provide legal counsel and advice to the Executive 
     Director and the Commission in the performance of its 
     functions under this Act, and to carry out such other 
     functions and duties as the Commission shall specify.
       (e) Staff.--The Commission shall employ such additional 
     staff as the Commission considers appropriate to assist the 
     Executive Director and the General Counsel in carrying out 
     the functions and duties of the Commission under this Act.
       (f) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting 
     no later than 30 days after all members shall have been 
     appointed, and shall meet thereafter not less frequently than 
     once every 60 days.
       (g) Compensation.--
       (1) Members of commission.--
       (A) In general.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
     compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the 
     annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties 
     of the Commission.
       (B) Travel expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
     be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Commission.
       (2) Executive director and staff.--The Commission shall fix 
     the compensation of the Executive Director, the General 
     Counsel, and other personnel of the Commission. The rate of 
     pay for the Executive Director, the General Counsel, and 
     other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V 
     of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, 
     United States Code.

     SEC. 4. FUNCTIONS.

       (a) General Functions.--The general functions of the 
     Commission are--
       (1) to protect the general interests of boxers consistent 
     with the provisions of this Act;
       (2) to ensure uniformity, fairness, and integrity in 
     professional boxing; and
       (3) except as otherwise determined by the Commission, 
     oversee all professional boxing matches in the United States.
       (b) Initial Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date on which the Commission shall hold its first meeting, 
     the Commission shall, by rule promulgate uniform standards 
     for professional boxing in consultation with the Association 
     of Boxing Commissions.
       (c) Additional Functions.--In addition to its general 
     functions under subsection (a), the Commission shall--
       (1) work with the boxing commissions of the several States 
     and tribal organizations to improve the status and standards 
     of professional boxing in the United States;
       (2) ensure, in cooperation with the Attorney General, or a 
     designee of the Attorney General, (who shall represent the 
     Commission in any judicial proceeding under this Act), the 
     chief law enforcement officer of the several States, and 
     other appropriate officers and agencies of Federal, State, 
     and local government, that Federal and State laws applicable 
     to professional boxing matches in the United States are 
     vigorously, effectively, and fairly enforced;
       (3) review State boxing commission regulations for 
     professional boxing and provide assistance to such 
     authorities in meeting minimum standards prescribed by the 
     Commission under this Act;
       (4) if the Commission determines appropriate, publish a 
     newspaper, magazine, or other publication and establish and 
     maintain an Internet website consistent with the provisions 
     of this Act; and
       (5) promulgate rules, regulations, and guidance, and take 
     any other action necessary and proper to accomplish the 
     purposes of, and consistent with, the provisions of this Act.
       (d) Prohibitions.--The Commission may not--
       (1) promote boxing events or rank professional boxers; or
       (2) provide technical assistance to, or authorize the use 
     of the name of the Commission by, boxing commissions that do 
     not comply with requirements of the Commission.

     SEC. 5. LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF BOXING PERSONNEL.

       (a) Licensing.--

[[Page H10352]]

       (1) Requirement for license.--Beginning 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, no person may compete in a 
     professional boxing match or serve as a boxing manager, 
     boxing promoter, matchmaker, judge, referee, or sanctioning 
     organization for a professional boxing match except as 
     provided in a license granted to that person under this 
     subsection.
       (2) Application and term.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission shall--
       (i) establish application procedures, forms, and fees for 
     licenses granted under this section;
       (ii) establish and publish appropriate standards for such 
     licenses;
       (iii) issue a license to any person who, as determined by 
     the Commission, meets the standards established by the 
     Commission under this Act; and
       (iv) begin issuing such licenses not later than 270 days 
     after the date on which Commission holds its first meeting.
       (B) Duration.--A license issued under this section shall be 
     for a renewable--
       (i) 4-year term for a boxer; and
       (ii) 2-year term for any other person.
       (C) Procedure.--The Commission may issue a license under 
     this paragraph through boxing commissions or in a manner 
     determined by the Commission.
       (b) Licensing Fees.--
       (1) Authority.--The Commission may prescribe and charge 
     reasonable fees for the licensing of persons under this Act. 
     The Commission may set, charge, and adjust varying fees on 
     the basis of classifications of persons, functions, and 
     events determined appropriate by the Commission.
       (2) Limitations.--In setting and charging fees under 
     paragraph (1), the Commission shall ensure that, to the 
     maximum extent practicable--
       (A) club boxing is not adversely effected;
       (B) sanctioning organizations and promoters pay 
     comparatively the largest portion of the fees; and
       (C) boxers pay as small a portion of the fees as is 
     possible.

     SEC. 6. NATIONAL REGISTRY OF BOXING PERSONNEL.

       The Commission shall establish and maintain (or authorize a 
     third party to establish and maintain) a unified national 
     computerized registry for the collection, storage, and 
     retrieval of such information as the Commission shall 
     prescribe by rule related to the performance of its duties.

     SEC. 7. CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS.

       The Commission shall consult with the Association of Boxing 
     Commissions--
       (1) before prescribing any regulation or establishing any 
     standard under the provisions of this Act; and
       (2) not less than once each year regarding matters relating 
     to professional boxing.

     SEC. 8. MISCONDUCT.

       (a) Suspension and Revocation of License or Registration.--
       (1) Authority.--The Commission may, after notice and 
     opportunity for a hearing, suspend or revoke any license 
     issued under this Act if the Commission--
       (A) finds that the license holder has violated any 
     provision of this Act or a standard prescribed under this 
     Act;
       (B) reasonably believes that a standard prescribed by the 
     Commission under this Act is not being met, or that bribery, 
     collusion, intentional losing, racketeering, extortion, or 
     the use of unlawful threats, coercion, or intimidation have 
     occurred in connection with a license; or
       (C) finds that the suspension or revocation is in the 
     public interest.
       (2) Period of suspension.--A suspension of a license under 
     this section shall be effective for a period determined 
     appropriate by the Commission.
       (3) Period of revocation.--In the case of a revocation of 
     the license of a boxer, the revocation shall be for a period 
     of not less than 1 year.
       (b) Investigations and Injunctions.--
       (1) Authority.--The Commission may--
       (A) conduct any investigation that it considers necessary 
     to determine whether any person has violated, or is about to 
     violate, any provision of this Act or any regulation 
     prescribed under this Act;
       (B) require or permit any person to file with it a 
     statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the 
     Commission shall determine, as to all the facts and 
     circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated;
       (C) in its discretion, publish information concerning any 
     violations; and
       (D) investigate any facts, conditions, practices, or 
     matters to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this 
     Act, in the prescribing of regulations under this Act, or in 
     securing information to serve as a basis for recommending 
     legislation concerning the matters to which this Act relates.
       (2) Powers.--
       (A) In general.--For the purpose of any investigation under 
     paragraph (1) or any other proceeding under this Act--
       (i) any officer designated by the Commission may administer 
     oaths and affirmations, subpoena or otherwise compel the 
     attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the 
     production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, 
     or other records the Commission considers relevant or 
     material to the inquiry; and
       (ii) the provisions of sections 6002 and 6004 of title 18, 
     United States Code, shall apply.
       (B) Witnesses and evidence.--The attendance of witnesses 
     and the production of any documents under subparagraph (A) 
     may be required from any place in the United States, 
     including Indian land, at any designated place of hearing.
       (3) Enforcement of subpoenas.--
       (A) Civil action.--In case of contumacy by, or refusal to 
     obey a subpoena issued to, any person, the Commission may 
     file an action in any district court of the United States 
     within the jurisdiction of which an investigation or 
     proceeding is carried out, or where that person resides or 
     carries on business, to enforce the attendance and testimony 
     of witnesses and the production of books, papers, 
     correspondence, memorandums, and other records. The court may 
     issue an order requiring the person to appear before the 
     Commission to produce records, if so ordered, or to give 
     testimony concerning the matter under investigation or in 
     question.
       (B) Failure to obey.--Any failure to obey an order issued 
     by a court under subparagraph (A) may be punished as contempt 
     of that court.
       (C) Process.--All process in any contempt case under 
     subparagraph (A) may be served in the judicial district in 
     which the person is an inhabitant or in which the person may 
     be found.
       (D) Administrative subpoenas.--The requirements of section 
     3486 of title 18, United States Code, shall apply to the 
     administration and enforcement of subpoenas under this Act.
       (4) Evidence of criminal misconduct.--No person may be 
     excused from attending and testifying or from producing 
     books, papers, contracts, agreements, and other records and 
     documents before the Commission, in obedience to the subpoena 
     of the Commission, or in any cause or proceeding instituted 
     by the Commission, on the ground that the testimony or 
     evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of that person 
     may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a 
     penalty or forfeiture.
       (5) Injunctive relief.--If the Commission determines that 
     any person is engaged or about to engage in any act or 
     practice that constitutes a violation of any provision of 
     this Act, or of any regulation prescribed under this Act, the 
     Commission may bring an action in the appropriate district 
     court of the United States, the United States District Court 
     for the District of Columbia, or the United States courts of 
     any territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of 
     the United States, to enjoin the act or practice, and upon a 
     proper showing, the court shall grant without bond a 
     permanent or temporary injunction or restraining order.
       (6) Mandamus.--Upon application of the Commission, the 
     district courts of the United States, the United States 
     District Court for the District of Columbia, and the United 
     States courts of any territory or other place subject to the 
     jurisdiction of the United States, shall have jurisdiction to 
     issue writs of mandamus commanding any person to comply with 
     the provisions of this Act or any order of the Commission.
       (c) Intervention in Civil Actions.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission, on behalf of the public 
     interest, may intervene of right as provided under rule 24(a) 
     of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in any civil action 
     relating to professional boxing filed in a district court of 
     the United States.
       (2) Amicus filing.--The Commission may file a brief in any 
     action filed in a court of the United States on behalf of the 
     public interest in any case relating to professional boxing.
       (d) Hearings by Commission.--Hearings conducted by the 
     Commission under this Act shall be public and may be held 
     before any officer of the Commission. The Commission shall 
     keep appropriate records of the hearings.

     SEC. 9. NONINTERFERENCE WITH BOXING COMMISSIONS.

       (a) Noninterference.--Nothing in this Act prohibits any 
     boxing commission from exercising any of its powers, duties, 
     or functions with respect to the regulation or supervision of 
     professional boxing or professional boxing matches to the 
     extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
       (b) Minimum Standards.--Nothing in this Act prohibits any 
     boxing commission from enforcing local standards or 
     requirements that exceed the minimum standards or 
     requirements promulgated by the Commission under this Act.

     SEC. 10. ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER AGENCIES.

       Any employee of any executive department, agency, bureau, 
     board, commission, office, independent establishment, or 
     instrumentality may be detailed to the Commission, upon the 
     request of the Commission, on a reimbursable or 
     nonreimbursable basis, with the consent of the appropriate 
     authority having jurisdiction over the employee. While so 
     detailed, an employee shall continue to receive the 
     compensation provided pursuant to law for the employee's 
     regular position of employment and shall retain, without 
     interruption, the rights and privileges of that employment.

     SEC. 11. STUDIES.

       (a) Health and Safety Study.--
       (1) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study on the 
     health and safety aspects of boxing, including an examination 
     of--
       (A) the risks or serious injury and the nature of potential 
     injuries, including risks particular to boxers of each sex;
       (B) the long term effect of boxing on the health of boxers;
       (C) the availability of health insurance for boxers;

[[Page H10353]]

       (D) the extent to which differences in equipment effect the 
     risks of potential injury; and
       (E) the effectiveness of safety standards and regulations.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a report 
     on the study required by this section to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives, including recommendations to improve the 
     health and safety aspects of boxing.
       (b) Study on the Definition of Promoter.--
       (1) Study.--The United States Boxing Commission shall 
     conduct a study on how the term ``promoter'' should be 
     defined for purposes of the United States Boxing Commission 
     Act.
       (2) Hearings.--As part of that study, the Commission shall 
     hold hearings and solicit testimony at those hearings from 
     boxers, managers, promoters, premium, cable, and satellite 
     program service providers, hotels, casinos, resorts, and 
     other commercial establishments that host or sponsor 
     professional boxing matches, and other interested parties 
     with respect to the definition of that term as it is used in 
     the United States Boxing Commission Act.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
     of Representatives a report on the study conducted under 
     subsection (a). The report shall--
       (A) set forth a proposed definition of the term 
     ``promoter'' for purposes of the United States Boxing 
     Commission Act; and
       (B) describe the findings, conclusions, and rationale of 
     the Commission for the proposed definition, together with any 
     recommendations of the Commission, based on the study.

     SEC. 12. REPORTS.

       (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the 
     Commission shall submit a report on its activities to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
     of Representatives. The annual report shall include--
       (1) a detailed discussion of the activities of the 
     Commission for the year covered by the report;
       (2) an overview of the licensing and enforcement activities 
     of the State and tribal organization boxing commissions; and
       (3) recommendations regarding additional persons or 
     entities within the sport of boxing over whom to extend the 
     licensing requirement established by this Act.
       (b) Public Report.--The Commission shall annually issue and 
     publicize a report of the Commission on the progress made at 
     Federal and State levels and on Indian lands in the reform of 
     professional boxing, which shall include comments on issues 
     of continuing concern to the Commission.

     SEC. 13. SUNSET PROVISION.

       This Act shall cease to have effect 12 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     for the Commission for each fiscal year such sums as may be 
     necessary for the Commission to perform its functions for 
     that fiscal year.
       (b) Receipts Credited as Offsetting Collections.--
     Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, 
     any fee collected under this Act--
       (1) shall be credited as offsetting collections to the 
     account that finances the activities and services for which 
     the fee is imposed;
       (2) shall be available for expenditure only to pay the 
     costs of activities and services for which the fee is 
     imposed; and
       (3) shall remain available until expended.

  The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to that amendment shall be in order except 
those printed in part B of the report. Each amendment may be offered 
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a 
Member designated in the report, shall be considered read, debatable 
for the time specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by 
the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and 
shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.


                 Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Stearns

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Part B amendment No. 1 printed in House Report 109-295 
     offered by Mr. Stearns:
       In the heading of subsection (b) of section 5, strike 
     ``Licensing''.
       In section 5(b)(1), strike ``reasonable fees for the 
     licensing of persons under this Act'' and insert ``, for the 
     licensing of persons under this Act, reasonable fees 
     sufficient for the operation of the Commission and the 
     administration of this Act''.
       In section 14(b), strike ``under this Act--'' and insert 
     ``under this Act shall, subject to appropriations--''.
       In section 14(b), strike paragraphs (1) and (2) and insert 
     the following:
       (1) be credited as offsetting collections against any 
     amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a); and
       In section 14(b), strike ``(3) shall remain'' and insert 
     ``(2) remain''.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 553, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Stearns) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am offering today a manager's amendment that will perfect the 
underlying bill to ensure that H.R. 1065 is a fiscally sound piece of 
legislation that uses a self-funding mechanism for the United States 
Boxing Commission established under the act.
  Let me be crystal clear to my colleagues, taxpayers are not being 
forced to pay for the USBC. Boxers, boxing personnel and the 
sanctioning organization, such as the World Boxing Association, WBA, 
the International Boxing Federation, IBF, and so on, will provide the 
funds, through payment of license and other fees, which will be 
collected by the USBC.
  Specifically, my amendment will do the following: Section 5 of the 
bill will be amended to clarify that fees authorized and collected 
shall be available to fund the operation of the United States Boxing 
Commission and administration of this act.
  Section 14 of the bill will be amended to clarify that offsetting 
collections are available to the USBC subject to appropriation. This is 
a very good amendment. It is bipartisan. The bill itself will save 
lives, protect vulnerable athletes and help get the sport of boxing 
back in fighting shape.
  First and foremost, it will end the corruption and abuse that has 
plagued the sport for so long so America will regain its pride in 
boxing and all of its wonderful champions. Moreover, it will be done in 
a fiscally responsible way. I urge my colleagues to support this 
perfecting amendment and support H.R. 1065.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time in opposition, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman 
from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I just want to make a few remarks in support of the Stearns 
amendment. The Stearns amendment would ensure that establishment of the 
boxing commission would not be a burden to the taxpayers. It would 
require that the fees collected from the licenses go to offset the cost 
of running the commission. The amendment is fiscally responsible, and 
it is consistent with PAYGO principles that helped us achieve budget 
surpluses in the 1990s.
  This amendment was crafted in consultation with the Committee on 
Appropriations and achieves the stated objective. While I believe that 
boxing needs to have serious oversight, I also believe it should be 
paid for by those who profit and promote the ringside event. It is the 
least they can do for the sport they love, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Schakowsky

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Filner of 
California, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Part B amendment No. 2 printed in House Report 109-295 
     offered by Ms. Schakowsky:
       In section 4(c)(4), strike ``; and'' and insert a 
     semicolon.
       In section 4(c)(5), strike the period at the end and insert 
     a semicolon.
       At the end of section 4(c), insert the following:
       (6) require a copy of any contract for a boxing match to be 
     filed with the Commission or

[[Page H10354]]

     with a state boxing authority at a time and in a manner 
     determined appropriate by the Commission;
       (7) establish minimum standards for the availability of 
     medical services at professional boxing matches;
       (8) encourage a life, accident, and health insurance fund 
     for professional boxers and other members of the professional 
     boxing community; and
       (9) conduct discussions and enter into agreements with 
     foreign boxing entities on methods of applying minimum health 
     and safety standards to foreign boxing events and foreign 
     boxers, trainers, cut men, referees, judges, ringside 
     physicians, and other professional boxing personnel.
       In section 12(a)(2), strike ``; and'' and insert a 
     semicolon.
       In section 12(a)(3), strike the period and insert ``; 
     and''.
       In section 12(a), insert after paragraph (3) the following:
       (4) recommendations regarding the feasibility of 
     establishing a pension system for professional boxing 
     participants.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 553, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.

                              {time}  1645

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment enhances safeguards to 
protect professional boxers. We all know that boxing is a tough sport 
with even tougher consequences and it is essential that we protect 
boxers as much as possible.
  Unfortunately, there are varying standards among the States on what 
type of medical services need to be available during boxing matches. 
Because appropriate medical care is critical in determining whether the 
fighter injured in the match will recover, suffer permanent damage or 
will die, depending on the extent of the injury, this amendment would 
call on the boxing commission to establish minimum standards and what 
type of medical services must be available at professional boxing 
matches.
  Additionally, many boxers only have insurance coverage the night of 
the fight. It is not surprising that many insurance companies do not 
offer boxers health and life insurance policies at affordable rates for 
the rest of the time. And not every boxer is a prize fighter taking 
home a big purse. This amendment would simply encourage the Boxing 
Commission to establish an insurance fund to cover members of the 
professional boxing community.
  We have all heard of the destitute boxer struggling to get by. This 
amendment would call on the Boxing Commission to come forward on 
recommendations regarding the feasibility of the pension system for 
professional boxing participants. Remember, again, this is asking them 
to come forward simply with a recommendation regarding the feasibility 
of a pension system.
  Finally, like most other sports, boxing is an international business. 
As such, I believe it is important for the Boxing Commission to enter 
into agreements with other foreign boxing entities to set minimum 
health standards for boxers who fight overseas.
  All of these measures are important to improve the sport and to 
provide additional safeguards to boxing, and I urge support of this 
amendment.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my colleague's 
amendment, and I think I would accept it. Both our staffs have looked 
at this. We think it is a good improvement on the bill, and so I 
commend the gentlewoman for her extra work here on the amendment and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) who has also been involved 
with it.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 4 Offered by Ms. Schakowsky

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Filner of 
California, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Part B amendment No. 4 printed in House Report 109-295 
     offered by Ms. Schakowsky:
       After section 5, insert the following (and redesignate 
     succeeding sections accordingly):

     SEC. 6. ARCHIE MOORE CRITERIA FOR RATING BOXERS.

       (a) Publication by Commission.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
     develop and publish guidelines establishing consistent and 
     objective criteria for the rating of professional boxers.
       (b) Adoption by Sanctioning Organizations.--Beginning 90 
     days after the promulgation of the guidelines under 
     subsection (a), no sanctioning organization may be issued a 
     license under this Act unless such organization shall adopt 
     and carry out policies and procedures for the rating of 
     professional boxers that are consistent with such guidelines.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 553, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Filner) named this the Archie Moore Criteria for Rating Boxers. So the 
reason that he called this amendment the Archie Moore criteria for 
rating boxers is because Archie Moore, also known as the Old Mongoose, 
held the light middleweight title for 10 years. By the time of his 
retirement, after 197 fights, Archie had compiled a truly unassailable 
sports record of 145 knockouts. All of this is even more remarkable 
when one considers that he spent a large part of his career, 
approximately 16 years, traveling to an unending string of boxing honky 
tonks open to fighters who could not break into the big leagues.
  Archie did not get a title shot until he turned 39, a time when most 
boxers retire. There were many barriers preventing great boxers like 
Archie from rising through the ranks. One primarily being a broken 
rating system for boxers.
  It is the job of the sanctioning organizations to rate boxers and to 
designate a champion. Sanctioning organizations make their money by 
sanctioning champion fights. The higher a fighter is rated, the more 
likely it will be for him to get high paying fights, especially 
championship fights.
  However, often rankings are not based on objective talent or win-loss 
records; rather, boxers who belong to certain promoters may be highly 
ranked regardless of skill and ability. A fighter could be the best in 
his weight class, but if he is not associated with the right people he 
may not be ranked and thus lose his chance to further his career.
  Previously, Congress passed legislation under the Mohammed Ali act to 
require all sanctioning organizations to develop credible and 
consistent ratings criteria. However, there are still problems with the 
system.
  For example, one of the sanctioning organizations had a dead man 
ranked in the top 10 of a super middle weight division for 4 months. 
During the 4 months in which the dead man was actually ranked, he moved 
up in the ratings, going from Number 7 to Number 5.
  This is just one incident on a long list of problems associated with 
the ratings system conducted by boxing sanctioning organizations. 
Obviously, something is wrong, and something ought to be done.
  My amendment will require the Boxing Commission to establish 
guidelines for rating boxers. These guidelines must be followed by 
organizations that sanction boxing events. My amendment does not strip 
boxing sanctioning organizations from ranking boxers; however, it does 
require them to adhere to a set criteria established by the Boxing 
Commission.
  Boxing will never be the sport it once was until the rating system is 
made more legitimate and respectable, which is why I am asking you to 
support my amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for 
yielding. I do not rise in opposition. I think this amendment is good. 
We accept it. I would point out, during the hearing, we had a boxer who 
died of natural causes and as a result of that he rose in the ranking 
because of the lack of standards that are set. And so I think, in this 
case, her amendment would be worthwhile, so that this sort

[[Page H10355]]

of anomaly does not occur again in which a boxer dies naturally and he 
rises in rank in the standing in the overall professional standing. So 
I rise in support of the amendment.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Sodrel

  Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Part B amendment No. 5 printed in House Report 109-295 
     offered by Mr. Sodrel:
       Strike section 14.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 553, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Sodrel) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.


         Modification to Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Sodrel

  Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
be modified by the modification at the desk.
  The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from 
Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will report the modification.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Modification offered by Mr. Sodrel:
       In lieu of the matter proposed:
       In section 14, strike ``AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS'' 
     and insert ``RECEIPTS CREDITED AS OFFSETTING COLLECTIONS''.
       In section 14, strike subsection (a).
       In section 14, strike ``(b) Receipts Credited as Offsetting 
     Collections.--''.
       In section 14, strike ``pursuant to subsection (a)'' and 
     insert ``to fund this Act''.

  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Indiana is recognized for 5 minutes 
in support of his amendment, as modified.
  Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, the sport of boxing is an amusement. It is a luxury 
often costing participants hundreds of dollars to attend a single prize 
fight.
  In a time when we are searching for ways to fund necessities, we 
should not expose the taxpayer to a left hook and the possibility of 
paying millions of dollars to clean up corruption of a highly 
profitable business that estimates are brings in a billion dollars a 
year.
  I commend the gentleman from Florida for working with me to ensure 
that taxpayers keep their guard up to prevent them from sharing the 
burden of paying for this commission.
  I am still uncomfortable with the prospect of the Federal Government 
serving directly as the referee for licensing and regulating commercial 
sports.
  Other professional sports, baseball, football, hockey, basketball all 
have their own governing body to thwart the problems now faced by the 
professional boxing industry.
  However, if it must be done, then we must ensure that the costs fall 
on those that have generated the need for regulation and who benefit 
the most from boxing industry's revenues.
  I believe my amendment will ensure this commission will be funded 
exclusively by licensing fees on the boxing industry participants and 
not from appropriations of general funds.
  I ask my colleagues to support this amendment to hold the boxing 
industry accountable to pay for its own regulation.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Stearns).
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's amendment, I think, 
improves the bill quite a bit, addresses the fee language to ensure 
that the fees collected pursuant to the act are credited, as the 
gentleman mentioned, as offsetting collections only for the purpose of 
funding the commission. It is important to ensure that any fee 
collected is used expressly for the purpose intended, namely, the 
funding of this commission.
  User fees are common throughout most industries and are often used to 
fund activities that, other than the purpose of the fee that is 
collected. We know that. We see that oftentimes in Congress. But this 
amendment will ensure that this does not happen. So I think it is very 
good. And I compliment the gentleman for it. It is a good policy. The 
insurance commission is the only entity that receives the industry fees 
that it is collecting from. It has bipartisan support, and I appreciate 
the gentleman working with me and my staff, and I commend my colleagues 
to vote and support it.
  Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment, as modified, offered 
by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Sodrel).
  The amendment, as modified, was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, was agreed 
to.
  The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Putnam) having assumed the chair, Mr. Simpson, Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1065) to 
establish the United States Boxing Commission to protect the general 
welfare of boxers and to ensure fairness in the sport of professional 
boxing, pursuant to House Resolution 553, he reported the bill back to 
the House with an amendment adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is 
ordered.
  Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute adopted by the Committee of the Whole? If not, 
the question is on the amendment.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
  The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-minute vote on passage of 
H.R. 1065 will be followed by 5-minute votes on motions to suspend the 
rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 230 and H. Con. Res. 268.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 190, 
nays 233, not voting 10, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 592]

                               YEAS--190

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Allen
     Baca
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrow
     Barton (TX)
     Bass
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blunt
     Boren
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (OH)
     Brown, Corrine
     Burgess
     Butterfield
     Buyer
     Capps
     Cardin
     Carnahan
     Castle
     Chandler
     Clay
     Clyburn
     Conyers
     Cramer
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Cummings
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis, Tom
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle
     Ehlers
     Emanuel
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Evans
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fitzpatrick (PA)
     Fortenberry
     Gerlach
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gonzalez
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Gutknecht
     Hall
     Harman
     Herseth
     Higgins
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Holden
     Honda
     Hooley
     Hoyer
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Israel
     Issa
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Johnson (CT)
     Kennedy (RI)
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick (MI)
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Kirk
     Kucinich
     Langevin
     Larson (CT)
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (GA)
     Lipinski
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lowey
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Lynch
     Maloney
     Markey
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy
     McCollum (MN)
     McGovern
     McIntyre
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meeks (NY)
     Michaud
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, George
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Oberstar
     Obey

[[Page H10356]]


     Olver
     Ortiz
     Osborne
     Owens
     Pascrell
     Pelosi
     Pickering
     Pitts
     Pomeroy
     Porter
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Rangel
     Reyes
     Rogers (KY)
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sabo
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sanders
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schwartz (PA)
     Schwarz (MI)
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Shays
     Sherman
     Shimkus
     Simmons
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Solis
     Spratt
     Stearns
     Strickland
     Stupak
     Tauscher
     Thomas
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Towns
     Udall (CO)
     Upton
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walden (OR)
     Waters
     Watson
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Wexler
     Whitfield
     Woolsey
     Wynn
     Young (FL)

                               NAYS--233

     Aderholt
     Akin
     Alexander
     Andrews
     Bachus
     Baker
     Barrett (SC)
     Bartlett (MD)
     Bean
     Beauprez
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blumenauer
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonner
     Bono
     Boozman
     Boustany
     Bradley (NH)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (SC)
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Burton (IN)
     Calvert
     Camp
     Cannon
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carson
     Carter
     Case
     Chabot
     Chocola
     Cleaver
     Coble
     Cole (OK)
     Conaway
     Cooper
     Costa
     Costello
     Crenshaw
     Cuellar
     Culberson
     Davis (KY)
     Davis (TN)
     Davis, Jo Ann
     Deal (GA)
     DeFazio
     DeLay
     Dent
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Doolittle
     Drake
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Emerson
     English (PA)
     Etheridge
     Everett
     Feeney
     Ferguson
     Flake
     Foley
     Forbes
     Ford
     Fossella
     Foxx
     Frank (MA)
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Gallegly
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gingrey
     Gohmert
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Gordon
     Granger
     Graves
     Green (WI)
     Green, Al
     Harris
     Hart
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hobson
     Hoekstra
     Holt
     Hostettler
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Inglis (SC)
     Istook
     Jindal
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Keller
     Kelly
     Kennedy (MN)
     King (IA)
     Kingston
     Kline
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kuhl (NY)
     LaHood
     Larsen (WA)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Leach
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     LoBiondo
     Lucas
     Mack
     Manzullo
     Marchant
     Marshall
     McCaul (TX)
     McCotter
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McHenry
     McHugh
     McKeon
     McMorris
     Meek (FL)
     Melancon
     Menendez
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Miller, Gary
     Mollohan
     Murphy
     Murtha
     Musgrave
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Neugebauer
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nunes
     Nussle
     Otter
     Oxley
     Pallone
     Pastor
     Paul
     Payne
     Pearce
     Pence
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Platts
     Poe
     Pombo
     Price (GA)
     Putnam
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Regula
     Rehberg
     Renzi
     Reynolds
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ross
     Rothman
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Salazar
     Saxton
     Schmidt
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Sherwood
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (TX)
     Snyder
     Sodrel
     Souder
     Sullivan
     Sweeney
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Taylor (NC)
     Terry
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Tierney
     Turner
     Udall (NM)
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Wasserman Schultz
     Watt
     Weldon (PA)
     Weller
     Westmoreland
     Wicker
     Wilson (NM)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wolf
     Wu
     Young (AK)

                             NOT VOTING--10

     Boswell
     Cunningham
     Davis (FL)
     Edwards
     Jenkins
     Lantos
     Reichert
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Stark
     Taylor (MS)

                              {time}  1727

  Mr. FORD, Ms. HART, Mr. BONNER, Mr. RADANOVICH, Mrs. BONO, Messrs. 
DAVIS of Tennessee, GINGREY, KELLER, McCAUL of Texas, AL GREEN of 
Texas, CLEAVER, ROGERS of Alabama, SULLIVAN, POMBO, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE 
JOHNSON of Texas, Messrs. MURTHA, UDALL of New Mexico, GORDON, 
ADERHOLT, ROSS and Ms. KAPTUR changed their vote from ``yea'' to 
``nay.''
  Messrs. DAVIS of Illinois, GUTIERREZ, OLVER, HALL, BERMAN, BACA, 
KENNEDY of Rhode Island, GONZALEZ, LEVIN, GEORGE MILLER of California 
and KUCINICH changed their vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
  So the bill was not passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________