[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2590-E2591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TO PROVIDE CERTAIN AUTHORITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am attaching an exchange of 
letters between Chairman Hyde and Chairman Davis concerning the bill 
H.R. 4436, ``To provide certain authorities for the Department of 
State, and for other purposes'' for printing in the Record.

[[Page E2591]]

                                         House of Representatives,


                         Committee on International Relations,

                                Washington, DC, December 14, 2005.
     Hon. Tom Davis,
     Chairman, House Committee on Government Reform, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the bill, 
     H.R. 4436, to provide certain authorities for the Department 
     of State. There are certain provisions in the bill which fall 
     within the shared Rule X jurisdiction of your Committee. 
     Specifically, I refer to the language in section 4 of the 
     bill relating to increased limits applicable to post 
     differentials; section 6 of the bill which extends the 
     authorization of personal services contracting authority that 
     waives civil service laws and danger pay allowances; and 
     section 7 relating to official residence expenses. Based on 
     discussions between the two committees, I will change the 
     language in this bill as called up to include a modification 
     in section 4 (e) relating to reporting requirements to 
     include your Committee and to sunset the authorization in 
     section 6. Section 7 will remain as in the introduced bill.
       In the interest of permitting this Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to the floor consideration of this bill, I 
     request your Committee to waive further consideration of this 
     matter. I understand that such a waiver only applies to this 
     language in this bill, and not to the underlying subject 
     matter. I will urge the Speaker to name Members of your 
     Committee to any conference committee which is named to 
     consider this bill.
       I appreciate your willingness to allow us to proceed. I 
     will insert this exchange of letters into the Congressional 
     Record
           Sincerely,
                                                    Henry J. Hyde,
                                                         Chairman.
                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Government Reform,

                                Washington, DC, December 14, 2005.
     Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman, House Committee on International Relations, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter concerning the 
     bill H.R. 4436 to provide certain authorities for the 
     Department of State. I concur in your judgment that certain 
     provisions which you mentioned fall within the jurisdiction 
     of your Committee.
       Based on conversations between the two committees and your 
     agreement to make certain changes in the language which will 
     be considered under suspension of the rules, I am willing to 
     waive this committee's right to consider the bill. In so 
     doing, I do not waive its jurisdiction over the subject 
     matter of the bill. I appreciate your commitment to urge the 
     Speaker to name Members of this Committee to any conference 
     committee which is named to consider this bill and to insert 
     this exchange of letters into the Congressional Record.
       I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Tom Davis,
     Chairman.

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