[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6666-H6668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2641, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 481 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 481
Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this
resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule
XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of
the bill (H.R. 2641) making appropriations for energy and
water development and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. The first
reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of
order against consideration of the bill are waived except
those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General
debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one
hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.
After general debate the bill shall be considered for
amendment under the five-minute rule. Points of order against
provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of
rule XXI are waived. During consideration of the bill for
amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may
accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the
Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in
the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that
purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII. Amendments so printed
shall be considered as read. When the committee rises and
reports the bill back to the House with a recommendation that
the bill do pass, the previous question shall be considered
as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final
passage without intervening motion except one motion to
recommit with or without instructions.
Sec. 2. During consideration in the House of H.R. 2641
pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of
the previous question, the Chair may postpone further
consideration of the bill to such time as may be designated
by the Speaker.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Snyder). The gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Matsui) is recognized for 1 hour.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, for purpose of debate only, I yield the
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings)
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During
consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for purpose of
debate only.
General Leave
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and insert extraneous materials into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this rule permits the House to consider the
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill today
is being considered under an open rule. The issues of energy and water
are always important, but this year these issues are the very center of
our national dialogue.
[[Page H6667]]
I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their
continued commitment to provide the resources for our water
infrastructure. This investment protects communities and saves lives.
I feel I could speak directly to this because in my home, Sacramento,
this bill is arguably more important to the everyday life and safety of
our population than nearly any bill this Congress will pass. Sacramento
is the most at-risk river city for catastrophic flooding in this
country.
My district serves as the seat of government for California, the
sixth largest economy in the world, as well as the hub of a six-county
regional economy that provides 800,000 jobs for 1.5 million people. A
major flood along the American and Sacramento rivers would have
catastrophic ripple effects regionally and nationally, cause upwards of
$35 billion in direct property damage, and likely result in significant
loss of life to our families, our friends, and neighbors.
Sacramento needs this bill, but so do countless other communities
across the Nation. I remember all too well on New Year's Eve of 2005
when the headline in our local paper said: ``North State braces as
rains' onslaught arrives.'' My district and I sat on the edge of our
seats and held our breath to see how the storm would unfold.
Flooding did occur, and for those that endured it, it was tragic. But
the majority of Sacramento was spared. Our flood system performed as it
should, but it was definitely put to the test. Bolstering our system,
working through this bill, and with the Army Corps of Engineers made
our survival during that storm possible.
Locally, on a daily basis, we are working closely with the Army Corps
of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California and
the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, our local partner, to achieve
greater flood protection. We have achieved impressive results by
integrating an approach that combines flood protection and dam safety
with partners that can share resources. But what makes an approach like
this possible are strong partnerships between the Federal Government,
the States, and local entities.
I am pleased that this bill strengthens and supports this and other
similar partnerships. Another key component of this bill is funding for
the Army Corps of Engineers operation and maintenance funding account.
This important increase will begin to address billions of dollars in
Army Corps maintenance backlogs.
{time} 1030
This bill takes on the responsibility of not only building but also
maintaining our infrastructure and makes an investment in securing our
communities, property and, most important, lives.
As our country witnessed in the devastation in New Orleans,
maintaining our infrastructure is an important function of the Corps
that we cannot afford to overlook.
It is vital that the Federal Government continue to be a strong
partner for these ongoing water infrastructure and flood protection
investments. This will allow at-risk communities across the country to
strengthen their vulnerable points. It will protect jobs and it will
protect lives. There are few investments as worthwhile as this.
Just as we must invest in our country's water infrastructure, we must
also implement a clean energy economy. This starts with weaning
ourselves off of fossil fuels.
Mr. Speaker, the rising price of gas is well documented. In many
communities gas prices are monitored more closely than the stock
prices. Mr. Speaker, I stood here 1 year ago to manage the rule for
last year's Energy and Water appropriations bill. During last year's
debate I noted that the average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $2.93.
Last year, there appeared to be no end in sight to rising prices.
Unfortunately, we have not seen much improvement at the pump. In fact
what has changed has done so for the worst. According to AAA, the
average price of a gallon of gas today is $3.06. In my hometown of
Sacramento, it's $3.19. Many of us are probably asking, has energy
policy improved?
To begin with, Chairman Visclosky has recentered our priorities with
this appropriations bill. We are now investing in renewable energy
research. We are finally reducing our dependence on foreign oil and
cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We are finally protecting our
national energy security. Chairman Visclosky and Chairman Obey should
be commended for these improvements.
These investments are long overdue, Mr. Speaker. They support our
States and cities. For example, in my home State of California, we have
plans to create a 20 percent renewable portfolio standard within the
next decade.
These increased investments in energy programs contrast greatly with
the President's priorities. Incredibly, the President's total request
for renewable energy and energy efficiency is the same as it was in
2001.
During this President's entire administration, his goals and
priorities have not changed. This is in spite of the everyday reminders
of rising gas prices and the constant stream of evidence that our world
is warming.
I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their
leadership in this area. They have set a responsible and innovative
course with these priorities.
Finally, as I mentioned at the outset of this debate, this bill is
being made in order under an open rule, which is our tradition. I hope
that all Members will give that tradition the respect it deserves.
The American people want action on energy policy, climate change,
flood protection and a number of issues that this bill funds. Let's let
the process work, and let's support this responsible bill.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this rule and final passage
of the underlying Energy and Water appropriations bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
gentlelady from California (Ms. Matsui) for yielding me the customary
30 minutes. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
(Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this
Congress, the Democrat majority chose to gut the earmark transparency
and enforceability rules that the Republicans enacted just last year.
They then decided to bring the spending bills to the floor that did not
include earmarks so no Member could challenge, discuss, and call for a
vote on the House floor.
Fortunately, the Republicans were successful in forcing the Democrat
majority to restore earmark transparency and enforceability rules and
bring spending bills to the floor with earmarks where they can be
discussed, debated, and voted upon.
But, Mr. Speaker, let me be clear that the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy
and Water appropriations bill before us today does not contain
earmarks. However, Republican and Democrat leaders have reached an
agreement that Members will have an opportunity to debate and vote on
earmarks to be included in this bill before this bill is sent to the
Senate, and I, along with my colleagues, will work to ensure that this
promise is kept.
Mr. Speaker, I also wish to point out that the underlying bill is of
tremendous importance to the central Washington congressional district
that I represent. I am pleased by the funding provided for Hanford
cleanup and the efforts to ensure that the Richland Operations Office
can meet legal cleanup milestones along the River Corridor and in
transuranic waste retrievals.
However, I must say, Mr. Speaker, the funding level for the waste
treatment plant at Hanford is of a concern to me. It is important for
this House and the Congress to recognize that while the bill provides
sufficient funds for construction in this fiscal year, this bill's
funding level will require a significant boost in funding in just 2
years to keep the project on its new independently verified budget and
schedule. We must acknowledge that the choices made on funding for the
waste treatment plant in this bill require balancing with a substantial
increase in the very near future.
I also, Mr. Speaker, support the funds vital to the operation of
Pacific Northwest National Lab, particularly the DOE Office of Science
and NNSA plan
[[Page H6668]]
to transition scientists' work in the 300 area to replacement lab
facilities. This initiative is critical to our country's national
security. And this bill provides a solid endorsement and boost to that
project.
So, Mr. Speaker, when the Democrat majority keeps its promise to
include earmarks and detail spending in this bill, we will know far
more about the multibillion-dollar budgets of the Army Corps of
Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. These are also of great
importance to the irrigators, farmers and ports of Washington State and
the Pacific Northwest.
Originally, as we know, the Democrat majority would have had this
House consider the Energy and Water appropriations bill with a report
that included page after page of blanks where dollar amounts should
have been in the Army Corps and Reclamation budgets. But due to the
demands of the Republicans, they will now fill in the blanks before and
not after the House votes and sends this bill to the Senate. This will
ensure that all Members will have an opportunity to review earmarks on
the House floor and not just see them added months from now when they
would have been beyond the scrutiny of a House vote.
We Republicans have secured a rules change to ensure this House and
the American taxpayers can scrutinize earmarks, and that earmarks are
subject to a vote of the House. This is the right thing to do, Mr.
Speaker, and I'm pleased that the Democrat majority has agreed to
Republican demands to restore transparency and openness on earmarks.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Vermont, a member of the Rules Committee, Mr. Welch.
Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from
California (Ms. Matsui) for her excellent work on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, in November Vermonters and the American people demanded
a change in direction in Washington and a change in priorities. The
past 5 months have been an important down payment on our commitment to
change.
Today the House takes up the third of 12 appropriation bills where we
will continue making this progress of taking America in a new
direction. This is a balanced bill adopting the pay-as-you-go principle
enacted by this House of Representatives.
This Energy and Water Appropriation bill represents a bipartisan
approach to our response to a growing energy crisis. We're making real
changes by focusing on commonsense priorities.
We know we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and cut our
greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation invests $3 billion in
addressing global climate change. It does so by researching effects of
greenhouse gases and then working on the technologies that will make a
new energy future. It also focuses on the growing renewable energy
industry, making an investment in energy programs that both reduce
greenhouse gases and help our Nation meet its energy needs.
This Energy and Water bill provides a 50 percent increase in energy
efficiency, renewable energy and important water projects, including
$200 million towards solar, $235 million in vehicle technology to
increase mileage efficiency, $146 million in energy-efficient
buildings, $117 million in enhancing hydropower.
In addition, it invests over $5 billion, as the gentlelady from
California said, in construction operations and the management of
critical water projects around the entire country, including in the
State of Vermont.
These programs are important not only when talking about the need to
reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas
emissions, but to make critical investments in new industries that can
be seen across the country. If we make this commitment now, we can have
a pro-growth, pro-high tech, pro-environment economy of the future.
In my district of Vermont, we have dozens of thriving, renewable
energy companies rooted in our community and creating goods jobs.
Efficiency Vermont, GroSolar, Agrefresh and NRG Systems, to name a few.
This is a timely bill. It invests in our energy independence and
makes a down payment on the necessary progress to address climate
change in our energy future. This Congress is committed to taking our
country in a new direction, working in a bipartisan manner and in a
fiscally responsible way. We're committed to making this an energy-
independent country.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my friend from
California if she has any more requests. I have no more requests for
time and I'm prepared to yield back if she is.
Ms. MATSUI. I have no additional speakers.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time
as I may consume.
And this is a truly open rule that continues the longstanding
tradition of providing open rules for appropriation bills. So
therefore, Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolution 481, and urge my
colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington. I
yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that puts our energy policy on line
with the people's priorities by investing. It also raises our
investment in our water infrastructure.
I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.
Mr. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this open rule
and the fiscal year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Visclosky, Ranking Member
Hobson, and their subcommittee for putting together a strong bill that
clearly recognizes the importance of scientific research and energy
security to our national competitiveness. In particular, I want to
commend them for more than meeting the President's request for the DOE
Office of Science.
Mr. Speaker, we face a world in which our economic competitors in
Asia and Europe are making significant new investments in their own
research capabilities. These investments are beginning to payoff, as
Asian and European countries challenge U.S. leadership in the sciences,
no matter how it is measured--by number of patents won, articles
submitted to scientific journals, degrees awarded, or Nobel prizes won.
Report after report has called on Congress and the President to
invest in U.S. research capabilities. The benefits of such an
investment to the U.S. economy and U.S. competitiveness are well known.
Economic experts have concluded that science-driven technology has
accounted for more than 50 percent of the growth of the U.S. economy
during the last half-century.
That's why President Bush and Congressional Democrats and Republicans
have proposed doubling federal funding for basic research in the
physical sciences over the next 5 to 10 years as part of their
innovation and competitiveness initiatives.
Supporting over 40 percent of total federal funding for basic
research in the physical sciences--more than any other Federal agency--
the DOE Office of Science is the Nation's primary supporter of research
in the physical sciences.
Mr. Speaker, U.S. scientists are as bright as any in the world, but
they traditionally have had better tools than everyone else. Under the
President's budget, 21,500 researchers would have access to the DOE's
unique system of large-scale, specialized user facilities. Nearly half
of those users will be university faculty and students, many will be
from other federal agencies, and a significant number will be from U.S.
industry.
And the Office of Science is using those facilities and its expertise
to address our energy challenges. It supports basic research related
to: The production of cellulosic biofuels; the development of advanced
materials for the safe storage of hydrogen; more durable and efficient
solar panels and wind turbines; and advanced nuclear systems, not to
mention fusion power.
Mr. Speaker, the Office of Science has developed a balanced
investment strategy to ensure the U.S. retains its dominance in such
key scientific fields as biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials
science, and supercomputing well into the next century. I again commend
my colleagues on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee for
recognizing the great contributions that basic research in general--and
the DOE Office of Science in particular--make to our energy security
and our national competitiveness.
Ms. MATSUI. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the
previous question on the resolution.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________