[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONDEMNING BURMESE REGIME'S UNDEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2010

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, the following is an exchange of letters that 
I would like to submit:
         Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, 
           Committee on Ways and Means,
                                Washington, DC, November 17, 2010.
     Hon. Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing you concerning H. Res. 1677 
     (``Resolution''), ``Condemning the Burmese regime's 
     undemocratic upcoming elections on November 7, 2010''. As you 
     know, the Resolution was referred to the Committee on Ways 
     and Means based on the Committee's jurisdiction over 
     international trade.
       I appreciate the productive discussions that we have had on 
     this issue, resulting in our agreement to revise paragraph 9 
     of the Resolution, which I believe helps to clarify the 
     intent and scope of the Resolution. I appreciate your 
     commitment to reflect this agreement in the final Resolution.
       In order to expedite this Resolution for floor 
     consideration, the Committee on Ways and Means will forgo 
     action on this Resolution and will not oppose its 
     consideration on the suspension calendar, based on our 
     understanding that you will reflect our agreement in the 
     final Resolution. This is done with the understanding between 
     our Committees that the Committee on Ways and Means does not 
     waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject 
     matters contained in the Resolution.
       This letter also confirms my understanding that you will 
     include a copy of your letter and this response in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the Resolution 
     on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Sander M. Levin,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____
                                  
         Congress of the United States, Committee on Foreign 
           Affairs, House of Representatives,
                                Washington, DC, November 17, 2010.
     Hon. Sander M. Levin,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H. 
     Res. 1677, ``Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic 
     upcoming elections on November 7, 2010.'' As you know, the 
     Resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 
     in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and the 
     Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
     Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
     fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
       I agree that the Committee on Ways and Means has certain 
     valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I 
     appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H. 
     Res. 1677 in the interest of expediting consideration of this 
     important measure. I understand that by agreeing to waive 
     further consideration, the Committee on Ways and Means is not 
     waiving its jurisdictional claims over similar measures in 
     the future.
       During consideration of this measure on the House floor, I 
     will ask that this exchange of letters be included in the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman.

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