[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8901-H8915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSIONS ACT,
2011
Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 1782 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 1782
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution, it shall
be in order to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R.
3082) making appropriations for military construction, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other
purposes, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to
the Senate amendment thereto, and to consider in the House,
without intervention of any point of order except those
arising under clause 10 of rule XXI, a motion offered by the
chair of the Committee on Appropriations or his designee that
the House concur in the Senate amendment to the House
amendment to the Senate amendment. The Senate amendment and
the motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be
debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the motion to final adoption without intervening
motion.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado is recognized
for 1 hour.
Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman
[[Page H8902]]
from Texas (Mr. Sessions), my colleague on the Rules Committee. All
time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.
General Leave
Mr. POLIS. I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House
Resolution 1782.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I might consume.
Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1782 provides for consideration of
the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to
H.R. 3082.
The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the
Committee on Appropriations, or his designee, for the House to concur
in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment
to H.R. 3082.
The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by
the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations.
The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the
motion, except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule provides that the Senate amendment shall be considered as
read.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of approving a continuing
resolution to maintain a level and consistent funding stream for our
government. It's one of our primary constitutional responsibilities as
Members of Congress to keep the Federal Government running through the
passage of appropriations legislation. All money spent by the Federal
Government needs to be approved by this body, Madam Speaker, right here
in this Congress.
This continuing resolution will ensure that all necessary and vital
functions of government will continue uninterrupted until March 4,
2011, instead of grinding to a halt at midnight tonight. If we do not
act now, the Federal Government will shut down tonight at midnight,
something that I hope no one in our body desires.
The CR will fund the Federal Government at levels already approved by
the House in the FY 2010 appropriations bills, aside from a small
number of programs that both parties in the Senate have agreed on that
would otherwise expire or be severely disrupted. It is a very
straightforward measure, Madam Speaker, to keep the government running
and get us through the next few months and into the next Congress.
These are funding levels that we have voted on multiple times. This
language is the result of bipartisan negotiations in the Senate, and
it's my hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will
work with us now to move this important measure forward to passage and
avoid a government shutdown.
We have 4 days until the Christmas holiday, and we are just weeks
away from the end of the year. I can't think of anything that we would
do to undermine the work that this Congress has done these last 2 years
through a shutdown of the Federal Government. The uncertainty that a
failure to pass this rule would lead to is the last thing our Nation's
retailers or economy need, let alone the millions of Americans who
depend on critical services of our Federal Government.
Let me give an example, Madam Speaker. The next few days are amongst
the busiest travel times of the year. Is it wise to cut off at midnight
tonight funding for our Federal air marshals? This CR would allow the
Federal air marshals to maintain the existing 2010 fourth-quarter
coverage levels for international and domestic flights. This funding
allows for continued air marshal training, including investigative
techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms
proficiency. This funding allows the Federal air marshals to fulfill
their mission of protecting air passengers and crews.
This funding is critical especially during this peak holiday travel
time. What a Christmas gift it would be, Madam Speaker, to all of the
families across our country traveling to visit their loved ones if the
airports are closed, their flights indefinitely delayed,
Grandma's visit over Christmas is canceled because Congress chose to be
a grinch. Madam Speaker, it's for families across our country that we
must ensure that our airports and travel remain open through this busy
holiday season to allow people to visit loved ones across this country.
This CR would also allow the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to maintain the levels of Customs and Border Protection
personnel in place in the final quarter of 2010. This would provide
proper funding to keep terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S.,
secure and facilitate trade and travel, and enforce hundreds of U.S.
trade regulations, including immigration and drug laws. U.S. Customs
and Border Protection law enforcement serve as America's front line on
our Nation's borders and ports of entry. It's important we maintain a
consistent level of personnel at our Nation's borders.
If we fail to pass this CR, Madam Speaker, it would be a Christmas
gift--it would be a Christmas gift to terrorists and criminal cartels,
because were we to let down our watch on our borders during this
holiday season by interrupting these funds, we would be jeopardizing
the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol's ability to do their job and
protect America. This funding will enable these officers to inspect our
borders, process trade, combat terrorism, and combat smuggling.
In addition to extending the existing authority for the Department of
Homeland Security to regulate chemical facilities that are high levels
of risk for terrorist attacks, this CR also maintains the additional
$23 million in funding for the Department of the Interior's new Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management. Madam Speaker, this is the program that
monitors offshore oil rigs. In light of the disaster we all witnessed
unfold this summer in the Gulf of Mexico, can we all imagine what would
happen if we let down our watch now?
These funds are critical to ensure that tragedies like the Deepwater
Horizon spill are not repeated. These funds allow existing rigs to
continue operating in a manner that's safe to workers on the rigs and
the environment. Interrupting these funds would be putting offshore oil
rig workers' lives in danger, the environment in danger, and our
economy in danger with potentially devastating impact in Florida and
Texas and the other gulf States.
This continuing resolution also provides continued funding for
important allies such as Israel, Egypt, and Jordan at fiscal year 2009
supplemental levels. By providing assistance and aid to our allies in
the Middle East, we strengthen our position and make a vital investment
in national security.
It also continues the rate of operations for the Pakistan
Counterinsurgency Capability Fund at $700 million. This section also
continues the terms and conditions included in the 2009 and 2010
supplemental which helped build and maintain the counterinsurgency
capability of Pakistan under the same terms and conditions.
{time} 1750
Madam Speaker, this Christmas season is not a time to let down our
global watch on the war on terror. We must redouble our efforts,
particularly with regard to assisting Pakistan with regard to their
counterinsurgency efforts to root out al Qaeda operatives within their
borders.
This CR would also support vital programs that are important to the
American people. These programs include Federal funding to levels 2007
before the crisis for our national domestic priorities. These funding
levels would provide low-income home energy assistance, Pell Grant
assistance, and assisting the processing of veterans' benefits and
supporting over $4.3 billion in reduced fee loans for small businesses.
It is critical that we make sure that families across America are
able to enjoy their holidays free of airport closures and free of
flight cancellations. So, too, must this body ensure that we don't give
a Christmas gift to the wrong people--the drug cartels and criminal
terrorists that threaten our Nation's security.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, it is my understanding from prior conversations with
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
[[Page H8903]]
Polis) that it would be his idea we would take the minimum amount of
time, and I appreciate him yielding the customary 30 minutes to me and
trying to work through the loads so we are able to get home.
I would like to inquire of the gentleman if he has any further
speakers that he would anticipate at this time on his side.
Mr. POLIS. I have one speaker.
Mr. SESSIONS. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. POLIS. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
his leadership, and I want to take this opportunity to express on the
floor of the House my appreciation to Chairman Obey for his years of
service. We have had opportunities to thank him personally, but I
wanted the Record to reflect that this may be his last CR, and I don't
want to misspeak because I know that he finds ways to do good so we may
see him again, but I do want to express my appreciation. And I also
want to recognize his partner, the ranking member, Mr. Lewis, as well.
I want to acknowledge that this is something we have to do to keep
the government open, so I wanted to express my appreciation and my
concern. First of all, let me go to the Transportation Security
Administration. I am the subcommittee chair on the Transportation
Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. It is interesting
as we near the holiday, Christmas coming on Saturday, we are reminded
certainly of the Christmas Day bomber of 2009. So as millions of
Americans are now traveling and will continue to travel through this
holiday season to gather with friends and family, domestically and
internationally, we recognize the importance of providing transfer
authority for TSA to allow for efforts against terrorist attacks such
as what occurred in the Northwest Flight 253 and the recent attempts
against all cargo.
In addition, we recognize the importance of increased staff. This is
the holiday time. There will be overtime, and we want to make sure that
all of the levels of intensity, of ramping up are provided for, and I
am very grateful that this CR chose to do that.
Additionally, many of us have heard from our small businesses, and
this will prevent the elimination of funding of reduced loans for small
businesses.
I want to raise something very quickly. I am a supporter of providing
qualified teachers for our inner city schools, and even had a daughter
work for a group called Teach for America. These are outstanding and
well-informed individuals. I raise a question, because my district is
dominated by inner city schools, of the change of definition of
``highly qualified teacher'' that would include those in the Teach for
America, that a recent graduate, does that in fact eliminate our
experienced teachers, that is, take away from the training of those
experienced teachers? I would raise that concern.
Finally, I close by simply saying I view this as an important step,
but I am disappointed we had to go this route and we could not look to
a rational response to the work that so many of us have done. Some may
call them earmarks. I call them designations of funding in cooperation,
collaboration with our executive.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. POLIS. I yield an additional 30 seconds.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. It is a tragedy that, for example, a group
that houses victims of human trafficking will not be able to be
responded to, or a group that deals with those who are trying to
rebuild their lives as ex-offenders will not get funding and that
infrastructure projects will not get funding. Let me remind my
colleagues, you don't save money; you just hand it over to the
executive and it finds its way in some other direction.
I am delighted we stand here today, continue to have the government
work, and I appreciate the great work that was done for the CR.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of making
further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011. This measure
will continue to assure funding for all Federal Government agencies and
allow the Government to continue its day to day operations through
March 4, 2011, provided under Public Law 111-242, the first fiscal year
2011 Continuing Resolution (CR).
This Continuing Resolution will basically fund the Government at
levels previously approved by the House for fiscal year 2010. It is of
great importance that this Congress continues to decide how best to
finalize fiscal year 2011 spending and explore ways to equitably
decrease the national deficit.
As a Member of Congress, it is a critical constitutional
responsibility to assure continued funding streams for the Federal
Government. This Continuing Resolution will ensure that all necessary
and key functions of Government will continue unimpeded until Congress
finalizes our work with the passage of final appropriations
legislation. There have been a few exceptions, but at least one
Continuing Resolution has been enacted for each fiscal year since 1955.
As we rapidly approach the holiday season, and the end of the year is
only 10 days away, there is no greater business before this chamber
than keeping our Federal Government up and running. Especially during
this crucial time of transition, the citizens of the United States are
depending upon us to keep the Federal Government fully operational.
We must provide a sense of certainty and stability as our country
continues to recover from recession and remains engaged in two wars
abroad.
I must say that I am very disturbed that we cannot get our colleagues
to cooperate in a bi-partisan manner to pass essential appropriations
bills and must instead resort to short-term continuing resolutions.
However, with the funding for all Federal agencies and programs set to
expire at midnight tonight, it is imperative that we pass this
Continuing Resolution. It is crucial that we continue to fund
Government agencies and programs without interruption. We must keep
this Nation moving forward toward progress.
In recent days and months, unnecessary partisan battles in both
chambers have been waged over expenditures included in appropriations
measures. Partisan finger-pointing and squabbling have hindered the
passage of appropriations bills and had a negative impact on our
economic recovery. This Continuing Resolution has suffered the same
fate. I would like to remind all of my colleagues that appropriations
are built-in by law to permit Members of Congress to identify and
provide funding for useful and necessary projects in their districts.
Specifically, in my home district of Houston, I fought hard to include
in the Continuing Resolution, a total of $175,595,558 in appropriations
funding for fiscal year 2011.
These projects create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure and benefit
our districts, our States and our country, as well. Though I
recommended funding for critical transportation and infrastructure
projects in Houston, Texas, unfortunately this funding was excluded
from the Continuing Resolution. Though an opportunity to improve our
national economy was lost, I will continue to fight for the funding of
such useful, necessary and economically productive projects in Houston
and support the funding of these types of projects nationwide.
Overall, the Continuing Resolution will generally benefit the
citizens of Houston and the entire country by continuing to fund
important government programs without interruption. As we move forward,
it is my hope that both chambers in the House and Senate will take a
bipartisan approach to moving vitally important appropriations
legislation which includes useful, necessary, job creating and economy-
building projects from our districts. This is the fiscally responsible
course and grows and strengthens our economy in the long run.
In summation, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this
Continuing Resolution as we continue the work of the Federal
Government.
Mr. SESSIONS. I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, today is a historic day, also, as two of the stalwarts
of this House of Representatives perhaps are here tonight to argue as
chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Committee on behalf
of not only themselves, their committee, but also the teams they
represent. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) perhaps will be on
the floor tomorrow, I don't know, but tonight I will be here, and I
would like to recognize the service that Mr. Obey has given the United
States Congress. I have been with Mr. Obey over a number of times in
the last 14 years up in the Rules Committee. I have seen him very early
in the morning and very late in the day. Mr. Obey has presented himself
not only in a professional manner, but represented his party and its
thoughts very well. It would be my hope I would be able to offer a warm
hand and extension to him to say: Job well done, sir.
Also, on my side, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) will be
on the floor in just a few moments as they present this final spending
package, the CR. Mr. Lewis has been a very dear
[[Page H8904]]
friend of mine over the years. He has been very gracious about hearing
the activities I believe are important, including those of the
gentlewoman from Wisconsin who sits in the chair tonight as the Speaker
pro tempore, for issues related to sight, retinal issues, and the
ability we have to create a better life for those who have lost their
sight. Mr. Lewis has been very responsive to not only this Member but
also to others in this body in dealing with health issues,
understanding that research and development is a key part of technology
in medical breakthroughs for people who count on us making wise choices
with how we spend people's money.
So I would want to extend to both of these gentlemen thanks for a job
well done, knowing that tonight they will be ready to go home for
Christmas and the holidays.
Madam Speaker, the Republican Party finds itself in the position
where we are here on the floor just a few days before Christmas. The
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) has outlined the exact need of not
only this administration but, I believe, forthrightly, the American
people and certainly this Congress, the ability to make sure that we
act responsibly, that we provide the funding that is necessary. The
President of the United States has asked for this. The President of the
United States has a constitutional authority to move forward, and I
believe that that is a rational argument.
The Republican Party finds itself in a circumstance where we have
attempted, for quite some time, to bring to the attention of the
majority what we believe is an overriding need to cut the amount of
spending that is taking place by the United States Congress. I believe
it has created excessive not only spending, a bloated government, and
an inadequate ability by the free enterprise system to get out of the
way of government; that a government that is empowered to roll over the
free enterprise system and individuals who are in the marketplace
perhaps, also. In the scheme of things, the Republican Party is worried
about the future of this country and what our children and our
grandchildren will have to pay with a monster debt that looms over us.
I recognize, I think the entire country recognizes, that this debt,
the doubling and tripling of debt that is underway, came as a result of
a political opportunity with the Democratic Party by the President, the
House, and the Senate to collectively determine that they were going to
go and increase spending in a dramatic basis.
{time} 1800
The Republican Party, through myself as the Rules Committee person,
recognizes that we, once again, are here on the floor of the House of
Representatives at the late hour, even though I believe what is
inevitable is here with this continuing resolution to say, We believe
there should have been a better effort on behalf of this majority to
substantially review not only the excessive spending but to put into
place those stopgap measures which would prove to the American people
that Washington, D.C., does get it.
What we need to get is this: as we loom and roll forward in the
future, another debt limit opportunity vote that means that we will
have to take the tough votes here on this floor and raise that debt
limit so that we are as responsible as we are tonight, what has been
described by Mr. Polis, about making sure the government funds itself.
The Republican Party believes we should have immediately last year
when we recognized not only continued unemployment, massive debt, have
done something about stopping the spending. We spend about $4.5 billion
too much every day, more than what comes in. And that $4.5 billion is
important. When you add it all up, it amounts to about 40 percent of
all of the spending going to debt.
So we don't have to yell and scream. We have to succinctly come to
the floor. We have to protect the turf that we believe is best for the
American people, and that is, I will tell you, on January 5 when we
elect a new Speaker and the Republican Party becomes the majority, we
pledge ourselves to having not only the ideas about how to turn this
country around, but I believe we will have the guts to make tough
votes. And we will ask the American people to listen and look at every
single vote we make.
Today, we are kicking the can down the road. Today, I guess we are
ready to go home. The Republican Party is here to say, We disagree. We
think every dollar and every penny that is being spent to the detriment
of the future of this country is a problem. So that's what we are doing
here today.
I appreciate the gentlewoman not only for her efforts of tireless
sitting in the chair today, but I also recognize our leaders, the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lewis). I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) and wish him
the very best of holiday seasons.
Madam Speaker, just this morning, I stood right here to do a rule and
pointed out that my democrat colleagues continue to use an
unprecedented, restrictive, and closed process on the House floor, and
here I am again to tell the same story. In fact, this is the third
Continuing Resolution rule I have done this month.
Week after week my friends on the other side of the aisle continue to
bull-dose their massive spending agenda through the floor of the House
with no Republican input, and no regular order.
What was promised to be the most ``open, honest and ethical''
Congress by Speaker Pelosi when she took the gavel, has been the most
closed, and one-sided Congress in history. The American people asked
for changes in 2008 and they got something far worse. They received a
Democrat Congress that doesn't listen to the American people, and a
Congress that acts on their own interest and not the interest of the
American taxpayer.
Madam Speaker, in two weeks that will change. But until then, I am
here to discuss another closed rule for another Continuing Resolution.
The legislation before us continues to overspend--a common theme over
the last two Congresses.
The underlying legislation is a CR to keep the government running for
2 months. The Democrats provided no budget for this year and the
President has not signed one appropriations bill into law--so this
legislation and rule is just another tactic to keep the government
running until the Majority can kick the responsibility to the
Republicans next Congress.
Over the past three years, non-defense, non-homeland security, and
non-veterans affairs discretionary spending has increased by a
staggering 88 percent. In the meantime, the Nation's debt has risen to
$13.5 trillion, there have been yearly record deficits since the
Democrats took the Majority, and the unemployment rate has been at or
above 9.5 percent for 18 consecutive months.
This CR does almost nothing to reverse this trend and instead
continues the unsustainable, high rate of spending passed the Democrat
Majority this year. This includes more spending for many
federal agencies that received massive increases with the Democrat
Stimulus bill in 2009. My Republican colleagues and I have pledged to
cut non-security spending back the fiscal year 2008 levels which would
save American taxpayers nearly $100 billion in the first year.
The American people are fed-up with the tax, borrow and spend
policies of the past 4 years, which has brought nothing but
unemployment, debt and deficit. Americans have called for an end to
reckless spending and a new era of fiscal discipline, yet it continues
to fall on deaf ears here today. This country needs leaders that are
willing to make the tough fiscal decisions that will provide economic
stability and job growth, not just more of the same.
In true fashion, my democrat colleagues continue to push their own
agenda on the American people. They have shut out Republicans over the
past 4 years, and they continue to shut out the American people.
Continuing on the path of reckless government spending, will only put
the U.S. further in debt burdening future generations. Congress must do
better for the American people. I oppose this rule.
Madam Speaker, you have heard me say it over and over, but the
American people we promised an ``open, honest and ethical'' Congress,
and that is not what they have received. Congress only received the
text of this legislation a few hours ago. American's have called for
transparency and bipartisanship and have only seen a secretive
dictatorship.
I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule. Vote no to stop the
reckless fiscal policies that Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats have
pursued over the last 4 years. It is time to end the idea of big
government and big spending.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I want to further describe something that
the gentlelady from Texas mentioned in her remarks, that this
continuing resolution would expand the Federal definition of ``highly
qualified teacher'' to
[[Page H8905]]
include a wider range of teachers, including those who are
alternatively certified. This is particularly important for programs
where the data shows they are effective, like Teach For America that
help improve student outcomes, particularly among our most at-risk
students. This definition would support greater local district control
and flexibility to help ensure that good teachers are in public school
classrooms.
This was, from a policy perspective, largely agreed upon by Democrats
and Republicans in policy circles around the definition of highly
qualified. But a court recently said that previous language was unable
to be interpreted in this way. So, Madam Speaker, we are using this
continuing resolution to ensure that these good teachers can stay in
the classrooms and that programs like Teach For America can confidently
move forward instead of losing their ability to teach midway through
the school year.
Madam Speaker, tonight we are on the brink of a government shutdown
if we fail to pass this CR, and we shouldn't let our partisan bickering
between 99 cents or $1 or $1.01 grind the entire economy of this Nation
to a halt, allowing drug cartels carte blanche on the border, and
making sure that grandma can't visit the kids in Topeka.
The House has done its part to keep the government funded. We passed
a full year-long continuing resolution 2 weeks ago. We acted quickly to
maintain government operations, and the Senate failed to overcome
obstructionism. Today our situation is that we have what some on both
sides, I am sure, would agree is an imperfect continuing resolution
that will fund the Federal Government in the new year, which is clearly
preferable to a government shutdown in the holiday season.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this
rule. I thank Chairman Obey for his leadership not only on this bill
and on this continuing resolution but for his hard work and his staff's
hard work.
Madam Speaker, the House did pass two appropriation bills this year,
the Transportation-HUD appropriation and Military Construction/Veterans
Affairs appropriation, and the Senate hasn't passed a single one. So
rather than continuing on with futile work, I think it is important
that we get about our business of funding government to ensure that we
can move forward with the spirit of Chairman Obey guiding us in the
112th Congress to continue our work in the appropriations process. I
praise Chairman Obey and the staff for their hard work on this bill.
I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.
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.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1782, I call up
the bill (H.R. 3082) making appropriations for military construction,
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes, with the Senate
amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, and I
have a motion at the desk.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the Senate
amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.
The text of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate
amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted, insert the
following:
TITLE I--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AMENDMENTS
Section 1. (a) The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
(Public Law 111-242) is further amended by--
(1) striking the date specified in section 106(3) and
inserting ``March 4, 2011''; and
(2) adding the following:
``Sec. 147. (a) For the purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `employee'--
``(A) means an employee as defined in section 2105 of title
5, United States Code; and
``(B) includes an individual to whom subsection (b), (c),
or (f) of such section 2105 pertains (whether or not such
individual satisfies subparagraph (A));
``(2) the term `senior executive' means--
``(A) a member of the Senior Executive Service under
subchapter VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code;
``(B) a member of the FBI-DEA Senior Executive Service
under subchapter III of chapter 31 of title 5, United States
Code;
``(C) a member of the Senior Foreign Service under chapter
4 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
3961 and following); and
``(D) a member of any similar senior executive service in
an Executive agency;
``(3) the term `senior-level employee' means an employee
who holds a position in an Executive agency and who is
covered by section 5376 of title 5, United States Code, or
any similar authority; and
``(4) the term `Executive agency' has the meaning given
such term by section 105 of title 5, United States Code.
``(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except
as provided in subsection (e), no statutory pay adjustment
which (but for this subsection) would otherwise take effect
during the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on
December 31, 2012, shall be made.
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `statutory
pay adjustment' means--
``(A) an adjustment required under section 5303, 5304,
5304a, 5318, or 5343(a) of title 5, United States Code; and
``(B) any similar adjustment, required by statute, with
respect to employees in an Executive agency.
``(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as
provided in subsection (e), during the period beginning on
January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2012, no senior
executive or senior-level employee may receive an increase in
his or her rate of basic pay absent a change of position that
results in a substantial increase in responsibility, or a
promotion.
``(d) The President may issue guidance that Executive
agencies shall apply in the implementation of this section.
``(e) The Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act
of 2009 (5 U.S.C. 5304 note) shall be applied using the
appropriate locality-based comparability payments established
by the President as the applicable comparability payments in
section 1914(2) and (3) of such Act.
``Sec. 148. Notwithstanding section 101, the level for
`Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, Salaries and Expenses' shall be
$40,649,000.
``Sec. 149. The following authorities shall continue in
effect through the earlier of the date specified in section
106(3) of this Act or the date of enactment of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011:
``(1) Section 1021 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375;
118 Stat. 2042), as amended by section 1011 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law
111-84; 123 Stat. 2441);
``(2) Section 1022 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136; 10 U.S.C. 371
note), as amended by section 1012 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84;
123 Stat. 2441);
``(3) Section 1033 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85), as amended by
section 1014 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2442);
``(4) Sections 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 1106, 1222(e),
1224 and 1234 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84);
``(5) Section 631 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181); and
``(6) Section 931 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109-364).
``Sec. 150. Subject to the availability of appropriations,
the Secretary of the Navy may award a contract or contracts
for up to 20 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
``Sec. 151. Section 8905a(d)(4)(B) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
``(1) in clause (i), by striking `October 1, 2010' and
inserting `December 31, 2011'; and
``(2) in clause (ii)--
``(A) by striking `February 1, 2011' and inserting
`February 1, 2012'; and
``(B) by striking `October 1, 2010' and inserting `December
31, 2011'.
``Sec. 152. Notwithstanding section 101, the level for
`Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief
Program, Salaries and Expenses' shall be $36,300,000.
``Sec. 153. Public Law 111-240 is amended in section 1114
and section 1704 by striking `December 31, 2010' and
inserting `March 4, 2011' each time it appears and in section
1704 by adding at the end the following:
`` `(c) For purposes of the loans made under this section,
the maximum guaranteed amount outstanding to the borrower may
not exceed $4,500,000.'
``Sec. 154. The appropriation to the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to this Act shall be deemed a
regular appropriation for purposes of section 6(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)) and sections 13(e),
14(g), and 31 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(e), 78n(g), and 78ee).
``Sec. 155. Section 302 of the Universal Service
Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act is amended by
striking `December 31, 2010' each place it appears and
inserting `December 31, 2011'.
``Sec. 156. Notwithstanding section 503 of Public Law 111-
83, amounts made available in this Act for the Transportation
Security Administration shall be available for transfer
between and within Transportation Security Administration
appropriations to the extent necessary to
[[Page H8906]]
avoid furloughs or reduction in force, or to provide funding
necessary for programs and activities required by law:
Provided, That such transfers may not result in the
termination of programs, projects or activities: Provided
further, That the House and Senate Appropriations Committees
shall be notified within 15 days of such transfers.
``Sec. 157. Up to $21,880,000 from `Coast Guard,
Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements' and `Coast
Guard, Alteration of Bridges' may be transferred to `Coast
Guard, Operating Expenses': Provided, That the Coast Guard
may decommission one Medium Endurance Cutter, two High
Endurance Cutters, four HU-25 aircraft, the Maritime
Intelligence Fusion Center, and one Maritime Safety and
Security Team, and make staffing changes at the Coast Guard
Investigative Service, as outlined in its budget
justification documents for fiscal year 2011 as submitted to
the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of
Representatives.
``Sec. 158. Notwithstanding section 101, the final proviso
under the heading `Science and Technology, Research,
Development, Acquisition, and Operations' in Public Law 111-
83 (related to the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility)
shall have no effect with respect to all amounts available
under this heading.
``Sec. 159. Notwithstanding sections 101 and 128, amounts
are provided for `Department of the Interior--Minerals
Management Service--Royalty and Offshore Minerals Management'
in the manner authorized in Public Law 111-88 for fiscal year
2010, except that for fiscal year 2011 the amounts specified
in division A of Public Law 111-88 shall be modified by
substituting--
``(1) `$200,110,000' for `$175,217,000';
``(2) `$102,231,000' for `$89,374,000';
``(3) `$154,890,000' for `$156,730,000' each place it
appears; and
``(4) `fiscal year 2011' shall be substituted for `fiscal
year 2010' each place it appears.
``Sec. 160. The Secretary of the Interior, in order to
implement a reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, may establish
accounts, transfer funds among and between the offices and
bureaus affected by the reorganization, and take any other
administrative actions necessary in conformance with the
Appropriations Committee reprogramming procedures described
in the joint explanatory statement of the managers
accompanying Public Law 111-88 (House of Representatives
Report 111-316).
``Sec. 161. Notwithstanding section 101, section 423 of
Public Law 111-88 (123 Stat. 2961), concerning the
distribution of geothermal energy receipts, shall have no
force or effect and the provisions of section 3003(a) of
Public Law 111-212 (124 Stat. 2338) shall apply for fiscal
year 2011.
``Sec. 162. Notwithstanding section 109, of the funds made
available by section 101 for payments under subsections (b)
and (d) of section 2602 of the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Act of 1981, the Department of Health and Human
Services shall obligate the same amount during the period
covered by this continuing resolution as was obligated for
such purpose during the comparable period during fiscal year
2010.
``Sec. 163. (a) A `highly qualified teacher' includes a
teacher who meets the requirements in 34 C.F.R.
200.56(a)(2)(ii), as published in the Federal Register on
December 2, 2002.
``(b) This provision is effective on the date of enactment
of this provision through the end of the 2012-2013 academic
year.
``Sec. 164. (a) Notwithstanding section 101, the level for
`Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance' to
carry out subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 shall be $23,162,000,000.
``(b) The maximum Pell Grant for which a student shall be
eligible during award year 2011-2012 shall be $4,860.
``Sec. 165. (a) Notwithstanding section 1018(d) of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 (2 U.S.C.
1907(d)), the use of any funds appropriated to the United
States Capitol Police during fiscal year 2003 for transfer
relating to the Truck Interdiction Monitoring Program to the
working capital fund established under section 328 of title
49, United States Code, is ratified.
``(b) Nothing in subsection (a) may be construed to waive
sections 1341, 1342, 1349, 1350, or 1351 of title 31, United
States Code, or subchapter II of chapter 15 of such title
(commonly known as the `Anti-Deficiency Act').
``(c) Notwithstanding section 106 of this Act, the use of
the funds described under subsection (a) of this section
shall apply without fiscal year limitation.
``Sec. 166. Notwithstanding section 101, amounts are
provided for `Department of Veterans Affairs, Departmental
Administration, General Operating Expenses' at a rate for
operations of $2,546,276,000, of which not less than
$2,148,776,000 shall be for the Veterans Benefits
Administration.''.
(b) This section may be cited as the ``Continuing
Appropriations Amendments, 2011''.
TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CURRENT SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 2001. SHORT TITLE; RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS.
(a) This title may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation
Extension Act of 2010, Part II''.
(b) Reconciliation of Funds.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall reduce the amount apportioned or
allocated for a program, project, or activity under this
title in fiscal year 2011 by amounts apportioned or allocated
pursuant to the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010
for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on
December 31, 2010.
Subtitle A--Federal-Aid Highways
SEC. 2101. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 411 of the Surface Transportation
Extension Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-147; 124 Stat. 78) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``the period beginning on October 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2010'' each place it appears
(except in subsection (c)(2)) and inserting ``the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011'';
(2) in subsection (a) by striking ``December 31, 2010'' and
inserting ``March 4, 2011'';
(3) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``\1/4\'' and
inserting ``\155/365\'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``\1/4\'' and inserting ``\155/365\''; and
(ii) by striking ``the period beginning on October 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2010,'' and inserting ``the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011'';
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ``\1/4\'' and
inserting ``\155/365\''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) by striking
``$159,750,000'' and inserting ``$271,356,164''; and
(C) in paragraph (5) by striking ``\1/4\'' and inserting
``\155/365\'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``\1/4\'' each place it appears and
inserting ``\155/365\''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking
``apportioned under sections 104(b) and 144 of title 23,
United States Code,'' and inserting ``specified in section
105(a)(2) of title 23, United States Code (except the high
priority projects program),''; and
(ii) in clause (ii) by striking ``apportioned under such
sections of such Code'' and inserting ``specified in such
section 105(a)(2) (except the high priority projects
program)''; and
(6) in subsection (e)(1)(B) by striking ``\1/4\'' and
inserting ``\155/365\''.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 412(a)(2) of the
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
147; 124 Stat. 83) is amended--
(1) by striking ``$105,606,250'' and inserting
``$179,385,959''; and
(2) by striking ``the period beginning on October 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011''.
Subtitle B--Extension of National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and
Additional Programs
SEC. 2201. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.
(a) Chapter 4 Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2001(a)(1)
of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$58,750,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and
$99,795,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(b) Highway Safety Research and Development.--Section
2001(a)(2) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by
striking ``and $27,061,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and
inserting ``and $45,967,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(c) Occupant Protection Incentive Grants.--Section
2001(a)(3) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by
striking ``and $6,250,000 for the period beginning on October
1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting
``and $10,616,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(d) Safety Belt Performance Grants.--Section 2001(a)(4) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$31,125,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and
$52,870,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(e) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements.--
Section 2001(a)(5) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended
by striking ``and $8,625,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and
inserting ``and $14,651,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(f) Alcohol-impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive
Grant Program.--Section 2001(a)(6) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat.
1519) is amended by striking ``and $34,750,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31,
2010.'' and inserting ``and $59,027,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(g) National Driver Register.--Section 2001(a)(7) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$1,029,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $1,748,000
for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on
March 4, 2011.''.
(h) High Visibility Enforcement Program.--Section
2001(a)(8) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by
striking ``and $7,250,000 for the period beginning on October
1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting
``and $12,315,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(i) Motorcyclist Safety.--Section 2001(a)(9) of SAFETEA-LU
(119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and $1,750,000 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on
December 31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $2,973,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4,
2011.''.
(j) Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Safety Incentive
Grants.--Section 2001(a)(10) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520)
is amended by striking ``and $1,750,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31,
2010.'' and inserting ``and $2,973,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
[[Page H8907]]
(k) Administrative Expenses.--Section 2001(a)(11) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$6,332,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and
$10,756,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011.''.
SEC. 2202. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Motor Carrier Safety Grants.--Section 31104(a)(7) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$52,679,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting
``$88,753,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 31104(i)(1)(G) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$61,036,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and inserting
``$103,678,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(c) Grant Programs.--Section 4101(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119
Stat. 1715) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``and'' after ``2009,''; and
(B) by striking ``and $6,301,000 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010.'' and
inserting ``and $10,616,000 for the period beginning October
1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.'';
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and $8,066,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December
31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $13,589,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.'';
(3) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and $1,260,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December
31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $2,123,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.'';
(4) in paragraph (4) by striking ``and $6,301,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December
31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $10,616,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.'';
and
(5) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and $756,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December
31, 2010.'' and inserting ``and $1,274,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(d) High-Priority Activities.--Section 31104(k)(2) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2009,
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $3,781,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December
31, 2010'' and inserting ``2010 and $6,370,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011''.
(e) New Entrant Audits.--Section 31144(g)(5)(B) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``(and up to
$7,310,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on December 31, 2010)'' and inserting ``(and up to
$12,315,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011)''.
(f) Commercial Driver's License Information System
Modernization.--Section 4123(d)(6) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat.
1736) is amended by striking ``$2,016,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on December 31,
2010.'' and inserting ``and $3,397,260 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011.''.
(g) Outreach and Education.--Section 4127(e) of SAFETEA-LU
(119 Stat. 1741) is amended by striking ``and 2010'' and all
that follows before ``to carry out'' and inserting ``2010,
and $425,545 to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, and $1,274,000 to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, for the period beginning on
October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4, 2011,''.
(h) Grant Program for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators.--
Section 4134(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1744) is amended by
striking ``$252,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2010, and ending on December 31, 2010,'' and inserting
``$425,545 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and
ending on March 4, 2011,''.
(i) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.--Section
4144(d) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1748) is amended by striking
``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
(j) Working Group for Development of Practices and
Procedures To Enhance Federal-State Relations.--Section
4213(d) of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 14710 note; 119 Stat. 1759)
is amended by striking ``December 31, 2010'' and inserting
``March 4, 2011''.
SEC. 2203. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.
(a) Hazardous Materials Research Projects.--Section 7131(c)
of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1910) is amended by striking
``through 2010'' and all that follows before ``shall be
available'' and inserting ``through 2010 and $531,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 4,
2011''.
(b) Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.--Section 4
of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C.
777c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``For each of fiscal
years 2006'' and all that follows before paragraph (1) and
inserting the following: ``For each of fiscal years 2006
through 2010, and for the period beginning on October 1,
2010, and ending on March 4, 2011 the balance of each annual
appropriation made in accordance with the provisions of
section 3 remaining after the distributions for
administrative expenses and other purposes under subsection
(b) and for multistate conservation grants under section 14
shall be distributed as follows:''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A) by striking the first sentence
and inserting the following: ``From the annual appropriation
made in accordance with section 3, for each of fiscal years
2006 through 2010, and for the period beginning on October 1,
2010, and ending on March 4, 2011, the Secretary of the
Interior may use no more than the amount specified in
subparagraph (B) for the fiscal year for expenses for
administration incurred in the implementation of this Act, in
accordance with this section and section 9.''.
(c) Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot
Program.--Section 327(i)(1) of title 23, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``6 years after'' and inserting ``7
years after''.
(d) Implementation of Future Strategic Highway Research
Program.--Section 510 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Implementation.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of this section, the Secretary may use funds made available
to carry out this section for implementation of research
products related to the future strategic highway research
program, including development, demonstration, evaluation,
and technology transfer activities.''.
Subtitle C--Public Transportation Programs
SEC. 2301. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PLANNING PROGRAMS.
Section 5305(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4,
2011''.
SEC. 2302. SPECIAL RULE FOR URBANIZED FORMULA GRANTS.
Section 5307(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011'';
(2) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``December 31, 2010''
and inserting ``March 4, 2011''; and
(3) in subparagraph (E)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''; and
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking
``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
SEC. 2303. ALLOCATING AMOUNTS FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS.
Section 5309(m) of such title is amended--
(1) In paragraph (2)--
(A) in the paragraph heading by striking ``December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011'';
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (A) by striking
``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''; and
(C) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``$50,000,000 for
the period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$84,931,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011''.
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``$3,750,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending
December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``$6,369,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending
March 4, 2011'';
(B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``$1,250,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending
December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``$2,123,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending
March 4, 2011''.
(3) in paragraph (7)--
(A) in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the clause heading, by striking ``December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011'';
(ii) by striking ``$2,500,000 shall be available for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$4,246,000 shall be available for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(iii) by striking ``25 percent'' and inserting ``\155/
365\ths''.
(4) in subparagraph (B), by amending clause (vi) to read,
``$5,732,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and
ending March 4, 2011''.
(5) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``December 31, 2010''
and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
(6) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``$8,750,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and
ending December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``$14,863,000 shall
be available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and
ending March 4, 2011'';
(7) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``$750,000 shall be
available for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and
ending December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``$1,273,000 shall
be available for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and
ending March 4, 2011''.
SEC. 2304. APPORTIONMENT OF FORMULA GRANTS FOR OTHER THAN
URBANIZED AREAS.
Section 5311(c)(1)(F) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(F) $6,369,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010
and ending March 4, 2011.''.
SEC. 2305. APPORTIONMENT BASED ON FIXED GUIDEWAY FACTORS.
Section 5337(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``(g) Special Rule for October 1, 2010, Through March 4,
2011.--The Secretary shall apportion amounts made available
for fixed guideway modernization under section 5309 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending March 4, 2011,
in accordance with subsection (a), except that the Secretary
shall apportion \155/365\ths of each dollar amount specified
in subsection (a).''.
SEC. 2306. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
(a) Formula and Bus Grants.--Section 5338(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) By amending paragraph (1)(F) as follows:
``(F) $3,550,376,000 for the period beginning October 1,
2010, and ending March 4, 2011.''.
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``$28,375,000 for the
period beginning October 1,
[[Page H8908]]
2010, and ending December 31, 2010'' and by inserting
``$48,198,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and
ending March 4, 2011'';
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``$1,040,091,250 for
the period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$1,766,730,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending March 4, 2011'';
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``$12,875,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$21,869,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``$416,625,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$707,691,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``$246,000,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$417,863,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(F) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``$33,375,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$56,691,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(G) in subparagraph (G) by striking ``$116,250,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$197,465,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(H) in subparagraph (H) by striking ``$41,125,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$69,856,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(I) in subparagraph (I) by striking ``$23,125,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``$39,280,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(J) in subparagraph (J) by striking ``$6,725,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$11,423,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(K) in subparagraph (K) by striking ``$875,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$1,486,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(L) in subparagraph (L) by striking ``$6,250,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$10,616,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011'';
(M) in subparagraph (M) by striking ``$116,250,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$197,465,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011''; and
(N) in subparagraph (N) by striking ``$2,200,000 for the
period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
2010'' and by inserting ``$3,736,000 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010 and ending March 4, 2011''.
(b) Capital Investment Grants.--Section 5338(c)(6) of title
49 United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(6) $849,315,000 for the period of October 1, 2010
through March 4, 2011.''.
(c) Research and University Research Centers.--Section
5338(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``$17,437,500 for the period beginning
October 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2010'' and inserting
``$29,619,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2010 and
ending March 4, 2011'';
(2) paragraph (3)(A)(ii) is amended to read as follows:
``(ii) October 1, 2010 through march 4, 2011.--Of amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the period beginning
October 1, 2010, through March 4, 2011, under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall allocate for each of the activities and
projects described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of
paragraph (1) an amount equal to \155/365\ths of the amount
allocated for fiscal year 2009 under each such
subparagraph.''.
(3) Paragraph (3)(B)(ii) is amended to read as follows:
``(ii) October 1, 2010 through march 4, 2011.--Of the
amounts allocated under subparagraph (A)(i) for the
university centers program under section 5506 for the period
beginning October 1, 2010, and ending March 4, 2011, the
Secretary shall allocate for each program described in
clauses (i) through (iii) and (v) through (viii) of paragraph
(2)(A) an amount equal to \155/365\ths of the amount
allocated for fiscal year 2009 under each such clause.''.
(4) In clause (3)(B)(iii)--
(A) by striking ``2010'' and inserting ``2011''; and
(B) by striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2010''.
(d) Administration.--Section 5338(e)(6) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows--
``(6) $42,003,000 for the period of October 1, 2010 through
March 4, 2011.''.
SEC. 2307. AMENDMENTS TO SAFETEA-LU.
(a) Contracted Paratransit Pilot.--Section 3009(i)(1) of
SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59; 119 Stat. 1572) is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4,
2011''.
(b) Public-Private Partnership Pilot Program.--Section 3011
of the SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5309 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(5), by striking ``December 31, 2010''
and inserting ``March 4, 2011''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``December 31, 2010''
and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
(c) Elderly Individuals and Individuals With Disabilities
Pilot Program.--Section 3012(b)(8) of the SAFETEA-LU (49
U.S.C. 5310 note) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
(d) Obligation Ceiling.--Section 3040(7) of the SAFETEA-LU
(Public Law 109-59; 119 Stat. 1639, is amended to read as
follows--
``(7) $4,462,196,000 for the period beginning October 1,
2010, and ending March 4, 2011, of which not more than
$3,550,376,000 shall be from the Mass Transit Account.''.
(e) Project Authorizations for New Fixed Guideway Capital
Projects.--Section 3043 of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59; 119
Stat. 1640) is amended in subsections (b) and (c) by striking
``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``March 4, 2011''.
(f) Allocations for National Research and Technology
Programs.--Section 3046 of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5338; 119
Stat. 1706) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``December 31, 2010''
and inserting ``March 4, 2011'', and by striking ``25
percent'' and inserting ``\155/365\ths''.
(2) In subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``2010'' and inserting ``2011''; and
(B) by striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2010''.
SEC. 2308. LEVEL OF OBLIGATION LIMITATIONS.
(a) Highway Category.--Section 8003(a) of SAFETEA-LU (2
U.S.C. 901 note; 119 Stat. 1917) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking ``for the period beginning
on October 1, 2009, and ending on September 30, 2010,'' and
inserting ``for fiscal year 2010,''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending
on March 4, 2011, $18,035,192,815.''.
(b) Mass Transit Category.--Section 8003(b) of SAFETEA-LU
(2 U.S.C. 901 note; 119 Stat. 1917) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking ``for the period beginning
on October 1, 2009, and ending on December 31, 2010,'' and
inserting ``for fiscal year 2010,''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) for the period beginning October 1, 2010, and ending
on March 4, 2011, $4,390,137,192.''.
Subtitle D--Extension of Expenditure Authority
SEC. 2401. EXTENSION OF EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.
(a) Highway Trust Fund.--Section 9503 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``December 31, 2010 (January 1, 2011, in
the case of expenditures for administrative expenses)'' in
subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1) and inserting ``March 5,
2011'';
(2) by striking ``the Surface Transportation Extension Act
of 2010'' in subsections (c)(1) and (e)(3) and inserting
``the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010, Part
II''; and
(3) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subsection (e)(3)
and inserting ``March 5, 2011''.
(b) Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.--Section
9504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of
2010'' each place it appears in subsection (b)(2) and
inserting ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010,
Part II''; and
(2) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subsection (d)(2)
and inserting ``March 5, 2011''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on December 31, 2010.
This Act may be cited as the ``Continuing Appropriations
and Surface Transportation Extensions Act, 2011''.
Motion To Concur
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Obey moves that the House concur in the Senate
amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to
H.R. 3082.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1782, the
motion shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by
the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations.
The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lewis) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I have only one speaker on this side.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of California. I, too, will be brief.
Madam Speaker, Christmas is almost here, and we are no closer to
having a budget for this fiscal year--that began in October--we are no
closer than we were last Christmas regarding that work. As Mr. Obey
would say, I have minimum high regard for the process that has led us
to this moment.
The House managed to pass just two appropriations bills this year. I
understand the Senate passed none, I heard earlier. The remaining 10
bills never even received full committee consideration. The House has
dithered away the year on insignificant suspension bills. We have named
hundreds of post offices and praised every sports team in America. But
the House has failed in completing its essential work, the work we were
elected to do, that is, passing a budget for the new fiscal year.
This isn't exactly how any of us envisioned we would be wrapping up
our legislative business this year; but with
[[Page H8909]]
the hour growing late, it appears that we are limping into the new year
with another short-term CR. And that is the best that we can do under
these circumstances.
I do want to commend our colleagues in the Senate for making the
right decision and resisting the temptation to vote for a legislative
Christmas tree, widely known as the 12-bill omnibus. This holiday
turkey which had grown to nearly 2,000 pages, with a price tag of $1.1
trillion, simply collapsed under its own weight. The last thing the
American people wanted for Christmas was yet another trillion dollars
of government spending. So today we are passing a CR that allows the
essential operations of government to continue into the new year when
the real work of writing fiscally prudent spending bills can begin.
That work will be guided by our new committee chairman, the gentleman
from Kentucky, Hal Rogers, who will be my only speaker this evening,
besides myself, and Hal's full committee ranking member, the gentleman
from Washington, Norman Dicks. I want to wish them both well as they
take on their new responsibilities.
While David Obey and I have not agreed on very much this year, let me
also pause for a second to express my appreciation to David and wish
him and his wife, Joan, good health and happiness as they pursue new
opportunities outside of the Congress.
{time} 1810
And in the most direct and sincere way, let me say that David Obey is
passionate about the things that he's passionate about. I don't agree
with him on many policy issues, but I do want you to know this, David,
the country and both of our great parties need an awful lot more people
with the kind of passion display. And if we had that we'd get our work
done in an entirely different fashion.
Before closing, let me make two other brief comments. As frustrating
as this year has been for me, I know it's been an even more frustrating
year for the highly professional House Appropriations Committee. Our
committee is blessed with hardworking, dedicated people who receive
very little credit for the fine work they do. They are asked to
sacrifice time away from family and friends, and do so willingly,
working day and night and weekends and even holidays. For that, and for
so much more, I want to express my personal thanks to both the majority
and the minority staff of our committee. They are deserving of the
appreciation of the entire House. And I wish the entire House was here
to express that to them by way of their applause.
But let me also take just a moment to thank my own staff director
sitting beside me, Jeff Shockey, who will be leaving the committee to
pursue other opportunities after assisting Chairman Rogers and his
staff with transition. Jeff is well known and highly respected by every
member of the Appropriations Committee, our leadership, and the Members
of the House. The committee's loss is indeed a loss for the entire
House. Jeff is one of the finest individuals with whom I've worked for
over 15 years, and I ask the House to join me in wishing him well. Many
don't realize that some 15 years ago Jeff actually began with us as an
intern and has worked his way pretty close to the top, and he hasn't
broken too many bones on the way.
Madam Speaker, let me close by wishing our colleagues and staff on
both sides of the aisle a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I was in error. We have two speakers on this
side.
I now yield 1 minute to the distinguished Speaker of the House.
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise, not to talk about the continuing
resolution that is before us, but in praise of the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the chair of the Appropriations Committee. And
this, hopefully, will be the last piece of legislation, not that
hopefully it's your last, but hopefully it's the last that this body
will hear from the Appropriations Committee. And I want to take the
time on this bill to express the gratitude of our colleagues in the
House, to the people of our country who care about America's working
families, and to all who care about a world at peace, to thank Mr. Obey
for his tremendous leadership. I rise to celebrate his career and the
contributions. I think he is one of the greatest appropriators and one
of Congress' greatest legislative minds.
For more than four decades he has fought in favor on this floor for
the people of the Wisconsin seventh district and for America's middle
class. He is a visionary for a better life for the American people and
a legislative genius. He has an ability to see around corners,
anticipate challenges and opportunities, and sustain a fight on behalf
of what is right.
I had the privilege of serving on the Appropriations Committee under
the leadership of Dave Obey. He was my chairman on the full committee
and on Labor, Health and Human Services, and he was chair for a long
time of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of Appropriations, which
appropriated our foreign aid. To that committee, the Foreign Ops
Committee, he brought the values of middle America to our foreign
policy. Values-based, people-oriented, again, in the interest of our
national security, the strength of our country and recognizing that
that strength was also about our values.
He then chaired the Health and Human Services Subcommittee, where he
measured the strength of our country in another way, in the health, the
education, the economic well-being of America's working families. To
see him operate on that committee was to see a master at work. We use
that phrase from time to time. In the case of Dave Obey, it is an
understatement. I sometimes think, when he's working, of the phrase,
you'll understand when you understand, because when David sees so far
down the road from the rest of us, sometimes we're not quite up there
with him, and then he is always right. I don't know whether he's a
self-fulfilling prophecy or he's just always right from the start.
For nearly half a century, from demanding open committee hearings,
more transparency in our caucus, ethics reform, he has been an
unyielding and unflinching reformer.
Mr. Obey, again, as I've said, was my chairman and, as a chairman, he
had no parallel. He refused to allow measures designed to harm our air,
water, and environment into the Federal budget. And after 9/11, he
reached across the aisle to secure funding for first responders and the
recovery effort and to extend our investment in homeland security.
Of course he championed Federal investments in education, and devoted
his energy to making health insurance a right, not a privilege for all.
And it was a special privilege for all of us here to see Dave Obey
gavel down the health care reform bill. It is a well-deserved privilege
for him, a recognition by his colleagues in the House that he was the
one who should do that.
In every hearing in his committee, and with every vote, Chairman Obey
sought to strengthen the middle class, and he acted on the belief that
how we invest the public's money reflects our values as a people and
will determine the future of our country.
The reach of Mr. Obey's achievements has extended nationwide. But his
first priorities have always been for the families, the workers, the
businesses, and the communities of his beloved district.
LIHEAP, for one. We always knew how important low-income--LIHEAP is a
term of art here, and Dave Obey has been a great champion for it, as he
has been for Pell Grants and other initiatives that affect America's
working families. But the aspirations of his constituents, their hopes,
their challenges, that was his call to action.
Chairman Obey's official biography opens with these words: ``Every
American who works hard should be able to fully share in the bounty of
America, and so should their families.'' This has been Dave Obey's
mission statement. He has been a transformational figure in Congress.
His leadership on behalf of the American people, as I said, is
unsurpassed.
He has been blessed by a wonderful family. And we all are grateful to
his wife, Joan, and his sons for sharing David with us. We also want to
salute his staff person, his staff director, Beverly Pheto, for her
leadership and her excellent work, and some might say, her patience
with this great mind.
I just have to tell one story on Dave Obey because I just love it so
much.
[[Page H8910]]
Dave Obey, as I mentioned, was the Chair of the Foreign Ops
Subcommittee. Some years later, after Charlie Wilson was chair in that,
I had the privilege of becoming the ranking member on that committee,
no longer in the majority. So when we went to the floor for the first
bill that we were managing, that I was managing on the minority side, I
was very prepared and ready and wanted to please David.
So I made my case, we won our amendments. I see Congresswoman Lowey
is here who now chairs the Foreign Ops Committee. And after we won our
amendments, it was very bipartisan then. It wasn't that
confrontational.
But, in any event, after it was finished, and the job was done, I
looked to David for some sign of something, at least that it was over.
And David said to me, You did all right, but I think you could have
been more diplomatic.
{time} 1820
Now, hearing Dave Obey tell me I should be more diplomatic, well,
David, of all the things he is known for, diplomacy is not among them.
And that happened to be on the heels of running into Barney Frank on my
way to the rostrum to manage the bill. He said to me, That suit you
have on, give it away. It looks terrible on you.
And I thought, In 1 day, I have gotten fashion advice from Barney
Frank and diplomacy advice from David Obey. Maybe I will go home and
start all over again, with all due respect to their various strengths.
Reformer, visionary, public servant, David Obey has our gratitude and
our appreciation. We will miss him enormously. He cannot be replaced.
His legacy will live long in this body and in this country. We will
long benefit from his leadership, his commitment, his values, his
impatience, his eloquence, his Archy. His Archy, whose words of wisdom
have guided us on occasions where other eloquence may have fallen
short.
The Congress he loves so much will miss Dave Obey. And I hope that he
leaves here knowing the high regard that his colleagues hold him in,
the deep respect we have for his intellect, his boundless energy, and
from time to time, yes, his humor, and occasionally his diplomacy.
So, Mr. Chairman, thank you. It has been an honor to serve with you.
I know, again, that I speak for all of our colleagues when I say it is
an honor to call you ``colleague.'' Thank you, Mr. Obey, for what you
have done for our country.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I have only one speaker, but
I am very happy to yield all the time he might consume to Hal Rogers,
the chairman-elect of the Appropriations Committee.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for yielding time.
It's been a real pleasure, and I mean that very sincerely, working
under the leadership of Jerry Lewis on our side of the aisle, both as
chairman and as ranking member of this committee for these last 6
years. He has been gracious in every way. He has lent his talent and
his wisdom to us as we prepare to do business. And not the least, he
has volunteered his terrific staff, led by Jeff Shockey, to help us in
the transition. And I can't say enough to thank Jerry Lewis and all of
the staff for all the great work that you have done for the country and
continue to do. And we have got some heavy work cut out for you as
well, and for the staff.
Madam Speaker, in my vocabulary, one of the most complimentary things
I could say is a person is a difference maker. A difference maker sees
circumstances that are not correct and applies wisdom and intelligence
and perseverance and talent to change. And I can't think of a bigger
difference maker--sometimes I thought in the wrong direction, but a
difference maker--than David Obey. During my tenure here, coinciding
with his, we have watched him over the years with that tenacity and
innovation, sometimes blustery, sometimes entertaining, but always very
efficient. And we will miss David Obey in this body.
This is the last chance that we will have, perhaps, to say good-bye
and best wishes. But I think I speak for the entire body when we say to
David Obey, Thank you for your service to America. Thank you for your
leadership and your talent on this committee. And we wish you the very
best in your future endeavors, especially during the next week as we
all celebrate the birth of the Christ child.
And to Beverly and to Jeff and all of the staff on both sides of the
aisle, the long hours that these people put in so that the rest of us
can look good perhaps is not appreciated fully, and we need to
continuously do that.
So to David Obey, bon voyage, best of luck to you. And thank you,
Jerry, for the great service you are rendering your country.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. I thank the chair for yielding to me because it's been
such an honor for me to serve with David Obey, one of the most
effective legislators this body has known. And we are so sad to see
your service in Congress coming to an end.
People have described David many ways: direct, gruff, cantankerous,
and maybe even some words not suitable for the Congressional Record.
But for me, it has been such a great honor to serve with somebody who
exemplifies exactly what a Representative should be. He is one of the
most principled legislators this body has ever known.
David's critical role in bringing to an end the Vietnam War, a sad
chapter in American history, is well known. He understands and takes
seriously the congressional role in authorizing war and peace, and he
has never taken lightly our solemn obligation to the American people in
this regard.
He has served this institution with great honesty. Regardless of your
request, idea, opinion, or question, you never have to wonder about
where David Obey stands. He is always going to tell it to you straight.
And even in holding one of the most powerful positions in Congress, he
never lost sight of who exactly sent him here--the people of
Wisconsin's Seventh District.
To this day, more than 40 years after he was elected to Congress, he
still maintains the fierce, dogged determination on behalf of the
health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of the people of
Wisconsin. The United States Congress is a better institution, the
people of Wisconsin are better off today as a result of your service.
And even though some may describe you in colorful ways, I will always
be proud to call you a colleague and a dear friend.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 1 minute to the distinguished majority leader, the
gentleman from Maryland.
Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
I hesitate to speak of course, lest we get off message, but I am
going to take that chance in any event.
I have had the opportunity of serving for a long period of time with
Mr. Lewis, Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Lowey, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Dicks on the
Appropriations Committee. I am not sure I see anybody else who served
on that Appropriations Committee with us. And I served on the Labor,
Health, Human Services, and Education Subcommittee of the
Appropriations Committee. And I went on in January of 1983. I won't go
all through every year from 1983 to today. That would take too long and
would bore you stiff.
But I had the great privilege of sitting just a couple of chairs from
the gentleman from Wisconsin, who had been in the Congress some 12
years before I came, having been elected in 1969. Served over four
decades in this body. I will adopt all the words that were ascribed to
him by the gentlewoman from New York, but three words that I would use
are ``tough,'' ``courageous,'' and ``effective.''
{time} 1830
I think the gentleman from Kentucky caught it as well. He is a
difference maker. I think, Congressman Rogers, your words were very
appropriate, not because you agreed or others agreed necessarily with
the difference he wanted to make, but you knew if David Obey was
engaged in an issue, he would make a difference on that issue.
From my perspective, the good news is David Obey was almost
invariably engaged on the issues he thought affected average people,
who were not so average at all. Whether it was their education, their
health, their housing, making sure the NIH was trying to find cures for
diseases that afflicted them,
[[Page H8911]]
whether he was standing up to make sure that people in the cold of
winter had heat or in the scorching heat of summer had air conditioning
to keep them healthy, David Obey could always be counted on as a
strong, unwavering, uncowering voice on behalf of people who needed a
voice. They had a special interest, but they did not have money to hire
voices. They needed voices in this body that we know as the people's
House.
The people on some 20 occasions returned David Obey to the Congress
of the United States. Maybe it was one more than that, 21 occasions.
They returned David Obey to the Congress of the United States because
they saw in David Obey that voice that they needed and wanted and
respected.
David Obey, in addition to the three attributes I ascribed to him, is
honest. One of the things I most admire in David Obey and one of the
things I most cherished was his slaying of the dragon of hypocrisy. I
don't think anything angered David Obey more than seeing hypocrisy.
There is too much hypocrisy, where we say, Oh, we are for this, and
then we vote for that, or vice versa. We could always count on David
saying, Hey, you want to be honest? Stop posing for holy pictures.
I am sure that has been mentioned during the course of this, because
there is a famous phrase that we all remember by David Obey. By that,
he meant, of course, be real. Don't try to flim-flam the public. Stand
up for what you believe in, not what you think people want to hear. And
we had no better example and no more faithful example of that
performance than David Obey.
I want to thank David Obey. I want to thank him for being my friend.
I want to thank him for being an example of what Members of Congress
ought to be. I want to thank him for being a steadfast, faithful voice
for the people who needed a voice, a leader on behalf of the principles
that I think this country was speaking about when it said that we
establish a government to protect the general welfare. David Obey
believed that to his very core, and every day of his service his belief
was manifest in his actions.
I also want to thank my friend Jerry Lewis. Every day that I served
on the Appropriations Committee, I served with Jerry Lewis, and almost
every day with Hal Rogers. Hal came a little after Jerry and I came to
the committee.
One of the things that I recall to people about this committee is
that for most of my service, not all of my service, unfortunately, but
for most of my service it was arguably the most bipartisan committee in
the Congress of the United States, where we worked together, made
determinations together. And, yes, there were differences, but we did
so in a civil, collegiate way that the American public I think would
have appreciated.
Jerry Lewis has been someone who has focused on our institution. For
many of the years that I served, Jerry Lewis and Vic Fazio from
California were chairs of the Legislative appropriations committee, and
they worked together as a team to make this institution more effective,
better serving its Members and better enabling its Members to serve the
Nation.
Jerry, I want to thank you for your service as chairman of the
committee, but as a member of the committee and certainly as chair of
the committee that didn't get much publicity and sometimes was a
thankless job, but was a job that you and Vic did in the best
traditions of what the American public says it wants--bipartisan
cooperation, positive partnership--and I thank you for that.
Hal, I wish you the best of luck as you undertake these
responsibilities. We are losing a giant as David Obey retires. David
Obey chose to retire. There is no doubt in my mind if he had chosen to
run again, his people would have sent him back.
So, David Obey, you have been a great Member of this Congress. You
have served your country, your State, and our people well. We are, all
of us, in your debt. Godspeed.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).
Ms. DeLAURO. I met David Obey 20 years ago. I was elected to this
body, never having run for office before. I came to the freshman
orientation. I sat at the end of a long table and I listened to people
come in and tell us what we needed to know about this institution. And
I listened to one David Obey at the far end of the table, from
Wisconsin, and he spoke about appropriations and he spoke about the
budget process and the Budget Committee, et cetera. And I said to
myself, My god, what have I done? I am in so far over my head, I am
never going to make it.
Over 20 years, David Obey has become one of my dearest friends, my
mentor, and, yes, we do conspire to try to do good things. He has shown
me the power of this great institution and how it can change people's
lives, to make opportunity real for people, for ordinary people. He is
a smart, he is a savvy legislator. No one knows more about the issues,
about the politics, and about the process and about getting it done.
He is incorruptible, and, as many know, he does not suffer fools. And
he is a real flesh-and-blood human being. He has passion on the issues
that we deal with, and they are based on a wellspring of values. Born
and raised in a working class family in Wisconsin, he knows what the
struggle is about. He has walked in the shoes of the people of this
country, and he knows that it is this great institution that can turn
it around.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. OBEY. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.
Ms. DeLAURO. He tells the truth fearlessly, and he is a patriot in
every sense of the word.
I will miss David's commitment, his dedication, and his integrity.
And though soon no longer to be a colleague, he will always be my
friend, and I think I know that whenever I am in trouble, I can pick up
the phone and say, David, what should I do?
I will miss you deeply, my friend. I will miss you deeply.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Edwards).
Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, David Obey would be the first to
say our democracy is bigger than any one of us, but I come here tonight
to say that in the history of Congress, he is truly one of its giants.
It is hard to imagine Congress without him. He has been a giant of
courage, a giant of ethics, a giant of insight and wisdom as an
institutionalist who believes in this House with all of his heart and
soul, and a giant in the fight for everyday citizens who often don't
have a voice speaking for them.
{time} 1840
I want to pay special tribute to Chairman Obey for what he has done
so quietly behind the scenes for America's veterans. He has been their
unsung hero. In the 4 years that he has chaired the Appropriations
Committee--these past 4 years--we have ended up, under his leadership
and in partnership with Speaker Pelosi, with 3,000 new VA doctors,
13,000 new VA nurses, and 145 new VA community clinics. All of that
means better care, more timely care, more quality care for America's
heroes and their families. It means respect to those who serve--respect
with our deeds and not just with words.
The greatest tribute I can pay as a father to Dave Obey is he has
truly made a difference for my family and for the American family.
Perhaps the greatest tribute he could hear, though, is that, I would
say if Archy the Cockroach and Richard Bolling were here today on the
floor of this House, they would say, Mr. Chairman, job well done.
It has been a privilege to work with you and to learn from you. You
will have left this country a better place. For that, we all thank you
and salute you.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Dicks).
Mr. DICKS. First of all, I want to thank David Obey for all the help
that he has given me over my entire career. I can remember the first
weekend I was going to be on the committee, I called him at home and I
said, Do you think I can offer this amendment to change the size and
ratio of subcommittees? And he says, They'll never let you do it, but
I'll vote for it because it's the right thing to do. That's how I first
met David Obey.
After 30 years, when I became chairman of the Interior Appropriations
[[Page H8912]]
Subcommittee, I relied on him greatly for a good 302(b) allocation.
Because of that, good 302(b) allocation we were able to do some
incredible things. We had been working together on the national parks.
We had worked on the fish and wildlife refuges. We had worked on
improving the arts and humanities. And the Interior appropriations bill
I know was one that David enjoyed immensely because he always was
asking me, How's this going? How's that going?
And I just want to thank him for everything that he's done in the
last few days and over the years. He has been a tremendous leader. He
has done great things for this country. Our natural resources are
stronger because of David Obey. And I have enjoyed being with he and
Joan at Zion and out at Olympic National Park this year. We've had some
wonderful experiences.
I want to say to my friend, Jerry Lewis, who's done a great job,
Jerry and I have been friends. We traveled together. When I became
chairman of the Defense Subcommittee after the loss of our great
friend, Jack Murtha, Jerry and Jeff went with me on almost every single
trip to help me, to be there, and to show support. It made a great
difference. I want to say, Jerry, I will always remember it.
Hal, I look forward to next year. We'll work together. I hope that we
can have a successful year; that we can get these bills passed. You
will have my cooperation.
Again, Bev and all the staff, those are the people--Paul Juola is
here from the Defense Subcommittee. I've never seen people work as hard
as the staff of the House Appropriations Committee. They're there every
day, night, weekends. It's amazing to me the work that they put in. I
just appreciate so much, having been a former staffer myself, how much
more professionalism and how much more capability this staff has.
David, you and Bev built a great staff, and we hope to keep that staff.
Thank you for your help and thank you for your friendship.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Price).
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, when I realized this
tribute was underway, this spontaneous tribute on the floor of the
House, I rushed over here because I very much want to add my word of
respect and commendation and friendship as we recognize Dave Obey's
years of service in this body and his retirement.
I have been drawn to Dave and his knowledge of this institution, to
his mentorship and leadership, ever since my earliest days here. I came
here from a background as a student of the Congress; here was actually
an architect of the modern Congress, generous with stories and accounts
of his early days here with the Democratic Study Group and the reforms
that transformed this place in the 1970s.
He has carried that spirit of reform forward, and is still a reformer
at heart. So I have been intrigued with that, as have many colleagues,
and have learned a great deal from Dave Obey about that history, but
also from our day-to-day association. He has an incomparable knowledge
of the history of this place, a mastery of the House and a great
loyalty to the institution, and a desire to make it work better. We all
know that and admire him for it.
In more recent years, Dave has been best known as the distinguished
ranking member and then chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He
has exemplified what those of us on the Committee like to think of as
the spirit of appropriations--the work ethic and mastery of the bills;
the careful drafting, line by line; the holding of the administration
accountable, no matter which party is in charge in the White House; and
the sense that appropriations--the power of the purse--is really at the
heart of this institution's constitutional role. We need to do
appropriations well, we need to do it cooperatively, and we need to
assert ourselves as an institution, calling the executive agencies to
account.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. OBEY. I yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. David Obey has been a master of
procedure and strategy, a masterful chairman of appropriations.
Finally, let me say this: Sometimes it's thought around here that in
order to be effective, in order to be well liked, in order to do the
job, you've got to be a go-along, get-along kind of guy. Well, that is
not Dave Obey. In fact, it's precisely because of his forcefulness,
precisely because of his passion for justice, his unyielding
determination to fight for what he believes in, that he has our respect
and affection and the effectiveness in this institution that he has. In
that respect, as in so many others, he's been a role model for us all,
and I'm proud to join in this salute here tonight.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from West
Virginia (Mr. Mollohan).
Mr. MOLLOHAN. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to stand up and have the
opportunity and honor to say a few words about the distinguished
chairman of the Appropriations Committee, my chairman, David Obey. We
all operate on teams here in the Congress. I'm especially proud to be
on David Obey's team, serving as one of the chairmen of one of the
subcommittees under David's jurisdiction.
David has long distinguished himself in public service. He started in
the Wisconsin Assembly in 1963, and served until 1969. At the beginning
of his career he may have stumbled into the wrong political party. But
seeing the Joe McCarthy experience, he soon learned and developed an
aversion for duplicity and felt that the Democratic Party was the home
for him. I think they best reflect his Midwestern values and his
progressive attitudes. I associate myself with those values and those
attitudes, which makes it especially pleasurable to be a part of his
team.
I'm sure it's been mentioned here before that David served in
Congress for a long time and that he came to the Congress as the
youngest Member when he came, at 30 years old, and he's served 42
years. So, do the math. And now he's voluntarily retiring from this
institution, having left a very distinguished record from the
beginning. Arriving with new ideas about how the Congress ought to
operate and how it ought to be more open and how it ought to be more
embracing of new Members, he was extremely effective in implementing
those ideas, moving on through his career to higher responsibilities
and becoming, ultimately, chairman of, as we refer to it, the powerful
Appropriations Committee.
{time} 1850
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. OBEY. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
Mr. MOLLOHAN. His values that he came here with he continued to want
to express. It was very important for him to continue his service as
chairman of the Labor, HHS, Education Subcommittee where he could
really affect all of those constituencies, which really allowed him to
do those things that were important to him and to express that
progressive attitude.
Madam Speaker, David Obey has been a real contribution to the United
States Congress. During his career--and it will be lasting after his
career--his mark has been indelible in the reforms that are reflected
in how we do business here. I don't know of a person in the institution
who could have assimilated within the appropriations process--the rules
and changes in procedures in the way we did business in response to
legitimate concerns about the appropriations process--better than David
Obey. It was his ability to separate the chaff from the grain, to
understand what were legitimate expressions of concern about the
appropriations process, his ability to deal with them, and his
embracing the prerogatives of the appropriations process. At the same
time, we recognize the process of the legislative branch reflects that
which will really be his legacy.
Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to say a few words. I want
to personally thank David Obey for his personal considerations.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I had indicated I had no
additional speakers, but with this display of love and affection this
evening, my colleague, Tom Cole from Oklahoma, just had to come down
for a couple of minutes.
I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).
[[Page H8913]]
Mr. COLE. I thank the gentleman for allowing me to have time.
Madam Speaker, I must admit I was in my office, signing letters, with
the television off--muted--when I noticed a succession of Democratic
speakers, which, as a former NRCC chairman, was a horror to just watch
one after the other. I thought we must be getting beaten to death down
there. What's going on?
So I flipped on the sound, actually, just in time to see Mr. Rogers
from Kentucky come on, and I thought this is actually some sort of
bipartisan lovefest going on. We don't have a lot of that around here,
and I wanted to get down and participate.
You know, this is not, frankly, a very good time to be a Member of
Congress. None of us are held in high esteem by the American public. I
think it is an even more difficult time, quite frankly, to be a member
of the Appropriations Committee because there are times when I think
we're not held in much esteem by our own colleagues. I have heard so
many things from some of our good friends on the authorizing committees
that I think they forget the very simple fact that they always
authorize more money than we spend on the Appropriations Committee and
that we are usually left with the tough job of reconciling differences
that have been unresolved on the authorizing committees. It is
something that needs to be experienced by every Member of Congress
before they appreciate the magnitude and the quality of the work that
goes on on this particular committee.
I had the opportunity to know my good friend Chairman Lewis many,
many years ago. In 1991, I arrived in Washington, D.C., to be the
executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
I had been here a few weeks when, all of a sudden, I got a message that
I needed to go over and see my friend, who was the conference chairman.
I thought I've only been in town a month, and I've already managed to
offend one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress. I actually
brought a staff member with me so that, if I were in real trouble, the
staff guy and the additional staff guy could handle the problems.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
Mr. COLE. We chatted for a minute, and the gentleman immediately
said, Well, actually, I just wanted to get to know you because I'd
heard a couple of nice things about you.
Since that time, he has been nothing but kind and generous to me.
Frankly, I've watched him define what a Member and an appropriator
ought to be year in and year out in the minority and in the majority.
He has just absolutely served this body with incredible class and
incredible character and incredible professionalism every single day he
has been here.
I would be remiss not to talk about my friend Chairman Obey as well.
Frankly, I'd heard about Chairman Obey--again, before I'd ever
arrived--from my old boss, Mickey Edwards. Mickey Edwards told me he
was often wrong but always honest, and you could deal with him. Indeed,
I found that to be the case on the last two points, not necessarily on
the first. He has been a wonderful chairman, a wonderful colleague,
somebody who is a credit to this institution and a credit to his
district. I think he defines, as my friend Mr. Lewis does, who and what
a chairman ought to be and how a Member of this body ought to act.
If everybody in America knew these two gentlemen, the opinion of this
institution would be enormously higher.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, we really do need to bring this to a
conclusion, so I yield 1 minute to the last speaker, the gentleman from
Vermont (Mr. Welch).
Mr. WELCH. Thank you.
You know, the challenge, I think, every person who is elected to
Congress faces is: How do you challenge the institution but respect it?
How do you stretch the limits but abide by tradition and see its
importance?
David Obey has managed, over the course of a long career, to do it.
He came here as a young man, aged 30. When he came here and saw what
was here, he didn't like everything he saw, and he did challenge it. He
moved up in the hierarchy here, out of turn, faster than many people
thought he should because he did challenge the institution, but he did
it in a way that he respected what the Congress had to do as an
institution.
You know, people talk about his irascible temper, or his
irascibility, but he leaves with the same passion to challenge the
institution--to challenge its limits but to respect fundamentally that
this institution has traditions that we all are custodians of. When we
are at our best, we manage to do both.
David Obey, over a long career, you have done that. Thank you very
much.
Mr. OBEY. I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio
(Ms. Kaptur).
Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, it is very hard to find an honest man in life, and I
would like to place on the record that David Obey is an honest man and
that he served the people of his district admirably all these years.
Some have wondered about his contentious nature on occasion, but you'd
really have to understand what a ``Badger'' is to know where that all
comes from.
He has been a phenomenal husband, as I know his wife agrees, and has
been a very, very good father. He has been a friend to all the Members
who have served. He has treated us fairly, and his brilliance reflected
in his books and in the laws and in the efforts that he has made here
over decades and decades simply cannot be replaced. We from the Midwest
know what we are losing as he chooses to leave this institution.
I want to thank him for all he has done for the Great Lakes Region,
for the people of Ohio, for our country, and for setting a standard,
for those who follow, that will be very, very hard to meet and that
will probably never be fully met.
I want to thank this great Badger for his years of service to America
and helping move liberty forward.
God bless you and your family, Dave.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I am more than happy to
express my deep appreciation for the service of David Obey.
I yield back the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on the pending legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I appreciate all of the kind words that have
been said about me tonight. I must confess that I sometimes am more at
ease when I am being pummeled than when I am being praised, but maybe
that's just my quirky character.
{time} 1900
Let me simply say that this is the last time that I will be making
any comments on this floor. I want to thank the Members on both sides
of the aisle for their courtesies over the past 42 years, and I want to
say that it has been a privilege for each and every one of us, whether
we have served here one term or 21 or even more, it is a privilege for
all of us to have been sent to this place, to the people's House. I can
think of no greater privilege and you cannot. This is the only place in
the government that you have to be elected in order to occupy our jobs.
In the Senate you don't have to be elected. Even in the Presidency, you
don't have to be elected under quirky circumstances, and I think all of
us can be proud of that distinction.
Let me also say, Madam Speaker, that I do think I need to say at
least a word or two about the subject at hand, this piece of
legislation. John Wesley said that his rule for living was this: do all
the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in
all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you
can, as long as ever you can.
I wish I could say that this legislation lived up to that lofty goal.
It does not. It has many, many shortcomings.
The only reason for supporting this legislation today--and it is an
overriding one--is to keep the government operating. If I were to vote
my preferences, I would vote ``no'' because I believe we should have
before us today a continuing resolution for the rest of
[[Page H8914]]
the fiscal year. The only reason we do not is because only in the
United States Senate can you get a majority of votes for any
proposition and still lose because of their peculiar rules.
I think the difference between the way our two respective parties
have handled similar situations is interesting.
Four years ago, when our party took control after 12 years of rule by
our friends on the other side of the aisle, the outgoing Republican
majority chose to simply dump most of the work for that fiscal year
onto the incoming Democratic majority by passing a short-term CR. That
meant that we had to spend the first 2 months dealing with the previous
year's business rather than being able to start with a clean slate in
dealing with new problems.
In contrast, today's outgoing Democratic majority has tried mightily
to clear the deck for the incoming Republican majority by producing a
full-year CR, which attempts to compromise by producing funding levels
that were $46 billion below the President's budget and which amounted
to a freeze at the previous year's level. Passage of that legislation
would have meant that the incoming Republican majority would be able to
start with a clean slate in working with the President on a whole host
of major problems.
But, instead, we are here today confronted with this legislation,
which expires on March 4 and which will require the incoming Republican
majority to spend the first 2 months of its stewardship dealing with
last year's business. I think that's unfortunate. Through the use of
the Senate filibuster, it has been assured that we could not complete a
full-year CR. That action simply mirrors the procedural resistance with
which we have been faced all year long with the Senate minority
engaging in more than 87 filibuster actions in order to grind matters
to a halt and frustrate the Congress' ability to do anything on the
budget front by majority vote.
That is unfortunate; but at this late date, there is no point in
arguing. The die is cast, obviously. The only responsible choice at
this point is to recognize reality, even though that means that the
early days of the next Congress will be unnecessarily confrontational
and partisan. It means that, on budget issues, most of next year will
simply be about demonstrating political leverage rather than working
through honest, substantive differences to reasonable conclusions.
Because of that, I most reluctantly, but firmly, suggest an ``aye''
vote.
I want to take an additional minute to thank two people in this
Chamber who the public will never know, but there are many, many of
them over Capitol Hill who work day in and day out to produce a better
country, and the public never knows their names. One of them with us
tonight is Jeff Shockey, who has done an admirable job as minority
staff director on the committee for years. Sometimes I wish he hadn't
been so good, but I do appreciate the work that he has done.
And, lastly, I do not know what I would have done without Beverly
Pheto as the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. She is an
absolute true professional. She has imagination, she has courage, she
has stamina, and most of all, she has an amazing ability to put up with
me, and that alone ought to get her the Congressional Medal of Honor.
So, with that, I would simply say good-bye to you-all, and I would
hope that we would cast a responsible vote so that we can get about the
country's business next year, even though many of us will not be here
to participate.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this Continuing
Resolution, which will fund government operations at FY 2010 levels
through March 4, 2011.
Madam Speaker, this bill is not my first choice, or even my second
choice. And I don't think anyone believes our country is well-served by
having its government run on a series of short-term funding measures.
But since the Senate was apparently unable to act on either the House-
passed year- long Continuing Resolution, or an Omnibus spending
package, we are left with today's resolution.
When the 112th Congress convenes, I sincerely hope we will be able to
return to regular order and enact annual, fully vetted, fiscally
responsible spending bills that reflect the pliorities and values of
our nation.
Mr. OBEY. I yield back the balance of my time
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1782, the
previous question is ordered.
The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Obey).
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-
minute vote on the motion to concur will be followed by a 5-minute vote
on suspending the rules with regard to H.R. 6547.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 193,
nays 165, not voting 75, as follows:
[Roll No. 662]
YEAS--193
Ackerman
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bonner
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chandler
Clarke
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Critz
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Dahlkemper
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (TN)
DeGette
DeLauro
Dicks
Dingell
Donnelly (IN)
Driehaus
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ellison
Ellsworth
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Foster
Frank (MA)
Fudge
Garamendi
Gonzalez
Gordon (TN)
Grayson
Green, Al
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Heinrich
Higgins
Himes
Hinchey
Hirono
Holden
Holt
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Kagen
Kaptur
Kildee
Kilroy
Kind
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kosmas
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lowey
Lujan
Lynch
Maloney
Markey (CO)
Markey (MA)
Marshall
Matsui
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Minnick
Mollohan
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Patrick
Nadler (NY)
Napolitano
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree (ME)
Polis (CO)
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rahall
Rangel
Richardson
Ross
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schrader
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shuler
Skelton
Slaughter
Snyder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stupak
Sutton
Teague
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Titus
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Walz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Yarmuth
NAYS--165
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Austria
Bachmann
Bachus
Bartlett
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boccieri
Boehner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Cantor
Capito
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Chaffetz
Childers
Coffman (CO)
Cole
Conaway
Connolly (VA)
Davis (KY)
DeFazio
Dent
Diaz-Balart, M.
Djou
Doggett
Dreier
Duncan
Ehlers
Emerson
Flake
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Graves (GA)
Graves (MO)
Guthrie
Hall (TX)
Harper
Hastings (WA)
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis
Issa
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Jordan (OH)
King (IA)
Kingston
Kline (MN)
Kratovil
Kucinich
Lamborn
Lance
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee (NY)
Lewis (CA)
LoBiondo
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Maffei
Manzullo
Matheson
McCaul
McClintock
McCollum
McCotter
McHenry
McIntyre
McKeon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Murphy, Tim
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nye
Olson
Paul
Paulsen
Pence
Perriello
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Posey
Price (GA)
Putnam
Reed
Rehberg
Reichert
Rodriguez
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rooney
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Scalise
Schmidt
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stearns
Stutzman
Sullivan
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (PA)
[[Page H8915]]
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Visclosky
Walden
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Wu
NOT VOTING--75
Adler (NJ)
Baca
Baird
Barrett (SC)
Barton (TX)
Berry
Blumenauer
Boyd
Bright
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Cao
Chu
Clay
Coble
Costello
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (IL)
Delahunt
Deutch
Diaz-Balart, L.
Doyle
Fallin
Granger
Green, Gene
Griffith
Gutierrez
Heller
Herseth Sandlin
Hill
Hinojosa
Hodes
Honda
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Kanjorski
Kennedy
Kilpatrick (MI)
King (NY)
Lee (CA)
Linder
Lofgren, Zoe
Marchant
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McMahon
McMorris Rodgers
Melancon
Miller, Gary
Mitchell
Moore (KS)
Moran (KS)
Neal (MA)
Nunes
Ortiz
Pastor (AZ)
Radanovich
Reyes
Rush
Salazar
Sanchez, Loretta
Schock
Sires
Smith (WA)
Stark
Tanner
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). Members have 2 minutes
remaining in this vote.
{time} 1935
Mr. WU changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So the motion was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________