[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2011

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on Monday July 11, 2011, due to 
inclement weather in Chicago, Illinois, I was unable to cast my votes 
for Roll Nos. 534, 535, 536, 537, and 538. I was originally booked on 
United flight 5347 from Springfield at 1:15 (CST), connecting to United 
flight 704 leaving O'Hare at 3:00 p.m. and arriving in DCA at 5:49 
(EST). I was also backed up on American Airlines flight 3879 departing 
Chicago O'Hare at 3:00 p.m. However, I could not make either of these 
flights due to my original flight from Springfield being delayed until 
7:00 p.m.
  Had I been present, my votes would have been as follows:
  For Roll No. 534, to increase funding for the Corps of Engineers 
construction by $133.8 million and Operations and Maintenance by $51 
million and reduce funding for Nuclear Energy by $133.8 million and 
Fossil Energy Research and Development by $92.8 million, I would have 
voted ``nay.''
  For Roll No. 535, which reduces the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife 
project by $1.75 million and increases Operations and Maintenance by $1 
million for levee repair, I would have voted ``yea.'' In light of the 
recent problems with flooding along the Mississippi, this transfer 
appears to be prudent.
  For Roll No. 536, which transfer $6.3 million from supervision and 
general administrative expenses in the headquarters of the Corps of 
Engineers to Corps of Engineers, Operation and Maintenance for dredging 
of waterways, I would have voted ``yea.'' As with Roll No. 535, recent 
flooding problems make this transfer prudent.
  For Roll No. 537, which transfers $4.9 million from Operation and 
Maintenance for global warming to the Spending Reduction Account, I 
would have voted ``yea.'' I have voted to cut spending in a host of 
programs including those with which I am sympathetic.
  For Roll No. 538, which transfers $3.25 billion from various research 
and development accounts and regional economic development commissions 
to the Spending Reduction Account, I would have voted ``yea.'' I have 
voted to cut spending in a host of programs including those with which 
I am sympathetic.

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