[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 177 (Friday, November 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2112, CONSOLIDATED AND FURTHER CONTINUING 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, this is not a perfect bill, but it is 
certainly worthy of our support. H.R. 2112 represents a fair compromise 
between both parties and is an example of how we can achieve concrete 
results for the American people if we roll up our sleeves and get to 
work. Earlier today, I called on Congress to skip the upcoming planned 
recess so we can accomplish the business of the American people. 
Passage of this bill will represent the first step forward in that 
regard.
  There is much to be proud of in this legislation. H.R. 2112 provides 
$2.5 billion for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is 
$334 million above the House-passed version of the legislation. This 
bill will give FDA the necessary resources to continue the 
implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, of which I am the 
author and will help keep tainted food off of our shelves. We will also 
restore our commitment to the most vulnerable among us by providing 
$6.6 billion for the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition 
program, which is $570 million over the House-passed level.
  I have called on my colleagues to pass legislation that will invest 
in our infrastructure and H.R. 2112 will make small progress in that 
area. It includes $500 million for a third round of TIGER grants, which 
have been critical in helping state and local governments to move 
forward on large, regional projects that will have significant impacts 
on their communities. The federal-aid highway program will receive 
$39.8 billion, which is $12.1 billion more than the House proposal, an 
investment that will result in 400,000 more jobs than what House 
Republicans supported. This bill will also include $10.5 billion for 
transit programs, $2.5 billion more than the House bill, which means 
DOT will be able to continue to support projects that help to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions and provide commuters with an alternative to 
their personal vehicles when traveling to work or to run errands. I am, 
however, disappointed that this bill contains no funding for high-speed 
rail. I would remind my colleagues that we are continuing to cede 
innovative ground on this development to the Chinese, Japanese and 
French, and it is imperative we do not halt progress on President 
Obama's vision to create national high-speed rail network.
  H.R. 2112 will also invest in innovation by providing an increase of 
$173 billion, or $7 billion, for the National Science Foundation. This 
investment is critical to ensuring that the United States is supporting 
high-risk, high-payoff ideas that the private market cannot or will not 
invest in. Such innovation will also be supported through an increase 
in funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps 
small to medium-sized manufacturers to become more efficient and more 
competitive in a globalized economy. It also maintains funding for 
research efforts in the Great Lakes, a national treasure we must 
preserve and which provides countless opportunities for recreation, 
conservation, and jobs.
  Compromise is never perfect, and quite often neither side is fully 
satisfied with the outcome. But everyone will need to make sacrifices 
if we are to adequately address the unfinished business of the American 
people. And that is what this bill is--unfinished business. H.R. 2112 
will ensure that Congress is back here to have the same debate on a 
different set of appropriation bills on December 16th. If Congress had 
passed the 12 appropriations bills individually, we would not be 
debating H.R. 2112 today.
  We were elected to be civic leaders who could put public interests 
before self interests. It is not in America's best interest to sit here 
refusing to support a bill that does not mirror each of our individual 
priorities. What is in America's best interest and helps move us 
forward is to come together today and support a compromise that, while 
imperfect, gets the job done. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to serve that purpose by supporting this bill and continue to 
find ways to make meaningful agreements to pass legislation that will 
put Americans back to work and help rebuild our economy.

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