[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1630
  PASSAGE OF THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today the House took a 
positive step towards restoring fiscal discipline in Washington with 
passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2014.
  In years past, Congress has relied on continuing resolutions, which 
is no way to run the government, and it cedes all spending decisions to 
the White House.
  Alternatively, this measure restores the role invested by the 
Constitution in the legislative branch, the power of the purse, the 
ability to authorize and appropriate public money for the national 
government.
  Furthermore, the bill reduces regulatory burdens, protects our 
national security, and enforces stringent oversight of the executive 
branch.
  The bill protects our constituents from arbitrary and drastic flood 
insurance rate increases, maintains pro-life policies, and protects 
Second Amendment rights.
  The bill creates efficiency by eliminating areas of waste but also 
makes critical investments in areas most in need.
  Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island and I, cochairs of the 
bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, have led the charge 
for fully funding career and technical education. This bill increases 
funding for CTE programs by $52 million.
  I want to thank my colleagues for their work and call on the Senate 
to pass this important bill.

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