[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 71 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRANSIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 19, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record 
an exchange of letters between the Committee on Homeland Security and 
the Committee on the Budget on H.R. 396, the ``Transit Security Grant 
Program Flexibility Act''.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                      Committee on the Budget,

                                    Washington, DC, April 7, 2021.
     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 396, the Transit Security Grant 
     Program Flexibility Act. H.R. 396 contains provisions that 
     fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Budget. However, the committee agrees to waive formal 
     consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on the Budget takes this action with the 
     mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction 
     over the subject matter contained in this or similar 
     legislation, and the committee will be appropriately 
     consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation 
     moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues 
     within our jurisdiction. The committee also reserves the 
     right to seek appointment to any House-Senate conference 
     convened on this legislation or similar legislation and 
     requests your support if such a request is made.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding, and I ask that a copy of our 
     exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. 
     I look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure 
     moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John Yarmuth,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                    Washington, DC, April 9, 2021.
     Hon. John Yarmuth,
     Chairman, Committee on the Budget,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Yarmuth: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 396, the ``Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility 
     Act.'' I recognize that the Committee on the Budget has a 
     jurisdictional interest in H.R. 396, and appreciate your 
     effort to allow this bill to be considered on the House 
     floor.
       I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not 
     in any way prejudice the Committee on the Budget with respect 
     to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar 
     legislation in the future, and I would support your effort to 
     seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving this legislation.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 396 in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration of this bill. I look 
     forward to working with you on this legislation and other 
     matters of great importance to this nation.
           Sincerely,
                                               Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security.

                          ____________________