[House Report 107-596]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
107th Congress Rept. 107-596
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session Part 1
======================================================================
TO EXTEND THE IRISH PEACE PROCESS CULTURAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM
_______
July 22, 2002.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Sensenbrenner, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4558]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 4558) to extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and
Training Program, having considered the same, reports favorably
thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 1
Background and Need for the Legislation.......................... 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 2
Vote of the Committee............................................ 2
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
Performance Goals and Objectives................................. 4
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................ 4
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 4
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 6
Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion....................... 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
Markup Transcript................................................ 7
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 4558 would extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and
Training Program for 1 year, from 2005 to 2006, so that another
group of young adults may obtain a 3-year visa to the United
States to develop job skills and conflict resolution abilities
to assist in the Irish peace process.
Background and Need for the Legislation
In 1998, Congress enacted the Irish Peace Process Cultural
and Training Program Act.\1\ The purpose of the program is to
allow adults between the ages of 18 and 35 years old and who
live in disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland and designated
border counties of Ireland suffering from sectarian violence
and high unemployment to enter the United States to develop job
skills and conflict resolution abilities in a diverse,
cooperative, peaceful, and prosperous environment, so that they
can return to their homes better able to contribute toward
economic regeneration and the Irish peace process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pub. L. No. 105-319, 112 Stat. 3013 (Oct. 30, 1998).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The program is set to sunset on October 1, 2005. However,
because the program had a late start due to funding trouble,
H.R. 4558 would extend the program 1 year so that additional
young people can take advantage of this program.
Hearings
No hearings were held on H.R. 4558.
Committee Consideration
On May 2, 2002, the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims
met in open session and ordered favorably reported the bill
H.R. 4558, by a voice vote, a quorum being present. On July 17,
2002, the Committee met in open session and ordered favorably
reported the bill H.R. 4558 without amendment by voice vote, a
quorum being present.
Vote of the Committee
1. Mr. Scott offered a motion to reconsider the motion to
order the previous question on H.R. 4558. The motion was
defeated by a rollcall vote of 12 yeas to 19 nays.
ROLLCALL NO. 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayes Nays Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Hyde........................................................ X
Mr. Gekas....................................................... X
Mr. Coble....................................................... X
Mr. Smith (Texas)............................................... X
Mr. Gallegly.................................................... X
Mr. Goodlatte................................................... X
Mr. Chabot...................................................... X
Mr. Barr........................................................ X
Mr. Jenkins..................................................... X
Mr. Cannon...................................................... X
Mr. Graham......................................................
Mr. Bachus...................................................... X
Mr. Hostettler.................................................. X
Mr. Green....................................................... X
Mr. Keller...................................................... X
Mr. Issa........................................................ X
Ms. Hart........................................................
Mr. Flake....................................................... X
Mr. Pence....................................................... X
Mr. Forbes...................................................... X
Mr. Conyers..................................................... X
Mr. Frank.......................................................
Mr. Berman......................................................
Mr. Boucher.....................................................
Mr. Nadler......................................................
Mr. Scott....................................................... X
Mr. Watt........................................................ X
Ms. Lofgren..................................................... X
Ms. Jackson Lee................................................. X
Ms. Waters...................................................... X
Mr. Meehan...................................................... X
Mr. Delahunt.................................................... X
Mr. Wexler...................................................... X
Ms. Baldwin..................................................... X
Mr. Weiner...................................................... X
Mr. Schiff...................................................... X
Mr. Sensenbrenner, Chairman..................................... X
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 12 19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. On the motion to report H.R. 4558, the motion was agreed
to by a rollcall vote of 31 yeas to 0 nays.
ROLLCALL NO. 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayes Nays Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Hyde........................................................ X
Mr. Gekas.......................................................
Mr. Coble....................................................... X
Mr. Smith (Texas)............................................... X
Mr. Gallegly.................................................... X
Mr. Goodlatte................................................... X
Mr. Chabot...................................................... X
Mr. Barr........................................................ X
Mr. Jenkins..................................................... X
Mr. Cannon...................................................... X
Mr. Graham......................................................
Mr. Bachus...................................................... X
Mr. Hostettler.................................................. X
Mr. Green....................................................... X
Mr. Keller...................................................... X
Mr. Issa........................................................ X
Ms. Hart........................................................ X
Mr. Flake....................................................... X
Mr. Pence....................................................... X
Mr. Forbes...................................................... X
Mr. Conyers..................................................... X
Mr. Frank.......................................................
Mr. Berman......................................................
Mr. Boucher.....................................................
Mr. Nadler......................................................
Mr. Scott....................................................... X
Mr. Watt........................................................ X
Ms. Lofgren..................................................... X
Ms. Jackson Lee................................................. X
Ms. Waters...................................................... X
Mr. Meehan...................................................... X
Mr. Delahunt.................................................... X
Mr. Wexler...................................................... X
Ms. Baldwin..................................................... X
Mr. Weiner...................................................... X
Mr. Schiff...................................................... X
Mr. Sensenbrenner, Chairman..................................... X
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 31 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee reports that the
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the
descriptive portions of this report.
Performance Goals and Objectives
H.R. 4558 does not authorize funding. Therefore, clause
3(c) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives
is inapplicable.
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures
Clause 3(c)(2) of House rule XIII is inapplicable because
this legislation does not provide new budgetary authority or
increased tax expenditures.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth, with
respect to the bill, H.R. 4558, the following estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 22, 2002.
Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman,
Committee on the Judiciary,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4558, a bill to
extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark
Grabowicz, who can be reached at 226-2860.
Sincerely,
Dan L. Crippen, Director.
Enclosure
cc:
Honorable John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Member
H.R. 4558--A bill to extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and
Training Program.
SUMMARY
The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act
of 1998 (Public Law 105-319) provides nonimmigrant visas for
young adults from certain areas of Northern Ireland and the
Republic of Ireland. These individuals work or study in the
United States for up to 3 years. This program is currently
scheduled to terminate on October 1, 2005. H.R. 4558 would
extend it until October 1, 2006.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4558 would cost about
$4 million in fiscal year 2006 for the Department of State to
administer this program, subject to the availability of
appropriations. Enacting the bill also would affect direct
spending and receipts, but CBO estimates that any such effects
would not be significant. Because the bill would affect direct
spending and receipts, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply.
H.R. 4558 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would impose no costs on State, local, or tribal
governments.
ESTIMATED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 4558 is shown in the
following table. The costs of this legislation fall within
budget function 750 (administration of justice).
Since the program's inception, there have been about 250
participants each year. Thus, CBO estimates that any effects on
fees collected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) or the State Department as a result of extending the
program would be insignificant. INS fees are classified as
offsetting receipts (a credit against direct spending), and the
State Department fees are classified as governmental receipts
(i.e., revenues).
PAY-AS-YOU-GO CONSIDERATIONS
The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
specifies pay-as-you-go procedures for legislation affecting
direct spending and receipts. These procedures would apply to
H.R. 4558 because it would affect both direct spending and
receipts, but CBO estimates that the annual amount of such
changes would not be significant.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE-SECTOR IMPACT
H.R. 4558 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on State,
local, or tribal governments.
ESTIMATE PREPARED BY:
Federal Costs: Mark Grabowicz (226-2860)
Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Angela Seitz
(225-3220)
Impact on the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach (226-2960)
ESTIMATE APPROVED BY:
Peter H. Fontaine
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for
this legislation in article I, section 8, clause 4 of the
Constitution.
Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion
Sec. 1. Extension of Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program.
Section 1 of the bill extends the Irish Peace Process
Cultural and Training Program by 1 year, from October 1, 2005,
to October 1, 2006.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 2 OF THE IRISH PEACE PROCESS CULTURAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM ACT
OF 1998
SEC. 2. IRISH PEACE PROCESS CULTURAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose.--
(1) * * *
(2) Scope and duration of program.--
(A) In general.--The program under
paragraph (1) shall provide for the admission
of not more than 4,000 aliens under section
101(a)(15)(Q)(ii) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (including spouses and minor
children) in each of [3] 4 consecutive program
years.
* * * * * * *
(3) Records and report.--The Immigration and
Naturalization Service shall maintain records of the
nonimmigrant status and place of residence of each
alien admitted under the program. Not later than 120
days after the end of the third program year and for
the [3] 4 subsequent years, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service shall compile and submit to the
Congress a report on the number of aliens admitted with
nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii) who
have overstayed their visas.
* * * * * * *
(d) Sunset.--
(1) Effective October 1, [2005,] 2006, the Irish
Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998
is repealed.
(2) Effective October 1, [2005,] 2006, section
101(a)(15)(Q) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(Q)) is amended--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
Markup Transcript
BUSINESS MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2002
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in
Room 2141, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. F. James
Sensenbrenner, Jr. [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. The Committee will be in order.
* * * * * * *
The next item on the agenda is H.R. 5--excuse me, 4558, to
extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.
Gekas, for a motion.
Mr. Gekas. Mr. Chairman, the Subcommittee on Immigration,
Border Security and Claims reports favorably the bill H.R. 4558
and moves its favorable recommendation to the full House.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Without objection, H.R. 4558 will
be considered as read and open for amendment at any point.
[The bill, H.R. 4558, follows:]
Chairman Sensenbrenner. The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from Pennsylvania to strike the last word.
Mr. Gekas. In so doing, Mr. Chairman, I enter into the
record the following remarks: H.R. 4558 extends the Irish Peace
Process Cultural and Training Program by 1 year. The bill
amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program
Act of 1998, which established a cultural training program for
disadvantaged individuals to assist the Irish peace process.
The program creates 12,000 3-year non-immigrant visas, the Q
qualification or classification, for adults between the ages of
18 and 35 years old, and who live in disadvantaged areas in
Northern Ireland and border counties of Ireland.
The program enacted in 1998 is set to sunset on October 1,
2005. The purpose of the visa is to provide--is that correct,
2005?
The purpose of the visa is to provide practical training,
employment, and the experience of co-existence and conflict
resolution in a diverse society and strong economy such as
ours. After the trainees return home, they can provide the
crucial skill base needed to attract private investment in
their local economies. The program got off to a late start due
to funding trouble. As such, H.R. 4558 would extend the program
1 year so that additional young people can take advantage of
this successful program and become peacemakers for Northern
Ireland.
I urge everyone to support the bill, and I ask unanimous
consent to enter into the record a statement in support of this
legislation issued by our colleague from New York, the
gentleman from New York, Jim Walsh, and his statement is
apropos to the statements made by the Chair.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Without objection, the statement
will be entered in the record.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Walsh follows:]
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Without objection, opening
statements by other Members will be entered into the record.
Are there amendments? If there are no amendments, in the
absence of a reporting quorum, without objection, the previous
question on the motion to report favorably is adopted.
[Intervening business.]
The Committee now returns to the pending unfinished
business upon which the previous question was ordered on H.R.
4558.
Ms. Jackson Lee. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move for
reconsideration of H.R. 4558.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Does the gentlewoman move to
reconsider the vote by which the previous question was ordered
on H.R. 4558?
Ms. Jackson Lee. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Did the gentlewoman vote on the
prevailing side?
Ms. Jackson Lee. I need to move the motion to those who
voted on the prevailing side.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. The gentlewoman did not vote on the
prevailing side.
Mr. Scott. Mr. Chairman? Mr. Chairman? I would so move.
Ms. Jackson Lee. Thank you.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. The gentleman from Virginia moves
reconsideration. The question is: Shall the vote by which the
previous question was ordered on reporting the bill H.R. 4558
favorably be reconsidered. Those in favor will say aye.
Opposed, no?
The noes appear to have it.
Ms. Jackson Lee. rollcall.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. rollcall is requested. Those in
favor of reconsidering ordering the previous question on
reporting favorably the bill H.R. 4558 will, as your names are
called, answer aye; those opposed, no; and the clerk will call
the roll.
The Clerk. Mr. Hyde?
Mr. Hyde. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Hyde, no. Mr. Gekas?
Mr. Gekas. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Gekas, no. Mr. Coble?
Mr. Coble. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Coble, no. Mr. Smith?
Mr. Smith. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Smith, no. Mr. Gallegly?
Mr. Gallegly. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Gallegly, no. Mr. Goodlatte?
Mr. Goodlatte. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Goodlatte, no. Mr. Chabot?
Mr. Chabot. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Chabot, no. Mr. Barr?
Mr. Barr. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Barr, no. Mr. Jenkins?
Mr. Jenkins. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Jenkins, no. Mr. Cannon?
Mr. Cannon. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Cannon, no. Mr. Graham?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Bachus?
Mr. Bachus. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Bachus, no. Mr. Hostettler?
Mr. Hostettler. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Hostettler, no. Mr. Green?
Mr. Green. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Green, no. Mr. Keller?
Mr. Keller. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Keller, no. Mr. Issa?
Mr. Issa. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Issa, no. Ms. Hart?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Flake?
Mr. Flake. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Flake, no. Mr. Pence?
Mr. Pence. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Pence, no. Mr. Forbes?
Mr. Forbes. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Forbes, no. Mr. Conyers?
Mr. Conyers. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Conyers, aye.
Mr. Frank?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Berman?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Boucher?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Nadler?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Scott?
Mr. Scott. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Scott, aye. Mr. Watt?
Mr. Watt. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Watt, aye. Ms. Lofgren?
Ms. Lofgren. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Lofgren, aye. Ms. Jackson Lee?
Ms. Jackson Lee. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Jackson Lee, aye. Ms. Waters?
Ms. Waters. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Waters, aye. Mr. Meehan?
Mr. Meehan. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Meehan, aye. Mr. Delahunt?
Mr. Delahunt. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr Delahunt, aye. Mr. Wexler?
Wexler. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Wexler, aye. Mr. Baldwin--Ms. Baldwin?
Ms. Baldwin. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Baldwin, aye. Mr. Weiner?
Mr. Weiner. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Weiner, aye. Mr. Schiff?
Mr. Schiff. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Schiff, aye. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Sensenbrenner. No.
The Clerk. Mr. Chairman, no.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Are there additional Members who
wish to cast or change their votes? If not, the clerk will
report.
The Clerk. Mr. Chairman, there are 12 ayes and 19 nays.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. And the motion to reconsider the
vote by which the Committee ordered the previous question on
favorably reporting the bill is not agreed to.
The Chair notes the presence of a reporting quorum. The
question is on reporting favorably the bill H.R. 4558. Those in
favor will say aye? Opposed, no?
Ms. Jackson Lee. rollcall.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. The ayes appear to have it. The
ayes have it and the motion to report----
Ms. Lofgren. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Sensenbrenner.--favorably is agreed to.
Ms. Lofgren. I request a rollcall.
Ms. Jackson Lee. rollcall.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. A rollcall is requested. Those in
favor of reporting H.R. 4558 will, as your names are called,
answer aye; those opposed, no; and the clerk will call the
roll.
The Clerk. Mr. Hyde?
Mr. Hyde. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Hyde, aye. Mr. Gekas?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Coble?
Mr. Coble. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Coble, aye. Mr. Smith?
Mr. Smith. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Smith, aye. Mr. Gallegly?
Mr. Gallegly. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Gallegly, aye. Mr. Goodlatte?
Mr. Goodlatte. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Goodlatte, aye. Mr. Chabot?
Mr. Chabot. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Chabot, aye. Mr. Barr?
Mr. Barr. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Barr, aye. Mr. Jenkins?
Mr. Jenkins. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Jenkins, aye. Mr. Cannon?
Mr. Cannon. Yes.
The Clerk. Mr. Cannon, aye. Mr. Graham?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Bachus?
Mr. Bachus. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Bachus, aye. Mr. Hostettler?
Mr. Hostettler. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Hostettler, aye. Mr. Green?
Mr. Green. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Green, aye. Mr. Keller?
Mr. Keller. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Keller, aye. Mr. Issa?
Mr. Issa. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Issa, aye. Ms. Hart?
Ms. Hart. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Hart, aye. Mr. Flake?
Mr. Flake. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Flake, aye. Mr. Pence?
Mr. Pence. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Pence, aye. Mr. Forbes?
Mr. Forbes. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Forbes, aye. Mr. Conyers?
Mr. Conyers. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Conyers, aye.
Mr. Frank?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Berman?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Boucher?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Nadler?
[No response.]
The Clerk. Mr. Scott?
Mr. Scott. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Scott, aye. Mr. Watt?
Mr. Watt. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Watt, aye. Ms. Lofgren?
Ms. Lofgren. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Lofgren, aye. Ms. Jackson Lee?
Ms. Jackson Lee. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Jackson Lee, aye. Ms. Waters?
Ms. Waters. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Waters, aye. Mr. Meehan?
Mr. Meehan. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Meehan, aye. Mr. Delahunt?
Mr. Delahunt. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Delahunt, aye. Mr. Wexler?
Mr. Wexler. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Wexler, aye. Ms. Baldwin?
Ms. Baldwin. Aye.
The Clerk. Ms. Baldwin, aye. Mr. Weiner?
Mr. Weiner. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Weiner, aye. Mr. Schiff?
Mr. Schiff. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Schiff, aye. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Aye.
The Clerk. Mr. Chairman, aye.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. Are there additional Members in the
chamber who wish to cast or change their votes? If not, the
clerk will report.
The Clerk. Mr. Chairman, there are 31 ayes and 0 nays.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. And the motion to report favorably
is agreed to. Without objection, the Chairman is authorized to
move to go to conference pursuant to House rules. Without
objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and
conforming changes, and all Members will be given 2 days, as
provided by the House rules, in which to submit additional
dissenting, supplemental, or minority views.
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