Roy Blunt

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, the minority leader did not extend the normal courtesy of notifying the majority of her resolution, and I move to table the resolution so we can go back to the business of debating the defense conference report.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for yielding me this time. I also want to thank all my colleagues, many of whom voted for this bill just moments ago on both sides of the aisle, for the work they put into this, to the time they have spent on this, to the important discussion of how we secure our borders more carefully, how we maintain our security in a greater way, and how we look at intelligence-gathering and -sharing differently than we needed two generations ago, in the late 1940s, when this was done the last time. This makes our work very important as we move forward. The work of the conferees will be challenging. We have given them a strong product with a strong vote. I think this motion to reinstruct in several areas just simply reaches too far. I spoke earlier today about the importance of what do we do, what do we do with people who come to this country and have criminal backgrounds from another country. These are not people we think are criminals or might have been criminals. These are people who we know are criminals or we know are terrorists. These people may come from countries that are not very great countries. What we did today was change the bill so that we would not be forced to send them back to that country, if in fact we can figure out how to detain them in an appropriate way here. I gave the example this morning of a person, and this is an absolute case of someone who, in Jordan, was convicted of conspiring to bomb an American school. That person came to America. He then sought sanctuary on the basis that he should not be sent back to Jordan because they use punishments we would find inappropriate. And we all agree on that. But under our current law, the only thing to do was to let him then go to an American community to live. Well, an American community is full of American schools. So here we have someone who is guilty of conspiring to kill American kids in a school in Jordan, and our only current remedy appears to be, according to the courts, to send him to a community in America to live, which is full of schools that have American kids. This motion to instruct says we should eliminate that language and go back to the current environment, where the only choice is for that person to go into the American community. In this case, that was a terrorist, Mr. Speaker. In other cases we know of someone who was a murderer, or a pedophile, or a rapist. We need better ways to deal with people who abuse the open arms that America has traditionally had. That is just one area of many that this motion to instruct specifically addresses. So if in fact you vote for this motion, you are voting to maintain the status quo. And I think my friends would almost all agree the status quo, in that instance, as I described it, is not an acceptable alternative for us to have. We are searching for alternatives here that work better. I hope we let this process go on. I hope we let our conferees work on this hard job in the best way they can. I hope we defeat this motion to instruct.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his hard work. Having participated as our committees worked hard through August and September to produce the bipartisan composites and component of H.R. 10, I rise today in strong opposition to the Menendez amendment. We have considered the ideas contained in the gentleman's amendment, the gentleman's substitute, and rejected them. The amendment goes too far in some areas and not far enough in others. The Menendez amendment seeks to declassify the U.S. intelligence budget. This action will have a very specific impact on our national security. It will guarantee that Americans will be more vulnerable. It simply is not logical to think that providing the terrorists with information about our intelligence priorities will make anyone safer. In fact, the impact would be just the opposite. Today our adversaries spend a great deal of resources and time and devote vast amounts of their efforts trying to estimate just how much Americans spend on intelligence activities. Why should we want to hand our Nation's classifieds information, its most important security blue print, to the very people that we fight to keep it from? This substitute ignores the 9/11 Commission's call to secure our borders. Does anyone believe America will be safer if the government does not require secure documents for people crossing our borders? Are we safer with a bill that does not provide any additional resources for our overtaxed border patrol? Are we safer with a bill that allows foreign terrorists, murderers, rapists, and kidnappers to abuse the antiquated laws and be released into our community? Under this bill, if people come to this country we know they have committed crimes in other countries but they have not committed them here. We do not want to send them back to those other countries because we are prohibited from doing that; we have to simply let them wander around in the United States. That cannot be the best results for a secure America. Those provisions, the security of our borders, protects all who live within our borders, those who are born here, those who sought America out searching for a better life for themselves and their families. If we want real security and real reform, we need to oppose this substitute and move this bill forward to get this job done.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Chairman, the House is taking bold steps today to reform the way our intelligence community works for the first time in two generations. The legislation that we are debating here today responds to the 9/11 Commission's look at an unprecedented and horrendous day in American history. The Commission made recommendations for dramatically changing our intelligence operations, and seven House committees of jurisdiction held 20 hearings and five markups. Despite some claims to the contrary, our committees have worked in a bipartisan fashion to contribute with strong bipartisan votes, sweeping and much- needed components of change of the legislation that we are discussing today. I would like to focus on the intelligence reform for a minute. I have had the privilege of joining the gentleman from Michigan's (Chairman Hoekstra's) and the gentlewoman from California's (Ms. Harman's) committee last week during the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's markup of the components of the 9/11 Commission bill. This legislation establishes a strong empowered National Intelligence Director who will coordinate the efforts of all the U.S. intelligence agencies. The National Intelligence Director will head up the U.S. intelligence community and serve as the President's principal adviser on intelligence matters. The new National Intelligence Director will also be responsible for establishing and running a new National Counterterrorism Center. This center will be the primary organization for analyzing and integrating all terrorism and counterterrorism intelligence. The center will help keep Americans safe by integrating all national efforts to detect, deter and disrupt terrorist activities. This bill enhances the community wide intelligence budget, operations and personal management authorities for the new National Security Director. The Director will have, for example, increased authority to manage and oversee execution of the National Intelligence Program and its annual budget. One of the strengths of this bill is that this bill still keeps that budget secret from our enemies. Divulging the top line of the national intelligence budget to our enemies is not a good idea. If it is a good idea, why not divulge the next to the top line and the line after that and the line after that? This is just simply information that does not need to be disclosed. This is the only option that protects that information. The 9/11 Commission Implementation Bill will also improve information sharing. The landmark legislation also sharpens intelligence tools, making the National Intelligence Director responsible for the accuracy of intelligence analysis and for ensuring the quality of human intelligence and other intelligence capabilities around globe. This legislation provides a better intelligence structure and improves our national security. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 10, to defeat any substitutes, and to move forward toward this important landmark piece of legislation.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank my friend from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and both of our staffs for their work together and their work with the other body to see that we do get this legislation passed not just here but headed to the President's desk before we are done here in the next few days. It is always a pleasure to work with the gentleman from Maryland. I was pleased we were able to do this effectively with our friends on the other side of the building as well. Certainly, the gentleman from Rhode Island's aunt, Eunice Shriver, is a person who has made a difference in the lives of millions because she reached out to make a difference. Today, we have an opportunity to reach out and join her in that effort. I am pleased to be part of this bipartisan effort to make Special Olympics officially something recognized and encouraged by the United States Government. Special Olympics, Washington, DC, October 5, 2004. Hon. Roy Blunt, House Majority Whip, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Blunt: On behalf of our athletes, families, volunteers, and staff around the world, I would like to thank you for your leadership in introducing the historic ``Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004,'' H.R. 5131 that will authorize $15 million per year for the next 5 years to support the expansion of Special Olympics programs. We are equally elated that Senator Santorum is leading the effort to pass the companion bill in the Senate. We consider it an honor that you recognize Special Olympics as a responsible and accomplished steward of federal funding. Indeed, millions of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as their families and countless communities, have benefited from our programs. Passage of the ``Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004'' will allow us to substantially expand these successful programs, including Healthy Athletes. As you know, Healthy Athletes provides much needed health care screenings and services to address preventable secondary health conditions such as obesity, poor fitness, nutritional deficiencies, untreated or poorly treated vision, and dental, hearing, and podiatric problems. Expansion of the program is particularly important since people with intellectual disabilities have a 40% higher risk of the health conditions referenced above. I understand that some concern has been raised that the funding contained in H.R. 5131 may be used for abortion, abortion referral, or sex education. Please be assured that Special Olympics has not provided nor referred such services in the past; we would never use federal funds for such a purpose. I would be happy to discuss such concerns with you or your colleagues if necessary. Thank you again for your leadership. Sincerely, Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D., Chairman & CEO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I certainly am grateful to my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), and his committee for sending this bill directly to the floor. I am pleased to be a sponsor of this historic legislation to provide support to the Special Olympics organization founded by Eunice Shriver over three decades ago and to the thousands of athletes who participate in these games. This authorization proves the commitment of the United States Congress to this positive organization and all of its participants. Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities who become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics has become an important vehicle and platform for breaking down artificial barriers, improving public health, changing negative attitudes in education, and helping athletes overcome the prejudice that people with their disabilities often face. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competitive opportunities for nearly 1.5 million athletes in 26 different sports. In my home State of Missouri, Special Olympics serves nearly 14,000 athletes ranging from 8 to 80 years old. With the resources we hope to authorize today, Special Olympics plans to expand participation to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide over the next 5 years. These new resources will also help Special Olympics continue the vision, dental, hearing, and nutritional health screenings they currently provide for their athletes. These services are handled entirely by volunteer health professionals and are critical to enhancing the lives of people who might otherwise go completely without care. Finally, these resources will allow students of all abilities the chance to learn about differences and engage in creating local Special Olympics teams and events as part of a school-based curriculum. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, and a more positive self-image. I would like to thank my colleague across the aisle, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip, for his leadership on this issue. It is probably not as often as it should be that Democrats and Republicans, Senators and House Members stand together in total agreement on an issue of this importance. We have worked hard with our friends in the other body to see that that happens. The government of the United States of America enthusiastically supports Special Olympics and recognizes its importance in improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, and I urge my colleagues to move forward and pass this legislation at the end of our debate. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the chief deputy whip.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4579, the Truman Farm Home Expansion Act. This bill would allow the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately five acres of land surrounding the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri, preserving an historic site enjoyed by more than five thousand families each year. Built in 1894, the Truman Home sits on 5.25 acres of the family's former 600-acre farm where President Truman lived and worked from 1906 to 1917. Acquisition of the five additional acres will prevent future commercial development and save the farm's original setting and character. The National Park service plans to utilize the land to plant vegetation shielding the home from surrounding buildings, in addition to converting one building presently on the property into a visitor's center. These much needed improvements will increase the site's accessibility and secure its authenticity, attracting more visitors to the former President's Grandview home. By adopting H.R. 4579, we will not only protect a significant part of our history, but will honor a great President who faithfully served America during a time of international unrest. Similar to today's global war against terrorism, President Truman stood firm in the face of an enemy which sought to deter democracy. Out of honor to President Truman and with great appreciation for the historical importance of his Grandview home, I fully support passage of the Truman Farm Home Expansion Act.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, Americans like the partnership they have. Republicans have trusted the ingenuity of the American people to expand opportunity for themselves and their families. For 10 years, the Republican majority has worked to expand the power of the American people over the power of the American government. We believe in letting people keep more of their hard-earned money so that they are better able to provide for their families and invest in their own futures. We trust small business owners to create jobs and grow the economy better than government programs can. We understand that school teachers and parents in Springfield, Missouri, and other places across this Nation know what is best for students, not bureaucrats in Washington. We know that excessive government regulations never created a single job for an American worker. House Republicans believe individuals make better decisions than government, and when Americans are given freedom to exercise personal responsibility to provide for their futures, they have a greater stake in securing that future. After 10 years, that future is bright. As a majority, we have accomplished so much, but there is still so much more to do. In many ways, we have only just begun to make the impact our Nation needs. Although priorities have changed, our principles do not, as we move forward into a second decade.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I would say in response to that previous comment that I am not sure that our friends on the other side of this building are as united yet as perhaps our Members are who represent the House side on the transportation number. We want to move forward there. Chairman Thomas tells me that he sees good work happening on the family tax package that the gentleman mentioned, the marriage penalty relief, the $1,000 child credit, the 10 percent tax bracket, that new tax bracket we put in place. We think it is very likely that we could have that extension on the floor next week.

Mr. BLUNT. I thank my friend for yielding, and I share the gentleman's sense that an overwhelming number of Members of the House would like to get this work done, get this bill done this year. Of course this would not be the place for the gentleman and I to try to negotiate a number, but I think the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) are both working hard to achieve a result that gets that work going and allows the States and others affected by this to begin the contracting process and even begin some of the work. I am very hopeful at this point that we will get that number agreed to, get our friends on the other side of this building moving forward with us and get agreement from the White House as they need to ultimately sign whatever bill we pass.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, we are again hopeful and working hard to get the transportation bill completed. We think it is better to work toward that completion right now than to extend the deadline. The pressure of the deadline may help in that process. It certainly does not work against the process of getting the bill. I believe both our chairman on this side of the building and the ranking member are working hard, working together, as others are, and we will not be addressing the question of extension until we move a little further along and hopefully are able to bring not an extension to the floor but an agreed-to transportation bill.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be fair to say that in our discussions we are doing everything we can to get our work done before we take the break for the elections. It is certainly possible we might have to come back, and I believe the time the gentleman suggested for our reorganization is the time that we are intending to schedule that. If there is anything that has to be done, it would clearly be the best thing to do if we are in agreement on the time to come back, to do all those things or start all those things at least at one time. But we have been very focused across the board this week in trying to get to that goal of having this year's work done by the time we leave here sometime in October.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, again, I think we need to wait and see where the process is, how close it is to completion before we decide what period of time to recommend that CR would go. We are working hard to complete the entire process in the shortest possible time.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I would say at this point we do not expect to consider a CR next week. We would very much like to get our work done during the time between now and the time we take a break. Before we go to a CR, which we obviously have to deal with some time in that 15-day period, we would like to have a clearer picture of exactly where the process is. We are continuing to do everything we can to encourage that process to reach conclusion in every possible area and perhaps even in all possible areas, but we would like a little clearer picture than what we will have next week before we deal with a CR.

Mr. BLUNT. I think it is unlikely that bill would be ready for the floor by next week, but we are still working on it, and hope to get it and the rest of the appropriations work done.

Mr. BLUNT. We are still working through that and at this point the leader has not scheduled that bill for the floor.

Mr. BLUNT. At this point we are still scheduled to work on Friday because of the number of conference committee reports that are out there that we hope to see come to some conclusion, maybe some next week, and we would be working Friday. If that does not appear to be the case, we will try to give as much notice as possible and Friday would be a day that will be dependent on some of the conference committees coming to a conclusion.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's question, and I would say while we do have some suspension bills scheduled, sometimes they can go quicker than at other times. I know Members with amendments would not want to see an opportunity to offer those amendments pass by. If I had an amendment, I would be here not much after 2. I know at one time today the chairman had to ask Members to come to the floor because the bill had moved much quicker than expected.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, next week the House will convene on Tuesday at 12:30 for morning hour debates and 2 p.m. for legislative business. We will consider several matters under the suspension of the rules. A final list of those bills will be sent to Members' offices by the end of this week. Any votes we have on Tuesday will be after 6:30 p.m. We also expect to complete consideration of H.R. 5025, the Transportation- Treasury appropriations bill, on Tuesday afternoon. In addition, next week we expect to consider H.R. 2028, the Pledge Protection Act; and finally, as we approach the end of this Congress, it is important to take note that we have a number of conference reports that we are working through. Members should expect votes on those at any time.

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BLUNT. Yes, that is the schedule at this time.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 17, 2004; and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, for morning hour debates.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Wednesday, September 22, 2004, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 23.

Mr. BLUNT

Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on Thursday, September 23, 2004, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Ayad Allawi, Interim Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq.