Henry Bonilla

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I want to commend the gentleman for offering this amendment. We support the amendment and would hope that we could move to a vote quickly on this amendment.

Mr. BONILLA. Is the gentleman going to withdraw his amendment?

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the work of the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) on this very important issue on Hispanic-serving institutions, and I want to also express my gratitude for his acknowledging what this subcommittee has done; and also what has been done historically on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education over the last few years in a bipartisan way to take care of many of the problems that exist at many institutions in terms of funding. Mr. Chairman, as I discussed with the gentleman before, we are willing to work to see if there is a possibility at all to try to increase this number down the road. We do not know if that is going to be possible, but we certainly will make every effort. We have given increases in this bill over the last 2 years as well, and we are doing all we can; and we certainly will continue to do that.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on this amendment.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BONILLA. I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I understand clearly that we are to work on this in the weeks ahead and the months ahead to try to address the concerns of the gentlewoman from North Carolina and would like to inquire if the gentlewoman from North Carolina is still intending to withdraw her amendment.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, we have only one remaining speaker and the right to close, therefore I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy). (Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I recognize that there are legitimate concerns for the safety of genetically engineered animals, including transgenic fish. However, I am concerned that the proposed amendment would actually delay advancement in the state of scientific knowledge. It would prevent FDA from reviewing any applications related to transgenic fish. The process of consulting with sponsors and reviewing applications that advances scientific understanding in both the public and private sectors, I do not wish to halt this learning process. Furthermore, in reviewing these applications, FDA addresses the safety of the animal, the environment, and the consumer. In addition, the sponsor must assure that the transgenic fish are contained and not introduced into the environment or the food chain until safety is assured. This is a responsible approach. The scientific integrity and discipline of the drug-approval process makes it a reliable, effective, and safe venue for advancing scientific knowledge and getting needed products to the marketplace. So I oppose this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds. Mr. Chairman, I would like to clarify that the Bush administration has sent us a letter clearly opposing any amendment such as being offered now that could result in unsafe, unapproved or counterfeit drugs. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).