Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman. I certainly rise in support of this amendment. Having chaired that subcommittee for 6 years and knowing the good work of that subcommittee, I think the intent of the language aligns with the two authorizing bills passed by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology earlier this year. I certainly voted for them both times. I think it is a good amendment, so I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. CALVERT. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I insist on my point of order.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states in pertinent part: ``An amendment to a general appropriations bill shall not be in order if changing existing law.'' The amendment requires a new determination. I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. It is my understanding that the proposed rule is supported broadly by many in the trucking manufacturing industry, so for that reason, I support her amendment. However, as with any rule, there are some specifics that we need to iron out. I would like to work with my colleague and with EPA to see if we can't resolve those specifics between now and the final rule. In the meantime, I support including language in the Interior bill, and I urge Members to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, climate change is winning the amendment contest tonight. We have had a number of amendments on that subject. Earlier we debated whether or not to continue a bipartisan reporting requirement in the bill on climate change expenditures. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle wanted to remove that requirement, which would have reduced transparency. Now my friend wants to ensure that funds are being expended on climate and efficiency executive orders issued by the President. So I am left to wonder whether my colleagues would prefer to know if the funds are spent on these programs or not. Regardless, this amendment is certainly unnecessary. The President did not consult Congress on these executive orders. If anything, we should defund these programs until Congress can have an appropriate policy debate. I see no reason to include this language, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, the President did make his unilateral determination in an executive order. We have an opportunity to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I just rise in support of the amendment. I know the State of North Carolina opposed the rule and passed the legislation a few months ago to block these EPA regulations. I suspect it is not the only State that may have these concerns. Let's let the market drive manufacturers toward producing lower emission wood heaters. I support the gentleman's amendment and urge an ``aye'' vote. I hope that everybody who supports this amendment would also vote for the bill for final passage.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I urge opposition to the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I urge the adoption of the gentleman's amendment. It is a good amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in reluctant opposition to the amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

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

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, as in the case of a number of offshore- related amendments that we will deal with today, the Interior Appropriations bill is not the appropriate venue, though I do understand it has been used in the past. I understand this amendment dovetails with the current congressional moratorium, and the Department of the Interior has no intention of acting in a manner that is contrary to congressional intent. The Department is focused on the next 5-year oil and gas leasing plan, which is limited to 2017-2022, so many departmental activities in fiscal year 2016 are already limited in scope through 2022. If my colleagues wish to see the moratorium extended beyond 2022, then they should work with the appropriate authorizing committees. With that, I would oppose the amendment, and urge a ``no'' vote. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentlewoman's amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. I urge opposition to this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for offering the amendment and yielding me time. I appreciate the concerns that he brings to us today. It is troubling that the Bureau of Land Management has proposed land use plans that appear to contradict its multiple-use mandate. So with that, I would happily accept his amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I would just say that, again, I am in reluctant opposition to this amendment. This should be dealt with in the authorizing committees. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would urge adoption of the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. I certainly appreciate the gentleman yielding me time, and I appreciate the gentleman's willingness to work with us. We support the Forest Legacy Program, and I pledge to you we will continue to work with you and other supporters of the program as we move this process along.

Mr. CALVERT. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CALVERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I agree with the gentleman and with The New York Times that this is why the underlying bill reduces funding for certain offices within EPA that were responsible for these questionable actions. Therefore, this language is complementary to the approach the committee has already taken in the bill, and I urge an ``aye'' vote on the amendment.

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