Larry Combest

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to make sure because there is some confusion. The next vote occurs on the Dooley amendment to the Stenholm amendment?

Mr. COMBEST. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm).

Mr. COMBEST. I rise to claim the time in opposition, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to join those many others who thanked the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) for his votes on free trade, however, I do rise in opposition to the amendment. The Manzullo amendment would prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from carrying out the provisions of H.R. 1402 and thereby the United States dairy policy once it was approved by Congress and signed into law. The amendment says that the Secretary of Agriculture may not implement the law passed by Congress unless the U.S. Trade Representative says that this law does not present a risk of interference with international trade agreements or trade policy objectives of the United States. If this amendment is adopted, the House of Representatives will be allowing the USTR to set U.S. dairy policy. The amendment of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) sets no time frame for consideration by the USTR, which could delay indefinitely its determination of the dairy policy compliance with trade agreements. The USTR evaluation of H.R. 1402 could take years, and U.S. dairy farmers will suffer while other countries continue their subsidies unchecked. Additionally, the Manzullo amendment requires the USTR to evaluate U.S. dairy policy to determine whether there is a risk of interference with international trade agreements or with the trade policy objectives of the United States which has no force of law. The risk that should be evaluated is whether the European Union or the Canadian dairy policy is in accord with international trade rules. Right now, the European Union spends over $40 billion in domestic support to subsidize its farmers. That is eight times as much as is spent by the United States for its farmers. On top of that, the European Union spends $8 billion on export subsidies, keeping the U.S. agriculture out of many markets around the world. And that is a representation that is 16 times as much as is spent by the United States on export subsidies. I would urge Members to oppose the Manzullo amendment. The Congress should determine dairy policy with the concurrence of the President. Unchecked bureaucrats should not determine what U.S. dairy policy is. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the subcommittee chairman.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute to engage the ranking member for a moment, if I might. Is it not true that in all other agricultural policy in regards to what is compliant or noncompliant with U.S. and international trade rules that the Department of Agriculture makes the ruling on those?

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, would the Chair inform the Members as to the amount of time remaining.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

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

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of the time. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a few points, if I could, about trade policy since the trade policy and subsidization of our domestic producers and domestic producers in other countries has been brought up. All of the subsidies, supports or whatever we may call them, fit within the trade laws. There is a process by which if that is questioned that can be adjudicated; but I would just say and remind people what I said in my opening statement, the European Union spends eight times as much in domestic support for their farmers as the United States does. It spends 16 times as much in export subsidies as does the United States. Mr. Chairman, our farmers can compete with any farmers in the world, but our farmers should not be forced to compete with other governments. I will be with my friend from Wisconsin and others when we begin to lead the fight worldwide to reduce subsidization and supports; but the idea that we should set an example and unilaterally disarm the American farmer, I think, is a ludicrous statement. I will be with everyone else when we do this worldwide, but I will be the last to suggest that we start it in this country when all other countries are still doing it at many levels above what we are doing it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, could the Chair tell us the remaining time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) be able to manage the time in opposition.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the Committee on Agriculture to file a supplemental report to accompany H.R. 2559, the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 1999.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, in the engrossment of the bill (H.R. 1402), the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, citations, and cross-references and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1402, the bill just passed.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Madam Speaker, while we will see tomorrow how contentious debate on dairy policy can be, I want to make a brief statement this evening about the process that we have followed. From the beginning, the Committee on Agriculture has tried to ensure a process that was fair and open to all Members. We announced our schedule well in advance, we provided an opportunity for all Members to offer their amendments, and we gave everyone an opportunity to vote on the policy option that they preferred. I commend the Committee on Rules for continuing in this spirit. While not all of the amendments were made in order, it is my belief that the more than 6 hours of debate time that is permitted under this rule gives every Member an opportunity to make their case and cast their votes. This is a fair rule, Madam Speaker. I urge its adoption so we can proceed with this much-anticipated debate, and I thank the Committee on Rules for the work they have done.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Texas Tech University Marching Band. The ``Goin' Band from Raiderland'' has received the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy, the Nation's highest and most coveted award for college and university marching bands. This award is given annually to a college or university marching band ``that has demonstrated particular excellence over a period of many years.'' It is appropriate to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of this distinguished group. The ``Goin' Band'' consists of more than 400 members and is led by Mr. Keith Bearden, who is in his 19th year as director. The band was formed the year Texas Tech University opened its doors to students, and this year, the ``Goin' Band from Raiderland'' celebrates its 75th anniversary. The Sudler Trophy is an honor not only for the current band members but also for the band's alumni in recognition of many years of outstanding performances. The Texas Tech marching band has received numerous invitations to perform throughout the world. In recent years, the ``Goin' Band'' has performed during halftime shows for the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Oilers and the Denver Broncos. In addition, the marching band has performed at the All American, Cotton, Copper, Sun, Alamo, and Independence Bowls and was the lead band at the Battle of Flowers Parade for the Fiesta Celebration in San Antonio. The band has even marched in the inaugural parades of Governor Ann Richards and Governor George W. Bush. All marching band directors in NCAA schools participated in the selection of the Sudler Trophy award by completing ballots. The ballots were then sent to a committee and the final decision was made during the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago last December. The presentation of the award will be on Saturday, September 18 in conjunction with Alumni Band Day. The ``Goin' Band from Raiderland'' has displayed dedication and commitment to excellence for many years. Through hard work and discipline, the band has accomplished much and is very deserving of this award. I would like to congratulate each member and alumni of the Texas Tech University Marching Band.