Barbara Cubin

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), and I guess he has left the floor, one such wind project that has been held up by lawsuits is a project off Nantucket Sound. The investors are there; the money is there. But there has been a lot of opposition to that wind project. I do have to agree with the gentleman from Colorado on one thing. Everything that has been said here today is about politics, but it is about politics on that side of the aisle. They want to have it both ways, Mr. Speaker. They want to say they support renewable energy production in the United States, but they do not because they look for anything they can find to vote against any proposal that is made going in the right direction to increase our renewable energy supply. Let us talk about this just for a minute. I want to explain the process of a NEPA review. There is an investor that spends millions and millions of dollars in order to put together a proposal to bring it to the point that it asks for an environmental review. Beyond that, the government spends millions and millions and millions of dollars going through this analysis, compiling the information. So if one asks for a project, a renewable energy project, the actual effect that this bill will have by reducing the number of alternatives is that it will make the investor come with the best environmental deal he can possibly put together because he has only got one shot at it. All of those millions have to be spent before he makes one penny. He has got one shot at it. Either the project is approved or it is not. Not one environmental aspect is changed. There is no lowering of the public comment. The only difference is the time. And as the chairman said, he will increase the scoping period to 45 days. But I ask you to quit trying to have it both ways. Think of America before you think of your own personal politics and the politics of the extreme environmental organizations of this country. They come right out and they say they do not want any production. Why do you not be honest and say the same. In your mind it is all about defeating George Bush. You are putting politics first. We need to produce energy for this country because we are nationally in jeopardy; our safety is in jeopardy; and our future and the future of our children is in jeopardy. So I ask the Members to support this bill. Allow these projects to be heard and not held up in courts of law for 10 or 15 years.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, a great President, and a true friend to the people of Wyoming. We all probably have our way of remembering President Reagan, but for me I will always see him atop his big white horse, pointing out to the distance as if to say, ``The future is that way, and we must ride into it.'' Here is the picture that I remember so well. Today we are lucky enough to live in that future. The millions once enslaved behind the Iron Curtain are free, and the Cold War is over, with freedom the victor. They say that fortune favors the brave, and fortune favored President Reagan. He helped us to believe in ourselves again and to believe in common dreams that bind us together as Americans. When President Reagan took office, we were gripped with the fear that perhaps America's greatest days were behind us. Eight years later when he walked out of the Oval Office and into the sunset of his life, we knew that in America our best days will always be on the horizon. Mr. Speaker, the people of Wyoming will be eternally thankful to Ronald Reagan. We will be eternally thankful that he was there on that white horse to point the way not into the sunset, but instead into a shining new morning in America.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Private First Class Chance Phelps. PFC Phelps, who spent much of his youth in Dubois, Wyoming, died in service to his country near Baghdad on April 9, 2004, Good Friday. Chance, just 19, had been in Iraq for a month as part of the 1st Marine Division, based at Twentynine Palms, California. He volunteered for the mission during which he was fatally wounded, serving as a machine gunner on an escort vehicle for an Army convoy from the Syrian border to Baghdad. Chance demonstrated incredible valor and courage and will appropriately be awarded the Purple Heart. As his mother, Gretchen Mack, noted, Chance didn't have to be a Marine, he wanted to be a Marine. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, his greatest desire was to serve his country and fight to preserve America's freedom and liberty. He did it. Both his father, John Phelps, and his mother are firm in their conviction that he willingly made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country. Like many Wyoming children, Chance spent time hunting, fishing and working cows at a friend's ranch. A true All-American boy, he was a star football player who made friends easily. He leaves behind a large, loving family and many friends who will miss him dearly. The way people felt about Chance was clear at his funeral service in Dubois. Hundreds of people lined the main street, young and old, each person holding aloft an American flag as Chance was carried to his final resting place in a horse-drawn carriage. It was a spontaneous demonstration of the love and admiration Chance inspired in anyone he met, and a testament to the sense of loss, and undying love of our country, that we all feel now that he's gone. Chance will be sorely missed, but he will forever remain a hero in the hearts of the people of Wyoming.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Chairman, it's about time. That's what my constituents are telling me. They correctly note the gradual degradation of the quality and decency of programming on TV and radio--and I agree, it's about time Congress acted. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 3717, I think it's important to note that we introduced this bill prior to the Super Bowl. Some people are blaming Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake for Congressional action on indecency, but really the Super Bowl halftime show was simply the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. It's sort of like cooking a frog in a pot of boiling water. Put him in when it's lukewarm, and slowly turn up the temperature, he'll be cooked by dinner. Throw him into a boiling pot, however, and he'll jump right out. I'm afraid we've let this sneak up on us to the point where we're almost cooked. I'm not here sharing recipes from Congressman Tauzin's Cajun cookbook, I'm talking about how we have sat idly by as programming over the public's airwaves has gone to the dogs. The nudity of the Super Bowl halftime show has justly raised the ire of American families, and we are right to demand that people act in a civil manner when they are afforded access to the public's airwaves. Mr. Chairman, it is about time Congress acted and I'm proud to be part of that effort. I urge passage of H.R. 3717.

Ms. CUBIN

Ms. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1997 and for America's voiceless unborn children. We are all familiar with the tragic stories like the plight of Laci and Conner Peterson, and Landon Lyons of Kentucky, as well as countless others. From these tragedies one thing should be clear: Unborn children can be brutally victimized through acts we already recognize as Federal crimes, and it is our duty to ensure justice is served on behalf of these innocent victims. In the unthinkable instance where a pregnant woman is physically harmed, it is a simple fact that more than one life is potentially at stake. The injury or death of a child who is still in utero is a crime that must not continue to go unprosecuted. We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect both women and the unborn children they might be carrying. When both a mother and her unborn child are the victims of crime, two people are harmed. The law needs to recognize this reality, and I hope my colleagues will do so by voting in favor of H.R. 1997. Recently, our Nation celebrated the 184th birthday of one of our true American heroes, Susan B. Anthony. Committed to the idea that all people should be treated equally, she worked for years to champion both the rights of women and unborn children. I can think of no better way to honor the great memory of Susan B. Anthony than by upholding the ideal of respect for the dignity of human life by supporting the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, pharmacists are a vital link in this nation's health care system. Across the nation, we are seeing a shortage of pharmacists and this shortage is taking hold in Wyoming as well. Americans of all ages will continue to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits that come from prescription medications. Without pharmacists to distribute those drugs and educate us about their effects, we would see the downfall of our health care system. We cannot allow that to happen, and must do what we can to ensure an adequate supply of pharmacists in Wyoming, and across the country. In addition, as Congress prepares to pass a Medicare reform prescription drug bill, seniors will have greater access to medications at a lower cost and will need qualified pharmacists to help them understand and properly use their medications. The Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2003 authorizes two new student- loan programs for pharmacists. The first would repay the student loans of pharmacists who agree to practice for at least 2 years in areas with a critical shortage of pharmacists. The second would repay the loans of students who agree to serve for a least 2 years as faculty members at accredited schools of pharmacy; one of which is at the University of Wyoming. It makes sense that if we want an adequate supply of pharmacists in the workplace then we need to ensure adequate faculty to guide them through their education. We are seeing more of a demand for pharmacists in Wyoming, whether it be in our local Walmart and Safeway stores, or in our hospitals. Our faculty at UW's school of pharmacy is also stretched very thin, and I want to ensure that we continue to have excellent faculty there. After all, they are responsible for providing Wyoming with the best and brightest in the way of pharmacy graduates. This legislation is designed to encourage students to enter the pharmacy profession, both in individual practice and as university educators. We all know how expensive it is to get an education these days, and pharmacy students can face loans of up to $90,000. This bill will not only help students in Wyoming with the financial burdens associated with education, but help Wyoming obtain the qualified pharmacists it needs.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life . . .'' The Declaration of Independence tells us this. We are created--life is created and the womb is where that miracle of life develops. Biology tells us this. It is immoral and illegal, in America, to deliver a baby for the sole purpose of taking this child's life, under the guise of a medical procedure. The legislation at hand tells us this. We fight wars in the name of protecting human rights. We serve with human rights organizations all over this world, standing up for those who can't defend themselves and for those who are robbed of what many of us take for granted. It should be no different here today, with this very issue. So we are not here to talk about reproductive choices. We are here to talk about preserving human life and protecting the most defenseless among us from suffering a barbaric death. Human life should never be taken in the name of mere convenience--to do so is among the grossest of human rights violations. That is why partial-birth abortions should be banned. It is long overdue. I support the rule, I support the conference report and I look forward to the day it is signed into law to protect the lives of the most helpless victims of violence in our country--our children.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Chairman, point of order. Mr. Chairman, I believe there is a rule against allowing the pictures down there of the person at the stock car races in West Virginia staying on the floor.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Chairman, the decision to ban snowmobiles from the roads of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is based on politics, not on facts and not on laws. This rule was published just 2 days after President Bush was sworn into office. Much like the roadless rule, this decision was predetermined and more about getting President Clinton in the extreme environmental hall of fame than establishing good public policy. It was one of many sad last-ditch efforts to polish the tarnished Clinton legacy. Predetermining the outcome was an obvious violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and was well-documented in the lawsuit filed by the State of Wyoming. The Babbitt administration and the Clinton administration rushed to force the snowmobile ban, leaving public tours only to be taken by snowcoaches rather than snowmobiles. What is a snowcoach? It sounds warm and fuzzy and friendly. A snowcoach is a modified sports utility vehicle, a bus or a van, in which the wheels and the drive line are modified to use a track system similar to those used on old Army tanks. We have one here. Notice the bison and how apparently the bison are not bothered by interaction with man. And, by the way, the road we are looking at is the same road that snowmobiles would go on. So it is not going to answer the problem that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel) mentioned about buffalo going down the road. The roads will still be there. These vehicles, here is another one, get 2 to 4 miles per gallon; and believe me, I have been on them and they are noisy. They travel the exact same roads snowmobiles and cars do, and their air emissions are worse than the new generations of snowmobiles by far. I have been in Congress a long time, but this is the first time I have had environmentalists advocate for more SUVs in Yellowstone National Park or any national parks. It is also the first time I have ever heard of environmentalists saying that the use of tank-like vehicles is good for wildlife or the environment. Let us be honest in this debate. Let us not pretend that preventing the use of snowmobiles will remove all human-wildlife interaction. Bison jams will still happen, just as they do in the summer months, when 1.7 million cars drive through Yellowstone National Park. These bison do not seem overly concerned whether a snowcoach or a snowmobile is in the road. In Babbitt's rush to illegally force a snowmobile ban through the regulatory process, the air emissions statistics of snowcoaches were actually trumped up to show that they were more environmentally friendly than new generation snowmobiles. In fact, the National Park Service study understated carbon monoxide emissions for snowmobiles by a factor of 50 percent, because they used emission factors for light trucks with wheels on paved roads to calculate potential air-quality impacts, rather than testing the vehicles after converted to track systems and run on a snow-covered road. Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, as has been stated before, with the dual purpose of conserving its unique resources and providing a recreation area ``for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people.'' No damage has ever been done to the parks by the 65,000 snowmobiles which enter the parks each winter nor the 1.7 million cars that enter in the summer months on the same roads. Snowmobiles have never caused a violation of our current environmental laws, and air quality will only improve under the guideline advanced by the National Park Service. The new generation 4-stroke engines are much quieter and cleaner than the older models. They are wildlife friendly, and they allow for an enjoyable trip through the park for all the visitors. The new plan put forth by the National Park Service provides a good balance for continued snowmobile and snowcoach use, while still preserving the health of our national parks and the wildlife. Oppose the Holt anti-snowmobiling amendment. And remember, we do not want more SUVs retrofitted to look like tanks driving through our national parks.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Chairman, I do not understand why some Congressmen continue to offer amendments about issues that they truly do not understand, that they have never observed, nor have they ever participated in the solution to a problem that exists. The States of Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the United States Departments of Agriculture and Interior have worked very hard over the past decade to protect and sustain the existing free-ranging elk and bison populations while still protecting the economic interests of the livestock industries in these States. My colleague from West Virginia made the statement that it has never been proven that brucellosis has spread from bison to cattle. That is simply not true. My colleague from Montana will go further into that explanation. Controlling brucellosis is a delicate balancing act for all parties involved. We need to address the needs of each of the environment, Federal and private stakeholders. Bison numbers are nearly at capacity for the range in the parks and surrounding areas, and those herds must be managed. We must actively manage the herd consistently with the greater ecosystem management plan which has been established by stakeholders and the Departments and we have to employ sometimes the unfortunate use of reduction methods. To not do so would upset the balance of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. That is something that certainly my colleague from West Virginia would not want to happen. The gentleman from West Virginia's amendment would make the decade- long efforts of public and private stakeholders in vain by limiting the use of Federal funds to aid the Park Service in managing the reduction of bison. I would much prefer the sponsor of this amendment begin attending the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee meetings as my staff does and learn the complexity of these issues and the limitations of reasonable solutions rather than enacting knee-jerk legislation that those of us in the surrounding communities have to then live with. By taking one of the Park Service's tools out of their tool box in bison and brucellosis management, this amendment reduces our ability to effectively control the bison herd at a time when its numbers are reaching maximum capacity. This amendment will not reduce the reduction of bison leaving Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks. Merely the surrounding States will then have to take a more active role in reduction of their activities. This is nothing more than feel-good legislation that ignores all of the facts, all of the stakeholders' concerns and the real world.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, having already debated this bill, I urge its adoption. I rise in support of S. 273, and ask that this body support its passage. The Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act was introduced by Senator Thomas, co-sponsored by Senator Enzi, and is supported by all five elected Wyoming state officials, the National Park Service and the local communities. The measure passed the Senate on April 3, 2003, under unanimous consent. This bill presents a very unique opportunity with regards to federal land management in our National Parks that will greatly benefit the American public as well as Wymoning school children. The Jackson Valley has a history as colorful and amazing as the Grand Tetons that rise nearly 14,000 feet above the glacial lakes at their base. The first visitors to the Grand Tetons and the Jackson Valley were the Shoshone, Crow, Blackfoot, and Gros Ventre Indian tribes who treated the area as a summer hunting ground and sacred area. Later, in the 1800's, many fur trappers visited this consecrated ground, and were stunned by its raw beauty and diverse ecosystem. In 1807 even John Colter, who had separated from the Lewis and Clark expedition, explored the area and returned with far fetched tales of geysers, hot springs, and mountains that touched the sky. It was years before his supposed hallucinations were indeed found to be true. From 1824-1840 the Grand Tetons were the central rendezvous site for mountain men all across the west, swapping tall tales and pelts. The Green River Rendezvous continues to this very day. After the area was settled at the turn of the century, the town of Jackson elected a Town Mayor and City Council entirely comprised of women . . . showing just how intelligent the people of Wyoming were, and are, to this very day. This was the first All-Female town government in our Nation's history. This, of course, occurred in my home state of Wyoming, the Equality State. Grand Teton National Park was later established by Congress on February 29, 1929, to protect the natural resources of the Teton range and the Jackson area's unique beauty. On March 15, 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Jackson Hole National Monument adjacent to the Park. Grand Teton National Park was expanded to its present size by Congress on September 14, 1950, to include a portion of the land from the Jackson Hole National Monument. The Park currently encompasses approximately 310,000 acres of wilderness and some of the most amazing scenery to be found in any corner of the world. However, when Wyoming received its statehood in 1890, sections of land were set aside for school revenue purposes. All income from these lands--rents, grazing fees, sales or other sources--is placed in a special trust fund for the benefit of students in the state. The establishment of these school sections pre-dates the creation of most national parks or monuments within our state boundaries, creating several state in-holdings within federal land masses, such as in Grand Teton National Park. Currently over 1406 acres of state surface and mineral acres are held by the state of Wyoming in isolated plots within Grand Teton National Park. This legislation would allow the State of Wyoming to trade or sell these precious state lands locked up inside the Park to the federal government in exchange for other federal lands, minerals or appropriated dollars, or a combination of all three, to address Wyoming's public school funding needs. Further, the American public can consolidate under National Park Service management the lands within Grand Teton National Park's borders and protect them from future development pressures placed upon the state for the benefit of our schoolchildren. It is a win-win scenario for everyone involved. Within 90 days after this bill is signed into law, the land would be valued through agreement by the Wyoming Governor and the Secretary of the Interior. If there is no agreement, an appraisal process will be set up to determine the value of the lands or minerals in question to ensure fairness to all parties. There will also be an appeals process to further ensure fairness to both the Federal Government and the state of Wyoming. Within 180 days after the state land value is determined, the Interior Secretary, in consultation with the Governor, shall determine an exchange of federal assets of equal value for the state lands. This body has an incredible opportunity to allow the consolidation of lands within Grand Teton National Park borders, and to allow the state of Wyoming to capture fair value for their property to benefit all Wyoming school children. I respectfully request that the members of this body support the Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 258, I call up the Senate bill (S. 273) to provide for the expeditious completion of the acquisition of land owned by the State of Wyoming within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 760 and for our voiceless unborn children, who were merely inches away from their first breath, when their life was brutally ended. For them, partial- birth abortion is not an option--it is a death sentence. It is truly shameful that we cannot protect the most innocent and vulnerable in our society from this gruesome medical procedure. Delivering a child up to its head and then using a syringe to suck out the child's brain and discard this miracle of life is revolting. Do not call that child a fetus. Do not elevate any personal freedom above that child's right to life. That fetus is a human baby--call it what it is. I hope the mental image this conjures disturbs everyone--and that I once again receive calls from those shaken by the mere description of this barbaric act. Be thankful you're not on the business end of that syringe. We have the responsibility to do everything in our power to put an end to this practice which has no place in a civilized society. We cannot remain silent while a procedure such as partial-birth remains an acceptable part of our society--after all, if done a short time later and a few inches further, it would be considered murder.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 4, a constitutional amendment to restore protections for the most widely recognized symbol of our nation and our traditions, the flag of the United States of America. Some would call stuffing an American flag in a toilet or a trash can a work of art. I would call it a disgrace. Too many brave Americans have fought and died in defense of our flag to allow it to be soiled. In fact, they're fighting even today in Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the globe to secure the ideals for which the flag stands. Mr. Speaker, I spent this past weekend in my home state of Wyoming to celebrate Memorial Day. I spoke to a veteran there who wore a shirt with a picture of our flag and the legend, ``This flag wasn't earned to be burned.'' Over the course of our history, more than a million brave Americans have given their lives in defense of our flag. We should honor their sacrifice by defending the flag with the same conviction they did. I urge the passage of this bill and yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 273) to provide for the expeditious completion of the acquisition of land owned by the State of Wyoming within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to support a bill that is of great interest to the State of Wyoming and to many, many environmental groups across the country. It is not often that I can stand here and agree with the positions of most of the environmental groups that we deal with on a daily basis, but this Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act is one such environmental issue that I think everyone should support if they are in fact interested in maintaining the integrity of Grand Teton National Park. One of the worst things that I can think of happening to Grand Teton National Park is to have an ultra-, ultra-wealthy person build themselves a mansion or a symbol of their wealth at the base of the Grand Tetons and destroy that beautiful open space and land that we fight so hard to protect and to fund every year. The Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act was introduced by Senator Thomas and cosponsored by Senator Enzi and is supported by all five elected Wyoming State officials, the National Park Service, the local communities, and all of the environmental organizations that I am aware of. The measure passed the Senate on April 3, 2003, under unanimous consent. This bill presents a unique opportunity with regard to Federal land management in our national parks that would greatly benefit the American people, as well as Wyoming school children. The Grand Teton National Park was established by Congress on February 29, 1929, to protect the natural resources of the Teton range and Jackson's unique beauty. On March 15, 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established Jackson Hole National Monument adjacent to the park. Grand Teton National Park was then expanded to its present size by Congress on September 14, 1950, to include a portion of the land from the Jackson Hole National Monument. The park currently encompasses approximately 310,000 acres of wilderness and some of the most amazing scenery to be found in any corner of the world. I would put the Jackson Teton National Park area in competition with any area in the world for its beauty and for its glory to nature. However, when Wyoming received its statehood in 1890, sections of the land were set aside for school revenue purposes. All income from these lands, whether it is rents, grazing fees, sales, or other sources is placed in a special trust fund for the benefit of school students in the State. The establishment of these school sections predates the establishment of most national parks or monuments within our State's boundaries, creating several State inholdings within Federal land masses, such as the Grand Teton National Park. Currently, over 1,406 acres in State surface and mineral acres are held by the State of Wyoming in isolated plots within the Grand Teton National Park. This land ownership situation creates problems not only for the potential of very wealthy people building a shrine to themselves in the middle of the free open space in Grand Teton National Park, but it also puts the State of Wyoming, in order to meets its educational needs, in a situation where it may be forced to try to sell the land to private entities so that that land could be developed into housing developments or whatever. This legislation would stop any future attempts to do that. The legislation would allow the State of Wyoming to trade or sell these precious State lands locked up inside the park to the Federal Government in exchange for other Federal lands, minerals, or appropriated dollars, or a combination of all three, to address Wyoming's public school needs. Further, the American public can consolidate under the National Park Service management the lands within the Grand Teton National Park's borders and protect them from future development pressures placed upon the State for the benefit of our school children. This is a win-win scenario for everyone involved. Within 90 days after this bill is signed into law, the land would be valued through agreement by the Wyoming Governor and the Secretary of the Interior. If there is no agreement, an appraisal process will be set up to determine the value of the lands or minerals in question to ensure fairness to all parties. There will also be an appeals process to further ensure fairness to all parties. Within 180 days after the land value is determined, the Interior Secretary, in consultation with the Governor, will determine an exchange of Federal assets for equal value of the State lands. This body has an incredible opportunity to allow the consolidation of lands within Teton National Park and to allow the State of Wyoming to capture fair market value for the benefit of all Wyoming school children. I respectfully request that the Members of this body vote in favor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I make the point of order that the gentleman is focusing on the merits of other legislation that is not in front of us today.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members who are in favor of this bill to vote in favor of this bill. That is the democratic way; that is the method that we have set up to have government that is dependable, that we can base our future on. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. CUBIN

Mrs. CUBIN. Then follow-up question, does the gentleman intend to follow his support for the bill with an affirmative vote on the bill?

Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, does the gentleman intend to answer the question?

Mrs. CUBIN. No, sir, I do not. Does the gentleman intend to answer my question?