Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my dear friend, Ranking Member Lucas, for the time as well as Mr. Holden, and they've summarized the legislation well. I introduced this bill, H.R. 3175, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to sell approximately 2 acres to Miami-Dade County so that a fire station can be built. It is an issue of great importance to the community. The southern portion of the district that I'm honored to represent, covering the village of Palmetto Bay and the city of Pinecrest, continues to grow rapidly. Due to the population growth, public services have been stretched, and fire response times, as Mr. Lucas pointed out, have fallen below the district average. This morning I met with distinguished leaders from the village of Palmetto Bay. They reiterated to me the urgent need for this fire station in our south Miami-Dade County community. So this problem really deals with the issue that new construction for public services in Miami-Dade is confronting a lack of available land. The USDA station currently occupies, as Mr. Holden pointed out, approximately 200 acres in southeast Florida with plenty of land to spare. So, Mr. Speaker, the citizens of my community were not asking for a handout, as Mr. Lucas was pointing out. The county is going to pay fair market value for the land, along with all associated fees, and they have committed to completely funding the construction of the fire station. The CBO has scored the bill at no cost to the taxpayer. So again, I would like to thank Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Lucas for their prompt action on the bill. I also wish to thank my dear colleagues from south Florida who have cosponsored the bill, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, who will shortly address the House, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, and Kendrick Meek. I urge passage of the legislation.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York, my good friend, Mr. Arcuri, for the time. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is spending 1 hour debating the rule that will be used to consider the underlying legislation being brought to the floor today, the Chesapeake Bay Watertrails Continuing Authorization Act. That simple and noncontroversial legislation, barely two pages in length, passed last Congress, as my good friend has mentioned, by an overwhelming vote. In fact, it passed by 321-86. That is a pretty impressive margin. I believe it will pass today by, at the very least, that margin. So I would ask why the majority is going through all of this trouble of having the House consider a special rule for a two-page bill. Why is the House going to spend 2 hours today, approximately, discussing a bill that could have been handled in just a few minutes under suspension and ultimately pass by an overwhelming majority vote in this House? I'm not sure of the answer. But I think it's noteworthy that the majority spends a week's worth of Congress' precious time on water trails and the Chesapeake while Americans face unemployment levels we have not seen in 26 years. The majority is requiring the House today to consider the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act, a bill that spends $5 million over 5 years through a process that requires hours of debate. But yesterday, we considered the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009 with only 40 minutes total of debate, and that bill authorized the expenditure of $1 billion. So I would ask, how is it appropriate for the majority to require up to 2 hours of debate to spend $5 million, but it authorizes 40 minutes of debate for $1 billion? It may not be appropriate, but it is certainly common practice under this majority to rush important legislation through the House. I fear we may see that again when the House considers the majority's health care reform legislation. Consider that this Chesapeake Bay water trails bill was introduced in February; it has remained unchanged since then, giving Members months to consider and read the two-page bill. And that is consistent with the Speaker's pledge, still on her Web site, that ``Members should have at least 24 hours to examine bills and conference reports and texts prior to floor consideration.'' But will the majority live up to their pledge to allow Members time to read the health care bill when it finally comes together? Perhaps if the majority had lived up to their promise, Members would have had time to properly read and consider the cap-and-tax as well as the so-called ``stimulus'' bill and voted them down. So let's see, Mr. Speaker, let's see if they live up to their promise when we consider the health care legislation. I won't be holding my breath. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the brutal attack on the residents of Camp Ashraf, Iranian exiles, by the Iraqi police forces. Yesterday I learned that Iraqi police forces are beating unarmed Camp Ashraf residents and that they have been brutally assaulting them. I have been informed that this attack has resulted in at least eight deaths and over 400 injuries. This beating of unarmed men and women is despicable, and my understanding is that the unjustifiable attack is still underway. These Iranian exiles are unarmed today because they voluntarily surrendered their weapons to United States forces in exchange for a U.S. guarantee of their security in 2003. They are protected persons under Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The attack on these unarmed persons violates not only international law but also basic human rights. The European Parliament, Amnesty International and other international organizations have expressed deep concern about the safety of these Iranian exiles. Furthermore, when United States forces withdrew from Camp Ashraf, the United States and Iraq signed an agreement that the Iraqi Government would guarantee their safety. The Iraqi Government is not keeping its promise, and it is not upholding its obligations under international law. The Iranian dictatorship's fingerprints are all over this attack. The residents of Camp Ashraf are enemies of the Iranian regime. Camp Ashraf residents have been a vital source of intelligence information on the Iranian regime's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and other important intelligence information. As a result, the Iranian regime, under the direction of the tyrannical so-called Supreme Leader, is putting immense pressure on the Iraq Government to hand over the Iranian exiles in Camp Ashraf. In a meeting on February 28 of this year, the Supreme Leader urged the Iraqi president to expel the Iranian exiles at Camp Ashraf immediately. This incursion by Iraqi forces appears to be an ugly attempt by the Iraqi Government to appease the Iranian regime. They may even return these exiles to Iran. That would be a condemnable and cowardly act. In a public statement on August 28, 2008, Amnesty International expressed profound concern that those Iranian exiles would suffer torture and even death if they were forced to return. And as we've seen since the sham election on June 12 of this year, the Iranian dictatorship's deep hatred of those who oppose its cruelty and repression would mean almost certain death for the Iranian exiles and their families if they are repatriated to Iran. We must do everything in our power to prevent such an atrocity from taking place. Already, the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, the chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the European Parliament's Friends of a Free Iran, the European Parliament's International Committee in Search of Justice and others have expressed deep concern over the treatment of Camp Ashraf residents at the hands of the Iraqi Government. Today Iranian Americans from around the United States have begun a hunger strike at the White House to demand that these attacks be stopped, that abducted Camp Ashraf residents be returned and that international groups such as the United Nations and the Red Cross who want to be able to get into Camp Ashraf be permitted to do so. I call on President Obama to demand that the Iraqi Government immediately put an end to this attack. We must not stand by and allow physical aggression against unarmed Iranians in exile. We must stand with the Iranian pro-democracy activists, both in exile and inside Iran, who work for the day when the people of Iran can live free, free from fear and free from oppression. We must ensure that the protection that the Iranian exiles were promised by the United States is given to them and that this aggression cease.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: RDT&E, Army account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Thomas University Address of Requesting Entity: 16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $1,500,000 for the Neuroscience Research Consortium to Study Spinal Cord Injury at St. Thomas University. St. Thomas University supports the study of central nervous system regeneration following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) to benefit the rehabilitation of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with these injuries. To carry out this research, St. Thomas University proposes the continued establishment of a research consortium in a partnership with researchers at the Spinal Cord Repair Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, who will translate the results of this research to a clinical setting. An important aspect of the consortium is that minority science students will be trained in research procedures. There is a documented lack of participation of minorities in the sciences, particularly the Neurosciences. On a national level, a National Science Foundation report by the Division of Science Resources Statistics reported in 2001 that only 5.7% of doctoral degrees in math and science were awarded to minority students. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barry University Address of Requesting Entity: 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $2,600,000 to fund Phase II of the Institute for Collaborative Sciences Research which is intended to create a state-of-the-art research infrastructure through new laboratory and teaching space in health care and physical sciences programs. The focus of the Institute will be to prepare minority leaders for future work in healthcare professions while facilitating important research that has a direct benefit on minority populations in my South Florida community. Barry University is one of the largest independent universities in Florida. The university boasts a student body that is more than 60% minority and 42% are the first in their family to attend college. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: RDT&E, Army account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center/William Lehman Injury Research Center Address of Requesting Entity: 1800 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $4,000,000 for the Army Trauma Training Center (ATTC) at the Ryder Trauma Center situated in the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. The ATTC has functioned as the national training center for U.S. Army Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) since 2001. Monthly, the ATTC conducts 14-day training program for deploying FSTs in order to improve clinical skills and teamwork. The resources of the Ryder Trauma Center and the William Lehman Injury Research Center present a unique opportunity to develop and evaluate new and innovative diagnostic and treatment tools and point-of-care information systems to maximize the care of injured soldiers. The Ryder Trauma Center is developing diagnostics and devices to help the medic on the battlefield determine which casualties require immediate resuscitation and to enhance the capability of first- responders to effectively treat casualties as close to the geographic location and time of the injury as possible. Since January 2001, the Army Trauma Training Center, in conjunction with the Ryder Trauma Center, has trained over 33 forward surgical teams and more than 650 Army personnel in active duty and reserve components--two-thirds of all forward surgical teams in the U.S. Army--supporting over 75,000 combat troops.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the American people have every right to ask where the jobs are. They know we are losing a half million jobs each month, and yet they saw this Democratic majority pass an energy bill that will raise utility rates for every American. Now they see the Obama White House and the Democrats pushing to drastically cut Medicare and massively raise taxes on small businesses to pay for their government takeover of health care. The people know that will mean millions more jobs lost. We need tax credits, Mr. Speaker, to help make health care more affordable and accessible, not massive tax hikes. We need job creation. We need more jobs, not massive layoffs caused by massive tax increases.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Education, Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Thomas University Address of Requesting Entity: 16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $300,000 to offer a professional development program to advance the teaching of science and technology in elementary schools in Miami-Dade County. To carry out this program, STU proposes to evaluate existing instructional technology in science and computer education and formulate a special and systematic development for elementary teachers, in conjunction with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families-Social Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barry University Address of Requesting Entity: 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $300,000 to support the Center for Community Services Initiatives (CCSI) to enhance opportunities for external individuals and groups to participate in on- campus programs. The Center will serve as an educational resource to community organizations, including health providers. Barry service- learning opportunities support local community clinics, helping to improve the quality and accessibility of health care, including behavioral health care. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Memorial Healthcare System Address of Requesting Entity: 1901 SW 172nd Avenue, Miramar, FL 33029 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $250,000 to construct six additional operating rooms for Memorial Hospital Miramar. Memorial Healthcare System (also known as South Broward Hospital District) is a public, not-for-profit organization, and serves as the largest provider of care in South Broward. Memorial Hospital Miramar is experiencing double digit growth in admissions, outpatient visits, emergency services, deliveries and surgical procedures. Admissions have increased 23% year-to-date. Annual surgical cases continue to rapidly increase up from 5200 cases last year, to a projected 5700 cases or 9% increase this year. Surgical cases are expected to exceed 5,900 in the next five years. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Children's Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $450,000 to construct two new hybrid pediatric cardiac suites under the Miami Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Institute. These adjoining hybrid suites will feature: full cardiac operating room capabilities including cardiopulmonary bypass, dedicated pediatric cardiac anesthesia, state of the art hybrid cardiac surgical/interventional table, low-dose digital flat panel imaging technology and operating room ventilation and temperature control. The goal of CHI is to achieve 100% survivability for children with congenital heart disease, and to improve their health status throughout their lives. This mission is entirely consistent with the goals of HRSA and HHS, and better medical interventions at the early stages of the disease lead to better quality of life for patients, shorter hospital stays, and fewer hospital admissions over the lifetime. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Jewish Home and Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 5200 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33138 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $500,000 to develop a PACE Center in Hialeah, Florida. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is an innovative long-term care model that allows frail elders to remain at home. The goal of PACE is to deliver high quality, cost-effective care while managing participants' complex medical, functional, and social needs. PACE integrates financing and delivery of acute and long-term care services. PACE enables older individuals who are eligible for nursing home care to continue living in the community with a full spectrum of medical, social and rehabilitative services. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) meets three important objectives in providing long-term care services: a) it allows long term care in operate in a managed care environment, b) it integrates Medicare and Medicaid into a seamless and transparent funding source, and c) it allows nursing eligible older adults to remain at home. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA--Mental Health Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Spectrum Programs, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 11031 NE 6th Avenue, Miami, FL 33161 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $200,000 to demonstrate the effectuality of a mental health and substance abuse treatment continuum that integrates research, best practices and emergent treatment methodologies across the spectrum of mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders in a continuous improvement model, making the processes and procedures of behavioral health treatment more effective, the timelines to improved behavioral health shorter, and the gains more sustainable, substantially reducing the catastrophic personal, family, and societal consequences of historically disaggregated treatment approaches. The funding will establish the Florida Center for Excellence in Emerging Behavioral Health Strategies.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri), for the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Last month, in the middle of the night, the majority called an emergency meeting of the Rules Committee in order to withdraw a modified open rule which had previously been passed by the committee regarding the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill and to replace it with a draconian rule that severely limited the ability of Members from both sides of the aisle to bring amendments to the floor for debate and a vote. That unnecessary and unfortunate procedure began the process of overturning over two centuries of precedent of open debate on appropriations bills in this House. Historically, appropriations bills, such as the one being brought to the floor today, have come to the floor under an open rule, a rule that allows any Member, from either side of the aisle, to offer amendments if the amendments are germane. Now the majority has unwisely ended that hallowed tradition and is using the Rules Committee to repress the ability of Members to offer amendments. Each and every appropriations bill considered since that late night, or should I say early morning, meeting has restricted the prerogative of Members to offer amendments. Instead, the Speaker and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, through the majority on the Rules Committee, decide who will offer amendments, and they decide exactly who shapes the way Congress spends the taxpayers' dollars. As of the last count, that doctrine, the Pelosi-Obey doctrine, has blocked over 600 amendments. Six hundred times already Members on both sides of the aisle in this House have been denied the ability to represent their constituents on appropriations bills. The new doctrine and process not only breaks two centuries of tradition and precedent in the House; it also runs contrary to one of the central tenets of the Democrats' election campaign. During the 2006 campaign, they claimed that they would run Congress in a more open and bipartisan manner. On December 6 of that year, Speaker Pelosi reiterated her campaign promise. She said, ``We promised the American people that we would have the most honest and open government, and we will.'' But here we are today, with Congress for the first time in history completely shutting down the previously open appropriations process. When the process was first closed down last month, I explained to the majority that they should be cognizant of the repercussions of overturning two centuries of precedent. They did not listen. They have continued to bring to this floor restrictive rule after restrictive rule, 10 so far. Although I feel that the majority has caused lasting damage to the traditions of the House, there's still a chance for the majority to return to the long-held tradition of fairness and openness of debate on appropriations bills. So I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule so that we can return to regular order, to restore the long- held tradition of the House of openness on appropriations bills. I once again remind my colleagues that majorities are never eternal. The precedent being set now may be used by majorities in the future. And this is not the appropriate way to run the House. It is unnecessary. It is inappropriate. It is unfair. I think it's time, Madam Speaker, that we overturn that doctrine, the Pelosi-Obey doctrine, and restore the tradition of openness in the appropriations process. And I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to yield 4 minutes to my friend from Iowa (Mr. Latham).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I continue to reserve.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would ask my friend if he has any additional speakers.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my friend. This has been an interesting debate. Apparently, there are some discussions, Madam Speaker, going on with our friends on the other side of the aisle. What I will do at this point is reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would simply inquire of my friend if it is the intention of the majority to try to amend the rule.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. On your time. If I may, Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. Obviously, I have great respect for him, and I know that he will continue to speak on the merits of the legislation being brought to the floor today. As confirmed by my friend, it seems that the majority is considering amending the rule, I am told, to eliminate the provision which allows Members to modify the amendatory instructions in their amendments to account for changes in the bill that occurred during the printing process. It is my understanding that the majority fears that the minority will exploit that provision to change our amendments even though that has not happened thus far. If this were to take place, I think it would be another example of how the majority is rushing legislation to the floor without giving this system the necessary time to work. If we had an extra day, we wouldn't need this provision at all because the bill would be printed, and the Members could read the bill; but because the Rules Committee and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee are determined to push legislation through without sufficient time for the House to review the legislation, we need this provision in the rule to account for clerical problems. Rather than actually giving Members time to read the bill, they want to run the risk that Members' amendments might not be in order. So, in short, Madam Speaker, if this amendment to the rule were to take place, I think it would be another example of how the Speaker and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee value their schedules over the rights of Members to be heard on the floor. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, we are ready to close, but my understanding is that the majority hasn't finalized its amendment to further restrict this process. For example, with regard to this Transportation-HUD appropriations bill, the original schedule that was put out by the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, before the decision was made to end two centuries of precedent and not permit open rules on appropriations bills, called for 2 days of debate, but the rule they're bringing to the floor limits it, obviously, to 1 day of debate. Now they have an amendment to the rule that, apparently, they want to bring forth to further limit debate. So I am waiting until our colleagues have finalized their amendment to further restrict this process before, obviously, I close. Having said that, I would ask my friend and colleague if he is ready with his further restrictive amendment. I will yield for the answer.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. The question is: With regard to the amendment to the rule, are you ready with your amendment to the rule?

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Then I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, if the amendment is so simple, as my friend has pointed out, where is it? I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my friend. He had described the amendment, and I had argued against it. Now the decision has come not to make it, not to propose the amendment further limiting this process. So I thank my friend for having obtained a decision from his side of the aisle. At this point, Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my good friend the ranking member, Mr. Dreier. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I ask my friend, he has no additional speakers?

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Again, I thank him for obtaining a decision from his leadership and in effect not moving forward with an amendment to further limit, further restrict a restrictive rule. I'm going to be asking for a ``no'' on the previous question, Madam Speaker, so that we can amend this rule so we can go back to regular order, so that we can allow for an open process of debate. There is no question that this rule that the majority has brought forth will help or contribute to cementing a dangerous precedent that the majority continued to set last month. It will further damage bipartisanship and comity in this body. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can uphold the tradition of this House, return to the tradition of this House, of allowing free and open debate on appropriations bills. I think, if we do not do so, the majority will come to regret their decision to close down the deliberative process of the House on appropriations bills. I think it's more unfortunate what the majority has done, and they realize overturning two centuries of precedent is a significant action, and it will inure to the detriment of each and every Member and the constituents of each and every Member of this House forever. As I said before, majorities are never permanent. My distinguished colleague on the Rules Committee who's serving his first term, member of the majority party said, I've never seen an open rule on an appropriations process--I'm paraphrasing him--but I don't expect to be in the majority forever, and so one day I expect to see an open rule on an appropriations bill. Well, that was an illustrative statement in many ways, one that he recognizes that the trend that has been set by the majority of restricting the debate process on appropriations bills has now been set in a fairly definitive form, but he expects that in the future majorities will act differently. And that may not be the case, because once precedents are broken, new precedent exists for future majorities, and that would be most unfortunate if forever the Members of this House are denied the ability to introduce amendments in an open process on appropriations bills. So, Madam Speaker, I thank you for your courtesy, and I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Highway Administration, Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hialeah Address of Requesting Entity: 501 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $400,000 to implement the City's 5-year Capital Improvement Program. Specifically, funding will be used to improve the West 24th Avenue corridor between 52nd Street and 76th Street. The City of Hialeah has a rapidly aging infrastructure with some areas facing more than 50 years since any work has been done in repairs/reconstruction. Areas have been chosen throughout the city, based on roadway need, drainage concerns, areas that have not been reconstructed for over three decades. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Highway Administration, Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Doral Address of Requesting Entity: 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100, Doral, FL 33166 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $400,000 for property acquisition, design, permitting, and construction of roadway gaps and intersections identified to be in need of capacity improvements. This will help to alleviate roadway sections that are failing due to large traffic volumes. In addition, there are several roadway gaps where development has expanded the grid pattern of the City roadways surrounding small parcels that have not been developed. The completion of these small sections of roadway would complete the City's grid pattern and provide additional options for increasing traffic to avoid already congested intersections. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Broward County, Florida Address of Requesting Entity: 115 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $500,000 for transit infrastructure improvements to 500 bus stops county-wide. The improvements may include, depending on the stop location, concrete pad, shelter, construction, permitting, lighting, real time signage, connectivity for ADA purposes, and other amenities as needed. The purpose of these projects is not only to add new shelters, but also to ensure that existing shelters and other amenities (such as real-time information) are ADA accessible. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Miramar, Florida Address of Requesting Entity: 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $500,000 for the Miramar Multi Service Center which will provide high quality community and transit services to the community. The project will reduce vehicle miles traveled by as much as 133,900 annually by making bus transit more accessible and pedestrian movement more feasible, thereby reducing auto utilization, reducing congestion, reducing travel time delay, and reducing pollutants. The Transit Hub will house; bus drop-off and pick- up area for City of Miramar community buses; four bus parking spaces; air-conditioned passenger waiting area for both Miramar community buses as well as BCT buses; restrooms; transit related information booth and administrative offices; 12 transit-related employees parking spaces. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Capital Improvement Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, Florida Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, FL 33128 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $4,000,000 for Phases II and III of the Miami-Dade County Transit Authority's Metrorail Orange Line Expansion. Primarily, in Phase II, Miami-Dade County Department of Transit is in the final planning stage for the construction of a 9.2-mile Metrorail extension along NW 27th Avenue between the existing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Metrorail station and the Broward County line. Phase III, the County's East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Project proposes to extend Metrorail some 10-13 miles from the Miami Intermodal Center to Florida International University and points west. As fewer than 48% of the County's residents live outside incorporated Miami, this Orange Line expansion project will allow for more options for commuting and travel around Miami-Dade County. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Housing and Urban Development, Neighborhood Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: National Council of La Raza Address of Requesting Entity: 1126 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured $1,000,000 to provide development assistance and financing for much needed housing and community revitalization projects in primarily Hispanic neighborhoods. The capital will be invested in a revolving loan fund to provide financing for affordable housing, community health clinics and other essential community facilities in low-income Hispanic communities. Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2010 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities, Technical Corrections Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Broward County, Florida Address of Requesting Entity: 115 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Description of Request: I am proud to have secured a correction to previous legislation as follows: The funding provision in H.R. 2764, Public Law 110-161, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2008, Division K--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Buses and Bus Facilities, described as ``Broward County Southwest Transit Facility--$500,000'' be changed to ``Broward County Ravenswood Transit Facility--$500,000.'' This change is necessary to increase the supply of buses to the Southwest Broward community while suitable land is identified and purchased for the future Southwest Transit Facility.