Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I want to commend Mrs. Miller for being a strong and articulate advocate, and I support her amendment. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to recognize for 1 minute the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to recognize for 1 minute the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition, but I am not in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I served on the Energy and Water Committee when I was first elected to Congress in 1994. I took a 2-year hiatus when I chaired the D.C. Committee, working with Mr. Fattah as ranking member. There is a water crisis out in your neck of the woods, and we are respectful that Republicans and Democrats didn't work together on these issues. I have to say I'm hugely disappointed at your lack of inclusiveness. You may be spitting mad at Congressman Devin Nunes. Yet, for many Members of Congress, he put a human face on the water crisis out there. I'm not going to get into the issues of biological studies and things of that nature, but you at least ought to give your congressional colleague from California credit for raising this issue. He tried to raise the issue, but quite honestly, he was voted down on the floor a number of times. When he went to the Rules Committee, his amendments were not put in order. Yours were. Basic courtesy would have called for his name to at least be mentioned as he rose to the floor today. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Let me say that while I am supportive of this amendment, it is Congressman Devin Nunes who's been on this floor repeatedly calling Members' attention to the catastrophic situation in California, and I'm admiring of both Representatives Costa and Cardoza's effort. But it's been Devin Nunes who's been really carrying this issue in a very visible way. He went to try to get three amendments in order before the Rules Committee yesterday afternoon and evening, and he was denied that opportunity. But I'm no expert on California water, but let's give credit all around to Members of Congress that have stood up on this issue to articulate their position, indeed, their passionate position. I support the amendment, but I certainly want to recognize all members of the California delegation, and since Mr. Nunes' name was not mentioned in earlier comments, I would certainly like to highlight his role making this a priority for our attention. I yield back.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, though I am not in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Let me, Mr. Chairman, associate myself again with Chairman Pastor's remarks. I've been to Congressman Hastings' district. When he talks about hydropower, he knows what he's talking about. He's obviously been a strong proponent of nuclear power. So we're pleased to accept the amendment. Thank you for recognizing me.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Let me associate my remarks with your statement and commend both Mr. Wamp and Mr. Davis for being articulate, ardent supporters of this move forward. I have been to the Chickamauga Lock. I can certainly attest to Mr. Wamp's boundless energy and determination to make this thing happen. He's made me aware of the dangers of what happens if we have inaction. I want to commend you. Obviously this issue is moving ahead, but there's some complex issues that need to be addressed that Mr. Pastor has appropriately commented on.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. The gentleman's amendment would transfer $7 million to restore and protect a nationally and regionally important resource. These fisheries provide hundreds of jobs, if not thousands, to local oystermen. I would only say that this is a huge project and must be balanced against other national priorities and ask the gentleman to work closely, as I'm sure he will, with the Corps to ensure that their budget request reflects the needs for the program against the background of other demands the Corps is facing. With that, I'd be pleased to accept the gentleman's amendment. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition, although I'm not in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I don't have any real problem with the content of my chairman's amendment. I do, however, have a problem with carrying the idea of a manager's amendment, which was once only for our full committee's consideration, right on to the House floor. In committee, this sort of amendment is used for noncontroversial items. Many of these are. They're generally accepted by unanimous consent. But now it's largely used, in many instances, for partisan purposes on the House floor. None of the content of this chairman's amendment was discussed with the minority, and none of the changes were made or suggested by the minority. If the changes are important, then I think we should be able to discuss them. Otherwise, I fear it is only a matter of time before the majority will include everything they can in this sort of en masse amendment. This will be bad for the institution and I think bad for the American people. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield back my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. We reserve our time, Mr. Chairman.