Porter Goss

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday next.

Mr. GOSS. It is my understanding that two pages were inadvertently omitted from the filing process and when that was discovered the Committee on Rules tried to find a way to remedy that issue and we decided that the fairest way to do it and working within the complexity of the conference procedure was to take the course of action that we have suggested.

Mr. GOSS. I believe that those are somewhat complicated pages that were very carefully negotiated in the conference report and certainly to get them exactly correct, they have not been lost, actually if the gentleman has them, he has found them.

Mr. GOSS. Actually the Committee on Rules has seen them.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GOSS. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think that the complexity of a conference report is well known because we are dealing with another body and there are different points of view that need to be accommodated which is, of course, the purpose of a conference report and getting all of the exact language spelled out properly and out in time to accommodate all of the other schedule that we have to do here.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding, and I would inform the gentleman from Massachusetts that we are all saddened that we have not been able to complete all of the business we had originally anticipated for today because of the complexity of the business, and the procedures for working out conference reports with our colleagues in the other body. These matters require a great deal of observation of the technical rules involving conference reports, and that process has taken longer than expected.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Monday May 7, 2001, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, for morning hour debates.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to bring us back to the reality of the vote that is immediately before us, which I presume will be a vote on the rule. I would like to urge support for the rule. I think the Committee on Rules has crafted a very fair and good rule for a matter of this type. As we did with the budget process, as I recall, we had three Democratic substitutes. In this case, we have two bites at the apple for the Democrats, their substitute and the motion to recommit, so I do not think anybody can say that this is not an extremely fair rule. I would urge Members' support for the rule, in case there is any confusion about that. As for the substance of the bill and so forth, I think that the gentleman from Missouri made a very good statement about responsibility. I think that every American craves responsibility to make our country better and look out for our fellow citizens. I think that is an individual responsibility. I certainly welcome that Mr. Soros and Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates have the capability and the desire to look out for their citizens and others in the community as their responsibility, not as a mandate from the Federal government.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I will stand here and say it has been a very tough year for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This is the second Member we have lost, as well as a staffer in the past year. Obviously, I am devastated again to lose such a valuable Member as Norm. To say, as others have said before me, I was watching the monitors as I was coming from another meeting, members of my committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) I heard say that Norm was the one who asked the tough questions. It is true. Norm did ask the tough questions, but he asked them in such a pleasant way, and no matter how well I knew the subject of a hearing in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he would inevitably surprise me with some question that had not been scripted, that nobody had thought of, right out of the wild blue yonder caught everybody off guard and that was just his hallmark and his style. You always had to laugh. I always looked forward when it was time to yield to Norm for his questions. I am going to miss that. It is true that Norm was an inveterate traveller, did so much business looking after our troops, our equipment, our state of readiness, what was going on around the world. He really cared about the men and women. I do not know how old Norm was, I suspect a little older than I am, and I know that I find that the early mornings seemed pretty early and the late evenings seemed pretty late, but he was always there to come down in the morning for that breakfast with the troops or the group, whoever was there that we were meeting, he was always there ahead of me. It seems like he was always getting more mileage out of the evening than I was too towards the end of the day. I asked Norm to take a number of side trips with me on committee business, and he was always game. I got him in some mighty small planes in some mighty uncomfortable places in the course of some of those trips. I never heard him complain. He was always game for the next one when we went out, and he sure did his job extremely well. To Rhoda and the family, Mariel and I will send our deepest condolences and our sympathy. We know you are going to miss him terribly as well all his friends here. The next time I get on that plane and look in Norm's seat, I know that I am going to have the same feelings I have now. It is not fair somehow, but it is what we have to deal with.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would certainly encourage people to vote for the rule, because that is actually what is before us. I am not sure where my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas, comes down on that, but I think he supports it because he wants to get to the substitutes that the rule does carry and provide for. I would point out that it is a fair rule. It certainly is going to allow for extensive, full debate, I think, in a very thorough way. We have the Progressive Caucus substitute, the Blue Dog substitute, the Republican study substitute, and a Democratic substitute, in addition to the original work of the Committee. That is a plateful to consider today, and it certainly provides a number of options. I do not know how we on the Committee on Rules can do much better than that, although I understand the concern of the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) that there were some specific single amendments brought to the Committee on Rules by individual Members who care very much about these levers and controls to guarantee that we do not overspend, which I am very sympathetic with, but did not find place on this rule because of the size and nature of having to deal with a budget resolution and the idea that we like to use the substitute amendment process. We have already heard in a debate on the rule some very colorful language, some very vivid verbs and adjectives and adverbs; some scare, some inflammatory language, a little hyperbole. I suspect we are going to hear a lot more of that before the day is over. I have heard phrases like ``raiding the trust fund,'' billionaires starving children already, a little reminiscent of the days that the Republicans allegedly canceled the school lunch program. In fact, the Republicans plussed up the school lunch program, and it is in better shape now than it was. I think we need to be careful of the rhetoric. I understand that when we are dealing with budgets, that it is hard to be absolutely correct about numbers because we are projecting into the future. If we knew everything exactly, it would be a lot easier to do. But the idea that somehow we cannot go forward with a budget because we do not know exactly every number, it seems to me we will never get a budget done if we are going to wait for all those numbers to come in, because I would point out this is a prospective budget for the next fiscal year, and we are planning in order not to overspend. This is a prudent, responsible fiscal exercise to do that well. We know that government cannot do it all. Most of us know that government should not do it all. When it comes to jobs, people depend on jobs. Our quality of life depends on jobs. That requires risk-taking by business and entrepreneurs; small business, big business, all kinds of enterprise. It is the way we do it in our country. We know that business is complaining, that enterprise is complaining about being overregulated. We also know it is complaining about being overtaxed. Today we are going to try to do something for Americans who are overtaxed. We are going to try and send a budget forward that says that we recognize we are taxing too much, and now is the time that we can afford to do all the things government should appropriately and properly do for Americans in need who are counting on those programs, and we will still have the ability to reduce taxes on hard-working Americans so they can save and spend their own money instead of having us do it for them in Washington. I think one of the questions we have to ask regularly when we are talking about the Federal budget is, is the expenditure that is being considered appropriate for the Federal Government, or are there other ways to spend money? Because when we get into questions of spending Federal dollars, what we are really asking is who pays and how much. We know the answer to who pays: It is the taxpayers. How much? We know the answer to that now in America, too. We are taxing too much. I urge my colleagues to pay close attention to the debate today. We have put good debate potential on the floor under this rule. I urge support of the rule. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, might I make an inquiry about the time remaining?

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I think I detected support for the rule in the opening statement of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), among several opportunities we will have to discuss several budgets today. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), my friend; pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only on this matter. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 100 is a structured rule, as we have just heard the Clerk read. It is fairly typical for bringing forward the annual congressional budget resolution, for today is budget day in the House. For a number of years, we have gotten into a very good habit of managing debate on the budget by asking that all amendments be drafted in the form of substitutes so that Members could consider the whole picture as we debate and weigh our spending priorities. This rule continues that tradition and wisely so in my view. We have gone to great lengths with this rule to juggle the competing needs of having a full debate on a range of issues and perspectives without allowing the process to become so unwieldy that it bogs down in minutia. In that regard, I think the rule is fair in making four, I repeat four substitute amendments, which means we are going to have good debate today. Those amendments reflect an array of points of view. I should note that three of those have Democratic sponsors. Specifically, the rule provides for 40 minutes of additional general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. The rule makes in order the concurrent resolution modified by the amendment printed in part A of the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution. The rule further makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of the Committee on Rules report. Those four amendments may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and opponent, and shall not be subject to amendment. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments except that, and this is important, if an amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted, it is not in order to consider further substitutes. The rule provides for a final period of general debate not to exceed 10 minutes, as the Clerk told us, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on the Budget to occur upon conclusion of the consideration of the concurrent resolution for amendment. The rule permits the chairman of the Committee on the Budget to offer amendments in the House necessary to achieve mathematical consistency. Finally, the rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question of its adoption. Mr. Speaker, this budget provides Congress with a unique opportunity. Here we are standing on top of a mountain of budget surplus thanks to the fiscal restraint of the majority party in the past several years. We gaze over endless possibilities rather than being stuck in the depths of a deficit canyon which we were in the early part of the 1990s. Now, instead of jumping off of a mountaintop into some kind of spending free fall, it is time we firmly plant our feet and decide what we need to get accomplished for the people of the United States of America with our tax dollars. That is what this budget is about. It is standing firm to ensure that our hard-fought surplus is preserved while providing Americans with necessary and appropriate government programs and security they deserve and count on from the Federal Government. The surplus, combined with strong leadership from the new administration in the White House, will result from real relief for all taxpayers. I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Nussle) and his committee for devising a budget that will reflect our commitment to fiscal discipline while also ensuring programs like Social Security and Medicare will be available for future generations, properly funded. As we set forth to debate this budget, it is easy to get bogged down by the large abstract numbers; and I imagine we are going to hear lots of them today. There will be more zeros flying around this Chamber today than there were in the Second World War. It is important to remember these numbers represent an opportunity to return money to hard-working individuals or, better yet, let them keep it and not have to send it on to Washington on April 15 or in quarterly payments. I know my constituents in southwest Florida want real relief. They ask for it every time I see them. It is up to this body to reward their hard work, the work they do every day, to admit also that the government is taking more in taxes than it actually needs now. Over the next 10 years, this budget will provide the average American family with up to $1,600 in tax cuts. That is real relief. The budget resolution goes further than immediate tax relief. It secures the future for all Americans. This security comes from the pairing of tax cuts with more funds for programs that every American cares about. I certainly would not stand here and say that we have achieved getting rid of all government waste. I do not know anybody bold enough to make that statement, nor would it be an accurate statement. Funds will be allocated, however, for important things, to improve education, to decrease the national debt, to modernize Social Security and Medicare. The increased money for these areas will enable all Americans to plan for the future with the assurance that past mistakes are, in fact, being corrected. This budget illustrates the dedication of both the White House and the Republican leadership in Congress to fiscal discipline and to identifying, exposing, and excising unnecessary Federal spending. Americans do work hard to make and to save money, and they have a right to demand fiscal responsibility from the Federal Government. But citizens of this country can rest assured that fiscal discipline will be practiced by following the blueprint this budget resolution outlines, as we will hear in debate today. Not only will taxes be cut, but we will still stand committed to protecting from frivolous or wasteful spending our surplus which we are so proud of at this point. This is a fair rule. It is a standard rule. I think it is a good budget resolution that it underlies. I urge Members to support both. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), a member of the Committee on the Budget.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up H. Res. 100 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, recalling that the debate is on the rule itself, I am happy to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), a distinguished member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to transmit herewith the Rules of Procedure for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 107th Congress. The enclosed rules were adopted by the Committee, Thursday, March 1, 2001. Pursuant to rule XI, clause 2(a)(2) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I request that the enclosed Rules of Procedure be printed in the Congressional Record. Rules of Procedure for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 1. subcommittees (a) Generally (1) Creation of subcommittees and the working group shall be by majority vote of the Committee. (2) Subcommittees and the working group shall deal with such legislation and oversight of programs and policies as the Committee may direct. (3) Subcommittees and the working group shall be governed by these rules. For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include subcommittees and the working group, unless otherwise specifically provided. (b) Establishment of Subcommittees The Committee establishes the following subcommittees: (1) Subcommittee on Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence; (2) Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence; and (3) Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security. For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include subcommittees, unless otherwise specifically provided. (c) Establishment of Working Group (1) The Committee establishes the Working Group on Terrorism and Homeland Security (hereinafter referred to as the ``working group''). For purposes of these rules, any reference to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include the Working Group, unless otherwise specifically provided. (2) The working group may not authorize or issue a subpoena. (d) Subcommittee Membership (1) Generally. Each Member of the Committee may be assigned to at least one of the three subcommittees and the working group. (2) Ex Officio Membership. In the event that the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee do not choose to sit as regular voting members of one or more of the subcommittees, each is authorized to sit as an ex officio Member of the subcommittees or the working group and participate in the work of the subcommittees or the working group. When sitting ex officio, however, they-- (A) shall not have a vote in the subcommittee or in the working group; and (B) shall not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. 2. meeting day (a) Regular Meeting Day for the Full Committee (1) Generally. The regular meeting day of the Committee for the transaction of Committee business shall be the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman. (2) Notice Required. Such regular business meetings shall not occur, unless Members are provided reasonable notice under these rules. (a) Regular Meeting Day for Subcommittees or Working Group There is no regular meeting day for subcommittees or the working group. 3. Notice for meetings (a) Generally In the case of any meeting of the Committee, the Chief Clerk of the Committee shall provide reasonable notice to every Member of the Committee. Such notice shall provide the time and place of the meeting. (b) Definition For purposes of this rule, ``reasonable notice'' means: (1) written notification; (2) delivered by facsimile transmission or regular mail, which is (A) delivered no less than 24 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held in Washington, DC; or (B) delivered no less than 48 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held outside Washington, DC. (c) Exception In extraordinary circumstances only, the Chairman may, after consulting with the Ranking Minority Member, call a meeting of the committee without providing notice, as defined in subparagraph (b), to Members of the Committee. 4. Preparations for Committee Meetings (a) Generally Designated Committee Staff, as directed by the Chairman, shall brief Members of the Committee at a time sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting in order to: (1) assist Committee Members in preparation for such meeting; and (2) determine which matters Members wish considered during any meeting. (b) Briefing Materials (1) Such a briefing shall, at the request of a Member, include a list of all pertinent papers, and such other materials, that have been obtained by the Committee that bear on matters to be considered at the meeting; and (2) The staff director shall also recommend to the Chairman any testimony, papers, or other materials to be presented to the Committee at any meetings of the Committee. 5. open meetings (a) Generally Pursuant to Rule XI of the House, but subject to the limitations of subsection (b), Committee meetings held for the transaction of business, and Committee hearings, shall be open to the public. (b) Exceptions Any meeting or portion thereof, for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, or any hearing or portion thereof, shall be closed to the public, if: (1) the Committee determines by record vote, in open session with a majority of the Committee present, that disclosure of the matters to be discussed may: (A) endanger national security; (B) compromise sensitive law enforcement information; (C) tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; or (D) otherwise violate any law or Rule of the House. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a vote to close a Committee hearing, pursuant to this subsection and House Rule XI shall be taken in open session-- (A) with a majority of the Committee being present; or (B) pursuant to House Rule X, clause 11(d)(2), regardless of whether a majority is present, so long as at least two Members of the Committee are present, one of whom is a member of the Minority, and votes upon the motion. (c) Briefings All Committee briefings shall be closed to the public. 6. quorum (a) Hearings For purposes of taking testimony, or receiving evidence, a quorum shall consist of two Committee Members. (b) Other Committee Proceedings For purposes of the transaction of all other Committee business, other than the consideration of a motion to close a hearing as described in rule 5(b)(2)(B), a quorum shall consist of a majority of Members. 7. REPORTING RECORD VOTES Whenever the Committee reports any measure or matter by record vote, the report of the Committee upon such measure or matter shall include a tabulation of the votes cast in favor of, and the votes cast in opposition to, such measure or matter. 8. PROCEDURES FOR TAKING TESTIMONY OR RECEIVING EVIDENCE (a) Notice Adequate notice shall be given to all witnesses appearing before the Committee. (b) Oath or Affirmation The Chairman may require testimony of witnesses to be given under oath or affirmation. (c) Administration of Oath or Affirmation Upon the determination that a witness shall testify under oath or affirmation, any Member of the Committee designated by the Chairman may administer the oath or affirmation. (d) Interrogation of Witnesses (1) Generally. Interrogation of witnesses before the Committee shall be conducted by Members of the Committee. (2) Exceptions. (A) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may determine that Committee Staff will be authorized to question witnesses at a hearing in accordance with clause (2)(j) of House Rule XI. (B) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are each authorized to designate Committee Staff to conduct such questioning. (e) Counsel for the Witness (1) Generally. Witnesses before the Committee may be accompanied by counsel, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Counsel Clearances Required. In the event that a meeting of the Committee has been closed because the subject to be discussed deals with classified information, counsel accompanying a witness before the Committee must possess the requisite security clearance and provide proof of such clearance to the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at which the counsel intends to be present. (3) Failure to Obtain Counsel. Any witness who is unable to obtain counsel should notify the Committee. If such notification occurs at least 24 hours prior to the witness' appearance before the Committee, the Committee shall then endeavor to obtain voluntary counsel for the witness. Failure to obtain counsel, however, will not excuse the witness from appearing and testifying. (4) Conduct of Counsel for Witnesses. Counsel for witnesses appearing before the Committee shall conduct themselves ethically and professionally at all times in their dealings with the Committee. (A) A majority of Members of the Committee may, should circumstances warrant, find that counsel for a witness before the Committee failed to conduct himself or herself in an ethical or professional manner. (B) Upon such finding, counsel may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. (5) Temporary Removal of Counsel. The Chairman may remove counsel during any proceeding before the Committee for failure to act in an ethical and professional manner. (6) Committee Reversal. A majority of the members of the Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to remove counsel for a witness. (7) Role of Counsel for Witness. (A) Counsel for a witness: (i) shall not be allowed to examine witnesses before the Committee, either directly or through cross-examination; but (ii) may submit questions in writing to the Committee that counsel wishes propounded to a witness; or (iii) may suggest, in writing to the Committee, the presentation of other evidence or the calling of other witnesses. (B) The Committee may make such use of any such questions, or suggestions, as the Committee deems appropriate. (f) Statements by Witnesses (1) Generally. A witness may make a statement, which shall be brief and relevant, at the beginning and at the conclusion of the witness' testimony. (2) Length. Each such statements shall not exceed five minutes in length, unless otherwise determined by the Chairman. (3) Submission to the Committee. Any witness desiring to submit a written statement for the record of the proceedings shall submit a copy of the statement to the Chief Clerk of the Committee. (A) Such statements shall ordinarily be submitted no less than 48 hours in advance of the witness' appearance before the Committee. (B) In the event that the hearing was called with less than 24 hours notice, written statements should be submitted as soon as practicable prior to the hearing. (g) Objections and Ruling (1) Generally. Any objection raised by a witness, or counsel for the witness, shall be ruled upon by the Chairman, and such ruling shall be the ruling of the Committee. (2) Committee Action. A ruling by the Chairman may be overturned upon a majority vote of the Committee. (h) Transcripts (1) Transcript Required. A transcript shall be made of the testimony of each witness appearing before the Committee during any hearing of the Committee. (2) Opportunity to Inspect. Any witness testifying before the Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the transcript of the hearing, and may be accompanied by counsel to determine whether such testimony was correctly transcribed. Such counsel: (A) shall have the appropriate clearance necessary to review any classified aspect of the transcript; and (B) should, to the extent possible, be the same counsel that was present for such classified testimony. (3) Corrections. (A) Pursuant to Rule XI of the House Rules, any corrections the witness desires to make in a transcript shall be limited to technical, grammatical, and typographical. (B) Corrections may not be made to change the substance of the testimony. (C) Such corrections shall be submitted in writing to the Committee within 7 days after the transcript is made available to the witness. (D) Any questions arising with respect to such corrections shall be decided by the Chairman. (4) Copy for the Witness. At the request of the witness, any portion of the witness' testimony given in executive session shall be made available to that witness if that testimony is subsequently quoted or intended to be made part of a public record. Such testimony shall be made available to the witness at the witness' expense. (i) Requests to Testify (1) Generally. The Committee will consider requests to testify on any matter or measure pending before the Committee. (2) Recommendations for Additional Evidence. Any person who believes that testimony, other evidence, or commentary, presented at a public hearing may tend to affect adversely that person's reputation may submit to the Committee, in writing: (A) a request to appear personally before the Committee; (B) a sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony, evidence, or commentary; or (C) proposed questions for the cross-examination of other witnesses. (3) Committee's Discretion. The Committee may take those actions it deems appropriate with respect to such requests. (j) Contempt Procedures Citations for contempt of Congress shall be forwarded to the House, only if: (1) reasonable notice is provided to all Members of the Committee of a meeting to be held to consider any such contempt recommendations; (2) the Committee has met and considered the contempt allegations; (3) the subject of the allegations was afforded an opportunity to state, either in writing or in person, why he or she should not be held in contempt; and (4) the Committee agreed by majority vote to forward the citation recommendations to the House. (k) Release of Name of Witness (1) Generally. At the request of a witness scheduled to be heard by the Committee, the name of that witness shall not be released publicly prior to, or after, the witness' appearance before the Committee. (2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Chairman may authorize the release to the public of the name of any witness scheduled to appear before the Committee. 9. investigations (a) Commencing Investigations (1) Generally. The Committee shall conduct investigations only if approved by the full Committee. An investigation may be initiated either: (A) by a vote of the full Committee; (B) at the direction of the Chairman of the full Committee, with notice to the Ranking Minority Member; or (C) by written request of at least five Members of the full Committee, which is submitted to the Chairman. (2) Full Committee Ratification Required. Any investigation initiated by the Chairman pursuant to paragraphs (B) and (C) must be brought to the attention of the full Committee for approval, at the next regular meeting of the full Committee. (b) Conducting Investigations An authorized investigation may be conducted by Members of the Committee or Committee Staff members designated by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, to undertake any such investigation. 10. subpoenas (a) Generally All subpoenas shall be authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, upon consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, or by vote of the Committee. (b) Subpoena Contents Any subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may compel: (1) the attendance of witnesses and testimony before the Committee; or (2) the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other tangible item. (c) Signing of Subpoenas A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be signed by the Chairman, or by any Member of the Committee designated to do so by the Committee. (d) Subpoena Service A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be served by any person designated to do so by the Chairman. (e) Other Requirements Each subpoena shall have attached thereto a copy of these rules. (f) Limitation (1) The working group may not authorize nor issue a subpoena. (2) A subpoena authorized and issued by the Committee shall not compel the attendance of a witness before the working group, or the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other tangible item to the working group. 11. committee staff (a) Definition For the purpose of these rules, ``Committee Staff'' or ``staff of the Committee' means: (1) employees of the Committee; (2) consultants to the Committee; (3) employees of other Government agencies detailed to the Committee; or (4) any other person engaged by contract, or otherwise, to perform services for, or at the request of, the Committee. (b) Appointment of Committee Staff (1) Chairman's Authority. The appointment of Committee Staff shall be by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairman shall certify Committee Staff appointments to the Clerk of the House in writing. (2) Security Clearance Required. All offers of employment for prospective Committee Staff positions shall be contingent upon: (A) the result of a background investigation; and (B) a determination by the Chairman that requirements for the appropriate security clearances have been met. (c) Responsibilities of Committee Staff (1) Generally. The Committee Staff works for the Committee as a whole, under the supervision and direction of the Chairman of the Committee. (2) Authority of the Staff Director. (A) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the duties of Committee Staff shall be performed under the direct supervision and control of the staff director. (B) Committee Staff personnel affairs and day-to-day Committee Staff administrative matters, including the security and control of classified documents and material, shall be administered under the direct supervision and control of the staff director. (3) Staff Assistance to Minority Membership. The Committee Staff shall assist the Minority as fully as the Majority of the Committee in all matters of Committee business, and in the preparation and filing of supplemental, minority, or additional views, to the end that all points of view may be fully considered by the Committee and the House. 12. Limit on Discussion of Classified Work of the Committee (a) Prohibition (1) Generally. Except as otherwise provided by these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, Members and Committee Staff shall not at any time, either during that person's tenure as a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff, or anytime thereafter, discuss or disclose: (A) the classified substance of the work of the Committee; (B) any information received by the Committee in executive session; (C) any classified information received by the Committee for any source; or (D) the substance of any hearing that was closed to the public pursuant to these rules or the Rules of the House. (2) Non-Disclosure in Proceedings. (A) Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff shall not discuss either the substance or procedure of the work of the Committee with any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff in connection with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, either during the person's tenure as a Member of the Committee, or of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, except as directed by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (B) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff shall be governed in these matters in a manner determined by the House concerning discussions of the classified work of the Committee. (3) Exceptions. (A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose those matters described in subsection (a)(1) with (i) Members and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence designated by the chairman of that committee; (ii) the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees; and (iii) the chairman and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Defense of the House Committee on Appropriations and staff of that subcommittee as designated by the chairman of that subcommittee. (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose only that budget-related information necessary to facilitate the enactment of the annual defense authorization bill with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and the staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees. (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee staff may discuss with and disclose to the chairman and ranking minority member of a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over an agency or program within the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP), and staff of that subcommittee as designated by the chairman of that subcommittee, only that budget-related information necessary to facilitate the enactment of an appropriations bill within which is included an appropriation for an agency or program within the NFIP. (D) The Chairman may, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, upon the written request to the Chairman from the Inspector General of an element of the Intelligence Community, grant access to Committee transcripts or documents that are relevant to an investigation of an allegation of possible false testimony or other inappropriate conduct before the Committee, or that are otherwise relevant to the Inspector General's investigation. (E) Upon the written request of the head of an Intelligence Community element, the Chairman may, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, make available Committee briefing or hearing transcripts to that element for review by that element if a representative of that element testified, presented information to the Committee, or was present at the briefing or hearing the transcript of which is requested for review. (F) Members and Committee Staff may discuss and disclose such matters as otherwise directed by the Committee. (b) Non-Disclosure Agreement (1) Generally. All Committee Staff must, before joining the Committee, agree in writing, as a condition of employment, not to divulge any classified information, which comes into such person's possession while a member of the Committee Staff, to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (2) Other Requirements. In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff must follow any determination by the House of Representatives, with respect to the protection of classified information received while a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff. (3) Requests for Testimony of Staff. (A) All Committee Staff must, as a condition of employment, agree in writing, to notify the Committee immediately of any request for testimony received while a member of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, concerning any classified information received by such person while a member of the Committee Staff. (B) Committee Staff shall not disclose, in response to any such request for testimony, any such classified information, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (C) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Committee Staff will be subject to any determination made by the House of Representatives with respect to any requests for testimony involving classified information received while a member of the Committee Staff. 13. Classified Material (a) Receipt of Classified Information (1) Generally. In the case of any information that has been classified under established security procedures and submitted to the Committee by any source, the Committee shall receive such classified information as executive session material. (2) Staff Receipt of Classified Materials. For purposes of receiving classified information, the Committee Staff is authorized to accept information on behalf of the Committee. (b) Non-Disclosure of Classified Information Generally. Any classified information received by the Committee, from any source, shall not be disclosed to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, or otherwise released, except as authorized by the Committee in accord with the Rules of the House and these rules. 14. Procedures Related to Handling of Classified Information (a) Security Measures (1) Strict Security. The Committee's offices shall operate under strict security procedures administered by the Director of Security and Registry of the Committee under the direct supervision of the staff director. (2) U.S. Capitol Police Presence Required. At least one U.S. Capital Police officer shall be on duty at all times outside the entrance to Committee offices to control entry of all persons to such offices. (3) Identification Required. Before entering the Committee's offices all persons shall identify themselves to the U.S. Capitol Police officer described in paragraph (2) and to a Member of the Committee or Committee Staff. (4) Maintenance of Classified Materials. Classified documents shall be segregated and maintained in approved security storage locations. (5) Examination of Classified Materials. Classified documents in the Committee's possession shall be examined in an appropriately secure manner. (6) Prohibition on Removal of Classified Materials. Removal of any classified document from the Committee's offices is strictly prohibited, except as provided by these rules. (7) Exception. Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in paragraph (6), as classified document, or copy thereof, may be removed from the Committee's offices in furtherance of official Committee business. Appropriate security procedures shall govern the handling of any classified documents removed from the Committee's offices. (b) Access to Classified Information by Members All Members of the Committee shall at all times have access to all classified papers and other material received by the Committee from any source. (c) Need-to-know (1 Generally. Committee Staff shall have access to any classified information provided to the Committee on a strict ``need-to-know'' basis, as determined by the Committee, and under the Committee's direction by the staff director. (2 Appropriate Clearances Required. Committee Staff must have the appropriate clearances prior to any access to compartmental information. (d) Oath (1) Requirement. Before any Member of the Committee, or the Committee Staff, shall have access to classified information, the following oath shall be executed: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose any classified information received in the course of my service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, except when authorized to do so by the Committee or the House of Representatives. (2) Copy. A copy of such executed oath shall be retained in the files of the Committee. (e) Registry. (1) Generally. The Committee shall maintain a registry that: (A) provides a brief description of the content of all classified documents provided to the Committee by the executive branch that remain in the possession of the Committee; and (B) lists by number all such documents. (2) Designation by the Staff Director. The staff director shall designate a member of the Committee Staff to be responsible for the organization and daily maintenance of such registry. (3) Availability. Such registry shall be available to all Members of the Committee and Committee Staff. (f) Requests by Members of Other Committees Pursuant to the Rules of the House, Members who are not Members of the Committee may be granted access to such classified transcripts, records, data, charts, or files of the Committee, and be admitted on a non-participatory basis to classified hearings of the Committee involving discussions of classified material in the following manner: (1) Written Notification Required. Members who desire to examine classified materials in the possession of the Committee, or to attend Committee hearings or briefings on a non-participatory basis, must notify the Chief Clerk of the Committee in writing. (2) Committee Consideration. The Committee shall consider each such request by non-Committee Members at the earliest practicable opportunity. The Committee shall determine, by roll call vote, what action it deems appropriate in light of all of the circumstances of each request. In its determination, the Committee shall consider: (A) the sensitivity to the national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States of the information sought; (B) the likelihood of its being directly or indirectly disclosed; (C) the jurisdictional interest of the Member making the request; and (D) such other concerns, constitutional or otherwise, as may affect the public interest of the United States. (3) Committee Action. After consideration of the Member's request, the Committee may take any action it may deem appropriate under the circumstances, including but not limited to: (A) approving the request, in whole or part; (B) denying the request; or (C) providing the requested information or material in a different form than that sought by the Member. (4) Requirements for Access by Non-Committee Members. Prior to a non-Committee Member being given access to classified information pursuant to this subsection, the requesting Member shall-- (A) provide the Committee a copy of the oath executed by such Member pursuant to House Rule XXIII, clause 13; and (B) agree in writing not to divulge any classified information provided to the Member pursuant to this subsection to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, except as otherwise authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules. (5) Consultation Authorized. When considering a Member's request, the Committee may consult the Director of Central Intelligence and such other officials it considers necessary. (6) Finality of Committee Decision. (A) Should the Member making such a request disagree with the Committee's determination with respect to that request, or any part thereof, that Member must notify the Committee in writing of such disagreement. (B) The Committee shall subsequently consider the matter and decide, by record vote, what further action or recommendation, if any, the Committee will take. (g) Advising the House or Other Committees Pursuant to Section 501 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. Sec. 413), and not the Rules of the House, the Committee shall call to the attention of the House, or to any other appropriate committee of the House, those matters requiring the attention of the House, or such other committee, on the basis of the following provisions: (1) By Request of Committee Member. At the request of any Member of the Committee to call to the attention of the House, or any other committee, executive session material in the Committee's possession, the Committee shall meet at the earliest practicable opportunity to consider that request. (2) Committee Consideration of Request. The Committee shall consider the following factors, among any others it deems appropriate: (A) the effect of the matter in question on the national defense or the foreign relations of the United States; (B) whether the matter in question involves sensitive intelligence sources and methods; (C) whether the matter in question otherwise raises serious questions affecting the national interest; and (D) whether the matter in question affects matters within the jurisdiction of another Committee of the House. (3) Views of Other Committees. In examining such factors, the Committee may seek the opinion of Members of the Committee appointed from standing committees of the House with jurisdiction over the matter in question, or submissions from such other committees. (4) Other Advice. The Committee may, during its deliberations on such requests, seek the advice of any executive branch official. (h) Reasonable Opportunity to Examine Materials Before the Committee makes any decision regarding any request for access to any classified information in its possession, or a proposal to bring any matter to the attention of the House or another committee, Members of the Committee shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine all pertinent testimony, documents, or other materials in the Committee's possession that may inform their decision on the question. (i) Notification to the House The Committee may bring a matter to the attention of the House when, after consideration of the factors set forth in this rule, it considers the matter in question so grave that it requires the attention of all Members of the House, and time is of the essence, or for any reason the Committee funds compelling. (j) Method of Disclosure to the House (1) Should the Committee decide by roll call vote that a matter requires the attention of the House as described in subsection (i), it shall make arrangements to notify the House promptly. (2) In such cases, the Committee shall consider whether: (A) to request an immediate secret session of the House (with time equally divided between the Majority and the Minority); or (B) to publicly disclose the matter in question pursuant to clause 11(g) of House Rule X. (k) Requirement to Protect Sources and Methods In bringing a matter to the attention of the House, or another committee, the Committee, with due regard for the protection of intelligence sources and methods, shall take all necessary steps to safeguard materials or information relating to the matter in question. (l) Availability of Information to Other Committees The Committee, having determined that a matter shall be brought to the attention of another committee, shall ensure that such matter, including all classified information related to that matter, is promptly made available to the chairman and ranking minority member of such other committee. (m) Provision of Materials The Director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall provide a copy of these rules, and the applicable portions of the Rules of the House of Representatives governing the handling of classified information, along with those materials determined by the Committee to be made available to such other committee of the House or Member (not a Member of the Committee) (n) Ensuring Clearance and Secure Storage The Director of Security and Registry shall ensure that such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such classified materials may properly store classified materials in a manner consistent with all governing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and statutes. (o) Log The Director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall maintain a written record identifying the particular classified document or material provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee), the reasons agreed upon by the Committee for approving such transmission, and the name of the committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such document or material. (p) Miscellaneous Requirements (1) Staff Director's Additional Authority. The staff director is further empowered to provide for such additional measures, which he or she deems necessary, to protect such classified information authorized by the Committee to be provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee). (2) Notice to Originating Agency. In the event that the Committee authorizes the disclosure of classified information provided to the Committee by an agency of the executive branch to a Member (not a Member of the Committee) or to another committee, the Chairman may notify the providing agency of the Committee's action prior to the transmission of such classified information. 15. legislative calendar (a) Generally The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the staff director, shall maintain a printed calendar that lists: (1) the legislative measures introduced and referred to the Committee; (2) the status of such measures; and (3) such other matters that the Committee may require. (b) Revisions to the Calendar The calendar shall be revised from time to time to show pertinent changes. (c) Availability A copy of each such revision shall be furnished to each Member, upon request. (d) Consultation with Appropriate Government Entities Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, legislative measures referred to the Committee shall be referred by the Chief Clerk to the appropriate department or agency of the Government for reports thereon. 16. committee travel (a) Authority The Chairman may authorize Members and Committee Staff to travel on Committee business. (b) Requests (1) Member Requests. Members requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request directly to the Chairman. (2) Committee Staff Request. Committee Staff requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request through their supervisors to the staff director and the Chairman. (c) Notification to Members (1) Generally. Members shall be notified of all foreign travel of Committee Staff not accompanying a Member. (2) Content. All Members are to be advised, prior to the commencement of such travel, of its length, nature, and purpose. (d) Trip Reports (1) Generally. A full report of all issues discussed during any Committee travel shall be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the Committee within a reasonable period of time following the completion of such trip. (2) Availability of Reports. Such report shall be: (A) available for the review of any Member or Committee Staff; and (B) considered executive session material for purposes of these rules. (e) Limitations on Travel (1) Generally. The Chairman is not authorized to permit travel on Committee business of Committee Staff who have not satisfied the requirements of subsection (d) of this rule. (2) Exception. The Chairman may authorize Committee Staff to travel on Committee business, notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (d) and (e) of this rule-- (A) at the specific request of a Member of the Committee; or (B) in the event there are circumstances beyond the control of the Committee Staff hindering compliance with such requirements. (f) Definitions For purposes of this rule the term ``reasonable period of time'' means: (1) no later than 60 days after returning from a foreign trip; and (2) no later than 30 days after returning from a domestic trip. 17. Disciplinary Actions (a) Generally The Committee shall immediately consider whether disciplinary action shall be taken in the case of any member of the Committee Staff alleged to have failed to conform to any Rule of the House of Representatives or to these rules. (b) Exception In the event the House of Representatives is: (1) in a recess period in excess of 3 days; or (2) has ajdourned sine die; the Chairman on the full Committee, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may take such immediate disciplinary actions deemed necessary. (C) Available Actions Such disciplinary action may include immediate dismissal from the Committee Staff. (d) Notice to Members All Members shall be notified as soon as practicable, either by facsimile transmission or regular mail, of any disciplinary action taken by the Chairman pursuant to subsection (b). (e) Reconsideration of Chairman's Actions A majority of the Members of the full Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to take disciplinary action pursuant to subsection (b). 18. BROADCASTING COMMITTEE MEETINGS Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, a majority of the Committee may permit that hearing or meeting to be covered, in whole or in part, by television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such methods of coverage, subject to the provisions and in accordance with the spirit of the purposes enumerated in the Rules of the House. 19. COMMITTEE RECORDS TRANSFERRED TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (a) Generally The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives. (b) Notice of withholding The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the full Committee for a determination of the question of public availability on the written request of any Member of the Committee. 20. CHANGES IN RULES (a) Generally These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by vote of the full Committee. (b) Notice of Proposed Changes A notice, in writing, of the proposed change shall be given to each Member at least 48 hours prior to any meeting at which action on the proposed rule change is to be taken.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this fair rule. It is unfortunate that so many of my Democrat colleagues can't seem to put down last week's talking points. This rule gives them two--not one as they had inappropriately feared--bites at the apple. We will have a full and fair debate on their vision of tax relief and one on ours. But now that we have fully accommodated their request for two bites, they play the ``bait and switch'' on how long we will debate this bill. It is transparently partisan and obstructionist and I doubt that the American people will be fooled. The folks I represent don't want us to sit here and talk and talk and talk about tax relief. They want us to act. President Bush made tax relief for all Americans one of the hallmarks of his campaign. He stuck with it when the beltway elites said it was wrong. Or couldn't be done. And now as President he has kept his word and forwarded a responsible proposal that provides tax cuts, pays down the national debt and ensures the availability of Medicare and Social Security. Today Congress will take the first step to utilize part of the non Social Security surplus for the benefit of our taxpayers. H.R. 3 represents the core of President Bush's plan. The implementation of H.R. 3 would provide a savings of $958 million over ten years-- including a $360 return for couples as early as 2001. In fact, taxpayers in my home state of Florida will get to keep $48 million dollars more of their own money. H.R. 3 provides the right balance in reducing marginal tax rates. While all five brackets are collapsed into 4 lower ones, H.R. 3 moves folks in the lowest 15 percent bracket to 10 percent retroactively, giving them a benefit immediately. In fact, for my Democrat friends who suggest this will not help lower income Americans, I would point out that 48 million Americans will pay no Federal income taxes at all in 2001 as a result of our action. It is a basic debate we are having today and it does not take a long time to figure out where you stand. Do you stand on the side of working Americans who have seen their incomes rise only to be further eradicated by a tax system that discourages achievement? Or do you choose the ``politics of the past'' * * * class warfare disguised as fiscal responsibility? I commend Chairman Thomas for his leadership in moving this important legislation in such a timely manner. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and a strong yes on final passage.

Mr. GOSS

Mr. GOSS. Madam Speaker, I had the great privilege and honor to travel with colleagues during this past Presidents' break under the leadership of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) to visit parliamentarians who deal with NATO concerns. As most Americans know, we have valuable partners overseas providing defense for peace and well-being all across the Atlantic, including the North American countries and our allies and friends overseas in Europe. We get together a couple of times a year to examine policy and, of course, at this time there is a great deal of interest in the new administration and where it is going. We had useful meetings, timely meetings, and there will be reports coming forth on those in time. I wanted to speak about an aspect of the trip we took this time that I think is more important, because there is some business for our House. As is customary, we quite often visit our troops when we are out in these areas. We go to remote areas, places like the Sinai on this trip, and dangerous areas, places like the Balkans; and we go to support areas, places like Italy and places where there are active operations in places like Turkey where our troops are flying, our Air Force. We talk to our troops. We get right out there; we do not get just the red carpet treatment talking to the officers. We talk to the men and women in uniform, hearing what their gripes are, their concerns, worries and wants; and we try to get the message back to them to say thanks for what they are doing. We talk to the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard when we are in those places. There was a lot of concern this time in our conversations with the troops; but we did find a common thread on a subject that this House needs to do something about, and that was the fact that their vote was not counted in the last election. There is a concern out there that the extra efforts they took, because it is tough to get their votes cast when they are involved in military duty, because they are doing things in remote parts of the world and it is not like the pleasures that we have and the convenience and the logistics we have, just going and casting our votes on Election Day in this country or even doing an absentee ballot in this country. It is very complicated for them. So the fact that their vote may have been thrown out is particularly disturbing to them, whether it was because of technical problems like the postmarks on the ballots or the rules for witnesses or whether or not there are time deadlines that could not be managed and so forth because of where they were. These are correctable things, and between the work of the States and the supervisors of elections at the local level and the Federal-level rules, I think we can get this corrected and taken care of. Madam Speaker, what troubled the troops the most was that there are apparently some people who actively wanted to disenfranchise the military vote because it did not measure up ideologically with the views of their candidate. Unfortunately, as we read in Florida, and I am proud to represent a good part of Florida, southwest Florida, we read public reports in the newspaper that indeed, efforts were under way to disenfranchise intentionally the military vote because it might turn the election in a different direction. That, of course, is extremely odious. Madam Speaker, I hope this Congress will take steps to make clear once and for all that the sense of this body and the people who represent the people of the United States of America find this particularly odious, especially when we understand that the risk, the separations, the hardship, the work that our troops are doing around the world, that many of us just take for granted. When you are out there and see it firsthand and talk to these folks, you are proud; and to think that somebody would actively say, we are not sure we want to have their vote counted because it might not help my candidate, is, certainly, misguided. So we have work to do on this. I urge my colleagues to pay attention to this and support legislation when it comes forward. I am proud of our troops overseas, and I know every single Member of this body is too.