Doc Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California, the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on each side?

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. If the gentleman will yield, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. It would give us the opportunity to do that because there are some ideas here. The gentleman is correct.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. If the gentleman will yield, I am going to ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can address another issue of tremendous import in this country that has hit every family, and that's the high prices of gasoline. So I will ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so we can address issues, allow Members on the floor to be able to debate the issue of lower gas prices.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. If the gentleman will yield, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman 1 minute of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. At this time, Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. Madam Speaker, Americans don't want a debate on the problems causing gas prices to dramatically increase. They want a debate on solutions. Therefore, as I stated a moment ago, I will be asking my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that Members can offer solutions that have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas. As I mentioned, 2 years ago, then-minority leader, now-Speaker Pelosi promised Americans a Democrat plan to lower gas prices at the pump. They have controlled Congress for 16 months, but we still have not seen this plan. Meanwhile, the cost of gasoline is setting record highs. The time is now for the House to debate ideas and solutions for lowering gas prices, and it is time for the Democrats to reveal their plan that they promised 2 years ago. So, Madam Speaker, by defeating the previous question, I will move to amend the rule to allow any bill to be offered and considered under suspensions of the rule that would have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have the text of the amendment and extraneous material inserted in the Record prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, on September 28, 2006, the Republicans were in the majority and the Democrats were in the minority. I was managing a rule on the floor similar to what we are considering here today to allow specific bills to be considered under suspensions under the rule on a day that suspensions are not permitted under House rules like today. During debate on that day in September 2006, the then-ranking member of the Rules Committee, Ms. Slaughter, stated, ``It isn't just what the Congress has done with its time that is so disappointing. It is also what the Congress has not done, all of the challenges it has not addressed.'' Madam Speaker, the same can be absolutely said today about the Democrat control of the House of Representatives. Earlier this year, House Democrats approved a budget that included a tax hike of $683 billion, the largest in American history. Americans cannot afford the Democrat plans to cut the child tax credit in half, to reinstate the marriage penalty, and raise taxes on every single taxpayer. Instead of record-breaking tax increases, this Congress should work to make those tax cuts permanent. I'm also dismayed that the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives has not acted to extend the State and local sales tax deduction to States that don't have State income tax. That tax expired on January 1 of this year. The State and local sales tax deduction is important for those States that don't have a State income tax, such as my home State of Washington. Extending this deduction is a matter of fairness that Congress must act to renew as soon as possible. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives have also failed to act to give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect our country from new terrorist threats by modernizing the seventies-era FISA laws. For over 74 days now, America has been hobbled in the vital work to monitor terrorist communications and detect new plots despite the fact that the Senate has approved a bipartisan plan and sent it over to the House. House Democrat leaders have refused to allow the House to vote on the Senate plan and have refused to go to conference with the Senate. Madam Speaker, why, I ask, why is an issue of this magnitude being placed on the back burner by Democrat leaders, despite repeated attempts by Republicans to allow the House to vote on this bipartisan plan? Madam Speaker, the Democrat-controlled House has also failed to address perhaps the most pressing issue on the minds of Americans today, rising gas prices. Democrat leaders may not like to hear it, but since they took control of Congress in January of 2007, the cost of a gallon of gas has gone up by over 50 percent. In fact, the cost of gas has gone up by more in 16 months than it had gone up in the prior 6 years. Instead, they have spent hours giving speeches trying to blame the President and anyone but themselves for the fact that Congress has done nothing to address rising gas prices. But, Madam Speaker, facts are stubborn things. And the facts are that gas prices have gone up over a dollar a gallon on the Democrat Congress' watch. The facts are that Democrat leaders promised the American people in 2006 that if they were to control Congress that they had a ``commonsense plan'' to ``lower the price at the pump.'' It's been 16 months of this Democrat Congress, and the promise is nowhere to be seen. This Congress has put forward no plan, has taken no action, and passed no bills to lower gas prices. They promised relief at the pump to lower gas prices, and they've done nothing. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to insert into the Record an article by Investor's Business Daily posted April 29, 2008, and it states, ``This Congress is possibly the most irresponsible in modern history. This is especially true when it comes to America's dysfunctional energy policy.'' [From Investor's Business Daily, Apr. 29, 2008] Congress Vs. You Energy: President Bush let the Democrat-led Congress have it with both barrels Tuesday, lambasting lawmakers for fiddling while the energy crisis burns. It was a well- deserved takedown of do-nothing lawmakers. We've said it before, but we'll say it again: This Congress is possibly the most irresponsible in modern history. This is especially true when it comes to America's dysfunctional energy policy. The media won't call either the House or the Senate on its failures, for one very obvious reason: They mostly share an ideology with the Democrats that keeps them from understanding how free markets and supply and demand really work. Sad, but true. So we were happy to hear the president do the job, calling out Congress for its inaction and ignorance in his wide- ranging press conference Tuesday. ``Many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook, from gas and food prices to mortgage and tuition bills,'' Bush said. ``They're looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action. Unfortunately, on many of these issues, all they're getting is delay.'' Best of all, Bush didn't let the issue sit with just generalities. He reeled off a bill of particulars of congressional energy inaction, including: Failing to allow drilling in ANWR. We have, as Bush noted, estimated capacity of a million barrels of oil a day from this source alone--enough for 27 million gallons of gas and diesel. But Congress won't touch it, fearful of the clout of the environmental lobby. As a result, you pay at the pump so your representative can raise campaign cash. Refusing to build new refineries. The U.S. hasn't built one since 1976, yet sanctions at least 15 unique ``boutique'' fuel blends around the nation. So even the slightest problem at a refinery causes enormous supply problems and price spikes. Congress has done nothing about this. Turning its back on nuclear power. It's safe and, with advances in nuclear reprocessing technology, waste problems have been minimized. Still, we have just 104 nuclear plants-- the same as a decade ago--producing just 19% of our total energy. (Many European nations produce 40% or more of their power with nuclear.) Granted, nuclear power plants are expensive--about $3 billion each. But they produce energy at $1.72/kilowatt-hour vs. $2.37 for coal and $6.35 for natural gas. Raising taxes on energy producers. This is where a basic understanding of economics would help: Higher taxes and needless regulation lead to less production of a commodity. So by proposing ``windfall'' and other taxes on energy companies plus tough new rules, Congress makes our energy situation worse. These are just a few of Congress' sins of omission--all while India, China, Eastern Europe and the Middle East add more than a million barrels of new demand each and every year. New Energy Department forecasts see world oil demand growing 40% by 2030, including a 28% increase in the U.S. Americans who are worried about the direction of their country, including runaway energy and food prices, should keep in mind the upcoming election isn't just about choosing a new president. We'll also pick a new Congress. The current Congress, led on the House side by a speaker who promised a ``common sense plan'' to cut energy prices two years ago, has shown itself to be incompetent and irresponsible. It doesn't deserve re-election. Madam Speaker, we all know that we must work together, Democrats, Republicans, the House, the Senate and the President, to solve America's pain at the pump. Until this happens, however, we should not deny good ideas from being considered. Therefore, I will be urging my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that I can amend the rule to make in order any bill that would ``have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas.'' Let's defeat the previous question and show America that Congress is serious about addressing the rising cost at the pump. With that, I reserve my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Ms. Slaughter, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can have this debate, so that we can consider these vitally important issues that America's families, workers, truckers, small businesses, and our entire economy face with these rising prices of gasoline. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is being asked to swallow this colossal Senate lands bill without any Member having the opportunity to offer amendments or provide input. This is an abdication of our duties as elected Representatives and it means good legislation will continue to sit lingering and waiting for action in the Senate because it's not been included in this packaged bill. There are parts of this massive bill that I do support. In fact, I am the sponsor and author of the bill, H.R. 386, that will convey certain buildings and land from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District. This measure will allow for greater local control of property that is already being used for irrigation purposes. It will also allow the irrigation district to make needed improvements. H.R. 386 passed the House by a vote of 417-0 in February, 2007 and I am pleased that the Senate finally acted on this bipartisan piece of legislation. However, this package excludes many other House passed bills that have been awaiting Senate action, including two of which are of particular interest to me and communities in Central Washington state. The first bill, H.R. 523, passed the House last October by a vote of 377 to zero. This bill would allow for the sale of several parcels of property from the Bureau of Land Management to the Douglas County PUD for both ease and efficiency of management, while ensuring environmental protections. Additionally, the funds generated from this sale would be put towards improving public access to existing BLM lands in Washington state. This creates an opportunity to address some long- standing needs to improve public access to public lands in my state, including for recreation at the Juniper Dunes area. Having passed the House over six months ago without dissent, and also being subject of a positive Senate hearing in February, there is no reason that this bill shouldn't be part of this package. Second, I am frustrated that the Senate did not include H.R. 1285, the Snoqualmie Pass Land Conveyance Act. This legislation would help facilitate the construction of a modem fire station to serve both local communities and interstate freeway travelers crossing Snoqualmie Pass. The Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue is often the first to respond to emergencies through the pass. This heavily traveled area often sees major snowstorms as well as avalanches. This bill passed the House last July by voice vote and it merits passage by the Senate and to be signed into law. Instead of action on these two bills, there is indefinite delay and no apparent plan for action. I will not be allowed to offer an amendment to add these two non-controversial bills to this Senate package. The House is only given the choice of passing this bill. I have heard some of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate claim that this conglomerate Senate bill mainly includes bills that passed out of the House of Representatives and enjoy strong bipartisan support. Both H.R. 523 as well as H.R. 1285 fit both of those criteria. Why then were they not included in S. 2739 when other bills were included that have never passed the House or had prior Senate Committee approval? I am frustrated and disappointed at the closed manner in which the House is being forced to vote on this bill. Furthermore, I am concerned at the enormous expansion of federal land ownership and management responsibilities created by this bill when we are not currently able to meet our public lands existing maintenance needs. It is ironic that both of the bills that have been left out of this legislation would, in a responsible way, actually decrease and relieve these demands and stress on current capabilities. For these reasons, I must vote against this bill.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield myself another 15 seconds. Mr. Speaker, by defeating the previous question we can discuss and debate those solutions. That is all I am asking Members to do. I am not taking sides, I am not saying their ideas are bad. I am just saying we have an opportunity to debate those solutions.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, my friend from Michigan just made the case for me one more time to defeat the previous question so that the gentleman could offer some solutions. I just want to remind everybody, Mr. Speaker. Two years ago tomorrow, then Democrat minority leader Nancy Pelosi said: We have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices. We have real solutions to lower the price at the pump. When the Democrats took over, the price at the pump was $2.33. Now, it is $3.51.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can have this debate, so that we can consider these vitally important issues that America's families, workers, truckers, small businesses, and our entire economy face with these rising prices of gasoline. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Thank you for being so precise, Mr. Speaker. I do appreciate that. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I just want to reiterate, we have had a debate on the problems. We haven't had a debate on the solutions. My motion then would allow that to happen. So let me repeat, Mr. Speaker. Two years ago, Speaker Pelosi promised Americans a Democrat plan to lower gas prices at the pump. They have controlled Congress for 15 months, but we still have not seen this plan. Meanwhile, the cost of gas is setting record highs. Under their leadership, the national average price of gas has increased by $1.18. It is time for the House to debate ideas for lowering gas prices. It is time for the Democrats to reveal their plans. Mr. Speaker, by defeating the previous question, I will move to amend the rule to allow any amendment be made in order on the underlying bill that would, quote, have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have the text of the amendment and extraneous material inserted into the Record prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.