Doc Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), a valued member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 239 provides for the consideration of H.R. 1904 under a modified closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate in the House with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture, 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against the bill and provides that the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted. The rule also makes in order the amendment printed in part B of the report if offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) or his designee which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debated for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against the amendment printed in part B of the report and provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1904, the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, is a measure that would enable the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to better protect communities, watersheds, and certain other at-risk lands from catastrophic wildfires by conducting hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands all across the United States. The summers of 2000 and 2002 were the two largest and most destructive fire seasons in the past 50 years. Last year alone, Mr. Speaker, American taxpayers spent in excess of $1.5 billion to contain wildfires which claimed the lives of 23 firefighters. This subject hits particularly close to home for this Member because tragically, the summer before last, four of my constituents lost their lives fighting the Thirty Mile Fire in my district. A contributing factor in that fire and many similarly explosive wildfires destroying forests and rangelands at such an alarming rate is the unprecedented buildup of dead, dying, and diseased timber on these Federal lands. For a variety of reasons, including improved firefighting techniques and legally required environmental restrictions, the natural processes by which, until relatively recently, nature has rid forests of highly inflammable undergrowth have been overridden. The result has been to turn many of our forests and rangelands into virtual tinderboxes waiting to explode with oftentimes tragic results. H.R. 1904 is designed to restore some much-needed balance to the management of our forests and rangelands. Through the use of environmentally responsible thinning, prescribed burns and other scientifically validated management practices, overstocked forests can be returned to a more natural balance, and the risks of catastrophic wildfires as well as insect and disease infestations greatly reduced. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing H.R. 1904 would cost $12 million in fiscal year 2004 and $278 million over the next 5 years. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and is projected to impose no costs on State, local, or tribal governments. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Federal funds authorized under this act would actually benefit State, local, and tribal governments. Members from the West and Southeast, particularly, are acutely aware that the fire season will soon be upon us again in full force. We need to move this legislation as rapidly as possible. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying bill, H.R. 1904. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my namesake, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), 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. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 239 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is left?

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), chairman of the subcommittee that was dealing with the legislation that passed out of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 189 is a structured rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003. The rule provides 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate, with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and three periods of 20 minutes each to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority members of the Committees on Science, Resources, and Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, and makes in order only those amendments printed in the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution. The rule further provides that the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, 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 a proponent and opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report and provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6 is a critically important piece of legislation that will provide for security and diversity in America's energy supply while enhancing energy conservation and research and development. The bill we will consider shortly is a comprehensive measure combining key elements from four separate bills reported by the respective committees of jurisdiction. The first section of the bill passed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce seeks to expand domestic energy sources while striking a balance between State and Federal regulation of the Nation's electrical power grid. This section of the bill would also increase the strategic petroleum reserve to 1 billion barrels and contains provisions for a renewable fuel standard that requires increased production in the use of ethanol. The second section of the bill passed by the Committee on Science authorizes $31 billion for energy-related research and development programs, including funding for the President's hydrogen initiative and FreedomCar program, with the balance of the funding going to improvement of renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, and nuclear programs. The third section of the bill passed by the Committee on Resources includes a provision that would open the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, to much-needed oil exploration in a way designed to ensure maximum environmental protection of that significant national resource. Finally, the section of H.R. 6 reported by the Committee on Ways and Means means energy tax provisions amounting to $18.7 billion that would incentivize access to inexpensive energy, bolster our national security by decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and promote conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy. As a Member of Congress from the Pacific Northwest, I am particularly pleased, Mr. Speaker, that the authors of this legislation have concluded provisions I have long supported which would streamline the process of renewing permits for major hydroelectric facilities. Many of those projects are located in our part of the country and provide a sizeable share of our region's electrical power needs. In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that the war in Iraq has once again highlighted the importance of ensuring America's energy independence. This bill is designed to do that in an environmentally responsible way. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), 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. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 189 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. The material previously referred to by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) is as follows: Previous Question for H. Res. 189--H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003 The following are the amendments made in order under the rule: Berkely #67 Division A. Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct a study to provide accurate and real costs of indemnifying those who would be harmed by a potential nuclear plant accident or attack. Berkley #71 Division A. Establishes a program to make loan guarantees for qualifying businesses investing in renewable energy solutions. Blumenauer #53 Division D. Extends the Transportation Fringe Benefit to commuters who carpool, bicycle, or used car-sharing and equalize the transit benefit with the current level offered to qualified parking plans. Allows up to $50 per month for carpoolers, bicyclists, or those using car- sharing to commute to work. Increases the benefit available to transit commuters to $190 per month, the same amount as qualified parking plans. Boucher #6 Division A. Strikes the provision of the bill related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) transmission siting authority on private lands and would thereby leave decisions regarding the location of new transmission facilities with individual states. Boucher #7 Division A. Strikes the provision of the bill related to the Department of Energy (DOE) transmission siting authority on federal lands and would thereby leave the decisions regarding the location of new transmission facilities with the federal entities responsible for managing such lands (e.g. the Department of Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, etc.). Capps #23 Division A. Adds four-year national phase-out gasoline MTBE. Capps #25 Division A. Strikes section 12401 relating to appeals for LNG siting decisions, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the National Environmental Protection Act. Carson #76 Division A. Strikes the ``Indiana Amendment'' from the Uniform Tie Act of 1966. Costello/Calvert #8 Division B. Terminates the DOE's authority to regulate itself with regard to nuclear and worker safety at the Department's non-military energy laboratories within two years of enactment. Transfers regulatory authority to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It is estimated that enacting the external regulation at the labs would save DOE up to $41 million annually. Davis (VA)/Waxman #60 Division A. Requires that a small percentage of the energy used to power federal facilities come from renewable energy and fuel cells. Beginning in 2005, federal agencies would be required to obtain from these sources 1.5% of the energy used across their facilities, gradually rising to 7% in 2012 and beyond. Agencies could meet these requirements either by generating energy on-site or by purchasing renewable electricity generated off-site. Agencies would receive extra credit for on-site renewable energy generation that also contributes to national security. Allows the Secretary of Energy to waive the requirements if the agency is taking all practicable steps and the requirements would pose an unacceptable burden. Permits federal agencies to count acquisitions of future technology vehicles, such as fuel efficient hybrid-electric or fuel cell vehicles, against alternative fuel vehicle acquisition targets. DeFazio #11 Division A. Current law provides that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve may be drawn down in the event of a ``severe energy supply disruption,'' which results in ``a major adverse impact on the national economy.'' The DeFazio amendment would add ``or on a State or regional economy,'' after ``national economy.'' DeFazio #12 Division A. Adds ``anticompetitive conduct'' by foreign countries, or producers, refiners, or marketers of petroleum products, to the list of circumstances under which the Strategic Petroleum Reserve may be drawn down. DeFazio #13 Division A. Strikes the section of H.R. 6 that repeals Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA). PUHCA's restrictions on ownership of utilities, the diversification of business operations, accounting, and mergers, among other provisions, are critical to protecting consumers from the business decisions of energy conglomerates. DeFazio #14 Division A. Strikes the section of H.R. 6 directing FERC to establish so-called ``incentive-based'' rates for building transmission. DeFazio #15 Division A. Establishes an Office of Consumer Advocacy at the Department of Justice to protect the interests of residential and small business users of electricity and natural gas in proceedings before FERC and other federal entities. DeFazio #16 Division A. Sets benchmarks for the commencement of regional transmission organizations (RTOs) on FERC findings that such RTOs would result in net benefits to consumers in each affected state and minimize cost shifts among consumers. Also requires that RTOs have adequate transmission capacity and no chronic congestion prior to start-up, effective market monitoring, and that existing load service obligations are protected, among other criteria. DeFazio #17 Division A. Prohibits market-based rates from being considered ``just and reasonable'' under the Federal Power Act if the rate raises above the cost-based rate that would otherwise apply. DeGette #22 Division A. Holds the legislative branch to the same acquisition requirements as all other federal agencies regarding energy-using products, systems, or designs that meet or exceed the energy efficiency standards established by the Energy Star program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Dingell/Boehlert #30 Division A. Substitute amendment for the hydroelectric relicensing title of the bill, which is identical to the version that passed the House last year. Introduces flexibility into the licensing and re-licensing of hydroelectric facilities by allowing any party to a licensing proceeding to propose alternatives to the resource and fishway prescriptions made by the resource agencies. The Secretary must accept the alternative, so long as he or she determines it provides the same level of protection for resources, fish, and wildlife and either costs less to implement or would result in more efficient operation of the hydroelectric facility. Requires the resources agencies to establish a process to expeditiously resolve any disputes involving resource or fish and wildlife conditions. Strikes the incentive payment program for hydro-power contained in this title. Green (TX) #33. Division A. Changes the ``hold harmless'' Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) threshold from $1.95 billion to $1 billion. Hastings (FL) #69 Division C. Directs the Secretary of Energy to take all necessary steps and efforts to mitigate any adverse impacts that U.S. energy policy and the provisions of H.R. 6 may have on minority, rural, Native American, and underserved communities. Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress an annual report detailing the Department's efforts to implement this requirement. Inslee-Holt-Spratt #74 Substitute. Strikes all after the enacting clause. Sets Energy Performance Goals for the country. Provides the tools needed to achieve the Energy Performance Goals. These tools include innovative use of the tax code, investment in R&D, and federal expenditures in existing infrastructure needs. Requires the Administration to set up a monitoring system to track progress towards the Energy Performance Goals. Should measures be needed in addition to the tools provided, the amendment directs the President to initiate voluntary, regulatory, or other actions that may be needed to achieve the Energy Performance Goals. All expenses are offset by freezing the upper income tax cuts scheduled for 2004, closure of the offshore corporate tax loophole, and removal of abusive tax shelters. Kind #27 Division C. Strikes heading for Title II of Division C and inserts ``(Outer Continental Shelf).'' Establishes a framework for permitting alternative-energy- related uses on the Outer Continental Shelf not already expressly covered by existing statutes. Assigns authority for this program to the Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service which, under existing law, administers federal leasing and operations for oil, gas, and other mineral activities on the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifies the types of areas that should be avoided, such as marine protected areas, and provides for more State and public input throughout the process. Provides a mechanism for identifying, in advance, appropriate sites for developing offshore wind energy facilities that provide the greatest source of energy with the least damage to the environment. Also provides a process for soliciting competing proposals for renewable energy facilities in the same locations and compensation to the government for the value of the license. Levin #72 Placeholder. Division A. Replaces the vehicle tax incentives provisions in Section D, Title I, of H.R. 6 with a modified version of the Clean, Efficient Automobiles Resulting from Advanced Car Technologies Act of 2003 (CLEAR Act). Expands the alternative vehicle tax incentives, covers a broader array of advanced vehicle technologies, and provides additional incentives for the purchase of alternative vehicles. Maloney #20 Division C. Strikes Section 30201, a section that makes permanent the Interior Secretary's authority to take royalties-in-kind (RIK) instead of cash payments from leaseholders for oil and gas removed from federal and Indian lands. Nadler #59 Division A. Adds $30 billion to help purchase and secure excess Russian plutonium and highly-enriched uranium. Authorizes funding to purchase excess Russian plutonium, convert Russian plutonium pits to oxide, and to immobilize and irradiate up to 100 megatons of excess plutonium. Provides for funding to purchase highly-enriched uranium and to make improvements to the security of nuclear material in Russia. Also provides funds to employ knowledgeable nuclear personnel and to downsize facilities. Oberstar #44 Division A. Strikes section 12403 relating to the permanent exemption for construction activities associated with oil and gas exploratory and production operations from storm-water discharge requirements of the Clean Water Act. Rahall #3 Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to Division C. Title I--Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Project; Title II--Western Area Power Administration; Title III-- Energy Alternatives and Efficiency Regarding Federal Lands; Title IV--Establishment of Indian Energy Programs; Title V-- Insular Areas Energy Security; Title VI--Sensible Development of Renewable Energy Resources of the Outer Continental Shelf; Title VII--Surface Owner Property Rights and Protection; Title VIII--Royalty Fairness; Title IX--Reclamation of Abandoned Coal Mine Sites; Title X--Land and Water Conservation Fund Enhancement; and Title XI--Coastal Withdrawals. This amendment is identical to the substitute offered by Mr. Rahall to the Committee Print at the Resources Committee's markup on April 2, 2003. Rahall #5 Division D. Strikes Section 42011 of Division D, relating to the prepayment of premium liability for coal industry health benefits. Sandlin #75 Replaces the tax division of H.R. 6 and replaces it with the text of H.R. 1436, the Energy Independence and Security Act. Additionally, the Sandlin amendment would offset the cost of the energy tax incentives contained within the amendment by freezing the cut in the highest marginal tax rate. Stupak #47 Division C. Prohibits any new drilling to extract oil or gas reserves from any bottomlands of the Great Lakes under federal jurisdiction. Sessions/Hall #34 Division A. Establishes a process to identify and implement actions the federal government can take that will ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the production of domestic natural gas supplies sufficient to provide residential consumers with natural gas at reasonable and stable prices; provide industrial, manufacturing, and commercial consumers with natural gas at prices that do not result in plant closures and job losses; facilitate the attainment of national amient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act; allow for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and to support development of the preliminary phases of hydrogen-based energy sectors. States the goal of the United States should be to produce from domestic natural gas reserves at least 85% of the annual projected domestic demand for natural gas. Solis #29 Division A. Amends Section 12201 on hydraulic fracturing by striking the current section and inserting language that requires: a completed EPA hydraulic fracturing study and independent scientific review by the National Academy of Science; a regulatory determination by the Administration of the EPA; preservation of federal authority to respond in the future where endangerment or adverse health effects are established. Citizens would be precluded from filing lawsuits to force states to regulate under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Udall (CO) #31 Division C. Provides for grants of up to $20 per ton to enable operators of biomass facilities to purchase brush, small trees, and other material removed from forests in order to reduce the risk of forest fires. Allows the grant money to be used only to purchase material removed from forest lands near communities. Udall (CO) #32 Division C. Requires companies developing onshore federally-owned oil or gas to: replace any damaged water supplies; assure any water injected underground does not damage an aquifer; comply with all federal and state laws applicable to water not injected underground; submit a proposed water-management plan with the application for an oil or gas lease. Udall (NM) #39 Division A. Requires retail electricity suppliers (except for municipal and cooperative utilities) obtain 15% of their power production from a portfolio of renewable energy resources by 2020, increasing to 20% by 2025. Udall (NM) #41 Division C. Requires the creation of surface use agreements between private landowners, ranchers and farmers, and the oil and gas industry prior to any development of subsurface mineral rights owned by the federal government. Velazquez #28 Division A. Prevents a disproportionate share of power plants from being sited in low-income and minority communities. Gives citizens greater influence over the permitting and siting process. Waxman #35 Division A. Sense of Congress that summarizes the current scientific understanding of climate change, its potential effects, and the position of the United States regarding climate change. States that it is the sense of Congress that the United States should demonstrate international leadership and responsibility in addressing climate change. Waxman #36 Division A. Requires the Administration to take voluntary, regulatory, and other actions to reduce oil demand in the United States by 600,000 barrels per day from projected levels by 2010. Does not per se mandate changes to C.A.F.E. standards. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to reiterate that this is a very fair rule. Over two- thirds of the amendments made in order are either bipartisan or amendments from the Democrat side of the aisle. I also would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that the war in Iraq, I think, has awakened America to a need that we have to be more energy independent. This bill, this comprehensive bill, I think, allows for that in a long-term planning way, and I think it does it in a very environmentally friendly way.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. 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. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 190 waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Committee on Rules against certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. The waiver authorized by this resolution applies to any special rule reported on the legislative day of April 10, 2003, providing for the consideration of or disposition of a conference report to accompany the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2004, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2003 and 2005 through 2013. Mr. Speaker, I would advise my colleagues that adoption of this resolution is made necessary because the work of the conferees on the budget resolution has taken longer than anticipated. Fortunately, however, the conference has now completed its work, and it is imperative that the House consider the proposed conference report on the budget before beginning its April district work period. So accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 190. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 190 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, this is a rule to allow for same-day consideration of the budget resolution when the conferees finish their conference, which they did today. There is a layover of time from the time the conference was done until they reported it in the House, so we complied with the House rules.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think this is a very fair rule because, as I pointed out right from the start, we have to comply with the law which says we have to have a resolution passed by both bodies by April 15. We all know that the Easter break we have is always a week before and a week after Easter. I congratulate the conferees on both the House and Senate for getting a budget done this year. I would remind the gentleman, if he recalls, last year we did not have a budget. We did have a budget in the House, we did not have a budget in the Senate. As a result, we had a very difficult time putting the appropriation bills together. So I think that the conferees have done an excellent job. This rule simply provides for consideration of the budget today.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 191 waives all points of order against the conference report to accompany H. Con. Res. 95 and against its consideration. The rule also provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule provides 1 hour of debate in the House to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member on the Committee on the Budget. Mr. Speaker, the conference report we will shortly be asked to consider is absolutely essential to our efforts to stimulate economic growth and to simplify and reform our Federal tax system. The agreement would produce steadily declining deficits, and would achieve a balanced budget by the year 2012. In addition, this agreement provides for the total supplemental appropriation necessary to fund the war in Iraq, and provides separate $400 billion reserve funds in the House and Senate for Medicare reform, including prescription drug coverage. On taxes, the budget conference report provides for total tax relief of $1.226 trillion during the years 2003 to 2013. For fiscal year 2004, the conference agreement provides for discretionary spending of $400 billion for defense and nondefense discretionary spending of $384.4 billion. The budget also includes $26.7 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, a 35 percent increase over the current fiscal year, and provides additional homeland security-related funds for the Departments of Defense, Justice and Health and Human Services. Of special note is a provision in the budget establishing a $5.6 billion reserve fund over a 10-year period for Bioshield, which will help protect the public from emerging threats of chemical, biological, or radiological agents. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the budget agreement directs all congressional committees to identify existing waste, fraud and abuse and report back to the Committee on the Budget, with an accompanying report by the nonpartisan General Accounting Office. Mr. Speaker, we learned the hard way last year the consequences of proceeding with the appropriation process without a budget agreed upon by both Houses of Congress. It is a lesson that I believe once learned should never be repeated. We simply must complete our work in a responsible fashion. The American people expect and deserve no less. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to adopt this rule and support the conference report on the budget for fiscal year 2004. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.