Joe Knollenberg

Mr. KNOLLENBERG

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I will take just a few moments to rise in opposition to this amendment which attempts to use the appropriations process to control the content of information about our economy, which I think is a wrong thing to do. I believe the committee is about learning facts, not ignoring them or being denied them. Moreover, the proposed amendment does not change the 2005 economic report of the President which discusses the average cost of developing and introducing a new prescription drug, as has been mentioned, a new drug to the market at $800 million or more. I have been informed that the administration strongly objects to the proposed Brown amendment. Preventing any discussion on the factors that contribute to pharmaceutical pricing or in fact any other topic that might be controversial would compromise the credibility of the future economic reports of the President. So I join my colleagues in opposing the Brown amendment and urge that it be defeated.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the amendment.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for raising his concerns on this matter. If there has been a slow-down in the release of Federal soundproofing dollars from the FAA, we do need to know. We appreciate the gentleman bringing this to the floor. I thank the gentleman for his comments and pledge to work with him on this issue.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh).

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority leader.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Briefly, we have had, what is it, over the last 15 hours, some interesting conversations about money, and we have drawn money from a number of sources and, frankly, not too many sources, and some of that does create pain. In the case of this particular situation, these moneys are needed now. So I very much appreciate the gentleman's agreeing with me that this money should go to that particular source. So I am content to accept his approval and move forward. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate and share the concern that my colleagues have about abusive lending practices and the need to eliminate predatory lending by financial institutions. I also recognize that HUD has been working on a regulation for more than 3 years to address the problem, the very problem my colleague mentioned. I commit to my colleagues that, as this bill moves forward, I will work with my colleagues to include report language which helps to evaluate and accelerate a solution to what is a national problem.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I want to first yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KNOLLENBERG

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume to note that there are no Members here that are in opposition, and I have no position on this matter except to accept the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of the bill through page 210, line 18, be considered as read, printed in the Record and open to amendment at any point.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, pardon me, but what is the time allotment on the other side and here?

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me close with just a few points, Mr. Chairman. To summarize: Contracting out Flight Service Stations will result in no erosion in safety. It is a safer system and 600,000 general aviation pilots will get better service. The contract will save taxpayers money. Not a bad idea. Employees will be protected. This, in my judgment, is a no- brainer. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the gentleman's amendment very strongly and urge all Members to oppose this amendment.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. We know what it is; but if the gentleman wants to take a moment or two, yes.

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, if I may inquire, does the gentleman have any time remaining?