Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, if the NASA authorization bill were to be enacted into law later this year, there is nothing in the appropriations bill that prejudices competitive success by CIESIN for NASA funding in future requests or for bids of proposal. It is not our intention to close the door, but indeed it is an authorization matter that is ahead of us.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, that is correct.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, this bill does not provide $6 million directly for CIESIN as a part of Mission to Plant Earth. The project, in its current form, lacks current authorization.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am very familiar with the gentleman's concerns about NASA's continuing role in the project known as CIESIN. The VA-HUD & Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee has been very supportive of CIESIN in years past. The committee has recognized the project's potential for the [[Page H 7867]] first-rate science of a type that had not previously been adequately explored. As the gentleman knows, we are having difficulty with this bill in terms of enough money to go around and so that is why we face the problem that we do at this moment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, as far as I am concerned, it would be a part of the request, but, Mr. Chairman, further, I want the Members to know that presuming this is approved and there would be no further votes tonight, there would be a colloquy between the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh], and that would be the end of the business this evening.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I need to include in this unanimous consent request the rolling over of those amendments, those votes outstanding, but that would be my intention.

Mr. LEWIS of California. That is correct.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I could.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, we have actually not talked that through, but I can tell the gentlewoman that it would be my intention to have us in a circumstance where there are no more than four amendments, that were being packaged together, and the gentlewoman's would be among the early package, so sometime shortly after we get moving in the morning. I am informed it is up the discretion of the Chair, but if the gentlewoman would be some indication as to what she would prefer, I certainly would work toward that end.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. It will not be foreclosed, and certainly the last person I want to get lost in the woods or the shuffle is the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I have learned very much from the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I would say to the gentleman, that is because we are doing nothing with the other amendments. They are printed in the Record, they are subject to discussion, and we will be talking about those with the gentleman in the morning. It is an open rule.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? [[Page H 7912]]

Mr. LEWIS of California. That is correct, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I would say to the gentleman, that is right.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I will attempt to do so. At this moment I would urge Members not to presume there are no more votes tonight. We are attempting to get to that point, however.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's understanding is correct. The committee is deeply concerned by the EPA's increasing role in management of the Gulf of Mexico Program and the potential encroachment of its management to the entire gulf watershed. It is the committee's intention to put the EPA on notice that it should conduct a less intrusive program or face stronger budgetary scrutiny in the future. The committee recognizes the values of the Gulf of Mexico and believes the program can be meaningful with proper management controls. Mr. Chairman, I assure the gentleman that we expect the Gulf of Mexico Program to be fully funded and I can personally attest that we will address this subject in the conference to ensure that our intent is clear.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger].

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I assure the gentleman that I would be greatly disturbed if EPA takes any action that could be construed as retribution against these contractors.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Davis].

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, the gentleman is correct.