Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment as well. The gentleman who presents the amendment has expressed in many ways his commitment to reducing Federal spending across the board. There is not any doubt that he and I disagree relative to the way we should go about reducing the Federal budget and impacting the national debt. For example, just last week we had an extensive debate regarding the supplemental appropriations bill, which was designed to provide vitally needed funds to fight the war on terror in the Middle East and, above and beyond that, to provide critical funding for relief for those people who are impacted by hurricanes in the gulf coast. The gentleman felt that that spending within that package was unacceptable enough to him that he voted against those efforts. In contrast, when we attempted to weigh and measure carefully those funding requirements, I thought that supplemental did a fabulous job. I voted in favor of it. So we have a different approach relative to how we would impact the Federal budget. In this instance, we are talking about very, very small pieces of money. The other involves billions of dollars, but they were critical Federal responsibilities. The gentleman in this instance is addressing by way of a couple of amendments a region in California that has faced very, very explosive growth. The communities within the region are made up of people who are largely older, senior citizen. They do not have an industrial base. There is, in one instance, a very interesting cooperative project between the community involved, the city, a community college and senior citizen organizations to make sure that there is a recreational activity that will not only assist the schools' physical education programs but also supplement the vital economic needs of that community. The gentleman has suggested that nothing has been done in the appropriations process regarding reducing spending over these recent years. Let me suggest the reality is much different than that. The fiscal year 2007 House Agriculture appropriations bill includes $35 million less in Member projects than last year's bill. The Military Quality of Life bill reduced Member projects by $40 million compared to last year. The current House Interior appropriations bill reduced Member projects by $89 million. We have brought about a small revolution in this last year in the appropriations process. Every one of our bills came in under budget and well ahead of time. Working with the other body, we were able to send all of our conference reports to the President's desk for signature without having an omnibus bill at the other end. The gentleman, paying lip service to reducing the budget in this amendment, reduces spending by something like .0007 percent. The reality is that whatever money might be theoretically saved by his amendment will go back into the pool and bureaucrats will spend the money. I believe that the President should and has the responsibility to present the House with a budget. We, in turn, have a constitutional responsibility to control spending. You do that by effective oversight of every one of these programs. Indeed, in this instance the gentleman seems to have much more confidence in bureaucrats downtown than he has in the Members of the House who do their work every day, day in and day out, year in and year out, in our subcommittees. Indeed, I strongly object to that style which would suggest a Member's preconceived notion is better than the work of the House. I urge, very strongly, to have the Members vote against these proposed amendments that suggests that either one Member or indeed bureaucrats can do the job better than the committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate very much the chairman. I must say I have come to the floor simply to express my deep appreciation for the work that the chairman is doing on this very important measure, a bill that drives much of the infrastructure of the country, as well as providing housing programs. He and Mr. Olver have done a great job on this bill under circumstances where they are under great pressure. There is never quite enough money available to do all that we might like, so it takes very, very positive bipartisan effort to make sure that we provide balance as we restrain spending at the same time. It is a very fine bill. And I might mention further that these gentlemen, together, are now today producing the eighth bill out of 11 FY 07 Appropriations bills off the floor. It is our intention to complete all those bills by the 4th of July break. You are giving us a fantastic demonstration today that anything is possible if people are willing to work together. So it is great to be with you. And thank you very much for your effort.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and proud to yield 5 minutes to the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, my permanent chairman of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Florida, Bill Young.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I would yield back as well except just to make a comment about your comment, and that is to say first and foremost, the gentleman made some very interesting comments that I have a good deal of empathy for, but beyond that, this bill would not be here in this timely fashion, in this form, in a bipartisan spirit if the gentleman had not been very, very cooperative in this effort, and I appreciate that.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 857, I call up the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4939) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The supplemental provides $94.5 billion for the global war on terror, disaster assistance, border security and avian flu preparedness. This measure provides significant funding to fight the global war on terrorism and support the troops. Funding for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are provided at $65.8 billion. This includes funding earmarked by Congress for Humvees, Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. Additionally, the conference report includes roughly $2 billion to develop and procure countermeasures to prevent Improvised Explosive Devices attacks on our troops. Funding for disaster assistance is at the President's request of $19.8 billion. Included in the funding is the following: $6 billion for FEMA disaster relief; $5.2 billion for community and economic development; $3.7 billion for various flood control repairs by the Army Corps of Engineers; as well as $500 million for agriculture disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers and producers affected by the 2005 hurricanes. The total is $3.4 billion below the Senate-passed bill. Avian flu preparedness is funded at the President's request of $2.3 billion. Border security is funded at $1.9 billion. This funding provides $708 million to deploy National Guard troops along the Southwest border. Additionally, $1.2 billion is provided to the Department of Homeland Security to enhance border security. This funding also assumes the hiring of 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, 4,000 additional detention beds and various tactical and logistics support activities for the Secure Borders Initiative. Finally, the border security package also earmarks $20 million to increase judges and attorneys at the Department of Justice to better process violation of immigration laws. The conferees worked exhaustively to knock out items not related to the global war on terror and disaster assistance, as well as to reduce the overall funding for this package. You may recall the Senate-passed bill was $108.9 billion. The House- passed bill was $91.9 billion. The House bill was passed on March 16. Remember that, Mr. Speaker, March 16, prior to the President's formally requesting funding for border security, avian flu preparedness or levees. This package is $94.5 billion. The final conference report before us is $14.4 billion below the Senate-passed bill. The conference report excluded funding for a $700 million railroad relocation project and no language compelling the DOD to cover hurricane damage to shipyard facilities otherwise covered by private insurance. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.004 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.005 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.006 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.007 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.008 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.009 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.010 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.011 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.012 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH12JN06.013 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include tabular and extraneous material on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4939.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise in the closing moments of the legislative work on the Foreign Operations subcommittee report almost entirely to remind the Members that this is perhaps one of the most difficult bills of all those that we take through the appropriations process, not because it is the largest bill, not because there are not problems solving the bill, but because, generally speaking across the country, Americans tend to say if we are going to spend money, we ought to spend money at home first and forget about spending money anywhere else, except perhaps for national defense. Ofttimes my constituents say why are we spending so much money on foreign aid, not recognizing that we are spending such a very, very fractional piece of our total dollar available in this arena, but it is through this vehicle that our voice is effectively heard around the world on behalf of freedom, of opportunity and, indeed, on behalf of American interests. There is little doubt that this bill has done so well over the years because we have had the kind of leadership in this subcommittee that truly recognizes the importance of this. We have all talked about the fact that Mrs. Lowey and our chairman, Jim Kolbe, have worked so well together, but this is Jim Kolbe's last bill on the floor where he is formally presenting his thought and his leadership relative to that role in the world. He has done a fabulous job for us. We are going to miss him in the House. I must say that if any regret regarding these remarks at all, it is to say that I only wish Jim Kolbe would be back next year working with us on this and many other projects for years to come. So thank you, Mr. Kolbe, very much.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased today to rise in support of H.R. 5522, the Foreign Operations appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007. This is the seventh of 11 bills the committee plans to bring to the House floor before the 4th of July break. I, too, want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the work of Mr. Kolbe, as well as Ms. Lowey. These two people working together are a demonstration of the way Congress ought to work. The two of them working together does demonstrate for all of us that the best way to get this done is to set aside partisan differences where it is possible, but, most importantly, to promote the thought that the place works a lot better by working together. I want to take a moment to give very special tribute to Jim Kolbe, as Ms. Lowey did. Jim is presenting his last bill. It is a very, very impressive product, most impressive because it demonstrates truly one of our fabulous Members working on behalf of all of us and the country. Jim Kolbe is as fine a member as the Appropriations Committee has ever had. The bill addresses critical issues, including the AIDS pandemic, global trade and commerce, anti-narcotics programs, and the Global War on Terrorism. Specifically, this bill provides a total of $3.4 billion in global assistance funds to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, $752 million above last year's level, and the same as the President's request. The bill provides $445 million for the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. These accounts are more than double the amount that was requested by the President. The legislation also provides a record level of funding for the President's signature foreign assistance initiative, the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Total funding is $2 billion, $248 million above last year. That represents a budget increase in a very tight budget circumstance. Mr. Chairman, I think it is really important for us to recognize the role that this bill has played on the global war on terror. We would not have been as successful as we have been in that effort if it had not been for the work of this subcommittee.

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill that we bring before you today is the legislative branch bill that funds the activities of the House. The bill includes approximately $3 billion, excluding the Senate items, an increase of about 3.6 percent over FY 2006. We worked very closely with Mr. Obey and his staff in developing this bill. I want to thank the committee members on both sides of the aisle, as well as our very fine staff for the work they have done. While the bill is very small in size, it is the fundamental oil that allows the legislative branch to carry out its important responsibilities relative to our Nation's legislative and governmental interests here in Washington. The bill represents a $224 million reduction, or 6.9 percent below the request. There will be no further reduction in the current workforce. All personnel cost-of-living increases and all of their pay-related costs are provided. The Capitol Visitor Center is funded at the cost-to-complete level of $25.6 million. This amount reflects the GAO's latest estimate, and the Architect has concurred with the estimate. An additional $20.5 million is included for project fit-out and operations, essentially getting the place ready to go. The bill establishes an Inspector General in the Architect of the Capitol's Office. The IG will audit and report semiannually on management and operations of the AOC. We expect to complete this bill today and move forward from there to the foreign operations bill. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH07JN06.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH07JN06.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH07JN06.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH07JN06.004 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California, Mr. Thompson, for his hard work and leadership on electronic-waste generated by the legislative branch. The Committee shares his concern and has included language in its report to ensure that Member offices are made aware that the House has regulations regarding the disposal of unwanted electronic equipment and for the Chief Administrative Officer to develop user friendly guidelines and procedures for Member offices. In addition, the Committee will request that each legislative branch agency provide information to the Committee regarding its disposal policy for electronic equipment and work to address this issue in conference.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Obey and I have both understood for years that if you wander through the Rayburn Building and do not get lost, you have been here too long. With that, I think you have a very good proposal.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5521, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise at this moment only because I intended to do this at the beginning of the presentation of the bill and I was unable to be on the floor, but it is very important for the Members to know that the combination of work between the chairman of this subcommittee and our ranking member, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Sabo, reflects the very best work of the House and the Appropriations Committee. This is the fifth bill that will be coming off the floor in an effort to have all our bills completed with their work on the floor by the 4th of July break. Without their fabulous partnership, this would not have been possible today. In the bill overall, they provide approximately $32 billion for homeland defense, but I want to for those Members who are most concerned about that pattern whereby we are reducing patterns of growth in government to have them realize that this year's homeland security bill terminates six programs, resulting in $154 million in taxpayer savings. More importantly, in the five appropriations bills considered on the House floor thus far this year, the Appropriations Committee has recommended the termination of 22 programs for a total savings of $1.082 billion. This is a very important piece of work. It shows the kind of imagination we need if we are going to be able to effectively carry forward this war on terrorism that is first international, but most important, important relative to our homeland defense and homeland security. I want to congratulate the gentlemen and members of the committee on both sides of the aisle. Amendment Offered by Mr. Kingston

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5427, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for the year 2007. This is the fourth of 11 bills the committee plans to bring to the House floor before the July 4 break. I want to especially extend praise to Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky, as well as members of the Energy and Water Subcommittee and their staff for their very fine work in preparing this bill. This measure provides $30 billion in total discretionary spending. This represents a decrease, I repeat, a decrease of some $172 million below the fiscal year 2006 enacted level. The bill contains critical funding to support a vigorous civil works program through the U.S. Corps of Engineers, focusing limited resources on completing high-priority projects. This legislation also continues a number of significant reforms to improve project execution and financial management. The bill also includes a number of important energy initiatives, including efforts to strengthen clean energy technologies, energy supply and conservation programs, and fossil energy research and development. I would like to make two additional points regarding this bill. First, Member project funding in the bill before us today is some $200 million, or 16 percent, below last year's level. This bill also terminates four programs, resulting in $460.5 million in taxpayer savings. Mr. Speaker, this energy and water bill is a fine product, worthy of all of our support. One more time, I would like to commend Mr. Hobson and Mr. Visclosky for their work together.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII and by direction of the Committee on Appropriations, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4939) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5384, the agriculture appropriations bill for the year 2007. This is the third of 11 bills the committee plans to bring to the House floor before the 4th of July break. I want to especially praise Chairman Bonilla and Ranking Member DeLauro, as well as members of the Agriculture Subcommittee and their staff, for the very fine work done on this bill. In total, this measure provides $18.4 billion in total discretionary spending. This level represents a decrease, that is a decrease, of $96 million below the FY 2006 enacted level. The bill contains critical funding to protect health and safety, fulfill our commitment to important food and nutrition programs and support farmers and ranchers, as well as rural America. I would like to make, Mr. Chairman, two additional points about the measure. First, the bill before us today includes $435 million in Member-project funding, which is $35 million below, that is, below last year's House-bill level. It is $277 million below last year's House- Senate conference report as well. This bill also terminates eight programs resulting in $414 million in taxpayer savings; eight programs, $414 million in taxpayer savings. Mr. Chairman, this agriculture bill is Mr. Bonilla's last bill as chairman of this subcommittee; and to say the least, this bill is a very fine product, and it is worthy of our support. I want to commend Mr. Bonilla and certainly Ms. DeLauro, as well, for their work on this very fine measure. Indeed, it is a reflection of the best work of our committee. Mr. Bonilla is to be congratulated for his service as chairman of the committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I am rising to speak to this point of order and a series of points of order that may be coming to us, and in an effort to do that, I would like to have an exchange with the chairman of the committee, if I might, Mr. Walsh. Mr. Chairman, first let me compliment you for the very fine job that you have done on this bill and compliment Members on both sides of the aisle who have worked with us on this very, very important item. The point of order before us involves some $375 million of funding that affects our military expenditures and the availability of resources, especially in our effort on the war on terror in the Middle East. There will be additional points of order, apparently raised that will increase that amount significantly if I am correct. Is that correct?

Mr. LEWIS of California. And so really what we would appear to have before us are Members unilaterally identifying paragraphs that they are not particularly pleased with that involve moneys, maybe at a level, say, of $375 million, that specifically affect our military effort in the Middle East.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, let me say to you, you have done a fabulous job with this bill. It is a very difficult bill. People oftentimes do not understand the difficulties of putting together a bill like this. To exercise themselves in a way that undermines our efforts on the war on terror is not just an affront to the work you are about; I believe it is an affront to the work that we are all about, on a bipartisan effort are attempting to make sure that we have some strength in this effort on the war on terror.