John Linder

Mr. LINDER

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

Mr. LINDER

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I mourn the loss of retired U.S. Marine Corps General Raymond G. Davis, who passed away yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia. With his birth on January 13, 1915, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, Raymond Gilbert Davis began a life of service to his fellow Americans. His military career, for which he is best known, commenced after his graduation from the Georgia School of Technology in 1933, where he participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit. In 1938, General Davis resigned his commission with the U.S. Army Infantry Reserve to accept an appointment as a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant. It was General Davis' bravery while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps that proves how this ordinary man was truly one of America's extraordinary heroes. During the Korean War, then Lt. Col. Davis gave this country his most famous demonstration of his unparalleled leadership during the 1st Marine Division's historic break out of the Chosin Reservoir area. During that campaign, in the face of treacherous weather conditions and overwhelming enemy numbers, he led a battalion of Marines to prevent the annihilation of a beleaguered Marine rifle company and secured a mountain pass for the safe deployment of two additional Marine regiments while keeping his own forces intact. Following this act of bravery, President Truman, who presented the Medal of Honor to Lt. Col. Davis on November 24, 1952, wrote, ``his valiant devotion to duty and unyielding fighting spirit in the face of almost insurmountable odds enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.'' General Davis once jokingly told me that was the biggest mistake he ever made because every time Marines were trapped they sent for him. He, of course, was pleased to do whatever his country asked him to do. General Davis, who also served in World War II and the Vietnam War, culminated his service with an appointment as the Assistant Commandant to the Marine Corps. Following his service in this capacity, General Davis retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1972, and became America's most highly decorated living veteran. His decorations include: the Medal of Honor; the Navy Cross; the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Silver Star Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Legion of Merit with Combat ``V'' and Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat ``V''; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation with four bronze stars indicative of second through fifth awards; the Navy Unit Commendation; the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet clasp; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the National Order of Vietnam, 4th Class; the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with three Palms; two Korean Presidential Unit Citations; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. General Davis' devotion to his fellow Americans did not end with his retirement. General Davis was instrumental in the design, funding and construction of the U.S. Korean War Memorial located here in Washington, DC. I was there on the day it was opened. I was as proud of my friend on this occasion as I have ever been. It struck me that while he was a genuine hero as a military leader, his greatest contributions to his nation may have been what he did over the last 31 years for his fellow veterans. He loved them for their service and they revered him for his leadership. Then, General Davis played a crucial role in creating U.S.-Korea 2000, an organization that reached out to almost 40,000 veterans of the Korean War in order to allow them to participate in ceremonies associated with the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. In my home state of Georgia, he devoted his time and energy to the construction of the Georgia War Veterans Memorial Park in Rockdale County. Through the years I have known Ray Davis, not only as a fellow veteran, but also as a friend. His courageous devotion to his comrades, his unyielding fight for the American veteran, and his love for and service to the United States itself are all examples of what it truly means to be an American. While his military service was exemplary, his post military service deserved just as many medals. I generally open a speech with the request for all veterans in the audience to stand. When they do, they are met, without exception, with the greatful applause of the rest in attendance. Ray Davis taught me that. When I am in a campaign I always target veterans since, as Ray always reminded me, I should be proud that I am one and should share that fact. When the Republican Party is in a presidential race, whether 1988, 1992, 1996, or 2000, I could always expect Ray Davis to be escorting our candidate around veterans groups. Indeed, there was no military leader, with the possible exception of Omar Bradley, more revered by the troops, then my friend Ray Davis. Let me hasten to add that he was never satisfied with our efforts. I was the proud recipient of many letters and phone calls from this American hero reminding me of how many veterans there were and what patriots they were and how little we were doing to appreciate them. I may have disagreed with him once or twice, but I do not recall it. My prayers go to Willa and the family. America has lost a great warrior and hero. And I have lost a great friend. I shall miss him.

Mr. LINDER

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Committee on Rules, for yielding me this time. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 329, a rule that will enable the House to consider two historic free trade agreements. I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join me in supporting this rule. Approval of this rule will allow the House to proceed to consider H.R. 2738, a U.S. free trade agreement with Chile; and H.R. 2739, a U.S. free trade agreement with Singapore. I consider it an honor to have worked with the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the Committee on Rules chairman, and our House leadership in generating the needed support for these important trade agreements; and I am pleased that they are being considered on the House floor today. One of the main reasons that the United States of America is a shining beacon on the hill for so many others is our open markets. These open markets help bring wider choices and lower prices for businesses and consumers at home and help to promote better relationships for the U.S. abroad. Trade also helps to build strong economies and assists in fighting poverty and hunger all around the world. As we continue in the fight against global terrorism, trade can and should be used as a tool to help spread democracy, American values, and stability. As Governor Ronald Reagan recognized in a 1974 speech: ``Constructive trade, the two-way exchange of goods and services, is the most efficient and logical way for each nation and each area of the world to build a stable prosperity, a prosperity based not on aid, but on mutually beneficial economic contacts.'' I believe that free trade is beneficial to both the United States and our trading partners and is a principal component of proliferating the principles of freedom and democracy worldwide. Trade is also particularly good for America's small businesses. Small business is the backbone of our Nation's economy, creating three out of every four new jobs and generating roughly half of the U.S. private gross domestic product; 97 percent of America's exporters are small businesses. To stay at the forefront of innovation, U.S. small businesses need access to foreign markets. The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement will not only bring new market access for U.S. consumers and industrial products, but also new opportunities for our farmers and ranchers. More than 85 percent of trade in the areas of agriculture, construction, automobiles, technology, medical equipment, and paper products will be tariff-free immediately, with most of the remaining tariffs being phased out over 4 years. Georgia, the State that I am proud to represent, has benefited significantly from trade with Chile. In fact, in 2001, Georgia had the 15th most exports to Chile in the entire United States. These exports have and will continue to provide high-paying jobs to the citizens of Georgia. The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, America's first trade agreement in Asia, is critical because it will give U.S. professionals new access into the fields of financial services, telecommunications, advertising and engineering, to name just a few. We must act now and approve these free trade agreements to give U.S. exporters the chance to compete on a level playing field with foreign exporters. I believe that America must continue to strive toward expanded free trade and not retreat into the mistaken protectionism of the past. We must work to open markets, eliminate tariffs and barriers, and ensure that our Nation remains at the forefront of global economic success. The freedom to trade is a basic human liberty, and its exercise across political borders unites people in peaceful cooperation and mutual prosperity. In his last speech as the last British Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten spoke about trade; and he said this: If a planetary spaceship had come to the planet Earth in the 16th century from the muddy flats of teepee-strewn North America to the typhoid-driven Longmen, to the warring planes in Paris and landed in the Ming dynasty, they would have concluded in a millisecond that China would rule the world for centuries. She had recently discovered gun powder, the printing press. She had a moderate sea and a growing and rich culture, and then she built a wall around herself and history told a different tale. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule. We need to proceed to debate and immediately adopt both of the underlying measures.

Mr. LINDER

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to remind those of my colleagues on the minority side of the aisle, who said they would urge their colleagues to support the rule, that you will not get a chance to do that unless they pass the previous question. So I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 326 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the gentleman from Texas that in order to support the rule he is going to have to support the previous question to get to the rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purposes of debate only. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 326 is an open rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2799, the FY 2004 appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies. H. Res. 326 provides 1 hour of general debate in the House on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and waives points of order against provisions in bill for failing to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI, except as specified in the rule. The rule also accords priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted amendments in the Congressional Record. This will simply encourage Members to take advantage of the option in order to facilitate consideration of amendments on the House floor and to inform Members of the details of pending amendments. Finally, the bill provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 326 is a typical open rule to be considered for general appropriations bills. This rule does not restrict the normal open amending process in any way, and any amendments that comply with the standing Rules of the House may be offered for consideration. While a vast number of amendments are not expected, the rule permits those Members who have amendments every opportunity to offer them. I want to begin by noting the good work of the Committee on Appropriations' subcommittee in bringing this legislation to the floor. The gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Wolf) and his subcommittee are to be commended for setting the funding priorities of these departments and agencies despite a number of challenging funding limitations. That said, while I do not agree with every provision in the bill, this rule will provide House Members with every opportunity to offer a number of amendments to improve this important appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, there will be sufficient time during general debate to discuss the specific provisions in this bill, but I did want to point out a couple of provisions within this appropriations bill that recognize the post-9/11 commitment of this House to ensure that law enforcement across the Nation has the resources necessary to combat crime in America while meeting the new challenge of international terrorism. This includes $4.64 billion in funding for the FBI, $424 million above the FY 2003 level, to support efforts to improve counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts and to continue fighting violent crime, drugs, corporate fraud and cyber-crime. In addition, the bill includes $2.16 billion for the DEA, which is $237 million above the FY 2003 funding, to establish a Drug Intelligence Fusion Center to allow agencies to share real time investigative data and support the creation of new positions. In terms of providing for law enforcement at the State level, this bill provides $3.5 billion to assist States and localities in fighting crime. This includes $500 million for the Byrne formula program, $400 million for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program, $462 million for juvenile delinquency prevention and accountability programs, $388 million for violence against women, prevention and prosecution, $174 million to eliminate DEA analysis backlogs, and $400 million to reimburse States for criminal alien detention costs. Mr. Speaker, this rule ensures an open amendment process for consideration of the funding legislation for the Departments of Commerce, State, Justice, and the Judiciary. I urge my colleagues to support the rule so we may begin debate on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind my colleagues, what the rule does is routine in appropriations bills. We protect the product of the committee and have an open amending process. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the pending resolution be amended by the form I have placed at the desk.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I believe the gentleman is correct, and if he would not mind yielding to the chairman of the subcommittee, he has something to say on it, too.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution, as amended. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, as we have just learned in the last hour or so, and the chairman has just learned it here, someone somewhere slipped language into the leg branch bill that expands dental and vision health insurance benefits for Members and employees of the House. And I agree with the gentleman from Wisconsin. A fair and open discussion of expansion of these benefits for everyone is a legitimate course for this House to take and vote up or down, but to hide it in a bill and slide it in is simply inappropriate. This language is eliminating language on the leg branch bill, and it says that none of the funds in this act may be used to provide that expansion of dental or vision benefits. It puts a limitation on those benefits where they are correct right now in the current form.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, the impact of this amendment would just delete any possibility that any increases or expansions of dental care or vision care will be expanded.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER. 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. Speaker, H. Res. 311 is a closed rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2657, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2004. H. Res. 311 provides 1 hour of debate in the House on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The resolution waives all points of order against the bill and against its consideration, and it provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by first noting the first-class work of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee in bringing this legislation forward to the House floor. It was particularly refreshing to see the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), and the ranking minority member, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), testifying in support of their work product before the House yesterday. It is a fiscally responsible bill that will ultimately encourage greater productivity and meaningful savings, and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) is to be commended for his management oversight that will certainly ensure that organizational changes are administered better within the legislative branch's agencies. Mr. Speaker, this is not the largest appropriations bill and it is not the most important. However, this appropriations bill is important because it sets the tone for what the House leadership and the Republican House are working towards in terms of fiscal responsibility, effective organization, and result-focused management across the Federal Government. In brief, this appropriations bill provides $2.7 billion in funding for fiscal year 2004, including funding for the House, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Government Printing Office, and the General Accounting Office. It is important to note, however, that this $2.7 billion figure is 1.2 percent less in total dollars than in the current fiscal year. This decrease represents a reduction in funding of almost $34 million compared to the current fiscal year. While Congress at times has demonstrated difficulty in restraining itself from spending money, it strikes me as a significant event that this bill before us today cuts the congressional budget for fiscal year 2004. It is an indication that there is a continued commitment to make the government work more efficiently and that that commitment begins with ourselves in the legislative branch. Mr. Speaker, this rule ensures the orderly consideration of the legislative branch funding legislation. I urge Members to support the rule so we may begin to debate this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINDER

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman was on the floor when this happened and knows that we tried to explain at the time that the amendment to the rule was effectively a striking amendment that said that, if the rule passes as amended, in no way will any expansion of vision or dental benefits occur. The gentleman made it very clear he would not mind debating that on the floor of the House and having an open discussion of it and maybe passing an expansion of vision and dental benefits, but to pass this rule as amended would allow us not to sneak it in. So to pass this rule as amended is a striking amendment to prohibit any expansion of benefits without a vote by the House.

Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?