John Mica

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 1577, the Senate bill just passed.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, before the gentleman withdraws his objections, I just want to take one moment and recognize the chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], and our ranking member, the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins], both of whom are retiring and have done yeoman's service. Chairing this subcommittee has been like a ride at Disney World; it has had it ups and downs. I want to also thank the staff. They had 54 staffers that handled civil service issues. We have done it with seven. We have held a record number of hearings. To the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran] to serve alongside him has been an honor and privilege to me, for us working together. Sometimes people see the conflict of this place and the heated discussion, and heaven knows, I have added to some of that. But I think today, when we have finished our last committee meeting the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] came over and kissed and hugged the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins] and they both said how much they were going to miss each other, people do not see that or appreciate the relationship and camaraderie that goes on here and blossoms here. I thank the gentleman, and I thank him for also lifting his objections to this.

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

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House voted on this legislation. Although a majority of the House voted for the bill, we fell short of the two-thirds required to suspend the rules and pass this legislation. Unfortunately the controversy centered on section 201 of that legislation and that version which we have deleted in this amendment. Under that section, the current rules on reduction in force would have been changed to give greater weight to job performance in determining which employees are retained. It would have been easier for the agencies, in fact, to keep their best employees when they downsize. Taxpayers and talented, conscientious Federal employees, I believe, would have benefited from this change. However, yesterday, Mr. Speaker, on this floor we did not get the two-thirds necessary to pass that provision. Mr. Speaker, yesterday on the floor, the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella], the distinguished gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf], and the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Davis] all spoke eloquently of the benefits to Federal employees contained in this legislation. They explained how its provisions, many of which they authored, would have softened the impact of Federal Government downsizing. I thank them for their support yesterday and for their honest efforts on behalf of our hardworking Federal employees. Mr. Speaker, I have discussed this matter with these distinguished Members and others, and I know how hard they all work to provide these important protections to our Federal employees who are, in fact, caught up in downsizing. I am not willing to allow any special interests to frustrate their work or to prevent this House from providing those protections to all Federal employees on a bipartisan basis. That is why I brought this version of the bill forward to the floor today, and I hope that again in this fashion that we can pass this in unanimous consent. I thank the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], the ranking member of our subcommittee, for his leadership, and others.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the bill (H.R. 3841), to amend the civil service laws of the United States, and for other purposes.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not the most monumental piece to pass this Congress. There have been so many significant accomplishments of this Congress, passing the first balanced budget for the American people since 1969, passing line-item veto which I read about as a student in high school and talked about as a candidate for office years ago, changing our insurance and health care coverage so that people with prior disabilities and people who change or lose jobs could in fact be secure in the knowledge of being able to receive health coverage. Many other significant reforms have passed this Congress, including cutting the budget of the legislative branch of Government by a quarter of a billion dollars, doing away with 2,000 positions, doing away with the daily delivery of ice at a cost of over $400,000 and requiring 14 employees in the Congress, requiring an extra majority for passage of tax increases on the floor, ending the proxy voting which took place on a regular basis in the committee process. So many reforms that have taken place here. This is not that kind of legislation, but it is a piece of legislation that is important to our children, to people who are interested in the great history of this country, of this Congress, our great Nation and its historic background, and it also shows what the Federal Government working in partnership with States and local governments and the private sector can do to make those documents available that outline the rich heritage and history of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present this legislation and again want to thank the gentlewoman for her leadership. I have enjoyed working with her, I have enjoyed working with the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], the chairman of our committee who is going to be leaving, and the gentlewoman for Illinois [Mrs. Collins], also, the ranking member of the full committee, who also was supportive of this legislation and many other reforms that came through the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Mr. Speaker, again this is not a monumental piece of legislation but it is a significant piece of legislation and important that we pass on the rich heritage of this Nation to our children and do it in cooperation with many organizations and levels of government. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1577) to authorize appropriations for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of H.R. 3625, the House version of this bill, I want to thank the distinguished Senator Hatfield for his leadership on the bill before us. I would also like to thank Chairman Clinger of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, Chairman Zeliff of the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice, and the gentlelady from Florida and ranking member of the subcommittee, Mrs. Thurman for their support of this bill. The National Historical Publications and Records Commission [NHPRC], established in 1934, is a Federal-State partnership program, administered by the national archives. The NHPRC is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and publishing records that document American history nationwide. No other Federal program has this mandate. In cooperation with State historical records advisory boards, the NHPRC generates grants to solve archival problems, preserve valuable historical records, and ensure accessibility to non-Federal records. These NHPRC grants are enabling historians to collect, edit, and publish papers on major figures in American history such as Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Luther King. Thanks to the NHPRC, priceless historical documents previously lost to sight are becoming widely accessible. The NHPRC's current 4-year authority expires at the end of fiscal year 1997, for which the appropriations ceiling is $10 million. S. 1577 reauthorizes the commission for another 4 years at the same appropriations ceiling previously authorized. Because administrative costs for the NHPRC's staff are absorbed by the National Archives, all funds authorized by S. 1577 will go directly to support non-Federal projects in the field. Matching grants, cost-sharing requirements, and private-sector fundraising provide on average $3 for every $1 granted by the NHPRC. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in passing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 525, it is expected that House Concurrent Resolution 218 will be considered under suspension today.

Mr. MICA. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3841.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella], a leader in civil service reform and civil service issues.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf].

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Davis].

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In conclusion, I believe this is a very important bill and it sends the right message to our Federal employees at a time when they are uncertain about their job security. The bill says to those who have worked hard that we will make a special effort to help them keep their jobs. And it says to taxpayers that we are serious once and for all about improving the performance and accountability in the civil service. Sometimes it is easy to do what is expedient, but sometimes it is more important to do what is right. Tonight it is time to do what is right. This bill provides a safety net to those who lose their jobs as we reduce the size and scope of government and will help in the transition to the private sector. And this bill also provides the tools to make government more efficient, and, I believe, more effective. Mr. Speaker, I have tried to work my best with my colleagues on the other side. We have even asked for their input as we drafted and made changes in section 201. I am sorry that they will oppose this. We would continue to work with them as the legislation might make its way through the other body. But tonight it is important that we do what is right and we do not just do what is expedient.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], the distinguished chairman of our full committee.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring before the Congress the Omnibus Civil Service Reform Act of 1996. This is significant legislation for our Federal employees and the taxpayers they serve. It is my hope that it will improve the performance and accountability of Federal employees, rewarding those who work hard and obey the rules. This bill will soften the impact of Government downsizing on dedicated Federal employees. And it will address a wide variety of other problems. For example, it will give the Office of Personnel Management the tools it needs to deal swiftly with anyone who tries to defraud the Federal Health Benefits Program. This bill is the product of hard work by Members from both sides of the aisle. I want to thank the distinguished gentlelady from Maryland of [Mrs. Morella]. She has been an active and effective champion of Federal employees, and she has made invaluable contributions to this legislation. Both Frank Wolf and Tom Davis, distinguished Representatives from Virginia, have also made significant contributions to this bill. Thanks are also due to another Virginian, Jim Moran, the distinguished ranking member of the Civil Service Subcommittee. His leadership, diligence, and willingness to work with Members of both parties are very much appreciated. performance management No part of this bill, Mr. Speaker, is more important to taxpayers and to the many dedicated Federal employees than title two. This title sends the right message--loud and clear--to Federal employees and taxpayers alike: Good performance will be rewarded. Performance management in the Federal Government is strengthened. Federal managers are given important tools so they can correct problems when they occur. More important, this bill rewards employees for their good work. Under this bill, managers need not place poor performers repeatedly on Performance Improvement Plans. Agencies should not have to waste precious resources dealing with chronic poor performers. But the cornerstone of this title is section 201. This section increases the weight given to performance on the job during a reduction in force. Although seniority would remain an important factor in determining who remains after a reduction in force, outstanding performance will now be properly considered and credited. This is especially important for employees with less than 15 years of service. As we downsize the Federal workforce and restructure agencies, we must assure taxpayers that the Government will retain its most productive employees. We must also reward and recognize those productive employees. reorganization flexibility and soft landings This bill also contains provisions that give Federal agencies additional flexibility in restructuring and soften the impact of downsizing on individual employees. Under this bill, agencies can allow individuals to volunteer to be separated in reductions in force. It also allows agencies to make 90-day nonreimbursable details of individuals targeted for RIF to other agencies. In effect, this given the employee a 90-day tryout with a new agency. Other provisions provide a safety net to separated employees by providing continuity of health and life insurance. Agencies are also authorized to establish job placement and counseling services. The bill authorizes relocation and retraining assistance to separated employees who take jobs in the private sector and educational assistance to help them develop new skills. Finally, this bill guarantees Federal employees whose jobs are contracted the right of first refusal for those jobs with the contractor. other provisions Numerous provisions provide the Administration with tools to deal with existing problems in the civil service system. Title I significantly expands demonstration authority to experiment with new ways of managing personnel. This was high on the Administration's list of priorities for civil service reform. The bill also gives the Administration authority to debar health care providers found to have engaged in fraudulent practices. This is an important tool for the Office of Personnel Management to use in the fight against fraud and abuse in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3841) to amend the civil service laws of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3841 and House Joint Resolution 195.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 195) recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, and the true day of independence for African-Americans, and ask for its immediate consideration. The clerk read the title of the joint resolution.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Maryland, [Mrs. Morella], who I am pleased to say is a very strong advocate on behalf of our Federal employees, someone who shares a caring and compassion for them, and one of the most productive members of the Subcommittee on Civil Service.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Utah for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] as a cosponsor of this legislation, and I want to salute his leadership. Mr. McCollum had the opportunity to represent this area before I came to Congress, and now, as my colleagues heard, lives close to the Wekiva River, and he has taken this step which really will do two things: first, the scenic designation which is so important; and also a second step will be to allow us to review what is going on with this river to see that it can be preserved and restored if necessary, for future generations. So this is a piece of legislation that has a great deal of meaning for the gentleman for Florida [Mr. McCollum] and also myself. I am privileged to represent the 7th Congressional District of Florida, and that is the great growing area from Orlando to Daytona Beach which is just mushrooming since I was elected to Congress. We have two new cities in my district just in 3-plus years. So this area is being encroached upon by development and by other factors, and we do need to take a close look at what we are doing in this natural reserve and preserve area. I am also pleased and want to thank particularly Secretary Babbitt, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Regula, Senator Mack, and others who have assisted us in trying to connect the Ocala National Forest with the Wekiva Estate Park and acquire 18,000 acres along this area. This Congress has done more than anyone in the history that I know of, of the State or the Congress, in preserving that area which will connect the national forests with the State park and also with the scenic designation do a great deal in preserving an incredibly beautiful area for future generations. So again I am pleased to join the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum]. I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this and others, and I urge my colleagues to pass this very productive legislation.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 868, the Senate bill just passed.