Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague and good friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall); 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, House Resolution 213 is a structured rule which provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided between the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), chairman of the subcommittee, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), for the consideration of H.R. 2647, the fiscal year 2002 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. After general debate, the rule makes in order only the amendments printed in the Committee on Rules report; an amendment offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman) and an amendment offered by the gentleman from the great State of Ohio (Mr. Traficant). The rule waives points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 4(c) of rule XIII requiring a 3-day availability of printed hearings on general appropriations bills, as well as clause 2 of rule XXI prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions. The rule also waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, to quote the great Yogi Berra, ``It's like deja vu all over again,'' as the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill provides yet another example of a carefully crafted bill from the Committee on Appropriations that balances fiscal discipline with the true needs of the first branch of our government, the legislative branch. This legislation represents a responsible increase in overall spending of 4.5 percent. I would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member, and all the members of the subcommittee, for their hard work on what is truly a noncontroversial bill. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that our Nation's capitol building and its campus serves three distinct and important purposes. First, it is a working office building. The central meeting place of our Federal legislature. Second, it is a museum that preserves our Nation's history and marks its many legislative battles and victories. And, finally, this capitol is a living monument to democracy, which sits upon the great pedestal of Capitol Hill, clear for all to see. Mr. Speaker, the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill safeguards these important roles by ensuring funding needs of this institution are met. Specifically, the bill funds congressional operations for the House of Representatives, including our staffs and employees. It addresses the needs of the U.S. Capitol Police, and continues to support their efforts to modernize as they perform essential security functions for the protection of not just Members of Congress and our staffs but also the millions of visitors who come to the seat of our government every year. The bill includes funding to hire an additional 79 new police officers and provides a 4.6 percent cost of living adjustment and a salary increase for comparability pay. This bill provides for the needs of the Architect of the Capitol as well, including its various operations and maintenance activities under its jurisdiction for the capitol, House office buildings, and the surrounding grounds. In addition, this bill funds the needs of the invaluable but often behind-the-scenes work performed by the Congressional Budget Office, the Government Printing Office, the General Accounting Office, the Library of Congress, and the Congressional Research Service, including all the employees who collectively help us and our staff make sense of the many complex issues that we face each and every day. Mr. Speaker, this bill also includes a number of steps to help meet the needs of an ever-changing and dynamic workforce, as well as help this institution keep pace as an employer. It includes a monthly transit benefit to encourage alternative means of transportation, and modest infrastructure changes to make cycling to work more appealing. Not only will these transit benefits reduce demand on the already limited parking and help reduce traffic congestion, but it will also make a humble reduction in air pollution. The bill recognizes our need to become more environmentally friendly and efficient in reusing and recycling our waste by directing a review of the current recycling program, identifying ways to improve the program, establishing criteria for measuring compliance, and setting reasonable milestones for increasing the amount of recycled material. Finally, I would simply like to commend the Library of Congress, our Nation's library, for the integral role it plays in our shared national goal of increasing literacy. The Library of Congress provides an invaluable service to the many libraries that dot our towns and cities across the country, and it is truly a national treasure. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It deserves our support. I urge all my colleagues to support this straightforward rule as well as this noncontroversial legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, we have no speakers on this issue. I would like to inquire of the gentleman from Ohio.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial rule. It has strong bipartisan support. It will provide the institution with the necessary resources so we can not only fulfill our constitutional responsibilities as the first branch of the government, but more importantly, address the many and varied needs of the constituents that we all so proudly serve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by the direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 213 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by the direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 209 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes 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, last night the Committee on Rules met and reported this resolution waiving clause 6(a) of rule 13, requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Committee on Rules. The resolution applies the waiver to a special rule reported by the Committee on Rules on or before the legislative day of Thursday, July 26, 2001, if the rule provides for consideration of the first 2002 VA-HUD appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, the Committee on Appropriations has completed its work and filed H.R. 2620, the fiscal year 2002 VA-HUD appropriations bill and the Members have had the opportunity to review this legislation which addresses some of our Nation's most pressing needs. In fact, yesterday the Committee on Rules received testimony on this bill from a number of Members in anticipation of reporting a rule to bring this legislation before the House. Adoption of this rule now will simply allow us to consider the appropriations package today rather than holding up this bill until tomorrow or even next week. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and allow the House to complete its work on the business at hand. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 210 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) chairman of the Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague, 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 purposes of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 210 is an open rule which provides for 1 hour of general debate, equally divided between the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), and the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), on H.R. 2620, the fiscal year 2002 Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. After general debate, any Member wishing to offer an amendment may do so as long as it complies with the regular rules of the House. The rule makes in order one amendment printed in the report accompanying the rule and waives all points of order against that amendment. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI for legislating on an appropriations bill and prohibiting nonemergency designated amendments to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an emergency designation. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides yet another example of a carefully crafted bill from the Committee on Appropriations that strikes a balance between fiscal discipline and social responsibility. I would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member, and all the members of the Committee on Appropriations, for making the tough decisions required to produce a thoughtful bill that meets our most important priorities. While we can never agree on everything, this is a good bill which we can all agree addresses some of our Nation's most pressing needs. It takes care of our veterans, it addresses the Nation's critical housing needs, it helps to preserve and protect our environment, it invests in scientific research, and continues our exploration into space. This legislation maintains our commitment to our Nation's veterans, who selflessly place themselves in harm's way so that we may enjoy the very freedoms which we so cherish. Our veterans deserve our thanks, but more importantly they deserve and have earned the benefits in this bill. This year, the fiscal year 2002 Veterans-HUD appropriations bill provides an additional $1 billion over last year's increase for Veterans Medical Health Care, bringing the total to $21.3 billion. I am proud to inform my colleagues and, more importantly, our veterans that we have increased Veterans Medical Health Care by $4 billion over the course of the last 3 fiscal years. This bill increases Veterans Medical and Prosthetic Research yet again, by $20 million, and provides an extra $128 million over last year's funding levels for the Veterans Benefit Administration to expedite claims processing. Finally, H.R. 2620 provides $100 million for Veterans Extended Care Facilities, an increase of $50 million over the President's request. Mr. Speaker, along with providing for the needs of our veterans, this legislation makes available important resources to help the most vulnerable in our society with a very basic need: placing a roof over their heads. Low-income families will benefit through this bill's investment in the Housing Certificates Program, which provides funding for Section 8 renewals and tenant protection. A $1.8 billion increase over last year's funding level will allow for the renewal of all expiring Section 8 contracts and provide needed relocation assistance at the level requested by our President. A total of $15.7 billion is provided for this important program in fiscal year 2002. This includes $197 million to fund some 34,000 new Section 8 vouchers. In my district in Columbus, Ohio, we know all too well how crucial this housing assistance is for families who are trying to lift themselves up and improve their lives. Other needed housing programs that help our elderly, that help people with AIDS and that help the disabled are also receiving increases over last year's funding levels in this report. H.R. 2620 also looks toward the future by preserving and protecting our environment for the next generations to enjoy. The bill targets funding and places an emphasis on State grants to protect the water that we drink and the air that we breath. The State Revolving Fund for Safe Drinking Water is increased by more than $25 million from last year's level, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund is funded at $1.2 billion, equal to last year's level, and, finally, State Air Grants are increased $8 million over last year. Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides important funding which maintains our commitment to the exploration of space and the improvements of science. I am pleased to say that the National Science Foundation is increased by some 9 percent or $414 million above the last fiscal year. This will go a long way to try to help foster scientific discovery, promote basic research, as well as increase science education. NASA also receives an increase that will bring total funding to more than $15 billion. It fully funds the space shuttle operations and increases funding for the International Space Station programs. This will enable the United States of America to maintain our superiority in space exploration and aeronautical research. Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill addresses an unexpected shortfall within the Federal Emergency Management Agency by providing $1.3 billion in emergency designated funding. While, as a fiscal conservative, I am generally opposed to the use of emergency designations on appropriations bills, this bill and the amendment made in order under this rule provides that the funds will only be made available if it is determined that they are necessary for FEMA to meet the needs of the communities adversely affected by disaster. These funds simply represent an insurance policy for some of our Nation's hardest hit communities. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill, and it deserves our support. It takes a responsible path towards addressing our Nation's most pressing needs and priorities. I urge all of my colleagues to support this straightforward and noncontroversial rule, as well as this must-do piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the gentleman that just spoke to offer that amendment when the time comes.

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

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, this is a good bill; and the Committee on Appropriations has done yeoman's work in balancing a number of very, very important priorities. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the committee; along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), the subcommittee chairman; and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), the ranking member, have done a great job. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2620 responds to the needs of our veterans. It protects our environment. It keeps the U.S. at the forefront of space exploration. It provides needed funding to ensure new scientific discovery. It addresses our Nation's critical housing needs and, finally, helps more Americans realize the dream of owning their own homes. This we do without reversing tax relief that we just gave to the American people, tax relief which has not even gone into effect yet. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying legislation. Support the previous question.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules is planning to meet next week to grant a rule which may limit the amendment process on the Legislative Branch appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002. The bill was ordered reported by the Committee on Appropriations this morning and is expected to be filed later today. Any Member wishing to offer an amendment must submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a very brief explanation of the amendment to the Committee on Rules in room H-312 of the Capitol no later than 12 noon on Monday, July 30. Members should draft their amendments to the bill as reported by the Committee on Appropriations. The text is available at the Committee on Appropriations. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are properly drafted and should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues not to lose sight of our goal here to empower those organizations that can truly help in ways that the government could only wish, those organizations that are capable of really producing results in their own communities, neighbor to neighbor, one at a time. We need them far more than they need us. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation so that we can join our President and heroes like the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) and truly unleash the best of America. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns). (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), my distinguished colleague.