Ralph Regula

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time. I would only say to my colleagues I think we need to reject this amendment. It is premature. These are proposed regulations. There is plenty of time for comment, and it is a recognition on the part of the Department of Labor that the 1 million low-paid workers today that have no opportunity to get time and a half will have that opportunity, and therefore, I would want this amendment rejected to give them that kind of a chance. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this proposal would eviscerate what the Secretary is trying to do. I think for the membership they should understand that the Secretary's rules would have given a million workers access to time and a half that do not now have it, and it would limit some of the white-collar type of workers to not getting the time and a half under the existing rules. And for this reason we think that the Secretary's rules that have been promulgated are fair because it does elevate the million people into an opportunity to make some extra money and get paid for time and a half if they have put it in. Whereas, the white- collar workers understand that that is part of the condition of the job, that they may understand they have to work some extra time and not necessarily get time and a half. I think the rules would make management of the enterprise more effective and more efficient and would certainly be fair to everybody. Therefore, I think we should leave the Secretary's rules stand as is, rather than adopt this amendment in an attempt to second-guess what the Secretary is doing in putting these rules in place. I would urge a vote against the amendment.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept this amendment.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would add that we have money in the bill to study these, and I would hope that the gentleman would withdraw his amendment. It really is unnecessary in light of the Agency's action. They received a lot of negative comments on the proposed rule, and for that reason have withdrawn it.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I would be interested in checking with Treasury to find out how many people would voluntarily return their tax cuts. I would daresay it will be few. I want to point out once against that this budget is double what it was 8 years ago when we took over for all of these good things. Having said that, I oppose the amendment. I hope my colleagues will vote ``no'' on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order. I am just trying to save some time here.

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

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word, and I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla).

Mr. REGULA. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, we had this debate on the Committee on Ways and Means jurisdiction on the issue of a tax cut. This is not the proper venue. This is the appropriations bill; and, therefore, Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. In addition, the amendment is a tax or tariff measure and is in violation of clause 5(a) of rule XXI. Clause 2 of rule XXI states in the pertinent part: ``An amendment to a general appropriations bill shall not be in order if it changes existing law.'' The amendment amends existing law. Clause 5(a) of rule XXI states in part: ``A bill or joint resolution carrying a tax or tariff measure may not be reported by a committee not having jurisdiction to report tax or tariff measures. And an amendment in the House or proposed by the Senate carrying a tax or tariff measure shall not be in order during the consideration of a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee not having that jurisdiction.'' The amendment is clearly legislation as well as a tax or tariff provision. And it is, therefore, in violation of the House rules. Mr. Chairman, I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I was just going to commend the gentleman. I think there is merit to it, but I understand he is withdrawing it.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, let me say to the people who are watching, we are going to do some procedural things. We are making every effort to try to get this bill finished in a timely manner, so bear with us.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I would ask the gentleman, who is that nice-looking girl with that young guy?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority leader.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?