Ralph Regula

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield so much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the Chairman of the full Committee on Appropriations, and I want to say he did a wonderful job in getting us a very substantial allocation to meet these needs.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), a very valued member of our subcommittee.

Mr. REGULA. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I think we just have to keep the record straight today, and this is a fact. What was promised by President Bush and congressional Republicans in No Child Left Behind was that Federal K-12 education spending would increase substantially, linked for the first time to accountability and high standards, and that is precisely what has happened. Title I, disadvantaged students, the primary spending program in the No Child Left Behind increased during the first 2 years of President Bush's administration more than it did during the previous 7 years combined under President Clinton. Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), a valued member of our subcommittee.

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, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's comments. I will be happy to work with my colleague, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), as this legislation moves through the legislative process.

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 and 25 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for a colloquy.

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

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

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment. We cannot start second-guessing and trying to review the work of NIH. They have very distinguished panelists, experts and scientists. They spend a lot of time on these. They have 120,000 applications. They do the best job they can, and they have been successful. I would urge my colleagues to go to the authorizing committee if they feel there should be some different procedures and bring that to their attention as they review these panel activities.

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

Mr. REGULA

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. 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 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 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.