Thomas Reynolds

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I think my colleague from Ohio outlined specifically that anyone who tries to sell this tax plan as a tax cut for the rich has not read the legislation introduced by my Republican colleagues. This bill clearly goes after taking an opportunity to take care of middle America and our low-income families, whether it is addressing low-income tax credits or housing or more particularly looking at those people who pay insurance. To have an opportunity as self-employed individuals to begin to have some relief on the cost of paying for that insurance while self- employed is an opportunity that this bill begins to address. Quite frankly we need to do more than what the $28 billion that has been afforded in this tax package has done for Americans.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, this rule makes in order at any time on Wednesday, March 8, 2000, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend rules. The rule further requires the Speaker or his designee to consult with the minority leader or his designee on the designation of any matter for consideration pursuant to the rule. As my colleagues are aware, clause 1 of House rule XXVII allows the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules on Mondays and Tuesdays. Since the House will not conduct legislative business on either of those days, this will allow us to begin the legislative workweek in normal fashion. This is a non-controversial rule. There are no surprises, and it requires consultation with the minority, so I hope we can move expeditiously to pass this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, assuring the gentleman that there are no surprises, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous questions was ordered.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), 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. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 425 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Thursday, March 2, 2000, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday Rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Monday, March 6, 2000, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2000.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) for introducing this legislation. It is an honor for me to be a cosponsor. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal is our highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions to the American society. Over the past 224 years, this honor has been reserved for those of uncommon patriotism, leadership, and compassion, whose contributions to our history and culture have been both significant and enduring. Cardinal John O'Connor, spiritual leader of the archdiocese of New York, is the type of person for whom the Congressional Gold Medal was created. Cardinal O'Connor is widely known for his strength of character, courage of conviction, and humility, and humor. His contributions to our society and culture stretch far beyond the community of the Catholic Church. Whether strengthening the ties among those of all faiths, or personally providing comfort to those afflicted with AIDS or attending to the poor, Cardinal O'Connor has spent a lifetime leading by example, an example that we would all do well to follow. While perhaps best known as New York's Cardinal, his contributions and achievements can be felt all across America. He signed up for military chaplaincy during the Korean War, served in the Navy and Marine Corps, was Chaplain of the United States Naval Academy, and rose to the rank of Navy Chief of Chaplains. Cardinal O'Connor's lifetime of leading and inspiring us to be better people and to serve our fellow man with devotion and compassion has earned him this unique distinction. I am proud and honored to join in nominating Cardinal John O'Connor for the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill H.R. (3257) to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to assist the Congressional Budget Office with the scoring of State and local mandates, as amended.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, our State and local governments were historically burdened by unfunded Federal mandates that more often than not forced these governments to spend money they did not have on things they did not need nor could not use. That is why in 1995 Congress passed sweeping reforms with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act which attempted to restrict the Federal Government from opposing burdensome, unnecessary, and unfunded mandates. Unfortunately, the Congressional Budget Office had a different perspective on Federal mandates than what Congress clearly intended. CBO exempted more than two-third of the mandatory programs from coverage under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. During remarks at a White House conference on small business, President Ronald Reagan noted that the Federal Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: ``If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it, and if it stops moving, subsidize it.'' Coming up through the ranks as a town councilman and a county legislator and State assemblyman of New York, I would make one addition to President Reagan's observations. If the Federal Government has an expensive and often unnecessary program, let somebody else pay for it. As a local and State official, I have seen firsthand how unfunded mandates have busted local budgets. As a Member of Congress, we have had the opportunity and a responsibility to stop placing this burden on the backs of State and local governments. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill is a simple, technical clarification of Congress's intent under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Mr. Speaker, the State Flexibility Clarification Act corrects the CBO interpretation in three ways. First, it clarifies the goal of UMRA, which is that any cut or cap or safety net programs constitutes an intergovernmental mandate, unless State and local governments are given new or additional flexibility to implement the restriction or funding reduction. Second, the bill requires committees to include in their reports an explanation of how the committee intends the States to implement the reduction in funding and what flexibility, if any, is provided in the legislation. Third, the bill requires CBO to prepare in its mandates statement how the States could implement the reductions under existing law. If such legislation does not provide additional flexibility, then CBO must include in its report an estimate of whether the savings from an additional flexibility would offset the reduction in Federal spending. Mr. Speaker, this Congress responded to our States and localities when they requested needed relief from unfunded mandates. This clarification will ensure that they get it. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) for all of his efforts on this measure. I urge my colleagues to restore fairness to the Federal budget and pass H.R. 3257. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, and to include extraneous material.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman, and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) for their assistance in this legislation as we bring it before the House on suspension.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), chairman of the Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor both a community and an individual. On Wednesday, November 10, 1999, a fund-raising reception will be held in Rochester, New York, to benefit the Ronald Starkweather Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded to a student at Monroe County Community College, who meets certain academic criteria, and continues their education at a four-year college or university in Monroe County. The Ronald Starkweather Scholarship Fund will do more than provide financial assistance to local students. It will honor a man who meant so much to our area. Ron Starkweather passed away last September. He served as a Commissioner of the Monroe County Board of Elections from 1985 until his death. It would be difficult to list all of Ron's associations, activities and contributions to his community, for they could easily fill a volume of this Congressional Record. A graduate of my alma mater, Springville Griffith Institute, and Roberts Wesleyan College, Ron was active in organizations such as the United Way, Chamber of Commerce and rotary Club. Ron began his professional career as a teacher at SGI and then at the Churchville- Chili High School. At both schools he coached athletics. Ron served as Chairman of the Monroe County Republican Committee for a decade. As a political and government leader, countless people called upon him for his counsel, leadership and advice. Ron will be deeply missed by all those who knew him and, like me, were able to call him friend. But through the Ronald Starkweather Scholarship Fund, Ron will live on not just in our hearts, but in the future of our community.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), for bringing this resolution. As a former member of the New York Air National Guard, I have had an opportunity to look at our airlift units across the State. Time and time again they have been called for emergency or war, and have served gallantly, taking on the responsibilities that have been assigned them. As the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) has indicated, this has been a very difficult mission to rescue Dr. Nielsen, who is a native of New York, in the aspect of bringing her back from the South Pole. Those who followed this as the mission was planned and then executed, and the history of it after it was completed, clearly saw the risk and danger that the men and women found themselves in as they were deployed to the South Pole in such tough winter conditions. As a matter of fact, the mission was postponed for months until the weather was at a point they could land on the South Pole. So to the 109th Airlift Wing, our congratulations, and to our colleague for bringing it forward.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 205) recognizing and honoring the heroic efforts of the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing and its rescue of Dr. Jerri Nielsen from the South Pole, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. 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, House Resolution 318 provides for the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2084, the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2000. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration. The rule also provides the conference report will be considered as read. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides for appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000. The legislation before the House this morning is vitally important to both the safety and the efficiency of travel and transportation in the United States. The bill provides for the necessary resources for America's highways and airports, our railroads and public transportation facilities, and safety in all forms of transportation. Mr. Speaker, ensuring the safety of American motorists, fliers, and travelers is this Government's highest responsibility, and clearly this bill addresses those needs and concerns. Indeed, the underlying legislation represents an increase in safety measures and resources in every area of America's transportation system, from the Coast Guard, to the Federal Aviation Administration, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And even while we ensure adequate and appropriate financial resources to meet those needs, our conferees have met the challenge, while practicing fiscal responsibility and bipartisan cooperation, maintaining the fiscal restraints adopted in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. I commend my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for their hard work in crafting a responsible bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 318 and ask for its immediate consideration.