mr. visclosky. mr. visclosky: i thank the gentlelady from california for bringing this important matter to our attention. we have heard from a number of our colleagues and commend the corps to improve public safety for everyone. we also understand and appreciate that new policies have unintended consequences, we intend to have further discussion on this subject and i commend the the gentlewoman from california for her leadership on this issue. mr. frelinghuysen: i commend the gentlewoman's efforts to bring this matter to our attention and described well the conflicting concerns regarding vegetation on levees and i look forward to work with her and our other colleagues interested in this issue to ensure that the corps gives serious consideration to their concern and perhaps conduct additional research if it is deemed advisable prior to finalizing its levee vegetation policy. ms. matsui: i thank the chairman and ranking member. mr. visclosky: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his

mr. visclosky: move to strike the last word. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. visclosky: while i agree with the gentleman from minnesota that the monies from the trust fund should not be diverted from their intended purpose of dredging, i think it is an overreach to prohibit the executive branch from even discussing the topic. i do think we are in a position where looking forward we ought to allow other branches of government to talk about ideas and concepts so they can be debated by this body. additionally, we all know that any proposal put together by the executive branch to expand eligible activities under the harbor maintenance trust fund without first addressing the surplus and dredging backlog issues would not be considered in either house of congress. again, i do not believe that the amendment is necessary. with that being said, i do not oppose its conclusion in the bill and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from minne

mr. visclosky: mr.o strike the last word. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. visclosky: mr. chairman, while i regret that we just received a copy of the gentleman's amendment while he was speaking, i have no objection to it and would yield back my time. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from iowa. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. mr. king: mr. chairman, i ask for a recorded vote. mr. chairman, i request the yeas and nays. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from iowa will be postponed. the gentleman from iowa is recognized. mr. king: i would not offer the second amendment. the chair: who seeks recognition? the clerk will read. the clerk: page 4, line 5, mississippi river and tributaries. $224 million. operation and maintenance, $2,507,409,000. regulatory reform, $190 million to remain availa

mr. visclosky texas it is car bob free -- mr. visclosky: it is carbon free and i don't think it's time to remove our support. progress as far as improved technologies is vital and i add my voice in -- to that in opposition to the gentleman's amendment and yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. >> on that i ask for a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california will be postponed. the chair: the clerk will read. the clerk: page 23, line 12, fossil energy research and development, $554 million. the chair: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from hawaii seek recognition? >> mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will report the amendmentful the clerk: amendment offered by ms. hirono of haye. page 22, after

mr. visclosky: move to strike the last word. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. visclosky: i would simply note that what the gentleman from oregon proposes is a commonsense approach to ensuring the highest ethical standards for a company that receives a contract with the d.o.e.'s office of fossil energy. we should not be rewarding companies that have a history of predatory economic practices with federal contractors. if his amendment is allowed in order, i would certainly urge my colleagues to support it. i yield back my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. frelinghuysen: madam chair, i rise to claim time in opposition. the gentleman highlights some very difficult issues that deserve our attention, and especially i share my colleague's concern about gasoline prices. that's why the committee has focused on trying to reduce gas prices in the future. however, the areas of antitrust determinations, compliance, and enforcement that he mentions quite honestly are within the purview of the authorizing committee. we

mr. visclosky. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. visclosky: i believe there is a proper role for government where there's no private organization willing or able to fill an -- an information need. information is vital if we are going to improve our energy policy this program provides a venue at a very modest cost to the taxpayers to disseminate valuable information that supports the diversify case of the nation's energy supply. while i do appreciate the gentleman's efforts to search out sources of wasteful and inappropriate spending, i disagree that this program is one of those instances and join my colleague from washington in opposition to the amendment. i appreciate the gentleman very much. the chair: the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. dicks: again, i -- the gentleman from arizona would elame -- eliminate this entire pral. we think that's overstepping. with that, i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. frelinghuysen: i move to strike

mr. visclosky: i would simply also state my objection to the gentleman's amendment. i appreciate the concern he is expressed, especially for those prompts that may not make economic sense if in those cases the gentleman is correct, there should be no loan guarantee offered. having said that, for those programs that are in the queue that are under consideration that make sense and move our energy policy forward, we ought not to prohibit them from doing so by passing this amendment this evening and i yield back. >> i can the quelt to yield a half minute. mr. visclosky: if the chair will indulge, i yield the gentleman a half minute of my time. mr. kucinich: i ask unanimous consent to insert into the record letters of support for my amendment. mr. visclosky: i yield back my time. the chair: the gentleman's request is covered under yen leave. the gentleman yields back his time. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from ohio. peapea -- those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the amendment is not agreed to. mr. kucinich: i ask for a recorded vote. th