and yet, the chairwoman found that asking the appropriations chairman about the upcoming appropriations process during a hearing on an appropriations bill was inappropriate. i think that was unfortunate. please let me quote chairwoman slaughter's report from 2004. restrictive rules block dual-elected members of congress the opportunity to shape legislation in a manner that they believe is in the best interests of their constituents and the nation as a whole. they also blocked and i continue quoting, the full and fair airing of conflicting opinions. mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert the relevant parts of the chairwoman's report into the record the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. diaz-balart: if the rule was restrictive under the majority's definition in 2004, why is it not the same today? i would make this restrictive rule more unfortunate is that the house has a long tradition of allowing open rules on appropriations bills in order to's lou each member to offer germane amendments without having to preprint their amendments or receive approval from the rules comm

it is a good start to the appropriations process. i'd like to highlight just a few areas, adding onto t what the chairman has mentioned. the bill funds those projects that address the most serious risks to safety and health such as repairs within the utility tunnels that underlie the capitol complex and projects that remedy deferred maintenance in our buildings. if we don't address the maintenance backlogs, the price tags, we know, will just increase down the road. the bill continues the architect of the capitol's efforts to improve energy efficiency with over $14 million in funding designated for this purpose. within the brother o library of, we add money for infrastructure. for about a decade now there has been no increases to i.t. within the brother of congress and yet most of the use -- within the library of congress and yet most of the users are library of congress i.r.s. this was the highest priority of our brairn of congress, mr. billington. this investment will ensure the millions of people who access the library through its w

lewis with reference to the appropriation bill that none of us like the omnibus appropriation bills. in order to pass appropriation bills individually, you have to take appropriately significant time. but if you take so much time that you can't possibly get them done, then you are left at the end of the day with an omnibus appropriation bill, which nobody likes. in discussions with mr. boehner and mr. cantor and mr. lewis, mr. obey and i have tried to come to an agreement. on time constraints. there was a discussion on the floor during the course of the rule between mr. obey and mr. lewis with respect to the time constraints and at that point in time, that was not possible. subsequent to that, there were further discussions between mr. obey and mr. lewis in which there seemed to be some progress, perhaps that was possible. as a result we proceeded with the preprinting requirement i know some people felt was an unnecessary constraint, but it is, after all, the opportunity to give notice to members what amendments can be anticipated. but i know i've discussed it on your side of the ais

a 16% increase, the level of spending under this legislative branch appropriations bill. and we all recognize the need for capitol police and staff and oversight of the executive branch, those are all critically important things. but our colleague from georgia, mr. broun, offered an amendment that would simply provide a .5% reduction, .5% reduction and yet the majority chose not to make even that amendment made in order yes, there were larger proposals for cuts and we know there is a tendency on this bill, that's why we've had a bipartisan agreement that this is the one of the 12 appropriations bills that we do have a structured rule on. but to not with a 16% increase in the bill to not allow the house to work its will and have a chance for even a .5% reduction in that rate of growth, that's not what the american people want. that's not what the american people want. and so the death of deliberative democracy was the history that was made yesterday, mr. speaker, because this is in fact the first time that this kind of action has been taken. and unfortunately it has begun a

it was precisely calculated based on an in depth analysis by our committees, the appropriations committees, surveys and investigations' staff to be the minimum amount necessary to restore b.o.p.'s base budget which has been progressively hallowed out in recent years by inadequate budget requests. without this $97.4 million, the bureau of prisons will be unable to hire additional correctional officers which it desperately needs and will likely be unable to activate two null constructed prisons -- newly constructed prisons and the b.o.p. cannot sustain another year without sufficient prison capacity and staffing. the bureau of prison's population is currently 37%, 37% above rated capacity for b.o.p. facilities and the prisoner-to-staff ratio is an appalling 4.9 to 1. and something in the area of 3.2, 3. something in that area is something for the state. not only does inadequate investment in federal prisons result in unsafe working conditions for prison staffs as we have seen from a tax and even a fay -- attacks and even fatalities in our prison guard systems, it also makes it impossible to

section 2, the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on appropriations or their designees each may offer one pro forma amendment to the bill for the purpose of debate. such amendment may be repeated but only after consideration of an amendment listed in the first section of this resolution. section 3, the chair may entertain aotion that the committee rise only if offered by the chair of the committee on appropriations or his designee. the chair may not entertain a motion to strike out the acting words of the bill as described in clause 9 of rule 18. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from new york is recognized for one hour. ms. slaughter: thank you, madam speaker. for the purpose of debate only i yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend from florida, mr. diaz-balart. all time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. i yield myself such time as i may consume. i also ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on house resolution 552. madam speaker h.res. 552 provides for further consid

motions would be in order and that any statements relating to any of these matters appear at the appropriate place in the record as if read and that the president of the united states be immediately notified of the senate's action and the senate then resume legislative session. the presiding officer: is there an objection? without objection, swithout obj. mr. reid: i ask consent, mr. president, we now proceed to a period of morning business, senators allowed to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask consent that the judiciary committee be discharged from further consideration of s. 814. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 81, 4 a bill to provide for -- s. 184, a bill to provide for a conveyance of a parcel of land held by the bureau of prisons of the department of justice of miami d da e county, florida, and so forth and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the committee is discharged and the senate will proceed. mr. reid: i ask un

the chair: the gentleman will be recognized for an appropriate point. mr. roe: i believe the level of spending in this bill is irresponsible in light of our deficits but i also know my view is in the minority. this is about priorities and it's about morals. this year we're going to pass $1,8 trillion in new debt onto our children's generation. i would argue that passing this level of date on to our next generation is immoral. so far there's been not one iota of interest in setting priorities from the majority. they've decided to fund everything and call that good. they won the election and they are entitled to run our credit cards well past its limit to never before seen levels. when it comes to spending in budgets it's clear from debates there's no interest in adopting republican ideas and my friends on the -- from my friends on the other side of the aisle. so i went to a source president obama's budget. the president has requested nearly $6 billion for the federal prison system. the democratic congress has increased that by $97.4 million. we're trying to s

we believe the senate should pass at least eight of the appropriations billings by the august recess. we will consider using all available procedural tools to guarantee regular order for appropriations bills. noting your intentions, we hope you'll plan accordingly as you work with the leadership of the house to develop the legislative calendar for the rest of the fiscal year. thank you for your time and consideration. signed by every one of the republicans, including my opinion friend from south carolina. now i have here, the manager of now, now i have here a wild-eyed liberal from nebraska, ben nelson. if this is not place to start there is no one with a more measured place than the senator from nebraska. he's an experienced legislator. he's been governor of the state. he understands problems. he's in addition to that a fine person. why can't we move to this bill? i say to my friend from south carolina, we're happy to work on a finite list of amendments, but all we want to do is legislate, to get on this bill. this man has been here for days -- that's not true. since yesterday to go

in addition we'll consider a conference report on h.r. 2346, the supplemental appropriation act, the 2010 commerce, justice, science, and related agencies appropriation act, and the 2010 homeland security appropriations act. i yield back. mr. cantor: madam speaker. i thank the gentleman. i'd say to the gentleman he's noticed two appropriations bills for next week. commerce justice science and homeland security appropriations bills. and madam speaker, i'd ask the gentleman does he expect the house as is its custom to consider these bills under an open rule? i yield. mr. hoyer: i thank the gentleman for yielding. it certainly will be our intent to proceed with an open rule on the consideration of the commerce, justice, state bill. i guess it's science now bill. the intent of course as the gentleman knows based upon our discussions is that we will finish all 12 appropriation bills individually between now and the 30th of july. this will give the senate and house the opportunity to agree on a conversation -- conference report on the 12 appropriation bills and hopefully enact those bills a

the budget conference committee to support it. as a result of allowing for advanced appropriation in the budgets, tomorrow the appropriations committee will hold a hearing on the military construction and v.a. spending bill that contains $48.2 billion in advanced appropriations for the v.a. for fiscal year 2011. this represents a 15% increase over fiscal year 2009 levels and a step in the right direction for veterans health care. many people have compared advanced appropriations to a family budget. a family needs to know how much their income is before they know what they can spend. i think that about sums up why we need this bill. i think it's about common sense and being responsible. as the business man i never tried to make a purchase without knowing what my budget was going to be. i had to plan ahead and have a road map for all of the company's finances. because the v.a. is a direct provider of services, they need to have the same ability to plan ahead. it's about delivering a quality product. i urge my colleagues to take this giant step in improving the v.a.'s ability to deliver quality health care services to our nation's veter

and if we are going to spend, what is the appropriate way to spend? the american people sent us here and they gave us the world's most expensive credit card. i would also describe it as the most dangerous credit card in the history of the world. it's a voting card for a member of congress. and our constituents expect us to use this responsibly on their behalf. i can tell you that most of my colleagues on this side of the aisle believe that the majority is using this card recklessly to build up deficits and build up debt to record levels. the amount of debt and the amount of spending is going to imprison our kids and grandkids. all we want to do is have an opportunity to debate just how much spending is enough. that's what we are asking for. but to deny us our rights, protected under the constitution, denies the american people their chance to say how much spending is enough. i'm going to ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let's do the right thing. let's defeat this resolution that's in front of us that will restrict the rights of all members

whereas the omnibus appropriations act of 2009 constitutes nine of the 12 appropriations bills for f.y. 2009 which had not been enacted before the start of the fiscal year. whereas the omnibus appropriations act of 2009 spends $19.1 billion more than the request of president bush. >> madam speaker, the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is correct. members on both sides of the aisle will remove conversations from the floor. members will take their seats. the gentleman from georgia. mr. price: whereas the omnibus appropriations act of 2009 spends more than extending the resolution for 2009. whereas the house considered h.con.res. 25, the democrats' budget proposal for 2010. whereas the congressional democrats' budget proposal for h.r. -- f.y. 2010 proposes the sixth high annual deficits in the united states history, whereas the budget proposed for f.y. 2010, h.con.res. 25, proposes to increase the national debt to $7.1 trillion over five years, $5.3 trillion more than compared to the level on january 20, 2009. whereas congressional republicans produced an alte

it's an issue that should be considered under the regular appropriations process under the leadership of my california colleague, mr. lewis and mr. obey, not in a troop funding bill. then we listened to our very good friend from detroit talk about the automobile industry. a serious challenge that we as a nation are trying to address. i personally believe that the notion of continuing to see the government more and more involved in this area is not the right thing to do, but it's a debate that will go on. and yet, our friend, mr. levin, was talking about the issue of the automobile industry in this troop funding bill. then i listened to our friend from texas talk about, from houston, talk about darfur. one of the most troubled spots on the face of the earth, an issue that does need to be addressed and the challenges of meeting the needs of children in texas. very, very important issue. but not as part of a troop funding measure. now, mr. speaker, as i said through the very thoughtful work of the appropriations committee last month, we came to this floor with what president obama and i

obey, the chairman of the appropriations committee, know this is rule is wrong. i know that ms. slaughter, the chairwoman of the rules committee, knows this rule is wrong. yet here we are, all in the name of expediency. silencing the voices of americans who elected us to congress to speak on their behalf. we are sacrificing what is right to just get the job done. there will come a time when republicans will once again become the majority party. we don't know when that will be might be two years, might be 10 years, might be 20 years. but it will happen. we all know that i will tell you that members of my party will want to use the actions today, your rules, as a precedent. a precedent to shut out, shut you out of the process a precedent to silence your voices, a precedent to deny your ability to represent your constituents, a precedent to take the easy road instead of doing the hard work of democracy. i want you to know here today that i won't be part of using this precedent against you. i'll stand up for your rights as a minority when you find yourselves in the minority. it's the

i think the request is appropriate. it's absolutely necessary for an area that got hammered by the hurricane. i urge defeat of the amendment. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. members are reminded to address their comments to the chair. mr. flake: may i ask the time remaining. the chair: the gentleman has two minutes. the chair: members are reminded to address their remarks to the chair. mr. culberson: every piece of legislation directs which parts of arizona do you have? you've got -- mr. flake: the east valley. mr. culberson:e let's say congress passes a piece of legislation to designate funding for kidd peak observatory. erbil congress passes designates funding. we have to be fiscally responsible -- the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from arizona. mr. flake: i'm a slow learner. let me remind the gentleman, this district, harris county, received $1 million when they aplide for the funding, before the earmarks started, two years ago. last year -- three years ago. two years ago got $1 m

members have once again been denied the rights to amendments to appropriations bills. that being said, the committee -- the legislative branch appropriations subcommittee -- subcommittee on appropriations did its work and we did the many competing priorities and many of the agencies challenges. the committee has reduced the fiscal year 2010 requested increase of 15% down to 6.8%, a reduction of $282 million. however, it is important to distinguish that nearly one quarter of this increase or $60 million is for the establishment of the historical buildings revitalization trust fund. you take this into account the agencies will be operating on average of 5.2% increase over the last year. this allows the committee to continue to focus on critical life safety issues surrounding the capitol complex and maintain adequate funding of current staff operations. amongst the highlights of the -- among the highlights of the bill is $3.75 billion for the expenses for the house of representatives. this provides an appropriate level of funding for the members' representational allowance

like my colleagues on my side, we're used to and treasure the idea that appropriations bills should come to this floor under an open rule so every member can come forward and offer good suggestions and the product could be improved. we didn't do that in this case and it is regrettable. the bill would have been better and i think the process a little less rankerous. i express my sentments and agreement with mr. simpson about the spending levels. there are a lot of good projects in this bill but whether or not we can sustain them is a very legitimate question and we will have to wrestle with them again and again in bill after bill. i would like the balance of my comments with three positive observations about this product. the first is the process under which we arrived at a bill. i have to echo mr. simpson's appreciation for chairman dicks' wonderful cooperation and open process. certainly the chairman and the ranking member worked together well. they included all of us and i'm very grateful for that. i agree with the chairman and ranking member's emphasis on the importance of water proje

it could be this one or many others that exist in this bill or in many of the other appropriation bills that we'll look at this year. and i think, madam chair, that the people of this country would be better served if we saved this money, didn't spend it, didn't borrow it and tried to have a little better rein on some of their money. and with that, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. dicks: i claim the time in opposition. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. dicks: first of all, i want to say we strongly oppose this amendment. we have checked on this project. we think this is a great project and think it's worthy and provides a lot of public good. and i would be glad to yield to my friend from new york, mr. mchugh, to further discuss this project. the chair: the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. mchugh: i thank the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee and also my dear friend, zrashede ranking member of the subcommittee and indeed, the appropriations committee in general for recognizing the

i offer my appreciation to the appropriators, mr. price and mr. rogers, and would ask that as we make our way through this process we continue to collaborate and work on issues that will move forward the whole issue of security and safety. quickly, i would hope that as we move through conference we have an opportunity to ensure the office of risk management is in fact the lead office that analyzes the issue of risk, risk-based assessment as it relates to security. mr. chairman, chairman price, i'd like to speak to you about the transportation security authorization bill which about a week ago was passed with a new emphasis on the security of surface transportation. we know a few days ago we had an enormous tragedy here in washington, d.c. that question may have fallen upon the issue of safety. it could have been an issue of security. an issue dealing with terrorism. we know as it relates to the department of transportation, safety inspectors were rail, highway, and pipeline, there's over 1,000 of it. but as it relates to security, transportation se

that's the purpose of the homeland security appropriations bill. the bill, at $42.6 billion is slightly above last year's level, but it helps with coast guard work border violence work maritime safety, environmental protection, assistance for the t.s.a. as people come and go through our airports, as well as cybersecurity. there are funds in the bill for fema, for flood map modernization and for rebuilding of the gulf coast. this is a sensible investment. this is a sensible rule. and i would ask, madam speaker, that because this bill invests in a stronger domestic security both at our borders, throughout our transportations, -- our transportation systems and our communities, i'd urge a yes vote on the previous question and on the -- and on the rule. i yield back the balance of my time and i move the previous question on the resolution. the speaker pro tempore: the question -- mr. dreier: may i ask the unanimous consent that the text of my amendment be included in the record immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. the speaker pro tempo

to date only 32% of the funds appropriated for this program through the recovery act have been spent. i understand that e.p.a. plans to obligate all the recovery act funds before they begin a solicitation for the 2009 funds. it could be well into 2010 before the 2009 funds are spent. . president obama's request for deera, and this bill provides that. i will work with you, mr. calvert, congresswoman matsui has talked to me about this, e.p.a. and stake holders in hopes of improving and streamlining its grant-making process and ensure the proper level of funding in 2011. mr. simpson: i will work with you over the coming year to improve the deero granting process to ensure that applications are processed and grants are awarded and work with you in the coming fiscal years to secure morrow bus funding for this program that truly is a win-win-win situation stimulating the economy, improving air quality and reducing emissions that are among the greatest contributors to global warming and thank mr. calvert for bringing this to our attention. and i reserve the balance of our time. the chair: th

it was a personal privilege for me to work with him on the appropriations committee. i saw firsthand his leadership, his knowledge of the issues, the respect that he commanded about all who came before him and the respect he had from both sides of the aisle. he was -- i personally am grateful to him for transforming san francisco's former army base. he was very much a part of doing that. the proceeding into one of our nation's parks and we have honored him on many occasions in san francisco. most recently as fort baker. i also -- none of cuss come together and talk about ralph regula -- can come -- none of us can come together and talk about ralph regula without talking about mary regula. it was the loven of mary and their three children and four grandchildren who made his leadership possible and we all know that mary is the one who made a decision that we would have a first lady -- a national first lady's library in canton, ohio, to honor the contribution to our nation of the first ladies of america. it's a phenomenal thing. she had an idea, she executed it and now pe

madam speaker and mens, i'm -- and members, i'm proud to present the legislative branch appropriations bill to the house. the jurisdiction of this bill is incredibly important. we as members have responsibility not just for the institution, but for the staff that work for this institution and to preserve the facilities that help support this institution. we have endeavored to do that responsibly and i believe we have accomplished that goal. it has been an incredible privilege and pleasure to work with my colleague, the gentleman from alabama, mr. aderholt. we have crafted a bipartisan bill, worked together every step of the way, and i just wanted to acknowledge him at the very outset to thank him for all his good work and tell him what a pleasure he has been to work with. madam speaker, i also want to thank, on behalf of if i may, the house of representatives, all of the staff that work not just for the house of representatives but for every legislative branch agency because this bill is designed to support them. this bill is designed to make sure they can do the work they need to be a

i'm encouraged through this bill the appropriations committee has helped to ensure that all visitors touring the u.s. capitol have equal and adequate access, whether they be part of a tour, led by our talented c.v.c. tour guides, or by our hard working staff and interns. additionally, this bill increases funding by $40 million for the library of congress. an institution which not only provides a vital resource to congress, but also preserves a universal collection of knowledge, history, and creativity for current and future generations. $15 million of these funds will help modernize the library's information technology infrastructure to make the library and its unique resources more widely available to congress and the broader public. mr. speaker, this legislative branch appropriation bill strikes a pragmatic balance between the growing demands upon this congress and the legislative branch and the economic realities that nation is facing. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina, for what purpose do you rise

or to move the money where the appropriations committee and the congress. and this wants to move it. so it's not a slush fund. >> i thank my colleagues. it's been a good discussion this morning. and grateful to all of you. so we'll ask for role call vote on the amendment. please call the role. no. >> senator harkin? >> no. >> senator mccull ski? >> no. >> senator binghamman? >> no by proxy. >> nor reid. >> no by proxy. >> senator sanders? senator brown? senator casey? senator haguin'? senator berkeley? >> no by proxy. >> senatorwhitehouse. >> senator gray? senator alexander? >> aye by proxy. >> senator isaacson? >> senator mccain? >> aye by proxy. >> senator coburn in. >> aye by proxy. >> senator roberts? chairman kennedy? >> no by proxy. >> the vote is 10 ayes, 13 neys. >> the amendment is defeated. and you were very persuasive. i'm shoe there will be more work done on this before we're through. senator alex and her an amendment. i know senator sanders has an amendment and senator harkin has amendment number two which goes to the investment of funds. since

because the 2007 appropriations

and as it is noted, the increase in the spending requested in the appropriations bill is about 2.4%. while $200,000 is a lot of money and it certainly is a lot for people today i think it's important to point out that this is associated with a the legislative branch in the following matter. the durham museum is seeking to provide a public service of federal interest making it appropriate to promote a public-private partnership. the funding of the project in this bill is only 10% of that total cost. the durham museum will be privately raising the remaining 90% and occur all ongoing operating costs. $200,000 requested to this bill for the durham museum is to begin the brez vacation and digitalization of the museum's photo archive collection that will create new jobs, preserve our history and improve access to these priceless treasures. the project will be moved significantly forward by the able assistance of the -- by the library of congress and i thank dr. billington, the librarian of the library of congress for his willingness to assist us in this important project. it's important to

2010, h.r. 2847, the commerce, justice, science and related agencies appropriation bill. while the summer may be hot and humid, as is typical in the nation's capital, our days and nights need not belong for the house to fully consider this and the other 11 appropriation bills in regular order, or so we hope. i want to thank the ranking member of this subcommittee with most sincerity for his assistance, help, counsel, guidance in the development of this bill. mr. wolf, mr. frank wolf of virginia was chairman of this committee for a number of years. served on it for a great number of years. we served on it together. he brings to this bill an awful lot of experience and knowledge about it. and that is really helpful as you work up an appropriation bill. and frank, i appreciate your help and assistance on the bill and the credibility and knowledge you bring to it. i also want to thank publicly and personally the chairman of the full committee, mr. obey, for his assistance in developing this bill. mr. obey's courtesy and assistance in the front office has been appreciated and w

as reported by the homeland security appropriations subcommittee. it's the product of extensive information gathering and animal sis with 15 hearings touching every department of homeland security component. the bill provides the resources and the direction that the department needs for the coming fiscal year. this bill also reflects our subcommittee's tradition of bipartisan cooperation initiated by its first chairman and now ranking member, hal rogers. i want to thank the distinguished ranking member for his advice and help in making this about eighter bill and for his staff, too, for working so closely and constructively with us. we agree on most of this bill and i believe this is a bill that every member in this body can get behind. in total the bill contains 42 -- $42.625 billion in appropriations for the department of homeland security. this is $2.6 billion or $6.5% above the comparable fiscal year 2009 amount and about 1% below the administration request excluding coast guard overseas contingency operations. this level reflects our share of th

that was the bill that funded appropriations for this year, which the democrats said they couldn't pass last year in individual appropriations bills even though they were in charge of the congress. but -- and the budget increased total spending to $4 trillion in 2009 or 28% of g.d.p., the highest federal spending as a percentage of g.d.p. since world war ii. and now we have this additional increase which they're asking for. federal spending is out of control. somewhere we have got to put a stop to this. republicans offered 94 amendments yesterday which were designed to cut -- day before yesterday in the rules committee designed to cut federal spending. but we couldn't deal with that. the democrats cut off debate because they said it was going to take too much time to deal with this. apparently democrats can't spend the american people's money fast enough. republicans think it's time that congress started practicing fiscal discipline, and this is a good place to start. i would now like to yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from iowa, mr. king. the speaker pro tempore: the

. >> let me say to my friend on the appropriations committee, vague language, i've seen the results of that many times in the past and it has resulted in billions and billions of taxpayers' dollars being waste with earmarked pork barrel spending against corruption and that's why i'm against it. >> well -- >> -- i've seen it time after time. >> every section of this bill we've put evaluations, evaluations, evaluations, so part of the money we're talking about here we're still back to the enzi amendment, i think. part of the money we're talking about will be used for constant evaluations of what works and what doesn't work. >> it's very important to remember that this is directed spending. so it's even taken a further level away from any congressional oversight because it doesn't go through the appropriations discretionary process, it's just, bang, every year $8 billion goes into a slush fund called a trust fund. goes into the slush fund for the purposes of the secretary to spend whatever he wants subject to the appropriations committee maybe stepping in and saying we'd like to spend her

section 522, none of the funds appropriated in this act to the office. secretary may be obligated for a grant funded under such headings. section 532, none of the funds shall be used to fund any position designated as a principal federal official for robert t. stafford disaster relief and emergency assistance act. section 524, none of the funds may be used by the united states citizenship and immigration services to grant immigration benefit unless background checks required by law have been received by united states citizenship and immigration services. section 525, none of the funds may be used to destroy any horse belo

whereas the omnibus appropriations act of 2009 constitutes nine of the 12 appropriation bills for fy 2009, which has not been acted before

president, at the appropriate time, i yield to senator grassley such time as he may desire. mr. inouye: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from hawaii. mr. inouye: mr. president, i rise in support of the conference agreement on the bill h.r. 2346, the supplemental appropriations bill. the compromise agreement which has been worked out in a full and open conferences between the two houses represents the hard work of our conferees. as has long been the tradition of the appropriations committee, the compromise package before the senate reflects the deliberations of our 12 subcommittees. each subcommittee has items in this measure and i'm pleased to note that all of our subcommittees were able to reach agreement with their house counterparts. the house has agreed -- as such, the bill before us represents a balanced compromise between the issues and funding recommended by the house and by the senate. as in any compromise, neither body nor individual member received everything he or she sought. the house has agreed support funding for the international monetary fund and

we had rooftop rescue, connecting people to the appropriate government entity, the most vivid example was joe thomas's wife. she took a phone call from a man who found his mother's body. there was no one else to call. your urgency to continue this funding speaks to the need of the american people and i want to thank you for that. >> is there any closing comment? >> having spent a few years doing this, i understand that there is not a lot of advocacy -- consistent advocacy on the disaster -- on disaster response. one thing that we have seen as i know that you are focused on hurricanes, that is your geography and that is a big threat, but over the last 60 days there was an earthquake in the los angeles area and a pandemic. let's make this about the need for better capability to deal with catastrophic of events, because as the illinois senator told us, he is more concerned about tornadoes, these days. we have to make certain that we resonate the argument. >> what i will do is, i want to support what you have said. i will call a hearing on earthquakes, and i want to show what will happen

>> the requirements are appropriate importers will be required to register with the fda and is part of good practices they have to ensure the products have been grown in accordance with these standards. we believe that is an appropriate step to be taken know when envisions going searching around for every farmer around the world nor every farm in america that simply will not be the case for the authority should be there for fda if they need to investigate, but the basic responsibility we'll lie with the importer or the food manufacturer. >> does your organization represent organics? >> yes we have a number of organic suppliers in our group. >> i have a statement i think we have cleared it with your staff from the frozen food institute to be inserted into the record. >> chairman dingell? >> thank you. like to commend the panel for their very helpful testimony. i would protect the like to address my questions to ms. bailey with gm may. welcome. by to follow-up and thank you for the way in which gm may have then working with the staff to resolve the difficulties which we can find out like

sentence in the system and allows for the appropriate competition and the appropriate decision-making authority for patients and their families then you save extraordinary amounts of money so there is again -- this sense that you have to have another trillion spent by the government is simply not true. >>just continuing on that point. what happened -- i guess, first, can you talk a lit about the way the tarp language was initially written, it would allow you to say that it's terminated after five years or would, you know, would banks say no, we didn't originally agree to this when we accepted the tarp money and also what is the way to finance it once the $700 billion tarp money runs out after 10 years or however long? >> supposely can't reissue the money but they basically changed the law sense we passed it and i believe it will continue to be a $700 trillion slush fund for the treasury if we don't take that money back. my question, part of what happens to it when it comes back. he said it comes back but we can reissue it. after 10 years, if we just have to see where we're going. you

section 143 of division a of the consolidated security disaster assistance and continuing appropriations act 2009 is amended. section 546, in general, strike subparagraphs a through c that appear within section 426-b, division j of the consolidations appropriations act 2005. section 547, clarification of fee authority. in general, fees described in the immigration and nationality act for fingerprinting services and other necessary services may be collected whened a minutestering the program described in section 244 of such act. section 548, section 550-b, public law 109-295 is amended. section 549, the secretary may collect fees from any nonfederal participant in a conference conducted by the department of homeland security. section 550, federal emergency management agency, tracking industry security grants account, $5,572,000 is rescinded. section 551, none of the funds may be obligated for full squail procurement of advanced -- full scale procurements of advanced monitors. section 552, as part of a plan regarding the proposed description of any individual who is detained at naval stati

too often a patient may leave a hospital and not do the appropriate actions afterwards, not follow the discharge information and oftentimes then ending up being readmitted into the hospital or ending up with their health care provider not having the appropriate follow-up. we've got to make sure we put an end to that. my legislation as well would educate entities, including faith-based organizations, on advanced care planning issues. oftentimes an individual or a family, when they're dealing with end-of-life issues, will turn to their medical -- not only to their medical earn he will but oftentimes to their priest or rabbi or minister, and we want to make sure folks in the faith-based community understand the challenges and opportunities that people have in advanced planning directives. my legislation as well would increase integration and coordination between the medicare and medicaid programs. to often these programs that both deal with seniors, their health care issues and aging issues, do not talk, cooperate, or collaborate. collectively, these initiatives will create a more accessi

the appropriate oversight is of paramount importance to at the safety and soundness of our financial system. the events of recent months have made it abundantly clear that large financial firms are not too big to fail but, rather, too interconnected to fail. the idea that if extreme measures must be taken to prevent the failure of a single firm such as bear stearns, which had just over $10 billion of shareholders equity, and a few thousand employees drives home the point that greater regulation of our financial markets is warranted. derivatives serve an incredibly important role in our financial markets, current rules exceed several hundred trillion dollars and reflect the importance role of these risk transference contracts. the commercial justifications for the market are well established and well understood. regret my as the market has grown to almost unimaginable scale the regular -- regulatory frame work -- now is the time to put an end to the antiquated practice of bilateral trading. the use of central clearinghouse open to up a participants will end the era of too interconnect

year as a regional delegation along with our new colleague, senator mark warner, we requested the appropriations committee provide the first $150 million. while this is a substantial down payment it's not nearly enough to fulfill all of metro rail's obligations. at the time of the bill's passage metro had a list of ready to go totaling about $530 million and $11 billion in funding needs over the next decade. yesterday, i joined with my colleagues from maryland and virginia in sending another letter to chairman and ranking member of the appropriations committee, reiterating our urgent request for the first year installment of $150 million in funding. earlier today i was pleased to announce $34.4 million additional funding for the purchase of new metro cars. this was the last installment in the three-year $104 million commitment. however, only a steady measured stream of funding will help make the investments needed to reassure the commuters, locals and tourists, families and all americans who ride metro that the system is as safe as it can possibly be and reliable. i find it unacceptable that the

the administration is putting such costs into the base appropriations bill. t does not reject the cost combined with the rate of inflation as up to no growth. we are standing still and treading water. russia is becoming more aggressive in china is rapidly increasing its aggressiveness along with north korea threatening a nuclear war. >> the gentleman's time has expired. >> the gentleman from california. he has 17.5 minutes remaining. the gentleman from wisconsin has 29 minutes remaining. the gentleman from california. >> i yield 3 minutes to one of our new members from the appropriations committee. >> the gentleman will be recognized for three minutes. >> mr. speaker, i rise today in opposition to this conference report. i do that with a heavy heart. and this message -- measure was before us initially, i supported it in the siesta clear. -- i supported it enthusiastically. i felt like we dealt with the administration in good faith. i do not think that was reciprocated. imf funding has been added. we it had this issue with the photographs and detainees. there h

leader, i hope that he will move on with doing the appropriations in an appropriate order so that as we've -- as i mentioned, we will have at least eight of those passed by recess so we can do our citizens work in the most appropriate manner. mr. president, i yield the floor, and thank you for the time. the presiding officer: the senator from new mexico. mr. udall: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. udall: mr. president, i rise today to honor a proud son of almagordo, new mexico. army specialist chris kerth died on thursday, june 4, after his vehicle was struck by an antitank grenade. he was 23 years old. in iraq, chris was responsible for escorting convoys, but this job description conveys none of the risk or the courage involved in the job. the military can secure a town or a base, but somebody must still travel the roads that cannot be secured. christopher kerth was responsible for undertaking this act of courage. chris knew how dangerous this job could be when he began his last mis

incentives in the system and allows for the appropriate competition and the appropriate decision making authority for patients and their families than you save extraordinary amounts of money. so that again, this sense that you have got to have another trillion dollars spent by the federal government in order to save the health system is just simply not true. >> continuing, philip with the american spectator. what happened -- i guess first can you talk about whether the way that the t.a.r.p. language was initially written? it would allow you to say that it's terminated after five years or would banks say no, we didn't originally agreed to this when we accepted the t.a.r.p. money and also what is the way to finance it wants the 700 billion t.a.r.p. runs out after ten years or however long? [inaudible] after ten years i fink we just to see where we are going. but the point here is after you get everybody in short and make information transparent and simplify pricing the cost of health insurance is going

it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. s open the other issues. we have walked into the opening of these issues for the good of putting the, the best possible footing in these circumstances. the fiscal stimulus was an important part of that. we can all talk about the various elements of these programs. nobody will agree on everything. the size of the program i thought was very important. that adds to all the challenges. the challenges remain and they need to be dealt with by all of us. we have to make choices about the level of spending, how much will be funded, that it should be funded, and position ourselves going forward. im understand people may think that we face challenges, but we have our responsibility to provide financial conditions would support sustainable growth and price stability. those of very important. we will pay great attention to that in conjunction with everything else that is going on. this is not a time where you can demonstrate to everybody that price stability will be maintained and sustainable growth will be provided for.

the red cross. i understand that congress has appropriated a lot of money for the red cross, which is not unprecedented, but not common. can you comment on what resources you have to address this pending hurricane season? >> we did receive an appropriation from the federal government and are in the process of drawing funds from the executor of the grant. $100 million total. and we are in the process of drawing that reimbursement for expenses for the last hurricane season. it continues until the end of this fiscal year. in addition, we have taken activities to come within budget, and looking at our finance. part of that is we have structured organization substantially to reduce costs, and we're in the middle of that. and we want to get out even in this time of instability to raise funds on an ongoing basis. so we believe that the combination of cutting back and restructuring the organization, reducing expenses, fund-raising, and the appropriation, we should balance our organization. we do project that we will have a balanced budget and we will proceed on that basis. >> thank you. what is your budget? >>

rogers of kentucky moves to recommit the bill to the committee on appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the house forthwith with the following amendment. on page 2, line 18, after the dollar amount insert, reduce by $50 billion. on page 52, line 19, after the first dollar amount, insert increase by $50 million. on page 52, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert increase by $50 million. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. members and staff will take their seats. members in conversations will remove them from the floor. members in the center aisle will sit down. the gentleman from kentucky is recognized for five minutes. mr. rogers: madam speaker, since the majority has shut out nearly all of the minority from offering legitimate and well reasoned amendments, i offer this motion to recommit. the motion is straightforward. it simply would add $50 million to the e-verify program. this program allows an employer to call and verify that an applicant for a job is not an illegal immigrant. for months the administration and this majority have delayed, d

both should be part of the mix of energy resources to achieve our national goals. and appropriately allocating the cost of transmission facilities needed to connect remote resources should not disrupt the implementation of state policies or disadvantaged local, renewable resources. rather, full-planning analysis that reveals respective costs of scenarios and a fair cost allocation of necessary transmission reliable to deliver the resources to lows will eliminate the barrier to clean resources and thus, will facilitate competition. such a measured approach should inform consumers that the sustainable resource options to meet state, environmental, and security objectives and enacting a regulatory structure that enables such an approach to be implemented assuring the energy goals to be achieved. thank you for the opportunity to appear before you. i'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> thank you very much. our next witness is david cohen. he is the first vice president of the national association of regulatory utility commissioners. mr. cohen has also served as a member o

the following votes. i'd like to ask they be placed appropriately in the record. roll call vote number 304 on agreeing to the amendment of the h.r. 2200, i would have voted no. roll call number 305, h.r. 2200, agreeing to the amendment, i would have voted aye. roll call vote 306 on the thompson, mississippi, amendment i would have voted aye. 307, the transportation security transportation authorization act offered by jackson lee, i would have voted aye. roll call vote number 308, the amendment to h.r. 626, i would have voted no. roll call vote 309, the motion to recommission on federal employees 35eud parental leave, i would have voted no, and roll call vote 310, passage of the federal employees paid parental leave act, h.r. 626, i ask that my vote be recorded as aye, madam speaker. madam speaker, i ask that all these votes be placed in the appropriate place in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. jackson lee: thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the