Date: 2005-06-28
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. H52g0 Mr. Speaker. I thank all the colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have participated in this very inter-. esting debate. We are bringing forth the last of the appropriations bills with this rule. I think it is a remarkable achievement. and I think the gentleman from California (Chairman LEwIS) really deserves commendation as do all on the Committee on Appropriations. The gentleman from Michigan has done a great job on this bill. This particular bill that we are bringing forth with this rule is. the Treasury and HUD. Transportation bill. I am not sure if it is the bill that increases the most from the current fiscal year. but it certainly has to be one of the most significant increases at 6 percent. We hear from our friends on the other side of the aisle requests and demands for further spending and for further government growth. and obviously. that is legitimate. that debate is very legitimate. I think it is also important and legitimate to put in context that this bill which has caused so much angst in terms of it being categorized as insufficient in spending from the other side of the aisle includes 6 percent more than the current fiscal year. So it not only is an important piece of legislation. but it is funded. obviously. at a very high level. With regard. again. to points that were made. so many of them were made by colleagues who took the floor. It is an undeniable fact. Mr. Speaker. that the economic downturn began in the third quarter of the year 2000. It is an undeniable fact that September 11 of 2001 this country suffered a tremendous. unprecedented and horrible criminal attack. That obviously contributed to the economic downturn. It is also an undeniable fact that due to the policies. certainly it is an undeniable fact that there have been 3 million jobs creatbd in the last 18 months. that the unemployment rate is about 5 percent. and I think we all should be proud of that. It is important to put in context. in the context of what has happened in the economy. I think. the attacks which we have heard so repeatedly. as though we were living in a different reality. The reality we are living is one of 3 million jobs being created in the last 18 months. The reality we are living is one that reflects one of the lowest unemployment rates in history. It is fair to point that out. And I think it is fair to point out. yes. the gentleman from Massachusetts talked about we will have a debate on the Cuban dictatorship. I am sure we will. There is a lot to report in terms of the repression and torture and the continuation in the local prisons and so much more. So. yes. we will probably see amendments to loosen sanctions on that dictatorship. amendments that. if passed and if they became law. would see flows of hard currency going to that dictator-. ship. We will have that debate. but at the end of the day. I am confident that this Congress will continue to stand with those who suffer and those who are repressed and not those who cause the repression. So. Mr. Speaker. again. support the underlying legislation which I think. again. we owe a debt of gratitude to the entire Committee on Appropriations not only for having it brought it forth in such a timely way but especially the chairman who will now soon take the floor. We have much to commend. and I know that we have all of the chair men we see here. the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman KOLBE) on the floor as well. so many who have worked so hard to make sure that all of these bills have come forth in really a remarkably timely way. So. again. I am supporting the underlying legislation. as well as this very fair rule. which is an open rule and urging support for both by all of our colleagues. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. and I move the previous question on the resolution. "