Date: 2005-05-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. H. Res. 291 is an open rule that provides for the consideration of H.R. 2419. the Fiscal Year 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate. equally divided and controlled by the chairman and .ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit. with or without instructions. I would like to take a moment. Mr. Speaker. to reiterate that we bring forth this resolution under a fair and open rule. Historically. appropriations bills have come to the floor of the House governed by open rules. We continue to .do so in order to allow each and every Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration. obviously as long as they are germane under the rules of the House. This legislation before us today. Mr. Speaker. appropriates almost $30 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. the Departments of the Interior and Energy. and several independent agencies. This bill is truly fiscally sound. representing a reduction of $131.7 million from the fiscal year 2005 legislation and the same spending level as was requested by the President in his budget request. At the same time. Mr. Speaker. this legislation provides the resources necessary to address the energy and water needs of the United States. H.R. 2419 provides $4.7 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is the worlds premier public engineering organization. responding to the needs of the Nation in peace and in war. For over 200 years the Corps has been involved in such important missions as flood control. shoreline prevention. navigation and safety on the waterways of this great Nation. The vital work of the Corps will continue under this act. which includes a vigorous civil works program. The bill also includes a number of significant changes to improve project execution and financial management. including more responsible use of reprogramming. continuing contracts and implementation of longterm financial planning. I would like to highlight a Corps project of particular interest to my community. the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program. The restoration of the Everglades. that wonder of nature. is the largest and most significant environmental initiative that this country has ever undertaken. The legislation continues our commitment to the restoration of this -environmental treasure with an appropriation of $137 million. I am pleased to report that Everglades restoration is moving forward expeditiously and effectively. Congress. and the Committee on Appropriations especially. should be proud of this environmentally sound action. The National Nuclear Security Administration. which includes the nuclear weapons program. defense nuclear nonproliferation. naval reactors and the Office of the Administrator. is funded at $8.8 billion. an increase of $24 million over fiscal year 2005. I am glad to see that the appropriators increased this program. Nonproliferation is essential to the defense of the homeland. Our work across the globe. especially in Russia. makes it ever more difficult for rogue states and terrorists to obtain the weapons necessary to attack the United States or our Armed Forces abroad or our allies. I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman LEWIS) and the gentleman fronii Ohio (Chairman HOBSON) for truly extraordinary work on this important legislation. I urge my colleagues. Mr. Speaker. to support both the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.