Eni Faleomavaega: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 621 would have the effect of returning to the Senate the House-passed language in the bill H.R. 150…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 621 would have the effect of returning to the Senate the House-passed language in the bill H.R. 150, the Education Land Grant Act. The House originally passed this measure in June of last year and the Senate subsequently took up the bill and sent it back to the House in April of this year with an amendment. The Senate amendment is a significant change in the purpose and scope of H.R. 150 as passed by this body. There are a number of serious problems with the Senate amendment in terms of policy and its application. Whereas the House bill was narrowly focusing on making land available for schools, the Senate amendment greatly expands the authorized purposes, includes new detailed language on the transfers and reverters as well as making a number of other changes in the bill. It is our understanding that the administration strongly opposes the language of the Senate amendment. Given the problems with the Senate amendment, we do not object to disagreeing with the Senate language and returning the bill to the Senate with the original House-passed provisions. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.”