Mark Udall: “I rise in opposition of this rule, though there are some positive aspects to highlight. I am pleased that the Rules…”

“I rise in opposition of this rule, though there are some positive aspects to highlight. I am pleased that the Rules Committee made several amendments in order, specifically my own amendment increasing funding to the Advance Technological Education program and Mr. Gordon's amendment requesting a three-year programmatic and operational plan for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. However, I feel this rule would have been improved by making in order Mr. Honda's amendment authorizing the Advanced Technology Program. This legislation has been described as a means to create jobs and support manufacturing. ATP does just this. This program has proven results and is an effective investment for our manufacturing and technological industries. The Committee's decisions seem short-sighted, especially since the manufacturing sector is still suffering. Mr. Honda's amendment deserves debate on the floor and I feel the Rules Committee has missed an opportunity to improve this bill. In the end I did not feel that the good outweighed the bad in this rule. So I will be voting against the rule and I urge members to do the same.”