James A. Leach: “I would like to briefly mention the subject the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) mentioned earlier and that is the…”

“I would like to briefly mention the subject the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) mentioned earlier and that is the courthouse issue and the priority that might be given it. I would first like to compliment the committee and the professionalism in which they have approached the courthouse issue. As the gentleman knows, there is a long list which has been developed with the Department of Justice in a very professional, nonpolitical way. I represent a town called Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is on the cusp of whether it should be funded this year or the following year. It is my understanding, based on some public announcements this past week, that Senate appropriations leadership has indicated that they expect to fund the Cedar Rapids Courthouse, at least the beginning planning funding of about $15 million. What I would like to inquire of the gentleman is, if resources become available and we can move down this next step, if there is any possibility that Cedar Rapids could be considered in this round.”