James A. Leach

this is clearly the most difficult time for Israel since the 1967 war. It is the most difficult time for the United States in the Middle East since the Gulf War, and perhaps ever. In circumstances like these, one of the great questions is…

the amendment being offered today, S. 1452, the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act combines a number of important banking and housing proposals that are supported in the House on a bipartisan basis. With regard to housing, the committee…

Last year, after nearly 2 decades of work, the United States Congress passed the Financial Modernization Act to bring our Nation's banking and securities laws in line with the realities of the marketplace. In the few days left for…

Mr. Speaker, the coin authorized by this act will commemorate the opening of a museum that is long overdue, the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian, under construction just a few blocks away, between the Air and Space…

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3834, the Homeowners Financing Protection Act, would allow borrowers under the Rural Housing Service (RHS) single-family program to refinance their mortgages to take advantage of lower interest rates with new…

By perspective, let me just very briefly say that nothing is more difficult than to provide some sort of perspective to issues of the day, but if we look at the 14th century, 20 million people died of the bubonic plague, and it would be…

the House gathers today to consider an issue of seminal importance for the national interests of the United States: the case for Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China and China's prospective membership in the World Trade…

Mr. Speaker, on rare occasions Congress awards the Congressional Gold Medal to persons who have contributed significantly to making the world more humane. This bill authorizes that such a medal be struck for the Pope. John Paul II's…

Mr. Speaker, this is principally a humanitarian issue. Secondarily, but accurately, as the President has suggested, it is a national security threat. Tertiarily, it is an economic challenge. According to the Global AIDS Policy Coalition at…

under current law, there is a prohibition on the payment of interest on demand deposits, particularly as they affect business institutions. This prohibition has been in law since 1933. What this bill does is offer and allow banks the right…

As the gentleman knows, this bill has a very important element that allows uniformed municipal employees, police, fire, to have access to certain FHA privileges, including 1 percent downpayment on mortgages. Am I not right in believing…

I rise simply to thank my distinguished colleague from Oklahoma and my distinguished friend from New York for this very thoughtful presentation. Charles Schulz had a greater impact on the life of America than perhaps all but a very few in…

I rise in support of H.R. 417, the Shays/ Meehan Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1999. The bill has flaws, the biggest of which is that it does not go far enough. I would have preferred it impose spending limits and greater…

Mr. Speaker, I must oppose this bill. I understand why this bill comes, but my colleagues, I was raised in the oil fields. My daddy was a drilling contractor. We went through many ups and downs in the economy in the oil and gas industry. I…

I rise in support of H.R. 1094, a bill to broaden the range of discount window loans which may be used as collateral for Federal Reserve notes. I would like to point out at the outset this is not a new approach for this House. Virtually…

I agree with, in fact, the first two provisions of the motion to instruct and will reluctantly accede to the third, but I am compelled to note that the controversy over the medical privacy provisions that this motion to instruct seeks to…

I would like to echo the gentleman from New York's comments about the gentlewoman. She has brought a great contribution to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services. We are all very appreciative. This particular amendment is common…

Madam Chairman, I realize that feelings are imperfect with relation to the rule debate. For all the frustration on the minority side, it is more than matched by this Member whose advice was disregarded by the Rules Committee on key…

I would just like to stress there is no intent in this bill to jeopardize any confidences associated with doctor-patient relationships nor the privacy protections currently afforded any medical records. Indeed, the intent is to strengthen…

Mr. Speaker, let me just stress that no one knows at this time either in America or worldwide if this is not the most exaggerated or the most understated issue in the history of the American or world economy. On the other hand, what this…

I am not a great enthusiast for this rule, but I would urge serious consideration to its passage. I will vote for it. Frankly, the main two amendments that I asked to be placed in order were the Largent amendment, which would have…

we are very happy to accept this amendment. I would say it is brought to the Congress in a very thoughtful way by one of the most respected members of this body. I think that reflects on the amendment itself.

let me say, in hopes that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) can still be persuaded to this amendment, I would inform the gentleman that the Federal Reserve has no objection to it.

I believe it is a very thoughtful, very professional amendment, and I certainly want to compliment the gentleman for bringing it forth, and I am just hopeful for getting unanimity.

First, Mr. Speaker, let me express my appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the concerns of the proponents of this motion. At the risk of presumption, I would stress that the majority and the minority are not as far apart as the rhetoric…