Political Quotes

“H.R. 3019, the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act II/Omnibus Appropriations for fiscal year 1996, includes funding for territorial programs as part of the Department of the Interior appropriations. I am pleased that the majority and the minority have been able to include the same funding and program changes in H.R. 3019 that were included in the conference report on H.R. 1977, the Interior appropriations bill. The compromises worked out by the House and Senate for H.R. 1977 are important to Guam, and I commend the House and Senate conferees for their work. Unfortunately, for reasons unrelated to the territorial funding provisions, the Interior appropriations bill had been vetoed by the president. I would like to reiterate the legislative history of certain provisions applicable to the compact-impact reimbursement to Guam. First, it is important to note that the amount appropriated, $4.58 million for fiscal years 1996 through 2001, was included in H.R. 1977 as the Underwood amendment. This was the amount requested in the president's fiscal year 1996 budget, although the president's budget proposal required a change in law. The Underwood amendment was adopted by voice vote on the floor, and was intended as a reimbursement to Guam for the educational and social costs incurred as a result of immigration to Guam from citizens of the Freely Associated States.”