Louise Slaughter: “this is an open rule that I will not oppose. The underlying bill has the support of many from both sides of the aisle…”

“this is an open rule that I will not oppose. The underlying bill has the support of many from both sides of the aisle and, moreover, the minority was consulted throughout the process of developing this legislation, something all too rare in much of the legislation moving through this body. I strongly commend the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen), the chairman of the subcommittee, and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the ranking member, for their success in funding of the new Conservation Trust Fund created last year. By including the $1.3 billion authorized for conservation, Congress has kept a promise to expand funding for land acquisition, wildlife protection, and other preservation and conservation programs. My constituents in upstate New York will also be pleased by the committee's inclusion of a $120 million increase for weatherization and State energy programs to insulate homes, schools, and hospitals, money that is sorely needed. But yesterday, the Committee on Rules, in what is becoming an annual act of hubris, failed to allow for restoration of some of the unwise cuts made 6 years ago in funding for the agencies responsible for the country's small but critically important arts and humanities education and preservation efforts. The bill funds the National Endowment for the Arts at $105 million, a level still 40 percent below the 1995 funding level.”