Tony Hall: “Mr. Speaker, this rule allows for the consideration of the conference report on the legislative branch appropriations…”

“Mr. Speaker, this rule allows for the consideration of the conference report on the legislative branch appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002, and it waives all points of order. The bill appropriates money for the operations of the House and Senate and the maintenance of the Capitol complex. It also funds legislative branch agencies that support Congress, including the Library of Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, and the General Accounting Office. In the aftermath of September 11, the American people I think have found increased confidence in the Federal Government and Congress in particular, and I believe that the confidence is well-founded. The men and women who serve as Members of Congress, and I do not speak of myself, but I speak of my colleagues, are an extraordinary group of dedicated individuals. They are served by a corps of talented and hard-working staff, and I am very proud to serve with them. Representative democracy is never easy, and it is even more difficult in times of crisis, but I am proud to support this bill, which allows our vital work to continue. I urge the adoption of the rule and of the bill.”