On the recordMay 16, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1887) to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1887 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The Federal Government has owned Plum Island, New York, since 1899. (2) Since 1954, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center has conducted unrivaled scientific research on a variety of infectious animal-borne diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, resulting, most recently, in the development of a new cell line that rapidly and reliably detects this highly debilitating disease of livestock. (3) Over 62 years, the Center has had a strong, proven record of safety. (4) $23,200,000 in Federal dollars have been spent on upgrades to, and the maintenance of, the Center since January 2012. (5) In addition to the Center, Plum Island contains cultural, historical, ecological, and natural resources of regional and national significance.…





