Thomas E. Petri: “Mr. Chairman, I rise to point out that under the protocols established by the majority leader, the Committee on Rules of…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise to point out that under the protocols established by the majority leader, the Committee on Rules of this House, when it brought rules forward, was to allow committees that are authorizing committees if they notified the Committee on Rules of concerns they had that represented appropriation that was unauthorized on a bill of this sort, that they would be subject to a point of order. Unfortunately, that has not been done in a number of cases where things that are amounts of money that are not authorized are in fact being appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund. We have worked very hard in this body over the last several Congresses to reestablish the concept of a Highway Trust Fund; to reestablish trust, put trust back in the Highway Trust Fund. And yet the legislation, unfortunately, would provide for funding some $19.3 million for border enforcement activities; a very good program, but one that is not authorized from the trust fund. That will mean less money available for important transportation needs in our country. It is something that should be done out of our general revenue, not out of the Highway Trust Fund without an authorization.”