Alan Simpson: “Yes, I agree with the gentlewoman. The burden should be on the authorizers, and they should do their job, and they…”

“Yes, I agree with the gentlewoman. The burden should be on the authorizers, and they should do their job, and they should reauthorize the program. I still haven't seen the reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. That was last year. I still haven't seen it. I haven't seen the reauthorizations for any of the programs. The whole State Department is unauthorized. Where is the reauthorization? What do you want us to do? We would eliminate about two-thirds of the Federal Government. Now, some people might like that. But we would eliminate about two-thirds of the Federal Government if we just said we are not going to fund any of the Federal programs. So, I mean, it is a debate that goes on. I agree with Congressman McClintock. We have to find a way around this. We have to find a way to address the reauthorization issue without screwing up the whole appropriation process. {time} 2200 I think we can do that if reasonable people sit down and try to find a way around this. I actually think that every committee chairman ought to sit down with leadership at the start of a session and say: This is my 5-year plan, and these are all of the programs that are unauthorized under my jurisdiction. This is my 5-year plan to get them reauthorized. They ought to follow through on that work plan. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker).…”