Alan Simpson

First, let me assure my colleague that I understand her interest in addressing the flooding risks in her district in Houston. Besides the fact that the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water bill includes a total of $13.3 million above the…

First let me assure my colleague that I understand the issue prompting this amendment. Seeing our communities flood and our constituents struggling to deal with the aftermath of flooding, especially when there are projects already planned…

This is kind of a hard one because I have to tell you, in all honesty, I agree with the gentleman. There are too many programs that are not authorized. Unfortunately, it is not the Committee on Appropriations' responsibility. It is the…

I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states in pertinent part: ``An amendment…

I continue to reserve my point of order. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.

I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments. Getting back to the amendment, I would remind the gentleman offering the amendment, A, that this is not the tax committee, that any $10 tax on a barrel of oil would come out of the Ways and Means…

I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved. Pursuant to House Resolution 743, the gentleman from California and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes…

I commend the gentlewoman for her consistency. She always has these amendments to cut 1 percent across the board out of the appropriations bills, and I appreciate her consistent work to protect the taxpayer dollars, but this is an approach…

I understand the desire for an efficient and effective Federal Government with an appropriately sized workforce. In fact, if the gentleman has specific programs or offices that he believes are currently overstaffed, I would be happy to…

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.

I appreciate the gentleman's arguments. It sounds like we are back at the Constitutional Convention: Should we have the legislative branch of government be represented by the population, or should it be represented by the States? I know…

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Poe of Texas). The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.

I appreciate the gentleman's passion with this and his obvious concern and interest. I will tell you that there is a great deal of support for what the gentleman is proposing. Congressman Poe, Congressman Culberson, as well as Members on…

I respect the gentleman's comments, and I respect the gentleman. He mentioned many of the functions that are necessary for the government that we should be doing. The one he didn't mention was defending the security of the United States…

I would object to waiving the reading. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will continue to read. The Clerk continued to read.

I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved. Pursuant to House Resolution 743, the gentleman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the…

I appreciate my colleague's passion for the Office of Science. I am a strong supporter of the Office of Science and the work that they do. As the Nation's largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences, the Office of Science…

Let me respond and tell the story again. We have already gone through this once tonight about authorizations. I don't think we should fund any program that isn't authorized. I don't think we should flat-fund it. I don't think we should…

I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved. Pursuant to House Resolution 743, the gentleman from California and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes…

How much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho has 3 minutes remaining.

I claim the time in opposition, although I do not oppose the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

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…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. My colleague's amendment would prohibit the use of funds at the Department of Energy to propose efficiency standards for ceiling fan light kits…

Let me just explain that this is something that I have been trying to find a solution to for a number of years. When I was chairman of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee--this has been like 4 years…

I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states in pertinent part: ``An amendment…