Alan Simpson

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I actually support this amendment, and I don't think it was as drastic as was just characterized by the ranking member. The fact is you can still have oversight; you can still do what is necessary to…

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…

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 have to say that that is just kind of a bogus argument. It is not that we are saying to the President: You have to spend this money in this area. We are rebalancing the portfolio. We are not spending any more money than the President…

I oppose this amendment because I am concerned that the amendment would limit the activities that may be necessary to maintain our nuclear weapons stockpile. That is basically it. We need to be modernizing the legacy facilities of the…

I withdraw my reservation of a point of order. The Acting CHAIR. The reservation of the point of order is withdrawn.

I reserve a point of order. The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 43, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $285,000,000)''. Page 45, line…

I strongly oppose this amendment. We have debated this issue for many years now. The fact is, the gentleman is right in one regard in that the Clean Water Act, in trying to define what waters of the United States by navigable waters, is…

It is hard to understand that we are doing this without any debate when the gentleman is, in fact, debating. That is what we are doing. That is what we did in committee. That is what we did in subcommittee. That is how this process works…

The amendment proposes to amend portions of the bill not yet read. The amendment may not be considered en bloc under clause 2(f) of rule XXI because the amendment proposes to increase the level of outlays in the bill. I ask for a ruling…

They are absolutely right. This would block the implementation of this rule in the future. That is what we are trying to do. We are saying this rule is no good, start again. It doesn't mean that these streams would be in danger or anything…

It is my distinct honor to bring this fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act before you today. Before I go into the details, I would like to recognize the hard work of Chairman Rogers and…

I would just say that in EERE, the administration requested $2.9 billion. We funded it at 1.8--1.8 something--1.86 or something like that. We saved a billion dollars. So we actually are rebalancing the portfolio in what we think is…

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

I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 45, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by…

I suggest that if that is the case, then I suspect that the gentleman, if that is his desire, then I suspect that the gentleman supports the Republican plan to not spend as much money in the EERE as the President wanted because we are…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia will be postponed. The Clerk will read. The Clerk read as follows: Sec. 109…

Reclaiming my time, in fact, we were not wrong. Congress did not approve a national ocean plan. Now, we can argue about it whether they should have or whether they shouldn't have or whether Chairman Pombo should have brought it up or…

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Like the ranking member, I would oppose this amendment. It would reduce funds in the following accounts: EERE, nuclear energy, fossil energy, and other accounts throughout this bill. We spend an awful…

The amendment proposes to amend portions of the bill not yet read. The amendment may not be considered en bloc under clause 2(f) of rule XXI because the amendment proposes to increase the level of outlays in the bill. I ask for a ruling…

I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments. Maybe at some point in time this Congress will get back to the point where Members of Congress can actually direct what activities are being done and individual projects in their districts because…

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 Rhode Island and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair…

I look forward to working with the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member, and our colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce to see if we can find an appropriate path forward on this issue.

I must insist on my point of order. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman will state his point of order.

First let me say that I understand the gentleman's concerns for the economic hardships of his region and appreciate his passion on this issue. His amendment would be an increase of 50 percent above the funding in the bill. Additionally…