The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2116 on Dec. 13, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011
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Speech of
HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
of maryland
in the house of representatives
Wednesdau, December 8, 2010
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of today's legislation to make important national investments and protect food safety.
The FY 11 Continuing Resolution will fund government operations at FY 2010 levels through the end of the current fiscal year. At $45.9 billion less than President Obama originally requested, Chairman Obey and the rest of the Appropriations Committee obviously had a very difficult set of choices to make, and I want to commend their efforts to address the nation's needs within the context of these significant fiscal constraints. In particular, I am gratified that today's bill provides $5.7 billion to meet the current shortfall in the Pell Grant program and gives the Department of Energy latitude to expand the Advanced Research Projects Agency--or ARPA-E--program designed to advance transformative energy research. At the same time, I do not support the provision unilaterally freezing non-military federal pay for the next 2 years. While I agree with the President that we must have a serious national debate about how to reduce the deficit and tackle the national debt, I would prefer to address our budget challenges in a thorough, comprehensive way.
While I would prefer adoption of the stronger food safety legislation passed by the House, the Senate-passed FDA Food Safety Modernization Act we are considering today does make substantial improvements to our food safety system. It includes critical reforms that will improve food safety by providing FDA with the necessary authority to better prevent outbreaks, including increased inspections, enhanced surveillance and traceability.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a yes vote.
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