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.
“PERSONAL EXPLANATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1458 on Nov. 14, 2016.
The Department includes the Census Bureau, which is used to determine many factors about American life. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department is involved in misguided foreign trade policies and is home to many unneeded programs.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
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HON. EARL BLUMENAUER
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Monday, November 14, 2016
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, due to unavoidable travel delays, I missed two roll call votes. Had I been present for the vote on H.R. 985, the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015, as amended (Roll Call No. 575), I would have voted
``aye.'' This bill will allow concrete masonry producers to establish a
``check-off'' program at the Department of Commerce. This coordinated program will fund research, education and promotion to improve, maintain and develop markets for concrete masonry products.
Had I been present for the vote on H.R. 2669, the Anti-Spoofing Act
(Roll Call No. 576), I would have voted ``aye.'' This bill will extend the prohibition on transmitting inaccurate caller ID information to anyone located in the United States--including through Voice-over-
Internet (VolP) calls or text messages sent to mobile phones. Current law only covers voice calls.
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