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.
“DISASTER RELIEF APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H109-H152 on Jan. 15, 2013.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DISASTER RELIEF APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013
General Leave
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the consideration of H.R. 152, and that I may include tabular material on the same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 23 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 152.
The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) to preside over the Committee of the Whole.
{time} 1429
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 152) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes, with Mrs. Capito in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the first time.
The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as may consume.
Madam Chairman, I rise to present legislation providing emergency supplemental funding for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery. The base bill totals $17 billion in crucial funding to meet immediate needs for the victims, businesses, and communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
Since this terrible storm hit, we've come to realize that recovery is going to take months and years, not days and weeks. This legislation puts the region on the path to recovery by providing the aid needed for immediate relief. We are also analyzing the justifications for further financial aid for long-term relief that would come in a later supplemental or a regular appropriations bill.
A significant portion of the funding in this bill will go to the most direct source of relief and recovery funding available to the victims of the storm, the FEMA disaster relief fund, which will provide individual and community assistance throughout the affected region. The bill also will support critical housing and infrastructure needs, ensure repairs to damaged veterans medical facilities, and help keep the economy moving by funding necessary transit repairs, small business loans, and recovery aid for businesses of all sizes.
My committee thoroughly examined the emergency request, listened to the needs of the people in the region, and assessed the most pressing needs to determine the funding levels made in this bill. We crafted this legislation responsibly, giving the administration's request and the Senate-passed bill a hard scrub to eliminate unnecessary spending. We have removed objectionable provisions added by the Senate and have adjusted funding levels to make the best use of taxpayer dollars. As we know, we face precarious fiscal times, and it is essential that Congress make responsible decisions to ensure efficient and effective spending.
Taking cues from previous efforts, we have included important oversight measures to prevent abuse and ensure that Federal agencies are using these funds effectively and appropriately.
This is not the first major natural disaster nor unfortunately will it be the last. One of the great attributes of the American people has been our ability and willingness to come together time and time again to help victims of catastrophes recover. We've seen the havoc that Sandy has wrought on the residents of our Northeast region, and it is once again our duty to help our people get back on their feet.
I urge our colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
DISASTER RELIEF APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013
(Amounts in thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget request Bill Bill vs. Request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Emergency Conservation Program (emergency)............. 15,000 - - - -15,000
Domestic Food Programs
Food and Nutrition Services:
Commodity Assistance Program (emergency)........... 6,000 6,000 - - -
Corporations
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund (emergency).......... 23,000 - - - -23,000
Conservation Programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (emerg.). 180,000 - - - -180,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title I................................. 224,000 6,000 -218,000
TITLE __
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Operations, Research and Facilities (emergency)........ 393,000 - - - -393,000
Procurement, Acquisition and Construction (emergency).. 100,000 - - - -100,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of Commerce.................. 493,000 - - - -493,000
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
Office of Inspector General (emergency)................ 20 - - - -20
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 4,000 - - - -4,000
Drug Enforcement Administration
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 1,000 - - - -1,000
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 230 - - - -230
Federal Prison System
Buildings and Facilities (emergency)................... 10,000 - - - -10,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of Justice................... 15,250 - - - -15,250
SCIENCE
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Construction and Environmental Compliance and 4,000 - - - -4,000
Restoration (emergency)...............................
RELATED AGENCIES
Payment to the Legal Services Corporation
Payment to the Legal Services Corporation (emergency).. 1,000 - - - -1,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title __................................ 513,250 - - - -513,250
TITLE __
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Operation and Maintenance
Operation and Maintenance, Army (emergency)............ 5,370 - - - -5,370
Operation and Maintenance, Navy (emergency)............ 41,200 - - - -41,200
Operation and Maintenance, Air Force (emergency)....... 8,500 - - - -8,500
Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard 3,165 - - - -3,165
(emergency)...........................................
Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard 5,775 - - - -5,775
(emergency)...........................................
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Operation and Maintenance............... 64,010 - - - -64,010
PROCUREMENT
Procurement of Ammunition, Army (emergency)............ 1,310 - - - -1,310
REVOLVING AND MANAGEMENT FUNDS
Defense Working Capital Funds (emergency).............. 24,200 - - - -24,200
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title __................................ 89,520 - - - -89,520
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
Investigations (emergency)............................. 30,000 20,000 -10,000
Construction (emergency)............................... 3,829,000 9,000 -3,820,000
Operation and maintenance (emergency).................. 899,000 742,000 -157,000
Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (emergency)...... 592,000 582,000 -10,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title II................................ 5,350,000 1,353,000 -3,997,000
TITLE III
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Federal Buildings Fund
Repairs and Alterations (emergency).................... 7,000 - - - -7,000
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 50,000 10,000 -40,000
Office of Inspector General (emergency)................ 5,000 1,000 -4,000
Disaster Loans Program Account:
Direct loan subsidy(emergency)..................... 500,000 100,000 -400,000
Administrative Expenses (emergency)................ 250,000 50,000 -200,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Disaster Loans Program Account.......... 750,000 150,000 -600,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Small Business Administration........... 805,000 161,000 -644,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title III............................... 812,000 161,000 -651,000
TITLE IV
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Customs and Border Protection
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 2,402 - - - -2,402
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 855 - - - -855
United States Coast Guard
Operating Expenses (emergency)......................... 66,844 - - - -66,844
Acquisitions, Construction,and Improvements (emergency) 207,389 143,899 -63,490
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, United States Coast Guard............... 274,233 143,899 -130,334
United States Secret Service
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 300 - - - -300
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Disaster Relief Fund (disaster category)............... 5,379,000 5,379,000 - - -
Disaster Relief Fund (emergency)....................... 6,121,000 - - - -6,121,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Disaster Relief Fund.................... 11,500,000 5,379,000 -6,121,000
National Flood Insurance Fund (emergency).............. 9,700,000 - - - -9,700,000
Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account:
Direct loan subsidy (emergency).................... 300,000 - - - -300,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Federal Emergency Management Agency..... 21,500,000 5,379,000 -16,121,000
Science and Technology
Research, Development, Acquisition and Operations 3,249 585 -2,664
(emergency)...........................................
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
Systems Acquisition (emergency)........................ 3,869 3,869 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title IV................................ 21,784,908 5,527,353 -16,257,555
TITLE V
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Construction (emergency)............................... 78,000 49,875 -28,125
Resource Management (emergency)........................ 400,000 - - - -400,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 478,000 49,875 -428,125
National Park Service
Construction (emergency)............................... 348,000 234,000 -114,000Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Oil Spill Research (emergency)......................... 3,000 3,000 - - -
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Environmental Programs and Management (emergency)...... 725 - - - -725
Hazardous Substance Superfund (emergency).............. 2,000 - - - -2,000
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund (emergency) 5,000 - - - -5,000
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (emergency)......... 610,000 - - - -610,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Environmental Protection Agency......... 617,725 - - - -617,725
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Capital Improvement and Maintenance (emergency)........ 4,400 - - - -4,400
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Salaries and Expenses (emergency)...................... 2,000 - - - -2,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title V................................. 1,453,125 286,875 -1,166,250
TITLE VI
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund 200,000 100,000 -100,000
(emergency)...........................................
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Training and Employment Services (emergency)........... 50,000 - - - -50,000
RELATED AGENCIES
Social Security Administration
Limitation on Administration Expenses (emergency)...... 2,000 - - - -2,000
Limitation on Administration Expenses (emergency)...... - - - (2,000) (+2,000)
Administration for Children and Families
Social Services Block Grant (emergency)................ 500,000 - - - -500,000
Children and family services programs (emergency)...... 100,000 - - - -100,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Social Security Administration.......... 602,000 - - - -602,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VI................................ 852,000 100,000 -752,000
TITLE VII
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction
Military Construction, Army National Guard (emergency). 24,235 24,235 - - -
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Health Administration
Medical Services (emergency)........................... 21,000 21,000 - - -
Medical Facilities (emergency)......................... 6,000 6,000 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Veterans Health Administration.......... 27,000 27,000 - - -
Departmental Administration
National Cemetery Administration (emergency)........... 1,100 1,100 - - -
Information Technology Systems (emergency)............. 531 531 - - -
Construction, Major Projects (emergency)............... 207,000 207,000 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Departmental Administration............. 208,631 208,631 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of Veterans Affairs.......... 235,631 235,631 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VII............................... 259,866 259,866 - - -
TITLE VIII
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Facilities and Equipment (emergency)................... 30,000 14,600 -15,400
Federal Highway Administration
Emergency Relief Program (emergency)................... 308,000 - - - -308,000
Federal Railroad Administration
Operating Subsidy Grants to the National Railroad 32,000 32,000 - - -
Passenger Corporation (emergency).....................
Federal Transit Administration
Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program 11,700,000 5,400,000 -6,300,000
(emergency)...........................................
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of Transportation............ 12,070,000 5,446,600 -6,623,400
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Community Planning and Development
Community Development Fund (emergency)................. 17,000,000 3,850,000 -13,150,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VIII.............................. 29,070,000 9,296,600 -19,773,400
--------------------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL............................................ 60,408,669 16,990,694 -43,417,975
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this bill, and I want to thank Chairman Rogers and Chairman Frelinghuysen for taking the lead on this very important legislation.
I rise in strong support of the underlying bill, with the addition of the Frelinghuysen amendment, which will help families, businesses, and communities affected by Sandy recover and rebuild.
In the 79 days that have passed since Superstorm Sandy caused such destruction, I have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, with Governors Cuomo and Christie, Chairman Rogers, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Frelinghuysen, and all of our colleagues from affected States to provide long overdue assistance to our region.
Sandy devastated much of the Northeast and is one of the costliest natural disasters in our Nation's history. One hundred ten Americans lost their lives, 8.1 million homes were without power, beaches across New York and New Jersey were destroyed, and more than 650,000 homes were damaged beyond repair.
Sandy ground regional commerce to a halt by making tunnels and other transportation networks impassable. Two hundred sixty-five thousand businesses in New York alone were severely affected by Sandy, costing jobs, paychecks, and billions lost in economic output.
There is no excuse for the House not passing the Senate bill last Congress, but I am very pleased that the first order of business in the 113th Congress may be passing this emergency disaster relief package.
Along with the $9.7 billion flood insurance bill the House passed 2 weeks ago, the Rogers and Frelinghuysen amendments would provide $60 billion of the $80 billion in needs identified by our Governors. There are a number of provisions I would like to highlight: $16 billion for community development block grants to help communities and businesses rebuild; $13 billion to repair and harden transportation infrastructure; $5.35 billion to repair damages and bolster Army Corps projects to protect against costly future disasters; $11.5 billion for the FEMA disaster relief fund, which not only helps provide public assistance in the Northeast but also allows FEMA to continue helping victims of other disasters; $780 million to help businesses open their doors through SBA loans; and $800 million for Health and Human Services initiatives, including repairing Head Start centers and biomedical research facilities.
While I strongly support it, the package is still not perfect. It does not fully fund the administration's request for community development block grants, does not include superior Senate language on the flexibility and cost share of Army Corps projects, and limits funding for health facilities that lost tens of millions of dollars due to the storm.
Finally, opponents of the legislation who claim that the bill is riddled with so-called ``pork'' and unnecessary provisions are just plain wrong. Frankly, anyone who has really read the bill knows there are no earmarks, and those who have toured the damage know that aid is desperately needed.
My colleagues, there were 146 major disaster declarations in the last 2 years. There isn't a region of the country immune to catastrophe. This package was written with the core belief that when one region suffers destruction by a natural disaster, Americans are proud to help their fellow citizens recover and rebuild. It is imperative that we support this package today and reject amendments that weaken the bill and prevent the region from recovering as quickly as possible.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey, a member of our committee who has been unceasing in his efforts to aid the people of his home region, Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Chair, at the onset I want to thank the leadership for helping to bring this important legislation to the floor. I also want to thank Chairman Hal Rogers and the Appropriations Committee for their assistance. One of the untold chapters of this post-Sandy story has been the hard work of the chairman and his staff in preparing both his amendment and mine, which follows. Most importantly, I want to thank the chairman for his eloquent statement in the Rules Committee last night. His heartfelt recognition of the hardship and misery suffered by our constituents in the Northeast meant a great deal to me personally and to our New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut delegations.
I also want to offer some words of appreciation to my colleagues from New Jersey and New York. Their bipartisan diligence and dedication and that of our staffs over the past several weeks should make all of our constituents proud. And then there is Governor Christie, my constituent from Morris County, whose tireless work has helped us get to this day and will help us get this bill across the finish line.
{time} 1440
As he always does, he put a very human face on the devastation suffered by families and communities in New Jersey and our neighbors in New York and Connecticut.
My colleagues, people are hurting this afternoon in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut and other areas of the Northeast. The suffering and damage are real and their needs are great. According to many estimates, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and the rest of the east coast sustained nearly $100 billion worth of damage.
The destruction is staggering. 346,000 household units were damaged in New Jersey alone. Tens of thousands of our fellow Americans are still displaced from their homes and their apartments. Municipalities are struggling to provide services. Many are still under emergency declarations, and some municipalities are not habitable. Small businesses are decimated. Many small business men and women are trying to decide whether they can survive and keep their employees on the payroll.
Madam Chairman, the area damaged by Hurricane Sandy represents roughly 10 percent of our Nation's economy. It makes good sense, economic and fiscal, to get our region back on its feet as soon as it can.
I urge support of the Rogers amendment and the Frelinghuysen amendment. Without these vital measures, our constituents in the Northeast face nothing but more delay, more uncertainty, more unemployment, and more misery.
Mrs. LOWEY. I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished minority whip, Mr. Hoyer, who was extremely helpful to all of us on both sides of the aisle in bringing the bill to the floor today.
Mr. HOYER. I thank the ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, and I thank Mr. Rogers for his work, as well, on bringing this bill to the floor.
I rise not only in support of the chairman's mark at $17 billion, but also for the Frelinghuysen amendment. I think both of these together meet our responsibilities in responding to one of the most historic and damaging storms to hit the country--not only the Northeast, but the country.
People throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the whole mid-Atlantic region are still struggling to pick up the pieces after the most devastating storm in years, and Congress has a duty to help. As I've said before, it's never too late to do the right thing. I thought we might do this previously, but now is a good time to act, and hopefully today we will act.
Earlier this month, we took action to help ensure that flood insurance benefits will be available for those still recovering from Sandy. Today, however, we must finish our work and take action on the comprehensive aid package that communities in the Northeast need to rebuild.
This is not a moment for partisan difference or gimmicks. Amending these relief bills will make it harder to get aid to those who need it as soon as possible. The American people, especially those impacted by Sandy, will not look kindly on such delay.
Congress appropriated $62.3 billion in emergency relief less than 2 weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the gulf coast in 2005. I voted for that; that was the right thing to do. As it was then, it is now the right thing to do. There's no reason why the people of New York, New Jersey, and affected areas should have to wait any longer.
This is a bipartisan effort. When Americans are in trouble, in pain, at risk, we respond, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans, to their needs.
We must pass these relief bills. So I urge my colleagues on both sides to oppose any amendments that diminish our ability to provide this much-needed assistance. Only by setting party aside and coming together as fellow Americans and fellow Representatives can we achieve this goal.
I urge all my colleagues, not only on my side of the aisle, but on the other side of the aisle, to join together to make sure that the relief necessary is given this day to this region for this storm.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for yielding me the time.
The emergency funding provided for the Army Corps of Engineers in this bill and the amendment that you offer is narrowly drawn to help the States that were hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Could the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), the very capable and effective chairman of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, clarify something?
Despite my earlier comments, I'm concerned that the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies funds appropriated by our committee in previous acts are still available for other emergency needs that occurred prior to Sandy.
I would appreciate the gentleman's clarification on that.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Young, that is correct. The funds we provide in this legislation in my amendment are funds we believe are required to respond to emergency needs for the Army Corps of Engineers related to Hurricane Sandy. By appropriating these funds for this direct purpose, other prior appropriated emergency funds for the Corps should be and are to remain available for other emergency needs in accordance with the direction provided in those previous acts.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for that clarification.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chairman, I thank the ranking member, and I rise in support of both amendments before us, amendments to assist the communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
We in North Carolina remember Hurricane Fran and Hurricane Floyd, and we know how important it is for Congress to extend itself in such an hour of need.
As ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I note that DHS would receive $5.5 billion within the base $17 billion provision, accounting for only 54 percent of the administration's request for the Department. Also absent are $6.1 billion in emergency disaster relief and $300 million in disaster loans.
Madam Chairman, without this additional $6.1 billion, FEMA estimates that the Disaster Relief Fund will run out of money in May of 2013, halting long-term rebuilding in places like Joplin and Tuscaloosa. Adopting only the $17 billion proposal does not even fully fund current Sandy estimates and, astonishingly, provides no funding for further disasters in 2013.
The $17 billion package also shortchanges the Coast Guard by about half the request and doesn't include funding requested for CBP, ICE, or the Secret Service.
Now, my Republican colleagues say that the supplementary $33 billion package will address my concerns, but requiring separate votes is designed either to doom the second bill or to pass it on the backs of Democrats while Tea Partiers are free to vote ``no.'' This is another example of Republicans playing politics with disaster aid--thumbing their nose at the members of the Coast Guard decimated by Sandy and at the firefighters in Breezy Point trying to rebuild their devastated community. They're saying to their own constituents, if disaster strikes, there is no guarantee Congress will assist you. This is a dangerous precedent.
Madam Chairman, when I was chairman of this subcommittee from 2007 to 2010, we provided more than $14 billion in emergency disaster relief spending following natural disasters. Not once during that process did we ask who was affected, Democrats or Republicans, red States or blue States?
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. We provided the money based on the President's request, without hesitation, because that's what the American people expect and deserve from Congress in a time of need.
So, Madam Chairman, I will support both of these amendments. I urge my colleagues to do likewise. The right thing to do, however, would have been to hold a vote on the bipartisan Senate package sent to us back in December.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I yield myself 3 minutes, Madam Chairman, and I yield to Mrs. Lowey, the ranking member of the committee--who, by the way, this is her first appearance on the floor as the new ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee. I want to initially congratulate her on that position. I look forward to a good working relationship with her.
I yield to the gentlelady.
Mrs. LOWEY. Well, first of all, I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Rogers, who's been a good friend for so many years. I look forward to working together in a bipartisan way so we can work everything out before and serve the American people. And I thank you for your kind words.
{time} 1450
I rise to engage the gentleman from Kentucky, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, in a colloquy.
Some questions have been raised about the interpretation of language in both of the Rogers substitute and the Frelinghuysen amendment under the Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. The language prohibits use of amounts in that appropriation for costs that are reimbursed by self-insurance. I would like to engage Chairman Rogers in a discussion to help clarify the meaning of that provision.
Am I correct in understanding that the term ``self-insurance'' is intended to refer to a formal plan, pursuant to law or regulation, in which amounts are set aside in a fund to cover losses of specified types and amounts? Am I also correct that without such a formal, funded arrangement, a government or organization would not be considered to be self-insured for purposes of this language simply because they do not have any commercial insurance coverage for the loss in question?
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Reclaiming my time, yes, the gentlelady's understanding is correct, and I further yield to her.
Mrs. LOWEY. I thank the gentleman. I would also like to confirm my understanding that this language would only preclude use of appropriated funds if the expenses in question were actually reimbursed by the formal self-insurance plan. In other words, merely having a self-insurance plan would not bar use of this appropriation for things that the plan did not cover or pay for. I ask the gentleman, is my understanding correct?
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. The gentlelady's understanding is correct.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. It is a pleasure for me to yield 2 minutes to Ranking Member Visclosky of the Defense Appropriations Committee.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Madam Chair, I rise today to express my support for the underlying bill and the Frelinghuysen amendment, which will greatly assist the States and communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. In every year since 1997, with two exceptions, the Congress has recognized the need for emergency funds to respond to the impacts of natural disasters on the Nation's water resource infrastructure. This year should be no different.
The Frelinghuysen amendment includes a total of $5.35 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers. Of that, about $1.8 billion will be used to repair existing Federal facilities that were damaged in the storm and to restore projects to design standards. The roughly $3.4 billion remaining will be used by the Corps for the construction of projects intended to reduce future flood risk. Additionally, the Frelinghuysen amendment provides $88.3 million to repair facility and equipment damage to Department of Defense facilities in several States along the eastern seaboard.
This is what we should be doing as a Nation. It is far less expensive to invest in preventing damage than it is to clean it up. We need to fund projects that result in the long-term sustainability of the impacted communities and reduce the economic costs and risks associated with disasters.
Madam Chair, our country has provided billions of dollars in infrastructure funding for dams, schools and roads in Iraq and Afghanistan on an emergency basis. We certainly can do no less for our own citizens in our own country. I urge passage of the underlying legislation and Chairman Frelinghuysen's amendment.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).
Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.
This bill does the minimum necessary to help towns like Brick Township rebuild. It does the minimum to help remove mold from their living rooms so they can sleep at night without worrying about their children getting sick from breathing mold spores.
Many of my colleagues have asked for disaster funding or declarations for their home districts in the past. As one of my New Jersey colleagues pointed out earlier today, there are more than 30 of my colleagues who have received disaster assistance for their own districts in the past who actually plan to oppose this package before us.
Madam Chair, I would say to my friends, why should New Jersey and New York be treated any differently? My friends should ask themselves what would they do if this were their district that suffered the amount of catastrophic loss that many of the families and businesses in my district now face.
Next to me, you can see damage Sandy left behind in Brick Township. My constituents in Brick have suffered for almost 3 months without any help from this Congress. I want to be able to tell them when I go home this weekend that help is heading their way.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished ranking member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, Mr. Serrano.
Mr. SERRANO. I rise in support of both the Rogers amendment and the Frelinghuysen amendment, which will finally provide New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and elsewhere with the funding needed to respond to Hurricane Sandy. While I'm glad that we're considering this bill today, it is a travesty that it has taken this long for the House of Representatives to allow a vote on disaster-response funding.
The money in this bill and the Frelinghuysen amendment is the minimum that New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere need for their recovery process. I'm very concerned that there are several amendments that will be considered today that seek to cut further funding from the bill.
At least one amendment seeks to offset the cost of this bill. Our Nation has never before attempted to offset the cost of disaster assistance. The Appropriations Committee and the House have always come together to help Americans in times of need without regard to costs. To offset costs here would effectively kill this bill in the Senate and further delay assistance that is desperately needed to New York City and elsewhere. The two-step process is the proper way to go.
I just may add in closing that we in New York have always seen images of disasters in other areas, but we never imagine anything like this happening in our area. We understand what other folks have gone through, and I hope you understand the need we have to recover. The pain, the suffering, and the despair that people in our community feel is beyond anything we can imagine or we can imagine in New York. And so this aid will, at the minimum, immediately send a message that we care and we want something to happen positive and, in fact, people will be begin to recover.
So I thank Mr. Rogers and Mrs. Lowey for bringing the bill to the floor, and I will ask folks to vote for both amendments and for the bill in general.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Staten Island, New York City, Mr. Grimm.
Mr. GRIMM. Thank you very much, Chairman. I appreciate you yielding.
Madam Chair, let me first start by saying thank you to the many, many colleagues on both sides of the aisle that have been working tirelessly, and a special thank you to their staff, not only the Rules Committee, but Appropriations and all those from New York and New Jersey. Many, many staffers have stayed up more than 24 hours to make this happen. I am indebted to them, and I know that the people of Staten Island are very, very grateful.
This is a time that is unique in our history. We just started tearing down the homes in Staten Island. New York is tearing down 200, and they started in Staten Island.
When I was there this past weekend, a mother came up to me. I asked her how she was doing. She said, Well, I'm doing okay, but I'm worried about my children. I said why. She said, Because they start crying hysterically when it rains. They cry when it rains because they think there's going to be another flood, and they're scared.
So at the end of the day when we debate the various amendments in the bill and its merits, all I ask is that everyone in this blessed Chamber remember that there are real people--human beings--that are behind all of this; and at the end of the day, if it were our families, I know that they would want them to be safe and healthy with the support of the entire country behind them.
So, with that, I thank, again, my colleagues that have worked tirelessly, I thank the staff members, and I thank you for this opportunity to speak.
{time} 1500
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I rise to engage the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Kentucky, in a colloquy.
As the chairman knows, Superstorm Sandy displaced thousands of children from their homes, leaving them homeless and struggling to regain stability in their lives. Many of these children were forced to move out of their school districts, while others could not return to their schools because of storm-related damage. These children face the prospect of educational disruption, compounding the upheaval and trauma they've already experienced. Fortunately, under the current law, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, homeless students, including those displaced by disasters, are entitled to important educational protections and services, including transportation to stay in the same school.
Public schools in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are working tirelessly to support uninterrupted education of displaced children through the McKinney-Vento program, yet these schools face significant unexpected costs associated with the increased number of homeless students. Congress has appropriated supplemental funds, to help defer the costs associated with these increases, from past disasters.
Mr. Chairman, if I might, given that the bill before us today does not contain direct funding for McKinney-Vento, is it your understanding and intention that the Department of Health and Human Services and that the Department of Education work with the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to assist the school districts affected by Superstorm Sandy to access funds under the social services block grant to support the education of students displaced by the storm, including transportation, counseling, and supplies?
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield to the gentleman.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Yes, that is my understanding and intention.
As you know, Congress has previously recognized the critical role our public schools play in creating stability and meeting the educational needs of children and youth displaced by disasters.
The flexibility of the SSBG has proven crucial in responding to the many needs that arise in the aftermath of natural disasters.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from California.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield to the gentleman.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Transporting displaced students is an allowable purpose under the social services block grant, and I encourage HHS and affected States to work with affected school districts and promptly provide any reimbursements for these critical services.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I thank the gentleman very much. I also want to thank you and the staff of the majority and the minority for helping to work out this solution. Thank you very much.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo).
Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Chair, I rise in favor of the Sandy relief packages being considered today.
I want to thank Chairman Rogers and the Appropriations Committee for their work to bring this bill to the floor in a responsible manner and address many of the concerns that some in this body have. I also want to take this opportunity once more to thank my colleagues for their work on yesterday's Sandy Relief Improvement Act that brought much-
needed reforms for our disaster relief systems.
This bill that passed the House unanimously is a good first step in streamlining the disaster relief process and saving the country money and lives. These are the kinds of commonsense reforms that must continue to be a part of the disaster relief conversation.
A little over a week ago, I voted against adding more debt to a failing system without reforms. Many of my colleagues joined me in that vote, and I know some still have reservations about the package before the House today. I have spoken to many of these colleagues. I understand concerns about the fiscal state of our Nation. I understand your position, and I respect your vote.
But while we continue to do the responsible thing by looking for ways to pay for future disaster relief, we must do what is necessary to help those in the Northeast, and we must do it now. Let me just say, a vote for yesterday's reform package would pass the House unanimously, and a vote for today's relief package allows us to move forward in a way that begins to address much-needed reforms while at the same time providing the immediate relief that Sandy victims so desperately need.
I saw those needs up close and personal when I visited some of the hardest hit areas of New Jersey and New York last week. It brought back vivid images of Hurricane Katrina and the destruction that my home State of Mississippi experienced 7 years ago. Districts like those of my friends Congressman Runyan and Congressman Grimm are similar to those along the gulf coast after Katrina. Their constituents experienced a terrible natural disaster, and they need our help.
Today, we consider provisions that provide immediate relief for Sandy victims while allowing them to build forward, not just back, and that will strengthen these communities in the face of future storms. We cannot wait another 7 years, and we cannot wait until the next disaster before we take up these reforms.
Today's vote for immediate relief is about giving the Sandy victims the help they need now. It is vital to the recovery efforts of the Northeast, it is vital to making our communities more resilient, and it is vital to ensuring better preparedness and response to future storms. So I urge my colleagues to support the disaster relief package.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished dean of the New York delegation, Mr. Rangel.
Mr. RANGEL. Thank you so much, Mrs. Lowey.
I want to thank Chairman Rogers for the manner in which he has handled this crisis and certainly congratulate Mrs. Lowey for the leadership that she has provided this House over the years, but especially at a time when we needed her the most, that she was there to bring the people together, Republicans and Democrats, to do the right thing.
I want to thank, too, and encourage the new Members of Congress to take advantage of this great opportunity they have to see what the House of Representatives is all about, notwithstanding the bad publicity that we get.
For whatever reasons, the 112th Congress failed to respond to what was a part of the feeling and the fabric of this great body where every American would know that if ever they were involved in a crisis--
earthquakes, floods, or fires--that they could depend on their colleagues in the House of Representatives to respond. It was never a question of whether they were Democrats or Republicans, whether they came from a red State or a blue State; it was how fast can we help, and you can depend on that help.
For whatever reason, the 112th Congress failed, but now we are asking the new Members to join with those that were here before in bringing together people in this Congress to once again rebuild that reputation that we had so rightly enjoyed, and that is that, if you have any type of problem in this great Nation and you need the help of your colleagues, you can depend on the House of Representatives, the people's House, in coming forward to provide those aids.
We cannot bring back the lives, the homes, and the hopes that so many people have lost, but we can say in the people's House that we respond to the problems that people have.
I thank you again, Mrs. Lowey, for your leadership that you've provided, and I look forward to working with you and Chairman Rogers in the future.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. May I inquire, Madam Chair, of the time remaining?
The CHAIR. The gentleman from Kentucky has 14 minutes remaining, and the gentlewoman from New York has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Gardner).
Mr. GARDNER. Thank you, Chairman Rogers.
Last week, I offered an amendment in the House Rules Committee to add additional funding for an Emergency Watershed Protection program to be used for any area that had a designated major natural disaster. It's an important program that allows for watershed and infrastructure restoration.
Many parts of the western United States were devastated by wildfires last summer, including areas in my district, the Hyde Park fire near Colorado Springs and the Waldo Canyon fire. In Colorado alone, there were over 100,000 acres of land burned on both private and Federal land, as well as over 600 homes destroyed in these fires.
The EWP program will help communities in other areas of the United States to rebuild and prevent future damage to people and property. Unfortunately, this bipartisan amendment offered with other members of the Colorado delegation did not get through the Rules Committee process, and so it will not be considered on the House floor today.
The tragedy caused by Hurricane Sandy necessitates assistance from the Federal Government, but it's also important that disaster assistance be available to other areas that experience natural disasters, particularly those when it comes to Federal lands. I ask the chairman to consider working with me and other Members for wildfire restoration.
{time} 1510
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GARDNER. I yield to the gentleman.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. First, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for his work on the Emergency Watershed Program. I am aware of the need for this assistance not only in Colorado but in other parts of the country, and I look forward to working with you and others to address this important funding in future legislation.
Mr. GARDNER. I thank the chairman for his work and his support.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN. It's nice to welcome the new ranking member of the full Appropriations Committee, Mrs. Lowey who, as good fortune would have it, also hails from New York and fully understands what's involved here.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That's what all the Members of this body should have in their minds today themselves. If they were in the situation of the States that were so severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, how would they vote?
The fact is that natural disasters are occurring with more frequency and with greater severity, so there is a very good chance that in nearly every congressional district in this country this may happen to you, and of course, when it does, property values will go way down. In fact, billions of dollars can be lost. They certainly were with Hurricane Sandy. So where does the municipality get the money to repair? Likewise with the State. The only place you can turn to is the Federal Government. That's why we are here. E pluribus unum. We're in this together.
This is not about the Northeast versus the rest of the country. One part of our body, if you will, our body of States, has been severely injured. We need to repair that damage. Now, within the Interior and Environment appropriations, there is money for safe drinking water and sewer treatment projects, things that have to be done. We have to provide that money. I think we have about $1.5 billion to do that. We should accept the Rogers-Frelinghuysen amendment. This bill is whole with that amendment. We should strongly support it. There is an amendment to take away Mr. Frelinghuysen's effort to allow a waiver on historic preservation. Well, yes, it should be done. These localities don't have that kind of money, and a lot of the revenue that has traditionally come into these economies has come from tourism. Many tourists come to see historic structures. They come to see the way that many parts of the Northeast were when we were building the foundation of this country. That money should be made available in whole with Federal dollars. Mr. Frelinghuysen's amendment is right on point. It needs to be included.
I do have a good speech written by Rick Healy. Thank you, Mr. Healy. We've got wonderful staff. But unfortunately I don't have any further time.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.
Mr. MORAN. My colleagues, this is an opportunity to show what we are all about. Do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let's make this money available. Let the Northeast repair itself, heal itself, get their economy back on its feet, and start returning revenue to the Federal Government. The fact is that these Northeast States contribute more to the Federal Treasury than they get out of the Federal Treasury. So let's get this done in the national interest.
I want to recognize Chairman Rogers' leadership, the very good work that Mr. Frelinghuysen from New Jersey has done and, of course, the work of Mrs. Lowey.
This is a good bill. It's urgent that we pass it. Let's get this done. These negative amendments that try to take away money to make ideological points simply are out of order right now. Let's heal this wound. Let's let this economy in the Northeast get back on its feet, and we'll all be better off as a Nation.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, who has been extraordinarily helpful in trying to sort out the challenges in this bill, Mr. Andrews.
(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ANDREWS. I thank my friend for yielding, and I thank the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and my friend for working together to bring this product to the floor.
I've heard two objections to this bill. The first is that money is spent in the wrong places, and the second is the amount of money altogether is too costly. Let me try to address those objections.
As to the money being spent in the wrong places, I would respectfully request that Members who have that objection read the legislation because, throughout the legislation, when it refers to the money to be spent, it says that the moneys are to be spent on necessary funds related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy. Now, there is one exception to this that I've read, and it is limited to situations in which there were prior disasters that are not yet cleaned up. So this is a bill that deals almost exclusively with the Sandy disaster, and to the extent it does not, it deals with lingering problems in other parts of the country from those disasters.
To those who would argue that the amount of money in the bill is just too much to begin with, I would offer you this question: If you were running a business and had 100 manufacturing plants and sales offices around the country and 15 of them were shut down by a storm--so 15 percent of your available revenue was no longer available to you--what would you do? You'd repair those 15 manufacturing facilities and sales offices as quickly as you could in order to restore the health of your company and the growth of your revenues. That is exactly what this bill does.
The taxpayers of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey--three States--contribute more than 15 percent of the individual and corporate tax revenues collected in the United States of America--15 percent from three States. If you shut down that engine of production, the whole country suffers. This is an occasion for the House of Representatives to rise above normal parochial politics.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. ANDREWS. When the disaster struck the gulf, we were all Mississippians or Louisianans. When tornadoes hit Missouri, we were all Missourians. When there have been earthquakes that have hit the west coast of our country, we have all been citizens of California.
We are asking Members from coast to coast and throughout our country today to look at themselves and walk in the shoes of New Yorkers and the citizens of Connecticut and New Jersey. If we understand that we have a common purpose, that this legislation does focus almost exclusively on the Sandy disaster, and then focuses what it does not focus on Sandy on other disasters, and if we understand that 15 percent of the economic engine of this country is at risk of being shut down, then we will all be people who cast the same vote and the right vote, which is ``yes.''
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to our distinguished leader, who has been such an advocate for the assistance to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, who understands that every part of the country has catastrophes and that we as Americans have a responsibility. I thank her for her leadership, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I congratulate her on assuming the ranking position on the Appropriations Committee and how good it is for our country and for the people affected by Superstorm Sandy that Congresswoman Lowey, now Ranking Member Lowey, is in the position she is to fight for their needs as the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.
Thank you for your leadership, and thank you, Mr. Rogers, for yours as well.
This should be a day that we shed all of our disagreement about political differences and the rest and come together to prayerfully meet the needs of the people of our country.
{time} 1520
Whether it's California with the earthquakes, drought, fire, floods, whatever; whether it's Iowa with the floods; Joplin, Missouri, was so affected; of course the challenge of Katrina is emblazoned in our mind; and Hurricane Ike on the heels of that, all across our country we have experienced natural disasters which have had a direct impact on the lives of the American people.
I really do believe that for all of the purposes that people send us to Congress or elect us to public office, whether it is a county executive or a Member of Congress, they expect us to do what is right for them when they are most in need of our help. Many things we can do for ourselves; but some things are just beyond the most determined, resourceful operational person to do, and that is when a natural disaster strikes.
So while we have had our conversations about what should be in the bill and how the bill should be bifurcated, or in this case trifurcated and the rest of it, let us hope when we have this bill today, it will sweep away some of the concerns that people have about whether this assistance is going to actually show up. Seventy-nine days. It's been 79 days since Hurricane Sandy struck the region. It's been a one-two punch. Last year it was Irene that struck much of the same area, and some of the people haven't really fully recovered from that, whether it was a small business owner or homeowner, whatever. And now Sandy hit with just tremendous force.
Others have talked about how do you mitigate for such a thing; how do we address issues that relate to climate change. We'll save that conversation for another day, but recognize it is important in this discussion. How do you mitigate for rebuilding, and that's important in terms of the resources that we're putting to bear on this problem.
So let us today try to extract from the minds and the hearts and souls of the people who are affected any thought that the assistance will not be there. They know there's a lot of making up they have to do to restore the lives and businesses and homes that they had before. They should also know that when we say let us pray for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, we're not just saying a prayer and saying that should be a substitute for us honoring our commitment as a country to our people, but that our prayers are accompanied by our best intentions and our best actions--actions, not just words--for them.
This is one of the longest delays in congressional action in response to a major natural disaster in recent history. For many of us who have seen or can confirm the aftermath of a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, whatever, we know that every single day is too long to wait. Hope can never come fast enough. We cannot let another moment, hour, day go by without giving the biggest possible vote of confidence and hope to the people of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and some, I understand, in Pennsylvania.
So we've had our say. We've made our points known. The justification has been established. The documentation of need is clear. The bipartisan support of the Governor of New Jersey, the Governor of New York, the Governor of Connecticut and others stand ready to implement these resources with the most integrity, the most effectiveness, certainly the most speed. Witness the actions of the mayor of New York. I smile when I say that because mayors just like to get a job done, and Governors, too.
So let us, as these executives and county executives and the rest weigh in, let us do our part to honor the social compact that we have with the American people that the Federal Government will be there in time of natural disasters, that this is an emergency and we recognize it as such, and that we honor the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the people affected by it.
I hope that we can have an overwhelming bipartisan vote, because from a practical standpoint, I think ideally, our sense of idealism, that would be the right thing to do. But as a practical matter, you just never know what Mother Nature may have in store for you in your region, and you would certainly want the embrace of the entire Nation around you and your area for your constituents, for your communities, for our country.
So I urge a very strong bipartisan vote. I thank our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for making this vote today possible. Again, I urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) whose district has really seen incredible damage. He understands the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the people and community and the businesses.
Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time.
In the days following Superstorm Sandy, many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle reached out to me, and I think they did the same to others throughout the quad-State region, expressing their sympathies and their concern. While they weren't able to see firsthand the devastation, everyone had a sense, I think, of that devastation by the footage they all saw on television and over the Internet. It was pretty powerful in itself.
Everyone, I think, was astonished at the magnitude. We're not used to having such disasters in New York City; and everyone was shocked to see the extent of the damage, homes literally wiped away, businesses destroyed, flood waters consuming people's living rooms and completely overturning their lives. And the damage wasn't just in one city or one town or, for that matter, one State. From Breezy Point, Queens, to Edgewater in my district in the Bronx, from Manhattan to Brooklyn to Staten Island to Westchester to Long Island, from the coasts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, all of the way over to Connecticut, so many people's lives were wrecked by this powerful storm.
While words are kind and they are very much appreciated, action behind those words is even more appreciated. Today, finally, I believe we'll have the opportunity to see action. Seventy-nine days later, and far too much politics in between, this Congress is doing what the people of these communities need and what the American people demand--
taking action.
I'm thankful to this Congress. I'm thankful that it's finally taking action to help the people of my district and the millions of other people hit hard by this enormous storm. I want to thank all of my colleagues from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania for our shared commitment to getting this done and never letting partisanship surrounding this debate divide us. I want to say a special thanks to Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, along with their staffs, who have driven this process from day one. I want to thank you both.
This bill will provide direct assistance to communities devastated by Superstorm Sandy. It will help restore and replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure, and it'll put in place cost-saving measures to prevent further damage when--when, and not if--future storms occur.
I would just urge any of my colleagues, Democrat or Republican, who are considering voting against either the Frelinghuysen amendment or the overall bill to just for a moment put yourself in one of your colleague's shoes. I don't wish Superstorm Sandy or anything like it on any of my colleagues anywhere in the United States; but the one thing you need to know is that if this happens that your country will be there for you. There's the physical damage, but also the mental damage that people are experiencing because they think the country has forgotten them. Don't forget these people. Do the right thing. Vote for this bill.
In the days after Hurricane Sandy, I was moved by the words of sympathy and concern I received from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
While many were not able to see the destruction firsthand, everyone could see the devastating images and footage on TV, in newspapers, and over the Internet.
Everyone was astonished by the magnitude of the damage.
Everyone was shocked to see the extensive damage to--homes wiped away, businesses destroyed, flood waters consuming people's living rooms, and lives completely overturned.
And the damage wasn't just in one town or one state. From Breezy Point, Queens to Edgewater in the Bronx; from Manhattan, Brooklyn to Staten Island, Westchester to Long Island; from the coasts of New Jersey to Connecticut; so many people's lives were wrecked by this powerful storm.
While kind words are one thing, actions backing up those words are another.
And today, finally, we have the opportunity to act.
79 days later, and after far too much politics, Congress is doing what the people of these communities need--and what the American people demand: taking action.
I am thankful this Congress is finally taking action to help the people of my district and all the millions of people hit hard by this hurricane.
I want to thank all of my colleagues from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania for our shared commitment to getting this done and never letting partisanship surrounding this debate divide us. A special thanks to Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, along with their staff, who have driven this process from Day One.
This bill will provide direct assistance to the communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. It will help restore and replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure; and it will put in place cost-saving measures to prevent further damage when, not if, future storms occur.
This is a good bill, and it deserves full bipartisan support of the entire House.
I would urge any Democrat or Republican who is thinking about voting against any portion of this aid package to reconsider. For a moment, please put yourself in our shoes--the shoes of every family, every American who lost or suffered as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
I do not wish what happened in my State on anyone, but the reality is the devastation that occurred in my backyard, throughout my district, across my State and to my constituents could happen anywhere at any time. If it does, you will want us, as a Congress, to stand together, to put aside politics and help your constituents, hard-working Americans, get back on their feet.
Today, let's stand with our fellow Americans who are rebuilding by voting for the underlying bill and the Frelinghuysen amendment. Together, the passage of these two measures will ensure the U.S. Congress is providing real help--and not just lip service--to all those hurt by this devastating hurricane.
{time} 1530
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I'm very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from a neighboring district in New York (Mr. Engel), who suffered a great deal. He saw the pain and the loss of property and homes all throughout the region.
Mr. ENGEL. I thank my dear friend, Congresswoman Lowey, for yielding to me.
I urge all of our colleagues to support the aid for the Hurricane Sandy victims. You know, we have a lot of disagreements in this Congress. We talk about issues, about spending, about taxing offsets and whatever, but those are issues. Those fights on those issues should be left for another day. It shouldn't be intermixed with the fight to get aid to the Superstorm Sandy victims. They should not be innocent pawns in this fight that we have in Congress.
I've been in this Congress for a while now, and I have voted for aid for all regions of our country, be it Katrina, be it floods and tornados. We didn't even think twice because that is what Americans do. We help our communities, help other Americans when there are natural disasters.
New York is a donor State. We actually send more money to the Federal Government than we get back, and we do it because it's the thing that we have to do. But now it's our turn. Now we need help, and so now we say to the rest of America, please help us the way we helped you in your hour of need.
The constituents in my district, in West Chester and the Bronx, and my former district in Rockland County are hurting very, very much. These are real people with real lives and real difficulties. So I beg my colleagues, please, don't vote for any poison pills that will kill this legislation.
One of the things that's really irksome is when some of my colleagues who stood up and when they had natural disasters in their district begged us for help and we gave it to them now are voting against giving help to the people of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. It's just not right.
We can argue what role the Federal Government should play, whether it's too big or too small or whatever, but no one should argue against the fact that, when Americans are in need, the Federal Government has a role in stepping in and helping them and providing for their needs. That's all we're asking for today.
I urge my colleagues to support all the aid for Hurricane Sandy and to reject any of the amendments that would take it away.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I have no further requests for time. I'm prepared to close if the gentlelady is prepared.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I'll respond in 30 seconds, and then I'd be delighted if you closed.
Mr. Chairman, I'd like to again thank you and Chairman Frelinghuysen for your hard work on this bill.
I would like to address all those who are not sure about how they're going to vote on this bill, and I would like to clarify the way this appropriation works.
When you have huge disasters, transit systems, tunnels, thousands of homes that have to be repaired, you need that money committed before you can engage any contractor, any builder in a contract.
Now, as you and I know, Mr. Chairman, we've worked a long time on that committee, and before a dollar goes out, the person has to be responsible for every dollar that is committed that they've spent and that they're going to spend. So we're not just writing an open check. We're just not opening our checkbook. We're responding to these tremendous needs, and I do hope we can get a bipartisan vote for this effort.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I urge adoption of the Rogers amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Chair, today we meet to consider the second and third tranches of disaster assistance for the families suffering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. In the dying days of the 112th Congress, we passed legislation granting FEMA the authority to increase by up to $9.7 billion its borrowing so that the agency could continue paying homeowners insurance claims associated with the hurricane. Then, rather than address the remaining pressing concerns of the families suffering because of Sandy, the Republican Leadership gaveled the House into adjournment.
We return today, months after Sandy struck to finish the job. Today the House considers two pieces of legislation that when combined will provide more than $50 billion in assistance to those areas hit by Sandy. I stand in support of H.R. 152 and the amendment offered by Rep. Frelinghuysen.
H.R. 152 provides $17 billion in assistance to the lead agencies responsible for reconstruction efforts including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation. The bill also increases the role of the Government Accountability Office in monitoring the assistance in the bill. Representative Frelinghuysen's amendment covers the same areas as H.R. 152 while increasing the time lines associated with funding to provide for longer-term support. These measures, together with the bill passed last Congress to increase FEMA borrowing authority and the Sandy disaster assistance streamlining bill passed by the House yesterday finally finishes the work Congress should have completed months ago.
With the passage of H.R. 152 and the Frelinghuysen amendment, the families whose lives were turned upside down by the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy will finally have access to the resources they will need to rebuild.
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Chair, there is no doubt that Hurricane Sandy rendered unspeakable damage to lives and property on our East Coast. It truly represents one of the great natural disasters of recent history. For millions of our fellow citizens, the devastation has been unfathomable. We are a compassionate nation, and that is why the House of Representatives is taking up its second Hurricane Sandy relief bill.
Sadly, Hurricane Sandy isn't the only disaster we face as a nation. The tragic reality is that our nation is broke. We have amassed more debt in the last four years than was accumulated from President George Washington through President Bill Clinton. Our spending trajectory is unsustainable by any account. Our swelling $16.4 trillion debt threatens our national security, our economic well-being and our children's very future. If we don't quit spending money we don't have, it is they who will become the next victims--think Greece. It is past time to re-examine the proper role of the federal government in providing disaster relief and how that relief is financed.
In the wake of a tragedy like Hurricane Sandy, all agree, no matter what, that disaster victims must receive basic necessities like food, water, power, medicine and law enforcement. This is undebatable. Yet as we continue to borrow more than 30 cents on the dollar, much of it from the Chinese, can and should the federal government continue to fund the restoration of private homes, businesses and automobiles? When wealthy states like New York and Connecticut spent $4.7 million on streetscapes and $30 million a year in taxpayer funds to rent new office space while state-rented office space stood vacant, can and should the federal government continue to pay to rebuild their infrastructure?
According to a recent report by the Heritage Foundation, the yearly average for disaster declarations has grown from 28 during the Reagan administration to 90 during the Clinton administration, 130 during the George W. Bush administration, and 153 during the Obama administration. This isn't just nature at work. This is a move toward ``nationalizing'' disaster, consequently lowering the threshold of what is considered truly disastrous. This has allowed states and localities to abdicate more and more of their responsibilities to a federal government that owns a printing press for money and has no balanced budget requirements. Also, spending restraint is usually the first thing to go in the heat of a crisis--especially when someone else is picking up the tab.
Case in point: The Sandy relief bill passed by the Democratic-
controlled Senate in the 112th Congress--the same Senate that has refused to pass a budget in the last three years--includes $150 million for fisheries as far away as Alaska, $8 million to purchase cars for the Homeland Security and Justice Departments, $58.8 million to replant trees that were damaged on private land, $135 million to improve weather forecasting, and $10.78 billion largely for future construction improvements to public transportation not even related to Hurricane Sandy. In fact, 64 percent of the so-called ``emergency'' funding in this bill will not be spent until 2015 or later. We must always be vigilant to ensure the Obama administration's cynical motto, ``never let a serious crisis go to waste,'' is not allowed to rule the day.
Given our spending-driven debt crisis, changes must be made. Like many members of Congress, when disaster has befallen my district or state, I have worked to help ensure funding was provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However, I have consistently fought for disaster funds to either be in the budget or offset through the rescission of lower-priority spending. A nation on the road to bankruptcy must prioritize its spending. There should be no more
``emergency'' disaster funding without offsetting cuts to lower priority spending.
Next, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) must be functionally and significantly reformed. I have long been critical of this ineffective, inefficient and indisputably costly experiment in government-provided flood insurance. The program operates with non-
actuarial rates, encouraging unsustainable development and running up
$21 billion in debt with zero hope of repayment. A reauthorization bill passed last year began eliminating outdated subsidies, but Sandy hit before many of these provisions could take effect. Certainly, we have a contractual obligation to pay the NFIP claims of people whose lives were turned upside down by this terrible storm. Yet we also have an obligation to ensure hard-working taxpayers aren't always stuck bailing out failed government programs. The Financial Services Committee, which I chair, will take up legislation to get the government out of the subsidized insurance business and transition us to a private, stable insurance system that can keep the promises it makes without borrowing tens of billions of dollars that we do not have.
America is not just operating on borrowed money--we're operating on borrowed time. Today, it is not a question of if bond markets will turn on us, but when. Unless we change our out-of-control spending ways, we will be the first generation in American history to leave the next generation with less freedom, fewer opportunities and a lower standard of living. We have no greater moral responsibility than to preserve the blessings of liberty and opportunity for future generations. A compassionate nation will not allow a great physical tragedy of today to ever become an even greater fiscal tragedy for our children tomorrow.
Mr. BARR. Madam Chair, I strongly support the provision of immediate federal relief to the victims of Hurricane Sandy and other disasters. We absolutely have a responsibility to provide targeted resources to help communities meet their true emergency needs following a natural disaster. But I remain convinced that we can, and should, put in the tough work to do this in a fiscally responsible manner. This means finding a way to pay for what we spend.
Our national debt currently exceeds $16.4 trillion--and grows by billions of dollars each day. This is a symptom of Washington's inability to live within its means, and unless we reform the way Washington has traditionally gone about its business, this debt is going to dramatically limit the potential of our children and grandchildren. We must do better.
As I have traveled throughout Kentucky's Sixth District, people have asked me repeatedly to stand firm for common sense and fiscal responsibility. This is what families and small businesses in my district do every day, and this is the mentality that we need to start bringing to Washington. The Federal Government spent a massive $3.6 trillion in fiscal year 2012, so there are clearly savings that we can find. I am willing to do that work, and I encourage my colleagues to do so as well. Congress should not use the urgency of disaster relief as its excuse for continuing to run up our $16.4 trillion national debt.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I rise today to support H.R. 152 ``the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013,'' which will provide relief to citizens devastated by the impact of Superstorm Sandy.
Last month, the Administration requested $60.4 billion in federal aid to provide financial assistance to homeowners and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. Back on December 28, 2012, the Senate passed a $61 billion comprehensive aid package for the victims and communities by a vote of 62-32.
I am pleased that this body was able to pass H.R. 41, a $9.7 billion dollar bill which temporarily increased the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program.
Now that the President has signed H.R. 41, victims of Superstorm Sandy are finally able to receive some much-needed relief from the federal government. The issue before us is that in no other time in the last 2 decades have victims had to wait this long for relief.
hurricane ike
Right after Hurricane Ike devastated Texas in September 2008, I worked hard with the Members of the Texas Congressional delegation to ensure that Texas was appropriated the recovery funds it so desperately needed. In early 2009, the State of Texas received part of these recovery funds, namely $219 million under the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program from the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS).
Overall, the Federal Government provided over $1 billion of federal aid for hurricane Ike relief by June 2009 including: $103 million to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for debris removal,
$35 million to the Sam Houston Electric Cooperative for restoration work and $10 million to the Trinity Bay Conservation District for debris removal. I understand the plight of the New York Delegation.
Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc on Texas, particularly in Galveston and Houston. As we move forward with recovery efforts, it became clear that the impact of the storm had been widespread and many people were still in need of assistance. I suspect that these are the same circumstances under which the survivors of Hurricane Sandy find themselves. I want to remind everyone in this Chamber that during Hurricane Ike, more than 60 Americans and over 26 Texans died. Moreover, it resulted in the evacuation of over 1 million residents and caused over $11 billion worth of damage.
Hurricanes of the magnitude that we have faced over the last decade require a federal response. We have a duty and an obligation to help our neighbors. I am surprised by those who are quick to say that this situation is different that the Hurricanes that came before. Hurricane Sandy like Ike and Katrina took lives, destroyed homes, and devastated communities. Again, Hurricane Ike caused millions of dollars in damage throughout Houston and Galveston. The local agencies processing the people impacted by Hurricane Ike for which these funds were utilized, received these funds from the state and federal agencies six months late, but they did receive funds because the funds were available. The victims of Sandy are still waiting for a federal response.
The road to recovery and reconstruction was not easy after hurricane Ike, but with the cooperation of the United States government, those states affected were able to recover. I saw the destruction that hurricane Ike caused to the city of Houston's infrastructure and I have also seen how the city of Houston was able to rebuild damaged roadways and bridges. Galveston was able to rebuild its shoreline, which has recently experienced its most lucrative tourist season since Hurricane Ike. With the necessary federal assistance, communities can recover from disaster.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina took the lives of 1,833 men, women, and children, while leaving roughly 400,000 people without jobs. Close to 275,000 homes were lost as a result of the record-breaking storm surge that developed and the dozens of levees that couldn't withstand the rage of Katrina. Hurricane Katrina caused an estimated $108 billion in damage, becoming America's costliest hurricane.
I would like to take a moment to paint a picture for Members of this body about the differences in response to this Hurricane and that of Hurricane Katrina, just in terms of funding. On the morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States ravaging Americans from Texas to Florida, and even as far inland as the Ohio valley. In 5 days, on September 2, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law a bill to provide $10.5 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief related to Hurricane Katrina. Six days later, Congress passed another bill for $51.8 billion in emergency appropriations. It took a total of 10 days for Congress to approve
$62.3 billion in emergency funding for Hurricane Katrina relief. Here we are today, nearly 2 months after Sandy, still debating Hurricane Sandy funding.
Over 7 years ago, I sat down with NPR's Ed Gordon as a part of a special roundtable to discuss the impact of Hurricane Katrina and Washington's tremendously slow response time to disaster relief efforts. I recall the anger and frustration in the hearts and minds of Americans across the country at the Bush Administration's seemingly lack of urgency in dealing with the disaster.
At the time, Congress was able to pass an initial emergency relief bill worth $10 billion 4 days after Katrina made landfall, and then pass an additional $52 billion in funding 6 days after that. It took 10 days for congress to pass a Katrina relief bill worth $62.3 billion, and yet a comprehensive relief bill for Sandy has not yet been approved.
We now stand 78 days after the hurricane, which is appalling when you consider the fact we are dealing with Americans' humanity and livelihoods. We forecast these disasters; 10 days was too long for Katrina, and 78 days after Sandy is simply unacceptable.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States I, along with several other Members of Congress, introduced legislation to protect the families and businesses financially overwhelmed by the disaster.
When the Judiciary Committee considered the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act at the beginning of 2005, I offered an amendment to protect the victims of natural disasters like those who were unfortunately, eventually, devastated by Hurricane Katrina later that year.
Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, Members of Congress and I continued to fight for financial relief for those affected by natural disasters because that is the American way; we take care of our nation's most vulnerable citizens regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status or unfortunate circumstance. I'd like to think that 7 years after the passage of federal funds for the most expensive hurricane in our nation's history, that when the next massive storm arrives, law makers would be able to approve emergency relief bills in less than 10 days. Sadly, with Sandy, it seems as though we are moving in the opposite direction.
Since this historic storm devastated the east coast in late October, the people impacted by the storm, particularly those in the Tri-State area of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, have been waiting patiently for the federal government to act as they continue to engage in efforts to rebuild their communities.
However, the time for patience has long since expired, and these Americans can no longer wait for Congress to act to provide comprehensive relief.
For families without a home, and for businesses without a storefront or customers, this situation has been an ongoing nightmare. These families and businesses have been waiting for Congress to join them in their struggle to pick up the pieces and put their communities back together.
The proposal before us is our opportunity to step up and help to restore these suffering communities; that is the role of the federal government. Every state in this country is, at any given moment in time, at risk for experiencing a devastating and costly natural or manmade disaster.
When state and local governments face overwhelming challenges that are too big and too expensive to ever hope to resolve in isolation, the federal government should be there to quickly assist them in their recovery. That is what makes us strong as a nation; that we can come together when necessary to prevent the pieces of our country from crumbling individually.
SELECTED PROVISIONS OF H.R. 152
The funds in H.R. 152 will go to help restore both calm and stability to the affected communities by providing relief and rebuilding infrastructure, as well as to help the local economies to recover from stagnation.
Small Business Administration--
This funding will provide for the immediate needs of the SBA Disaster Loan Program to provide timely, low-interest financing for the repair and rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
This funding would also provide grants to assist small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy with disaster recovery and response problems.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)
This funding will fulfill near-term needs for the DRF, the most immediate source of relief and recovery funds available to individuals, families, and communities to support ongoing recovery through affected areas.
This includes providing individual assistance such as temporary housing, crisis counseling, and disaster unemployment assistance.
It also provides funding for public assistance to local communities and certain nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repair, replacement, and restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain nonprofit organizations.
Department of Transportation--
This funding will provide reasonable assistance and recovery to the four major affected transit agencies--New York's MTA, the Port Authority of NY/NJ, New Jersey Transit, and the City of New York DOT Ferries.
Language is included in the legislation to provide stringent oversight on the use of funding and the administration of grants.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
This funding through HUD's Community Development Fund will support critical and immediate community needs. This includes repairs to damage sustained by publicly owned hospitals, local roads and utilities, and small businesses.
Funding through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to support community needs, such as repairs to damage caused to publicly owned hospitals, local roads and utilities and small businesses.
Army Corps of Engineers--
The bill fully funds the Administration's updated estimates for Army Corps of Engineers projects for response and recovery to Superstorm Sandy.
As was done after previous disasters, these funds will help restore navigation channels, beaches, and other damaged infrastructure to pre-
storm conditions. Moreover, the bill will provide funds to continue response and recovery activities for flood control, coastal emergency projects, and emergency dredging.
Department of Veterans Affairs--
This funding will go to repairs and reconstruction at the Manhattan VA hospital and other VA medical facilities, which sustained significant flood damage during the storm. These repairs are urgently needed to provide adequate medical services and care to veterans in the Northeast region, many of whom have had to move to other VA facilities following the storm.
PREVIOUS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO DISASTER RELIEF
As the representative for the 18th District in Texas, I know the massive and protracted destruction that storms like this can cause both to property and, more importantly, to the lives of citizens who are left to rebuild their lives and restore all that they have lost.
After the initial disaster response and search and rescue phases, we must begin to rebuild, a process that calls for a longterm commitment from officials in state, local, and federal government.
As I stated above, we can all recall Hurricane Ike in 2008, which heavily impacted many constituents in my district. At least 74 people lost their lives in the State of Texas, with 28 in Harris County and 17 in Galveston. Over 200,000 homes in the Houston-Galveston region were left damaged or destroyed as a result of Ike.
Congress appropriated $3 billion to Texas to help finance the infrastructure and housing recovery, which included individual and household assistance, disaster unemployment assistance, public assistance grants to state and local government and nonprofit organizations to pay for debris removal, emergency protective measures and road repairs, and low-interest disaster loans provided by the Small Business Administration.
My visits to the affected areas fundamentally evidenced the need for long-term recovery and to get people back on their feet. My constituents and others in the affected areas needed and greatly appreciated the federal assistance they received, and so now that Americans in other parts of our nation need our help, we must move in a bipartisan fashion to provide it.
EXTENT OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY SANDY
As a nation, we continue to mourn the loss of at least 132 people in the United States due to Superstorm Sandy (60 in New York, 48 New York City; 34 in New Jersey; 16 in Pennsylvania, 7 in West Virginia). Many more were lost to Sandy in the Caribbean.
As devastating as Hurricane Ike was, the damage to property it caused
(an estimated $29.5 billion) the costs associated with Superstorm Sandy are expected to be significantly higher. While we do not yet know the final numbers, the total amount of property damage resulting from Superstorm Sandy exceeds $62 billion.
In terms of dollars of property destruction, this ranks Superstorm Sandy second only to Hurricane Katrina ($128 billion, adjusted for inflation)(note: Hurricane Ike ranks 3rd).
Most gas stations in New York City and New Jersey were closed because of power shortages and depleted fuel supplies. Long lines formed at gas stations that were expected to be open.
Food, shelter and clothing are basic necessities, and right now far too many people are without access to them during these holidays and in brutally cold weather. With more cold weather in sight, things are not going to get any easier for residents of those communities.
Economic conditions in many affected communities are stagnant; stalled because the federal government has yet to provide funding. It took 10 days for Congress to approve comprehensive aid for Katrina, but Congress has yet to provide a comprehensive aid package for those affected by Sandy for more than two months.
CONCLUSION
Today, the $9.7 billion in relief granted by H.R. 41 granted is limited in scope and insufficient to address the entirety of the situation faced by residents of the affected areas. Here in the House, we must finish the job and pass H.R. 251. We need to restore a sense of calm and stability in the lives of people affected by Superstorm Sandy. We need to ensure that small businesses in the affected areas are able to rebound as expeditiously as possible so that they can get the local economies moving again.
I am encouraged that with bipartisan support, we were able to pass H.R. 41 relief for Superstorm Sandy; however, we must now follow up and finish the job by passing H.R. 251. We know that disasters affect all of us at one point or another, and we must come together as one nation to give people access to relief that, realistically, only the federal government can provide.
The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 113-1. That amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read.
The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as follows:
H.R. 152
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Food and Nutrition Service
commodity assistance program
For an additional amount for ``Commodity Assistance Program'' for the emergency food assistance program as authorized by section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) and section 204(a)(1) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7508(a)(1)),
$6,000,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provisions of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, the Secretary of Agriculture may allocate additional foods and funds for administrative expenses from resources specifically appropriated, transferred, or reprogrammed to restore to States resources used to assist families and individuals displaced by Hurricane Sandy among the States without regard to sections 204 and 214 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 7508, 7515): Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
investigations
For an additional amount for ``Investigations'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $20,000,000, to remain available until expended to conduct studies of flood and storm damage reduction related to natural disasters: Provided, That using $19,500,000 of the funds provided herein, the Secretary of the Army shall conduct, at full Federal expense, a comprehensive study to address the flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy within the boundaries of the North Atlantic Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That an interim report with an assessment of authorized Corps projects for reducing flooding and storm risks in the affected area that have been constructed or are under construction, including construction cost estimates, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than March 1, 2013: Provided further, That an interim report identifying any previously authorized but unconstructed Corps project and any project under study by the Corps for reducing flooding and storm damage risks in the affected area, including updated construction cost estimates, that are, or would be, consistent with the comprehensive study shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees not later than May 1, 2013: Provided further, That a final report shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That as a part of the study, the Secretary shall identify those activities that warrant additional analysis by the Corps, as well as institutional and other barriers to providing protection to the affected coastal areas: Provided further, That the Secretary shall conduct the study in coordination with other Federal agencies, and State, local, and Tribal officials to ensure consistency with other plans to be developed, as appropriate: Provided further, That using
$500,000 of the funds provided herein, the Secretary shall conduct, at full Federal expense, an evaluation of the performance of existing projects constructed by the Corps and damaged as a consequence of Hurricane Sandy for the purposes of determining their effectiveness and making recommendations for improvements to such projects: Provided further, That the amounts in this paragraph are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
construction
For an additional amount for ``Construction'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$9,000,000, to remain available until expended for repairs to projects that were under construction and damaged as a consequence of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
operation and maintenance
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $742,000,000, to remain available until expended to dredge Federal navigation channels, and repair damage to Corps projects: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
flood control and coastal emergencies
For an additional amount for ``Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $582,000,000, to remain available until expended to support emergency operations, repairs, and other activities, as authorized by law: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
TITLE III
Small Business Administration
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'',
$10,000,000 for grants to or cooperative agreements with organizations to provide technical assistance related to disaster recovery, response, and long term resiliency to small businesses that are recovering from Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That the Small Business Administration shall expedite the delivery of assistance in disaster-affected areas: Provided further, That the Administrator of the Small Business Administration may waive the matching requirements under section 21(a)(4)(A) and 29(c) of the Small Business Act for any grant made using funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That no later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or no less than 7 days prior to obligation of funds, whichever occurs earlier, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
office of inspector general
For an additional amount for ``Office of Inspector General'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
disaster loans program account
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Disaster Loans Program Account'' for the cost of direct loans authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $100,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That in addition, for direct administrative expenses of loan making and servicing to carry out the direct loan program authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act in response to Hurricane Sandy, an additional $50,000,000, to remain available until expended, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriations for Salaries and Expenses: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE IV
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
acquisition, construction, and improvements
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $143,899,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That notwithstanding the transfer limitation contained in section 503 of division D of Public Law 112-74, such funding may be transferred to other Coast Guard appropriations after notification as required in accordance with such section: Provided further, That a description of all facilities and property to be reconstructed and restored, with associated costs and time lines, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
disaster relief fund
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for the ``Disaster Relief Fund'' for major disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $5,379,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which $3,000,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General for audits and investigations related to disasters: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish on the Agency's website not later than 24 hours after an award of a public assistance grant under section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172) that is in excess of $1,000,000, the specifics of each such grant award: Provided further, That for any mission assignment or mission assignment task order to another Federal department or agency regarding a major disaster, not later than 24 hours after the issuance of a mission assignment or task order in excess of $1,000,000, the Administrator shall publish on the Agency's website the following: the name of the impacted State and the disaster declaration for such State, the assigned agency, the assistance requested, a description of the disaster, the total cost estimate, and the amount obligated: Provided further, That not later than 10 days after the last day of each month until the mission assignment or task order is completed and closed out, the Administrator shall update any changes to the total cost estimate and the amount obligated: Provided further, That for a disaster declaration related to Hurricane Sandy, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, not later than 5 days after the first day of each month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall publish on the Agency's website not later than 10 days after the first day of each such month, an estimate or actual amount, if available, for the current fiscal year of the cost of the following categories of spending: public assistance, individual assistance, operations, mitigation, administrative, and any other relevant category (including emergency measures and disaster resources): Provided further, That not later than 10 days after the first day of each month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish on the Agency's website the report (referred to as the Disaster Relief Monthly Report) as required by Public Law 112-74.
Science and Technology
research, development, acquisition, and operations
For an additional amount for ``Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations'', for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $585,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
systems acquisition
For an additional amount for ``Systems Acquisition'', for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $3,869,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
General Provision--This Title
Sec. 401. Funds made available by Public Law 109-88 for carrying out activities authorized under section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184) may be used until expended to provide assistance under section 417 of that Act to local governments in areas eligible to receive such assistance pursuant to a major disaster declaration by the President for Hurricane Sandy.
TITLE V
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
construction
For an additional amount for ``Construction'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$49,875,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
National Park Service
construction
For an additional amount for ``Construction'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$234,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
oil spill research
For an additional amount for ``Oil Spill Research'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $3,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE VI
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
public health and social services emergency fund
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund'' for disaster response and recovery, and other expenses directly related to Hurricane Sandy, including making payments under the Head Start Act and additional payments for distribution as provided for under the ``Social Services Block Grant Program'', $100,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That not less than $25,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Children and Families Services Programs'' for the Head Start program for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That not less than $25,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Social Services Block Grant'' for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That not less than $2,000,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (``HHS'')
``Office of Inspector General'' to perform oversight, accountability, and evaluation of programs, projects, or activities supported with the funds provided for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the distribution of any amount shall be limited to the States of New York and New Jersey, except that funds provided to ``Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration'' may be distributed to other States, but only if such funds are for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for behavioral health treatment, crisis counseling, and other related helplines, and for other similar programs to provide support to dislocated residents of New York and New Jersey: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this paragraph shall be included in the calculation of the ``base grant'' in subsequent fiscal years, as such term is defined in sections 640(a)(7)(A), 641A(h)(1)(B), or 644(d)(3) of the Head Start Act: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph are not subject to the allocation requirements of section 640(a) of the Head Start Act: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph are in addition to the entitlement grants authorized by section 2002(a)(1) of the Social Security Act and shall not be available for such entitlement grants: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph may be transferred by the Secretary of HHS
(``Secretary'') to accounts within HHS, and shall be available only for the purposes provided in this paragraph: Provided further, That the transfer authority provided in this paragraph is in addition to any other transfer authority available in this or any other Act for fiscal year 2013: Provided further, That 15 days prior to the transfer of funds appropriated in this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate of any such transfer and the planned uses of the funds: Provided further, That obligations incurred for the purposes provided herein prior to the date of enactment of this Act may be charged to funds appropriated by this paragraph: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph and transferred to the National Institutes of Health for the purpose of supporting the repair or rebuilding of non-Federal biomedical or behavioral research facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy shall be used to award grants or contracts for such purpose under section 404I of the Public Health Service Act: Provided further, That section 481A(c)(2) of such Act does not apply to the use of funds described in the preceding proviso: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph shall not be available for costs that are reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, under a contract for insurance, or by self-insurance: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
RELATED AGENCIES
Social Security Administration
limitation on administrative expenses
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Limitation on Administrative Expenses'', $2,000,000, for expenses directly related to Hurricane Sandy, which shall be derived from the unobligated balances that remain available under such heading for the Social Security Administration for information technology and telecommunications hardware and software infrastructure: Provided, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE VII
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, Army National Guard'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $24,235,000, to remain available until September 30, 2017: Provided, That none of the funds made available to the Army National Guard for recovery efforts related to Hurricane Sandy in this Act shall be available for obligation until the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate receive form 1391 for each specific request: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be obligated to carry out military construction projects not otherwise authorized by law: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Health Administration
medical services
For an additional amount for ``Medical Services'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $21,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
medical facilities
For an additional amount for ``Medical Facilities'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $6,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
National Cemetery Administration
For an additional amount for ``National Cemetery Administration'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,100,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Departmental Administration
information technology systems
For an additional amount for ``Information Technology Systems'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $531,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
construction, major projects
For an additional amount for ``Construction, Major Projects'', $207,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2017, for renovations and repairs as a consequence of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That none of these funds shall be available for obligation until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and major medical facility construction not otherwise authorized by law: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE VIII
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
facilities and equipment
(airport and airway trust fund)
For an additional amount for ``Facilities and Equipment'',
$14,600,000, to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Railroad Administration
operating subsidy grants to the national railroad passenger corporation
For an additional amount for ``Operating Subsidy Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation'' for the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $32,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Transit Administration
public transportation emergency relief program
(including transfer of funds)
For the ``Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program'' as authorized under section 5324 of title 49, United States Code, $5,400,000,000, to remain available until expended, for transit systems affected by Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That not more than $2,000,000,000 shall be made available not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That the remainder of the funds shall be made available only after the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency sign the memorandum of agreement required by section 20017(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Public Law 112-141) and the Federal Transit Administration publishes interim regulations for the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program: Provided further, That not more than three-quarters of 1 percent of the funds for public transportation emergency relief shall be available for administrative expenses and ongoing program management oversight as authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5334 and 5338(i)(2) and shall be in addition to any other appropriations for such purpose: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $3,000,000 shall be transferred to the Office of Inspector General to support the oversight of activities under this heading: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Community Planning and Development
community development fund
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Community Development Fund'', $3,850,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2017, for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) due to Hurricane Sandy, for activities authorized under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided, That funds shall be allocated directly to States and units of general local government at the discretion of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Provided further, That within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall allocate to grantees all funds provided under this heading based on the best available data: Provided further, That as a condition of eligibility for receipt of such funds, a grantee shall submit a plan to the Secretary detailing the proposed use of all funds, including criteria for eligibility and how the use of such funds will address long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas: Provided further, That the Secretary shall, by notice issued within 45 days of enactment of this Act, specify criteria for approval of plans, and, if the Secretary determines that a plan does not meet such criteria, the Secretary shall disapprove the plan: Provided further, That as a condition of making any grant, the Secretary shall certify in advance that such grantee has in place proficient financial controls and procurement processes and has established adequate procedures to prevent any duplication of benefits as defined by section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), to ensure timely expenditure of funds, to maintain comprehensive websites regarding all disaster recovery activities assisted with these funds, and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds: Provided further, That funds provided under this heading may not be used for activities reimbursable by or for which funds are made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That funds allocated under this heading shall not be considered relevant to the non-disaster formula allocations made pursuant to section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306): Provided further, That a grantee may use up to 5 percent of its overall allocation for administrative costs: Provided further, That a grantee shall administer grant funds provided under this heading in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and may not delegate, by contract or otherwise, the responsibility for administering such grant funds: Provided further, That the Secretary shall provide grantees with technical assistance on contracting and procurement processes and shall require grantees, in contracting or procuring these funds, to incorporate performance requirements and penalties into any such contracts or agreements: Provided further, That the Secretary shall require grantees to maintain on a public website information accounting for how all grant funds are used, including details of all contracts and ongoing procurement processes: Provided further, That, in administering the funds under this heading, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use of these funds by a grantee (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) upon a request by a grantee explaining why such waiver is required to facilitate the use of such funds and pursuant to a determination by the Secretary that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement and that such action is not inconsistent with the overall purposes of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
(42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) or this heading: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the preceding proviso, recipients of funds provided under this heading that use such funds to supplement Federal assistance provided under sections 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, without review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental review, approval or permit under section 104(g)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(1)): Provided further, That, notwithstanding section 104(g)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(2)), the Secretary may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of funds for an activity or project assisted under this heading if the recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval or permit under the preceding proviso or the activity or project is categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.): Provided further, That a waiver granted by the Secretary may not reduce the percentage of funds that must be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income to less than 50 percent, unless the Secretary specifically finds that there is compelling need to further reduce the percentage requirement: Provided further, That the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any waiver or alternative requirement made by the Secretary with respect to any statute or regulation no later than 5 days before the effective date of such waiver or alternative requirement: Provided further, That, of the funds made available under this heading, up to $4,000,000 may be transferred to Program Office Salaries and Expenses, Community Planning and Development for necessary costs, including information technology costs, of administering and overseeing funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That, of the funds made available under this heading, $4,000,000 shall be transferred to Office of the Inspector General for necessary costs of overseeing and auditing funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That funds provided under this heading are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Administrative Provision--Department of Housing and Urban Development
Sec. 801. For fiscal year 2013, upon request by a public housing agency and supported by documentation as required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development that demonstrates that the need for the adjustment is due to the disaster, the Secretary may make temporary adjustments to the Section 8 housing choice voucher annual renewal funding allocations and administrative fee eligibility determinations for public housing agencies in an area for which the President declared a disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.), to avoid significant adverse funding impacts that would otherwise result from the disaster.
TITLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
Sec. 901. Each amount appropriated or made available in this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved.
Sec. 902. Each amount designated in this Act by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available only if the President subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits such designations to the Congress.
Sec. 903. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 904. (a)(1) Not later than March 31, 2013, in accordance with criteria to be established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (referred to in this section as ``OMB''), each Federal agency shall submit to OMB, the Government Accountability Office, the respective Inspector General of each agency, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate internal control plans for funds provided by this Act.
(2) Not later than June 30, 2013, the Government Accountability Office shall review for the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate the design of the internal control plans required by paragraph (1).
(b) All programs and activities receiving funds under this Act shall be deemed to be ``susceptible to significant improper payments'' for purposes of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note), notwithstanding section 2(a) of such Act.
(c) Funds for grants provided by this Act shall be expended by the grantees within the 24-month period following the agency's obligation of funds for the grant, unless, in accordance with guidance to be issued by the Director of OMB, the Director waives this requirement for a particular grant program and submits a written justification for such waiver to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the case of such grants, the agency shall include a term in the grant that requires the grantee to return to the agency any funds not expended within the 24-month period.
(d) Through September 30, 2015, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board shall develop and use information technology resources and oversight mechanisms to detect and remediate waste, fraud, and abuse in the obligation and expenditure of funds appropriated in this or any other Act for any fiscal year of such period for purposes related to the impact of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That the Board shall coordinate its oversight efforts with the Director of OMB, the head of each Federal agency receiving appropriations related to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, and the respective Inspector General of each such agency: Provided further, That the Board shall submit quarterly reports to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on its activities related to funds appropriated for the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013''.
The CHAIR. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except the amendment printed in part B of House Report 113-1. After disposition of that amendment, the Chair shall put the question on the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
If the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 113-1 accompanying House Resolution 23 is not adopted, the Committee shall rise and report that it has come to no resolution on the bill.
If the amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted, the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment.
No further amendment shall be in order except the amendments printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
At the conclusion of consideration of the amendments printed in part C of House Report 113-1, the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the bill, to the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 113-1, or to amendment No. 1 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Each amendment printed in part B and part C of House Report 113-1 may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment (except as specified in House Report 113-1), and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Mulvaney
The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in part B of House Report 113-1.
Mr. MULVANEY. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
After section 904 (but before the short title), insert the following new section:
Sec. 905. (a) There is hereby rescinded an amount equal to 1.63 percent of--
(1) the budget authority provided (or obligation limitation imposed) for fiscal year 2013 for any discretionary account in any fiscal year 2013 appropriation Act;
(2) the budget authority provided in any advance appropriation for fiscal year 2013 for any discretionary account in any prior fiscal year appropriation Act; and
(3) the contract authority provided in fiscal year 2013 for any program that is subject to a limitation contained in any fiscal year 2013 appropriation Act for any discretionary account.
(b) Any rescission made by subsection (a) shall be applied proportionately--
(1) to each discretionary account and each item of budget authority described in such subsection; and
(2) within each such account and item, to each program, project, and activity (with programs, projects, and activities as delineated in the appropriation Act or accompanying reports for the relevant fiscal year covering such account or item, or for accounts and items not included in appropriation Acts, as delineated in the most recently submitted President's budget).
(c) In the case of any fiscal year 2013 appropriation Act enacted after the date of enactment of this section, any rescission required by subsection (a) shall take effect immediately after the enactment of such Act.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this section (or, if later, 30 days after the enactment of any fiscal year 2013 appropriation Act), the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report specifying the account and amount of each rescission made pursuant to subsection (a).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Mulvaney) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
Mr. MULVANEY. Thank you for the opportunity to the chairman and the ranking member.
I want to make it very clear what this amendment is and what this amendment is not.
This amendment is not about delay. This amendment is not about offering a poison pill to the underlying bill. This amendment is not about preventing money from going where it is very desperately needed. I want that to happen. I want these folks who need this money to get it.
I live in an area that is hurricane-prone. I have lived through hurricanes myself. I have lived through floods myself. I have waded through chest-high water full of snakes and human waste to get into my own business. I've been able to take advantage of and to use, to rebuild a small business, a small business disaster loan. I want the money to go where it needs to go.
I'm here for one reason and one reason only today, Madam Chair, and that is to talk about how we can pay for it. That's it.
There was a time when we didn't have to have this conversation. There was a time back during Hurricane Hugo in the late 1980s where we didn't have to talk about how to pay for disaster assistance because the deficit was only $3 trillion. But we've so badly mismanaged our money after that, that by the time we got to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, that we actually did start talking about offsetting and paying for disaster relief and paid for and offset about 40 percent of it.
But we didn't learn. We didn't learn from those mistakes, and we've continued to mismanage our money and to run up our deficit to such a point now where it's $16 trillion today, and it is incumbent upon us to have the discussion about whether or not we have the money to do this and whether or not it's important enough to us to pay for it.
I wish very much that we weren't here today, I wish very much that we could pass this and easily borrow the money without any questions whatsoever, but we've wasted that opportunity. We've mismanaged our own finances to the point where we are now no longer capable of taking care of our own.
Think about that for a second. In the United States of America, we do not have enough money to take care of our own citizens who need it. There's no rainy day fund. There's no savings. What ability we had to borrow money we blew through several years ago with trillion dollar deficits. We don't have enough money saved up to take care of our own people, and that's wrong. It's absolutely wrong.
It is important to me that this money goes to the folks who need it very badly. It's so important to me that I think we should pay for it. I think we should be willing, as a body, to come together and say, Look, there are things that we do not need this year, things that we can do without this year so that the people in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut and the other States who so badly need the money can have it, without us having to go hat-in-hand to other nations of this world and say, Would you please lend us money so that we can take care of our folks who need it so badly?
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I hope the amendment passes. I hope the amendment passes so that I can vote for the bill. I want this money to go where it is so desperately needed. But the time has come and gone in this Nation when we can walk in here one day and spend $9 billion or $17 billion or $60 billion and not think about who's paying for it.
This is important money. It's important to you, it's important to me, and it's important to everyone in here. But it's important enough for us to pay for it ourselves. For that reason, I encourage passage of this amendment and passage ultimately of the underlying bill.
With that, I would yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Chairman, it seems we've lost the battle over all of the non-emergency, non-Sandy spending in this measure. The question before us now is whether we're going to spend $17 billion in this bill--$50 billion when it's amended--without even pretending that we can pay for it.
The gentleman from South Carolina's amendment proposes that we actually recognize that our government is facing a fiscal crisis of unprecedented dimensions and at least pay for the $17 billion in the Rogers bill.
I don't like across-the-board cuts, which treat our highest priorities the same as our lowest priorities; but the Rules Committee disallowed the gentleman from South Carolina's specific offsets like repealing remaining TARP funds and ending bonuses to Federal employees who take transit to work. And the fact is if Members believe that a 1.6 percent cut to discretionary spending is draconian, they should be just as leery of a 1.6 percent increase in spending to pay for non-
emergency, non-Sandy-related programs in the Rogers bill.
In the last 10 years, inflation and population have grown 39 percent, our revenues have grown 37 percent, but our spending has grown 64 percent. In light of that, a 1.6 percent cut to pay for this bill, which we are assured is our highest priority, seems like a very modest measure.
Mr. MULVANEY. Madam Chair, I would like to yield 45 seconds to the gentlelady from Wyoming (Mrs. Lummis).
Mrs. LUMMIS. Madam Chairman, without question, the victims of Sandy deserve relief. They deserve it, and we should give it to them in a way that we can afford. If we can't do a 1.6 percent reduction in spending, how are we going to deal with a $16 trillion debt?
My own State of Wyoming is cutting spending 6\1/2\ percent across the board right now to balance the budget because revenues didn't materialize that have materialized in the past. And it's very doable. We in this House cut our own budgets 11.4 percent in the period of 2 years. This House has not missed a beat. Not a single Member was hurt by that. A 1.6 percent reduction in Federal spending to pay for these victims' benefits that deserve this money is the right thing to do.
I rise in support of the Mulvaney amendment.
Mr. MULVANEY. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield myself 3 minutes.
Our people in the Northeast are facing a struggle of historic proportions. Many have seen their homes, their livelihoods, and their communities decimated beyond belief. It is the Federal responsibility--
and in fact our responsibility as human beings--to help those victims in this unexpected catastrophe.
In doing so, we must expend some Federal dollars. I don't take spending this money lightly. Our country faces a deficit crisis, as the gentleman from South Carolina has said, a deficit crisis of huge proportions, with an economy that's fighting to recover; and any expenditure must be weighed against all other needs facing our Nation.
Now, I don't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to cutting spending. Since I've chaired this committee the last 2 years, we've cut
$100 billion off of discretionary spending, 2 years in a row, going on a third. That's not happened since World War II. So I know whereof I speak.
In this case, Madam Chair, the needs are very desperately clear. We must provide this emergency funding, as we are allowed by law, without the devastating slash-and-burn cuts elsewhere that this amendment would cause. The amendment before us would slash nearly $20 billion from discretionary spending this year alone, totally indiscriminate, unspecific, cutting the good and the bad, completely abdicating the responsibility of Congress to determine where spending should or should not occur.
To put this in perspective, this amendment contains a cut to regular discretionary spending that is about the size of the entire agriculture discretionary budget for the year. It is about the equivalent of eliminating all discretionary funding for the Department of Transportation or the full annual budgets of the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol combined.
As written, this amendment is an across-the-board cut that holds no program safe from harm. Defense spending, which is already facing potentially devastating sequestration cuts, is cut by another $10 billion. It would cut war funding by $1.6 billion, directly affecting our troops who are putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.
This amendment also cuts funding for our veterans by $200 million, potentially endangering the quality of their care and making a statement that Congress is willing to go back on commitments to our vets. And the list of other unwise cuts and side effects go on.
Finally, this amendment goes against the precedent of previous emergency supplementals, which did not contain these extreme offsets.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I yield myself an additional 30 seconds.
I believe we can and should attempt to budget for disasters, as we did under the BCA. There are times when a disaster simply goes beyond our ability to offset. Hurricane Sandy is one of those times.
I urge a defeat of the amendment.
I now yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. I rise in strong opposition to the Mulvaney amendment. It would make indiscriminate across-the-board cuts, it would create a $2.1 billion shortfall in military pay, take $529 million from military health care and $1.4 billion support for our troops in Afghanistan. Even before the Mulvaney amendment, the Joint Chiefs of Staff say we are on the brink of creating a hollow force.
It would also cut care for wounded warriors after they come home, reducing veterans' medical services by more than $800 million. And here at home the amendment would eliminate $650 million in funds to repair, rebuild, and expand highways and bridges. It would cut more than 139,000 low-income pregnant women, infants and young children from the WIC program.
It would take $500 million from the National Institutes of Health for research and cures for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
On many occasions, Democrats and Republicans came together to meet these urgent needs caused by major disasters in all parts of the Nation. We didn't say we must first cut support for armed forces and veterans and reduce investments in research. Let's not do that now.
Mr. MULVANEY. In closing, Madam Chair, I would just say I don't like across-the-board cuts any more than anybody else does. I offered other alternatives. They were ruled out of order.
But I would put it to my colleagues, just tell me what you're willing to do without. Are we willing and able to do without anything so that these people can get this money this year? That's the question that I want to debate. That's what I'm looking for for my colleagues across the aisle. Are there no savings, are there no reductions that we could put in place this year so these folks get this money?
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).
The CHAIR. The gentleman from Indiana is recognized for 30 seconds.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the chairman yielding. I would simply conclude by saying one of my colleagues mentioned that we have a crisis. We do have a crisis--a crisis of indecision in this Chamber. We are under a continuing resolution. This committee is not allowed to complete its work. That creates inefficiencies at the Department of Defense, endangering our security.
The chairman talked about the impact on across-the-board cuts and sequestration, and now we're going to pile on with more cuts. The fact is the goal the gentleman is looking for is not going to happen, and I will simply give you one example. By stringing out acquisition and modernization, you increase the cost to the American taxpayer. I would ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
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The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Mulvaney).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. MULVANEY. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, the Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 113-1.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 162, noes 258, not voting 12, as follows:
AYES--162
AmashAmodeiBachmannBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCampCampbellCantorCarneyCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)ConawayCooperCottonCramerDainesDenhamDeSantisDesJarlaisDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGerlachGibbsGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA) Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)HallHarperHarrisHeck (NV)HensarlingHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanKing (IA)LabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLathamLattaLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMassieMathesonMcClintockMcHenryMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetersonPetriPittengerPittsPompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRibbleRice (SC)Roe (TN)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchraderSchweikertSensenbrennerSessionsSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonWagnerWalbergWaldenWeber (TX)WenstrupWestmorelandWilliamsWilson (SC)WoodallYoderYohoYoung (IN)
NOES--258
AderholtAlexanderAndrewsBachusBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBonnerBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCalvertCapitoCappsCapuanoCardenasCarson (IN)CarterCartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeCollins (NY)ConnollyConyersCookCourtneyCrawfordCrowleyCuellarCulbersonCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDavis, RodneyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDentDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickForbesFortenberryFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGibsonGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGuthrieGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHartzlerHastings (FL)Hastings (WA)Heck (WA)Herrera BeutlerHigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanHunterIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.JoyceKapturKeatingKellyKennedyKildeeKilmerKindKing (NY)Kinzinger (IL)KlineKusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLongLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarinoMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (CA)McCarthy (NY)McCaulMcCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcKeonMcKinleyMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNegrete McLeodNoemNolanNugentO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPoe (TX)PolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRenacciRichmondRigellRobyRogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Ros-LehtinenRoskamRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderScott (VA)Scott, AustinScott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusShusterSimpsonSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerValadaoVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalorskiWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWebster (FL)WelchWhitfieldWilson (FL)WittmanWolfWomackYarmuthYoung (AK)Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--12
Brown (FL)CleaverCostaCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNunesSchwartzSpeier
{time} 1610
Messrs. JEFFRIES, DENT, and CULBERSON changed their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
Mr. MILLER of Florida and Mr. DUFFY changed their vote from ``no'' to
``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 14 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Mulvaney Amendment.
The Acting CHAIR (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). The question is on the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 113-1.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 327, noes 91, not voting 14, as follows:
AYES--327
AderholtAlexanderAmodeiAndrewsBachusBarberBarlettaBarrowBartonBassBeattyBecerraBeraBilirakisBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)Bishop (UT)BlumenauerBonamiciBonnerBoustanyBrady (PA)Brady (TX)Braley (IA)Brooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Brownley (CA)BuchananBucshonBurgessBustosButterfieldCalvertCantorCapitoCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CarterCartwrightCassidyCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCobleCoffmanCohenColeCollins (NY)ConnollyConyersCooperCourtneyCramerCrawfordCrowleyCuellarCulbersonCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDavis, RodneyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDenhamDentDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthDuffyEdwardsEllisonEllmersEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarentholdFarrFattahFitzpatrickFleischmannForbesFortenberryFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGardnerGarrettGerlachGibbsGibsonGrangerGraves (GA)GraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGriffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GrijalvaGrimmGuthrieGutierrezHahnHallHanabusaHannaHarperHarrisHartzlerHastings (FL)Hastings (WA)Heck (NV)Heck (WA)Herrera BeutlerHigginsHimesHinojosaHoldingHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanHunterIsraelIssaJeffriesJenkinsJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.Johnson, SamJonesJoyceKapturKeatingKellyKennedyKildeeKilmerKindKing (NY)Kinzinger (IL)KlineKusterLabradorLaMalfaLanceLangevinLankfordLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)LathamLee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLongLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarinoMarkeyMathesonMatsuiMcCarthy (CA)McCarthy (NY)McCaulMcCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMicaMichaudMiller, GaryMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)Murphy (PA)NadlerNealNegrete McLeodNoemNolanNugentNunneleeO'RourkeOlsonOwensPalazzoPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaulsenPaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)PetersonPingree (ME)PittsPocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRenacciRichmondRigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (KY)RooneyRos-LehtinenRoskamRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesScaliseSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchockSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSessionsSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusShusterSimpsonSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NE)Smith (NJ)Smith (WA)SoutherlandStiversStockmanSwalwell (CA)TakanoTerryThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)Thompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTierneyTiptonTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerValadaoVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWaldenWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWebster (FL)WelchWhitfieldWilson (FL)WittmanWolfWomackYarmuthYoderYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NOES--91
AmashBachmannBarrBenishekBentivolioBlackBlackburnBridenstineBroun (GA)CampCampbellChabotChaffetzCollins (GA)ConawayCottonDainesDeSantis DesJarlaisDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)FincherFlemingFloresFoxxFranks (AZ)Gingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGraves (MO)HensarlingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHurtJohnson (OH)JordanKing (IA)LambornLattaLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMassieMcClintockMcHenryMeadowsMesserMiller (FL)Miller (MI)MullinMulvaneyNeugebauerPearcePerryPetriPittengerPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRibbleRogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSmith (TX)StewartStutzmanUptonWagnerWalbergWalorskiWeber (TX)WenstrupWestmorelandWilliamsWilson (SC)WoodallYoho
NOT VOTING--14
Brown (FL)CleaverCookCostaCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNunesRice (SC)SchwartzSpeier
{time} 1618
Mr. LONG changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 15 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the Rogers Amendment.
Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Frelinghuysen
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following:
TITLE X
ADDITIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
CHAPTER 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
emergency conservation activities
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount, to remain available until expended, for the Emergency Conservation Program under title IV of the Agriculture Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy and resulting from a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.),
$218,000,000, of which $15,000,000 shall be available for payments under sections 401 and 402 of the Agriculture Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201, 2202), $180,000,000 shall be available for activities under section 403 of such Act
(Emergency Watershed Protection Program; 16 U.S.C. 2203), and
$23,000,000 shall be available for activities under section 407 of such Act (Emergency Forest Restoration Program; 16 U.S.C. 2206): Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer these funds to the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
GENERAL PROVISION--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 1011. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture shall use unobligated disaster assistance oversight funds provided to such office in division B of Public Law 110-329 (122 Stat. 3585) for continued oversight of Department of Agriculture disaster- and emergency-related activities.
CHAPTER 2
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
operations, research, and facilities
For an additional amount for ``Operations, Research, and Facilities'', $290,000,000 to remain available until September 30, 2014, as follows:
(1) $50,000,000 for mapping, charting, geodesy services and marine debris surveys for coastal States impacted by Hurricane Sandy;
(2) $7,000,000 to repair and replace ocean observing and coastal monitoring assets damaged by Hurricane Sandy;
(3) $3,000,000 to provide technical assistance to support State assessments of coastal impacts of Hurricane Sandy;
(4) $150,000,000 for Regional Ocean Partnership grants to coastal States impacted by Hurricane Sandy;
(5) $25,000,000 to improve weather forecasting and hurricane intensity forecasting capabilities, to include data assimilation from ocean observing platforms and satellites;
(6) $50,000,000 for laboratories and cooperative institutes research activities associated with sustained observations weather research programs, and ocean and coastal research; and
(7) $5,000,000 for necessary expenses related to fishery disasters resulting from impacts of Hurricane Sandy, and as declared by the Secretary of Commerce in calendar year 2012:
Provided, That the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall submit a spending plan to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
procurement, acquisition and construction
For an additional amount for ``Procurement, Acquisition and Construction'', $186,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2015, as follows:
(1) $9,000,000 to repair National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy;
(2) $44,500,000 for repairs and upgrades to NOAA hurricane reconnaissance aircraft;
(3) $8,500,000 for improvements to weather forecasting equipment and supercomputer infrastructure;
(4) $13,000,000 to accelerate the National Weather Service ground readiness project; and
(5) $111,000,000 for a weather satellite data mitigation gap reserve fund:
Provided, That NOAA shall submit a spending plan to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Federal Bureau of Investigation
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $10,020,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Drug Enforcement Administration
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,000,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $230,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Prison System
buildings and facilities
For an additional amount for ``Buildings and Facilities'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
SCIENCE
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
construction and environmental compliance and restoration
For an additional amount for ``Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration'' for repair at National Aeronautics and Space Administration facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy, $15,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2014: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
RELATED AGENCIES
Legal Services Corporation
payment to the legal services corporation
For an additional amount for ``Payment to the Legal Services Corporation'' to carry out the purposes of the Legal Services Corporation Act by providing for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,000,000: Provided, That the amount made available under this heading shall be used only to provide the mobile resources, technology, and disaster coordinators necessary to provide storm-related services to the Legal Services Corporation client population and only in the areas significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this Act to the Legal Services Corporation shall be expended for any purpose prohibited or limited by, or contrary to any of the provisions of, sections 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506 of Public Law 105-119, and all funds appropriated in this Act to the Legal Services Corporation shall be subject to the same terms and conditions set forth in such sections, except that all references in sections 502 and 503 to 1997 and 1998 shall be deemed to refer instead to 2012 and 2013, respectively, and except that sections 501 and 503 of Public Law 104-134
(referenced by Public Law 105-119) shall not apply to the amount made available under this heading: Provided further, That, for the purposes of this Act, the Legal Services Corporation shall be considered an agency of the United States Government.
CHAPTER 3
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--MILITARY
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Operation and Maintenance, Army
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance, Army'', $5,370,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Operation and Maintenance, Navy
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance, Navy'', $40,015,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance, Air Force'', $8,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard'', $3,165,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard'', $5,775,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement of Ammunition, Army
For an additional amount for ``Procurement of Ammunition, Army'', $1,310,000, to remain available until September 30, 2015, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
REVOLVING AND MANAGEMENT FUNDS
Defense Working Capital Funds
For an additional amount for ``Defense Working Capital Funds'', $24,200,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
CHAPTER 4
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
investigations
For an additional amount for ``Investigations'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $50,000,000, to remain available until expended to expedite at full Federal expense studies of flood and storm damage reduction: Provided, That using $29,500,000 of the funds provided herein, the Secretary of the Army shall expedite and complete ongoing flood and storm damage reduction studies in areas that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy in the North Atlantic Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That using up to
$20,000,000 of the funds provided herein, the Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study to address the flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations in areas that were affected by Hurricane Sandy within the boundaries of the North Atlantic Division of the Corps: Provided further, That an interim report with an assessment of authorized Corps projects for reducing flooding and storm risks in the affected area that have been constructed or are under construction, including construction cost estimates, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than March 1, 2013: Provided further, That an interim report identifying any previously authorized but unconstructed Corps project and any project under study by the Corps for reducing flooding and storm damage risks in the affected area, including updated construction cost estimates, that are, or would be, consistent with the comprehensive study shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees by May 1, 2013: Provided further, That a final report shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees within 24 months of the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That as a part of the study, the Secretary shall identify those activities warranting additional analysis by the Corps, as well as institutional and other barriers to providing protection to the affected coastal areas: Provided further, That the Secretary shall conduct the study in coordination with other Federal agencies, and State, local and Tribal officials to ensure consistency with other plans to be developed, as appropriate: Provided further, That using
$500,000 of the funds provided herein, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the performance of existing projects constructed by the Corps and impacted by Hurricane Sandy for the purposes of determining their effectiveness and making recommendations for improvements thereto: Provided further, That as a part of the study, the Secretary shall identify institutional and other barriers to providing comprehensive protection to affected coastal areas and shall provide this report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 120 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That the amounts in this paragraph are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
construction
For an additional amount for ``Construction'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$3,461,000,000, to remain available until expended to rehabilitate, repair and construct United States Army Corps of Engineers projects: Provided, That $2,902,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading shall be used to reduce future flood risk in ways that will support the long-term sustainability of the coastal ecosystem and communities and reduce the economic costs and risks associated with large-scale flood and storm events in areas along the Atlantic Coast within the boundaries of the North Atlantic Division of the Corps that were affected by Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That $858,000,000 of such funds shall be made available not earlier than 14 days after the Secretary of the Army submits the report required under the heading
``Investigations'' to be submitted not later than March 1, 2013, and $2,044,000,000 shall be made available not earlier than 14 days after the Secretary submits the report required under the heading ``Investigations'' to be submitted not later than May 1, 2013: Provided further, That efforts using these funds shall incorporate current science and engineering standards in constructing previously authorized Corps projects designed to reduce flood and storm damage risks and modifying existing Corps projects that do not meet these standards, with such modifications as the Secretary determines are necessary to incorporate these standards or to meet the goal of providing sustainable reduction to flooding and storm damage risks: Provided further, That upon approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate these funds may be used to construct any project under study by the Corps for reducing flooding and storm damage risks in areas along the Atlantic Coast within the North Atlantic Division of the Corps that were affected by Hurricane Sandy that the Secretary determines is technically feasible, economically justified, and environmentally acceptable: Provided further, That the completion of ongoing construction projects receiving funds provided by this Act shall be at full Federal expense: Provided further, That the non-Federal cash contribution for projects using these funds shall be financed in accordance with the provisions of section 103(k) of Public Law 99-662 over a period of 30 years from the date of completion of the project or separable element: Provided further, That for these projects, the provisions of section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 shall not apply to these funds: Provided further, That up to $51,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading shall be used to expedite continuing authorities projects to reduce the risk of flooding along the coastal areas in States impacted by Hurricane Sandy within the boundaries of the North Atlantic Division of the Corps: Provided further, That $9,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading shall be used for repairs to projects that were under construction and damaged by the impacts of Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That any projects using funds appropriated under this heading shall be initiated only after non-Federal interests have entered into binding agreements with the Secretary requiring the non-Federal interests to pay 100 percent of the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation costs of the project and to hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction or operation and maintenance of the project, except for damages due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a monthly report detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
operation and maintenance
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $821,000,000, to remain available until expended to dredge Federal navigation channels and repair damage to United States Army Corps of Engineers projects: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
flood control and coastal emergencies
For an additional amount for ``Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,008,000,000, to remain available until expended to prepare for flood, hurricane, and other natural disasters and support emergency operations, repairs and other activities as authorized by law: Provided, That $430,000,000 of the funds provided herein shall be made available not earlier than 14 days after the Secretary of the Army submits the report required under the heading
``Investigations'' to be submitted not later than March 1, 2013, and shall be utilized by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to restore projects impacted by Hurricane Sandy in the North Atlantic Division of the Corps to design profiles of the authorized projects: Provided further, That the provisions of section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 shall not apply to funds provided under this heading: Provided further, That the amounts in this paragraph are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
expenses
For an additional amount for ``Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$10,000,000, to remain available until expended to oversee emergency response and recovery activities: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds, beginning not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
GENERAL PROVISION--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 1041. This chapter shall apply in place of title II of this Act, and such title shall have no force or effect.
CHAPTER 5
General Services Administration
real property activities
federal buildings fund
For an additional amount to be deposited in the ``Federal Buildings Fund'', $7,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2015, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, for basic repair and alteration of buildings under the custody and control of the Administrator of General Services, and real property management and related activities not otherwise provided for: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Small Business Administration
salaries and expenses
The provisions under this heading in title III of this Act shall be applied by substituting ``$20,000,000'' for
``$10,000,000''.
office of inspector general
For an additional amount for ``Office of Inspector General'', $5,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That this paragraph shall apply in place of the previous provisions under this heading in title III of this Act, and such previous provisions shall have no force or effect.
disaster loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Disaster Loans Program Account'' for the cost of direct loans authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, $520,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That in addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, an additional
$260,000,000 to remain available until expended, of which
$250,000,000 is for direct administrative expenses of loan making and servicing to carry out the direct loan program, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriations for Salaries and Expenses, and of which
$10,000,000 is for indirect administrative expenses for the direct loan program, which may to be transferred to and merged with appropriations for Salaries and Expenses: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That this paragraph shall apply in place of the previous provisions under this heading in title III of this Act, and such previous provisions shall have no force or effect.
CHAPTER 6
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $1,667,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That a description of all property to be replaced, with associated costs, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $855,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That a description of all property to be replaced, with associated costs, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States Secret Service
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $300,000: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That a description of all property to be replaced, with associated costs, shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Coast Guard
acquisition, construction, and improvements
(including transfer of funds)
The provisions under this heading in title IV of this Act shall be applied by substituting ``$274,233,000'' for
``$143,899,000''.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
disaster relief fund
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for the ``Disaster Relief Fund'' in carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.),
$11,487,735,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount provided, $5,379,000,000 shall be for major disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided further, That the amount in the preceding proviso is designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That of the total amount provided,
$6,108,735,000 is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 which shall be for major disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided further, That of the total amount provided, $3,000,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security ``Office of Inspector General'' for audits and investigations related to disasters; Provided further, That the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish on the Agency's website not later than 24 hours after an award of a public assistance grant under section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172) that is in excess of $1,000,000, the specifics of each such grant award: Provided further, That for any mission assignment or mission assignment task order to another Federal department or agency regarding a major disaster, not later than 24 hours after the issuance of a mission assignment or task order in excess of $1,000,000, the Administrator shall publish on the Agency's website the following: the name of the impacted state and the disaster declaration for such State, the assigned agency, the assistance requested, a description of the disaster, the total cost estimate, and the amount obligated: Provided further, That not later than 10 days after the last day of each month until the mission assignment or task order is completed and closed out, the Administrator shall update any changes to the total cost estimate and the amount obligated: Provided further, That for a disaster declaration related to Hurricane Sandy, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, not later than 5 days after the first day of each month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall publish on the Agency's website not later than 10 days after the first day of each such month, an estimate or actual amount, if available, for the current fiscal year of the cost of the following categories of spending: public assistance, individual assistance, operations, mitigation, administrative, and any other relevant category (including emergency measures and disaster resources): Provided further, That not later than 10 days after the first day of each month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish on the Agency's website the report (referred to as the Disaster Relief Monthly Report) as required by Public Law 112-74: Provided further, That this paragraph shall apply in place of the previous provisions under this heading in title IV of this Act, and such previous provisions shall have no force or effect.
disaster assistance direct loan program account
For an additional amount for ``Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account'' for the cost of direct loans,
$300,000,000, to remain available until expended, as authorized by section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184), of which up to $4,000,000 is for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed $400,000,000: Provided further, That these amounts are designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Science and Technology
research, development, acquisition, and operations
The provisions under this heading in title IV of this Act shall be applied by substituting ``$3,249,000'' and
``September 30, 2014'' for ``$585,000'' and ``September 30, 2013'', respectively.
CHAPTER 7
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
construction
The provisions under this heading in title V of this Act shall be applied by substituting ``$78,000,000'' for
``$49,875,000''.
National Park Service
historic preservation fund
For an additional amount for the ``Historic Preservation Fund'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $50,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2015, including costs to States necessary to complete compliance activities required by section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and costs needed to administer the program: Provided, That grants shall only be available for areas that have received a major disaster declaration pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided further, That individual grants shall not be subject to a non-Federal matching requirement: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
construction
The provisions under this heading in title V of this Act shall be applied by substituting ``$348,000,000'' for
``$234,000,000''.
Departmental Operations
office of the secretary
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Departmental Operations'' and any Department of the Interior component bureau or office for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $360,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That funds appropriated herein shall be used to restore and rebuild national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other Federal public assets; increase the resiliency and capacity of coastal habitat and infrastructure to withstand storms and reduce the amount of damage caused by such storms: Provided further, That the Secretary of the Interior may transfer these funds to any other account in the Department and may expend such funds by direct expenditure, grants, or cooperative agreements, including grants to or cooperative agreements with States, Tribes, and municipalities, to carry out the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed spending plan for the amounts provided herein within 60 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Environmental Programs and Management
For an additional amount for ``Environmental Programs and Management'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $725,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Hazardous Substance Superfund
For an additional amount for ``Hazardous Substance Superfund'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $2,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund
For an additional amount for ``Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $5,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
For an additional amount for ``State and Tribal Assistance Grants'', $600,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which $500,000,000 shall be for capitalization grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and of which
$100,000,000 shall be for capitalization grants under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided, That notwithstanding section 604(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and section 1452(a)(1)(D) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, funds appropriated herein shall be provided to States in EPA Region 2 for wastewater and drinking water treatment works and facilities impacted by Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That notwithstanding the requirements of section 603(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, for the funds appropriated herein, each State shall use not less than 20 percent but not more than 30 percent of the amount of its capitalization grants to provide additional subsidization to eligible recipients in the form of forgiveness of principal, negative interest loans or grants or any combination of these: Provided further, That the funds appropriated herein shall only be used for eligible projects whose purpose is to reduce flood damage risk and vulnerability or to enhance resiliency to rapid hydrologic change or a natural disaster at treatment works as defined by section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or any eligible facilities under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other eligible tasks at such treatment works or facilities necessary to further such purposes: Provided further, That the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may retain up to $1,000,000 of the funds appropriated herein for management and oversight: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
capital improvement and maintenance
For an additional amount for ``Capital Improvement and Maintenance'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $4,400,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
OTHER RELATED AGENCY
Smithsonian Institution
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, $2,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
CHAPTER 8
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
training and employment services
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Training and Employment Services'', $25,000,000, for the dislocated workers assistance national reserve for necessary expenses directly related to Hurricane Sandy, which shall be available from the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 2013: Provided, That the Secretary of Labor may transfer up to
$3,500,000 of such funds to any other Department of Labor account for other Hurricane Sandy reconstruction and recovery needs, including worker protection activities: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
public health and social services emergency fund
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund'' for disaster response and recovery, and other expenses directly related to Hurricane Sandy, including making payments under the Head Start Act and additional payments for distribution as provided for under the ``Social Services Block Grant Program'', $800,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That
$100,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Children and Families Services Programs'' for the Head Start program for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That $500,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Social Services Block Grant'' for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That section 2002(c) of the Social Security Act shall be applied to funds appropriated in the preceding proviso by substituting
``succeeding 2 fiscal years'' for ``succeeding fiscal year'': Provided further, That not less than $5,000,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services
(``HHS'') ``Office of Inspector General'' to perform oversight, accountability, and evaluation of programs, projects, or activities supported with the funds provided for the purposes provided herein: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the distribution of any amount shall be limited to the States directly affected by Hurricane Sandy and which have been declared by the President as a major disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this paragraph shall be included in the calculation of the ``base grant'' in subsequent fiscal years, as such term is defined in sections 640(a)(7)(A), 641A(h)(1)(B), or 644(d)(3) of the Head Start Act: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph are not subject to the allocation requirements of section 640(a) of the Head Start Act: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph for the Social Services Block Grant are in addition to the entitlement grants authorized by section 2002(a)(1) of the Social Security Act and shall not be available for such entitlement grants: Provided further, That in addition to other uses permitted by title XX of the Social Security Act, funds appropriated in this paragraph for the Social Services Block Grant may be used for health services
(including mental health services), and for costs of renovating, repairing, or rebuilding health care facilities, child care facilities, or other social services facilities: Provided further, That the remaining $195,000,000 appropriated in this paragraph may be transferred by the Secretary of HHS (``Secretary'') to accounts within HHS, and shall be available only for the purposes provided in this paragraph: Provided further, That the transfer authority provided in this paragraph is in addition to any other transfer authority available in this or any other Act: Provided further, That 15 days prior to the transfer of funds appropriated in this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate of any such transfer and the planned uses of the funds: Provided further, That obligations incurred for the purposes provided herein prior to the date of enactment of this Act may be charged to funds appropriated by this paragraph: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph and transferred to the National Institutes of Health for the purpose of supporting the repair or rebuilding of non-Federal biomedical or behavioral research facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy shall be used to award grants or contracts for such purpose under section 404I of the Public Health Service Act: Provided further, That section 481A(c)(2) of such Act does not apply to the use of funds described in the preceding proviso: Provided further, That funds appropriated in this paragraph shall not be available for costs that are reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, under a contract for insurance, or by self-insurance: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That this paragraph shall apply in place of the previous provisions under this heading in title VI of this Act, and such previous provisions shall have no force or effect.
CHAPTER 9
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
facilities and equipment
(airport and airway trust fund)
For an additional amount for ``Facilities and Equipment'',
$30,000,000, to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Highway Administration
federal-aid highways
emergency relief program
For an additional amount for the ``Emergency Relief Program'' as authorized under section 125 of title 23, United States Code, $2,022,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the obligations for projects under this section resulting from a single natural disaster or a single catastrophic failure in a State shall not exceed
$100,000,000, and the total obligations for projects under this section in any fiscal year in the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed $20,000,000: Provided further, That notwithstanding the preceding proviso, the Secretary of Transportation may obligate more than $100,000,000, but not more than $500,000,000, for a single natural disaster event in a State for emergency relief projects arising from damage caused in calendar year 2012 by Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That no funds provided in this Act shall be used for section 125(g) of such title: Provided further, That the amount provided under this heading is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Railroad Administration
grants to the national railroad passenger corporation
For an additional amount for ``Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation'' for the Secretary of Transportation to make capital and debt service grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to advance capital projects that address Northeast Corridor infrastructure recovery and resiliency in the affected areas, $86,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That none of the funds may be used to subsidize operating losses of the Corporation: Provided further, That as a condition of eligibility for receipt of such funds, the Corporation shall not, after the enactment of this Act, use any funds provided for Capital and Debt Service Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation in this Act or any other Act for operating expenses, which includes temporary transfers of such funds: Provided further, That the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration may retain up to one-half of 1 percent of the funds provided under this heading to fund the award and oversight by the Administrator of grants made under this heading: Provided further, That for an additional amount for the Secretary to make operating subsidy grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for necessary repairs related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy,
$32,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided further, That each amount under this heading is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Federal Transit Administration
public transportation emergency relief program
(including transfer of funds)
For the ``Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program'' as authorized under section 5324 of title 49, United States Code, $10,900,000,000, to remain available until expended, for recovery and relief efforts in the areas most affected by Hurricane Sandy: Provided, That not more than $2,000,000,000 shall be made available not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act: Provided further, That the remainder of the funds shall be made available only after the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency sign the Memorandum of Agreement required by section 20017(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Public Law 112-141) and the Federal Transit Administration publishes interim regulations for the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this heading, the Secretary of Transportation may transfer up to $5,383,000,000 to the appropriate agencies to fund programs authorized under titles 23 and 49, United States Code, in order to carry out projects related to reducing risk of damage from future disasters in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy: Provided further, That the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall be notified at least 15 days in advance of any such transfer: Provided further, That up to three-quarters of 1 percent of the funds retained for public transportation emergency relief shall be available for the purposes of administrative expenses and ongoing program management oversight as authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5334 and 5338(i)(2) and shall be in addition to any other appropriations for such purposes: Provided further, That, of the funds made available under this heading, $6,000,000 shall be transferred to the Office of Inspector General to support the oversight of activities funded under this heading: Provided further, That such amounts are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Community Planning and Development
community development fund
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Community Development Fund'', $16,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2017, for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) due to Hurricane Sandy and other eligible events in calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013, for activities authorized under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided, That funds shall be awarded directly to the State or unit of general local government as a grantee at the discretion of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Provided further, That the Secretary shall allocate to grantees not less than 33 percent of the funds provided under this heading within 60 days after the enactment of this Act based on the best available data: Provided further, That prior to the obligation of funds, a grantee shall submit a plan to the Secretary for approval detailing the proposed use of all funds, including criteria for eligibility and how the use of these funds will address long-term recovery and restoration of infrastructure and housing and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas: Provided further, That the Secretary shall by notice specify the criteria for approval of such plans within 45 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further, That if the Secretary determines that a plan does not meet such criteria, the Secretary shall disapprove the plan: Provided further, That funds provided under this heading may not be used for activities reimbursable by or for which funds are made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That funds allocated under this heading shall not be considered relevant to the non-disaster formula allocations made pursuant to section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306): Provided further, That a grantee may use up to 5 percent of its allocation for administrative costs: Provided further, That a grantee shall administer grant funds provided under this heading in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and may not delegate, by contract or otherwise, the responsibility for administering such grant funds: Provided further, That as a condition of making any grant, the Secretary shall certify in advance that such grantee has in place proficient financial controls and procurement processes and has established adequate procedures to prevent any duplication of benefits as defined by section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), to ensure timely expenditure of funds, to maintain comprehensive websites regarding all disaster recovery activities assisted with these funds, and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds: Provided further, That the Secretary shall provide grantees with technical assistance on contracting and procurement processes and shall require grantees, in contracting or procuring these funds, to incorporate performance requirements and penalties into any such contracts or agreements: Provided further, That the Secretary shall require grantees to maintain on a public website information accounting for how all grant funds are used, including details of all contracts and ongoing procurement processes: Provided further, That, in administering the funds under this heading, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient of these funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) pursuant to a determination by the Secretary that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement and that such action is not inconsistent with the overall purposes of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
(42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided further, That, notwithstanding the preceding proviso, recipients of funds provided under this heading that use such funds to supplement Federal assistance provided under sections 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, without review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental review, approval or permit: Provided further, That, notwithstanding section 104(g)(2) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(2)), the Secretary may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of funds for an activity or project assisted under this heading if the recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval or permit under the preceding proviso or the activity or project is categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.): Provided further, That a waiver granted by the Secretary may not reduce the percentage of funds that must be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income to less than 50 percent, unless the Secretary specifically finds that there is a compelling need to further reduce or eliminate the percentage requirement: Provided further, That the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any waiver of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers pursuant to title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 no later than 5 days before the effective date of such waiver: Provided further, That, of the funds made available under this heading, up to $10,000,000 may be transferred to
``Program Office Salaries and Expenses, Community Planning and Development'' for necessary costs, including information technology costs, of administering and overseeing funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Office of the Inspector General'' for necessary costs of overseeing and auditing funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That the amounts provided under this heading are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 1091. For fiscal year 2013, upon request by a public housing agency and supported by documentation as required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development that demonstrates that the need for the adjustment is due to the disaster, the Secretary may make temporary adjustments to the section 8 housing choice voucher annual renewal funding allocations and administrative fee eligibility determinations for public housing agencies in an area for which the President declared a disaster during such fiscal year under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.), to avoid significant adverse funding impacts that would otherwise result from the disaster.
Sec. 1092. The Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act a plan for implementing the provisions in this chapter, and updates to such plan on a biannual basis thereafter.
Sec. 1093. None of the funds provided in this chapter to the Department of Transportation or the Department of Housing and Urban Development may be used to make a grant unless the Secretary of such Department notifies the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not less than 3 full business days before any project, State or locality is selected to receive a grant award totaling
$1,000,000 or more is announced by either Department or a modal administration.
Sec. 1094. This chapter shall apply in place of title VIII of this Act, and such title shall have no force or effect.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) and a Member opposed each will control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield myself 1 minute.
Hurricane Sandy devastated the northeast coast in late October, 78 days ago, leaving misery in its wake, disrupting the lives and businesses of millions of our fellow citizens. The storm caused unprecedented destruction--$100 billion in New York and New Jersey alone. My amendment supplements Mr. Rogers' measure in order to bring the total aid package to $60 billion, which is the amount requested by the President and endorsed by Governors Christie, Cuomo, and Malloy.
I want the Members to know that this amendment strips out all provisions in the Senate that were deemed earmarks and all authorizing language.
Madam Chairman, I'll close by reminding our colleagues of the proud tradition of Congress' cite in the recent letter that many of us received from the Governors of the States affected. Madam Chair, in late December, the Governors of the affected States wrote to each House Member, and I quote:
The congressional delegations of our three States have always been there to provide critical votes to these aid packages, because that is what America is all about--when one of us is in need, we step up to the plate to lend a helping hand.
It's time to lend that helping hand, and I urge the support of my amendment.
Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my friend Mr. Frelinghuysen, which would bring the funding total of this package to the amount requested by the President.
I cannot emphasize enough how critical the additional $33.4 billion provided in this amendment is to our region. I know there are many different viewpoints in this House and many different positions on issues we consider here, but Madam Chairwoman, I think we can all agree that the Federal Government has a fundamental and critical role when disasters of this magnitude strike. No State can do it alone. A Federal response is essential.
My colleagues, I commend Mr. Frelinghuysen on his amendment today, and I strongly urge its swift passage.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to my colleague and good friend, Chris Smith, the Representative from New Jersey.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my good friend for yielding, and I strongly support Mr. Frelinghuysen's amendment.
Madam Chair, gaps in homeowners insurance coverage and a growing realization that there will be major tax receipt losses from towns that have had their tax bases eviscerated by Sandy is further compounded in a State that's reeling from a body blow with no precedent. All of this has led to crippling shortfalls. Towns have serious gaps in needed resources. They need our help. The $33 billion Frelinghuysen amendment fills those gaps for people in need of housing assistance, public infrastructure destroyed or damaged by Sandy will get a huge boost, and economic revitalization will accelerate.
I've lost count, Madam Chair, of the number of my constituents who either didn't have flood insurance for their homes or who had an inadequate amount of coverage. To compound their misery, many have upside-down mortgages, and they desperately need our help. The Frelinghuysen amendment raises to $16 billion from $3.9 billion in the Rogers amendment, funds to aid in the relief of homeowners, buyouts, and home elevation. It will also provide very critical moneys for the Army Corps of Engineers. Where the Army Corps had projects in place, there was a mitigation of the amount of damage to infrastructure and to homes. We need this additional funding to protect homes, businesses so millions of people can get on with their lives.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York City and Long Island, Congressman King.
{time} 1630
Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and let me at the outset commend Congressman Frelinghuysen for the outstanding job he has done on this amendment and throughout this entire crisis.
I am proud to stand with Governor Cuomo, Governor Christie, Mayor Bloomberg, all the members of the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut delegations. Madam Chair, there has been no disaster which Governors of the States have documented the need for more than Sandy. Everything is there. Every earmark is out. Every dollar is accounted for. This is a real disaster.
I walk through my neighborhood. I see the people who have lost their homes. I know how tragic it is. All of us know it. This is not make-
believe.
I'm proud to stand for this bill. It's absolutely essential that the Frelinghuysen amendment be adopted. I was there for every supplemental appropriation bill. I was proud to do it. I am even prouder to stand with Congressman Frelinghuysen today.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, although I am not opposed, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition in order to yield it to my friend from New Jersey because there are important messages to be heard.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Oregon is recognized for 10 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I strongly support what is going on, and I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey to make sure that everybody from the affected area has an opportunity to be heard.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from New Jersey shall control the time.
There was no objection.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for that courtesy. We highly appreciate it.
I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) who probably represents more of New Jersey than any of our other Members.
Mr. LoBIONDO. Congressman Frelinghuysen, thank you. Chairman Rogers, thank you for getting us to this point. It is deeply appreciated. To my colleagues from disaster-prone States, States that have had disasters in the past who are supporting us in this, thank you very much.
To my colleagues who are from States that have had disasters, some rather recently, who have decided that we need to change the rules of the game, shame on you. What does the misery index have to get to for our constituents? A new caucus should be formed--we have a lot of caucuses here--it should be the hypocritical caucus because when you wanted the money 5 minutes before the storm was over, you didn't have any hesitation coming to us and asking us. And, yes, I'm angry. You're changing the rules for hundreds of thousands of people in the middle of the game.
Florida, good luck with no more hurricanes. California, congratulations. Did you get rid of the San Andreas Fault? The Mississippi is in a drought. Do you think you're not going to have a flood again? Who are you going to come to when you have these things?
We need this. We need it now. Do the right thing as we have always done for you.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to Mr. Grimm of Staten Island.
Mr. GRIMM. I would also like to give a special thanks to Mr. Frelinghuysen, who has been just an incredible stalwart and shown leadership, but I also want to echo the sentiments of my good friend from New Jersey. I would ask everyone that's going to take this vote to consider what we are doing. What are we really doing in this Chamber? We're not voting as Republicans or Democrats; we're not voting as individuals. We're voting as Americans. And the last time I checked the Constitution, that Constitution was to protect all of us, the welfare of this great United States. Please remember that when you cast your vote today. These are Americans in need that are counting on us to stand up and do the right thing. Regardless of whether you're from a State that has had disasters or not, when America is calling and your neighbor needs a hand, America lends that hand. That's who we are. Make me proud today and support this amendment.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the Representative from New York State, Carolyn Maloney.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his really extraordinary bipartisan leadership on this issue with Nita Lowey and so many others from the Northeast region.
This is truly a bipartisan amendment with bipartisan devotion and commitment. The chairman has worked his heart out on this, and he has given his all to make this happen with great intelligence and commitment, to address the real need and the suffering of the people. Struck by the second most economically devastating natural disaster in our Nation's history, people lost their homes, their cars, their jobs, in some cases their entire neighborhoods; and there should not be different standards for different storms or for different regions.
We are all one country. We were there when other States and regions suffered hurricanes, tornadoes. We need you to be there with the Northeast region today. This is a bipartisan effort. The standards should not be different. We were there for you. We need you to be there for the Northeast.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).
Mr. LANCE. I rise in support of Congressman Frelinghuysen's amendment and thank him, Chairman Rogers, and our leadership for all that they have done to move this issue forward.
I speak today not as a New Jerseyan, not as a Northeasterner, but as an American. This Nation has in times of natural disasters come together as one in support of those in need. Thousands upon thousands of our countrymen and countrywomen are in need from Sandy's devastation, a horrific occurrence in the history of the State I love.
I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support of Mr. Frelinghuysen's amendment, and I thank all of those on the Republican and the Democratic sides of the aisle for their support today.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).
Mr. SERRANO. I thank the gentleman for the time, and I thank you for your work on this, your leadership on this. You've worked very hard to make this a bipartisan amendment. That's why I stand in support of it. The folks in New York need a lot of help. Your amendment speaks to the small business community. It speaks to GSA's need to do repairs on buildings that service those communities, otherwise costly leases would have to take place in order to provide working places for Federal employees. So the details of your amendment, sir, speak to many of the needs that we have in the community right now, and that's why I rise in support of it, in support of your efforts to make this a bipartisan effort; and I thank you for your support of so many people in need not only in your State, but in Connecticut and in my State of New York.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).
Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Frelinghuysen amendment. We must pass this amendment to ensure that hardworking men and women in communities like Brick, Seaside Park, Toms River, and Barnegat get the resources they need to get back on their feet.
After Hurricane Sandy, many of my constituents completely lost their homes. Others lost power and heat in their homes for over a month. And many, like this home here in Mantaloking, haven't even been permitted back to their homes 2 months later.
Make no mistake, my constituents have suffered. They have seen the communities they have grown up in completely destroyed. I urge passage of the Frelinghuysen amendment.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).
Mr. SIRES. Madam Chair, let me first congratulate my colleague and all of my colleagues from New Jersey for their hard work. This unprecedented storm has hurt New Jersey to the tune of 41,000 people; 41,000 families are currently impacted. Over 300 municipalities have been impacted in New Jersey. The PATH stations in Hoboken are destroyed. Thousands of families who lived in houses in the area--they also lived in the basements--have no place to go.
And here we are 3 months later, and we're still battling over this money. This is for people who are hurting. This is for States like New Jersey and New York and Connecticut who are donor States that are constantly sending money to the Federal Government. You know, I sat in this Chamber when we had these wars and all this money for these wars. We destroyed the infrastructure in Iraq, and then we put billions of dollars to fix the infrastructure in Iraq. We put billions of dollars in Afghanistan.
{time} 1640
This is for the Americans in this country who have been hurt by this storm that is unprecedented. My friends, we have to work together to get this money to these people so they can start their lives over again.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield 1 minute to another Member of Congress from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, we either act now, or we wait for the consequences of the terrible silence of the decent. And many folks from both sides of the aisle have worked together. It can be done, not only on this issue, but many other issues.
This was a tragedy. When you visit each town, be it in Long Island or Staten Island, or Hoboken, or Moonachie, Fort Lee, Mantoloking, what's the sign you look for whenever you go in neighborhoods? Water line. That's the sign.
What is the water line of our conscience, of our goodwill, and having double standards for different storms?
We've never done that before as a Nation, and we shouldn't now do it through ideologues and true believers who think one way or the highway.
This must be passed today. I commend Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Rogers, Nita Lowey. Thank you for putting your task forward in a priority. And we're going to pass this today. Congratulations, Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey.
I have never, in my 14 years, spoken from this side of the aisle. I do it today, not as a gimmick, but as part of my plea to my Republican colleagues, to all of us, not to act as Democrats and Republicans.
People are suffering throughout the Northeast. They continue to do so. The Frelinghuysen amendment is one that will give assurance to the people of the Quad-State region that the Federal Government will be there with them throughout this crisis, that they will be there. When everyone else has forgotten, the Federal Government will be there.
The level of devastation is enormous. And as I said before, the level of psychological damage is enormous, and we only know the tip of the iceberg. We don't know yet what will come.
This amendment will give peace of mind to Americans who are suffering today. Americans just like all of us here today are suffering, and they are looking to their Congress, not red, not blue, not Democrat, not Republican, just Americans helping Americans. That's what this amendment and this bill is all about.
I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me this minute.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).
Ms. CLARKE. I thank the gentleman for the time.
And I want to urge all of my colleagues to support the Frelinghuysen amendment, which ensures a full $60.1 billion package will jump-start a recovery process for the families and small businesses of the affected four-State region.
I represent an area called Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn, New York, a quaint bungalow community. Operative word, bungalow. They were subgrade, and totally deluged during the event known as Superstorm Sandy. This is a working-class community of people, real solid Americans who have played by the rules all of their lives, and now their homes have been moved off of their foundations by the sheer force of this storm.
This amendment, this work that we do today, is why people have sent us here, to know that we've got their backs, that we are there, as their representatives, in time of need.
I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, in particular, those from the affected region, for their advocacy on behalf of the people who have been victimized by Sandy.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of the time.
Madam Chair, I do have a point of clarification before I yield back my time. The amendment includes $22,220,000 for the Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program. It's our intent that the
$100 million cap applies to only the funds in this act, and not to previous emergencies.
In closing, Madam Chairman, as I said earlier, I ask all Members to lend the Northeast a hand, help us put lives and families and communities back in good order. Those that have suffered, continue to suffer, have had personal misery and loss, we remember them as we pass this bill today. And I want to thank all the Members for stepping forward to be supportive of this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Flores
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. FLORES. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 3, line 7, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $150,000,000)''.
Page 3, strike lines 18 through 20 (and redesignate the subsequent paragraphs accordingly).
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. FLORES. Madam Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that would address concerns in funding the Regional Ocean Partnership program under NOAA that is included in the underlying amendment.
Let me tell you what this amendment is not. It is not a poison pill designed to stop funding for Sandy relief. It is not an amendment designed to delay aid to Sandy victims. It is not an amendment designed to stop the much-needed aid to Sandy victims.
All the amendment does is it stops the ability to allow a crisis to be used by the White House to fund Executive Order 13547, which is basically to zone the oceans. Funding for that could be used for purposes like this: to regulate economic activity in the Mississippi River watershed. And you could see that none of the money that's used for this program would be used to help Sandy relief. So that's just an example of what it would do.
According to the NOAA Web site, the Regional Ocean Partnership grant program was developed to advance effective coastal and ocean management through regional ocean governance, including the goals for national ocean policy or, in other words, Executive Order 13547, set out in the President's final policy of the Interagency Ocean Task Force, dated July 19, 2010. Again, back to the Executive order.
This amendment is essentially the same amendment that was passed that was part of the CJS appropriations bill that passed by a bipartisan vote of 246-174 last May.
Now, we can all agree that ocean planning is a good thing. However, that needs to be done through the normal appropriations process when approved by Congress, and not through an executive order by the President.
The Natural Resources Committee has held hearings, under the leadership of Chairman Doc Hastings, to ask the administration where they're getting the funding to implement national ocean policy. They have not responded with any answers to that, and now they're using this crisis as a way to come up with funding of $150 million to basically fund all of these agencies in the President's effort to zone the oceans. We think that that's inappropriate.
And again, this is not to stop Sandy aid. It's not to delay Sandy aid. It's not to be a poison pill for Sandy aid. It's only designed to stop the use of this crisis to fund a program that this Congress did not intend to have an effect.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I rise to claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New Jersey is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).
{time} 1650
Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the Flores amendment. The Regional Ocean Partnership grants program was established in 2004 by President Bush to help prevent damages from future natural disasters in coastal States. It is not part of President Obama's National Ocean Policy.
This program is supported through a competitive grant program first authorized by President Bush in 2004 to support urgent coastal needs. This program is also voluntary and State-led, with individual States opting into the program.
In the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, there is a Mid-Atlantic Regional Council that was established by mid-Atlantic Governors in 2009. These Governors work together to address coastal issues and mitigate future risks.
State universities like Rutgers University in New Jersey also receive funding through States to work and coordinate with States to determine how to best mitigate future disaster risks. The Reinsurance Association of America has written in opposition to this amendment due to concern about future risks to coastal areas.
I again emphasize this program is not part of President Obama's National Ocean Policy and was established by President Bush.
I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. FLORES. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his remarks, but this program is designed and was changed beginning with the Obama administration to fund Executive Order 13547.
If you go to the NOAA budget request, it says, ``The Regional Ocean Partnership grants program will establish a competitive grant program to support regional ocean partnerships. The program will help support the development and implementation of priority actions identified in plans of regional ocean partnerships. Support will include the development of comprehensive Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans,'' i.e., Executive Order 13547.
So, yes, this program was around before during the Bush administration, but it has changed under the Obama administration, and now they're using this Sandy relief as a methodology to fund this program which, again, was never authorized directly by Congress.
There were two rounds of grant requests that were granted by NOAA in 2012. Only one went to a State, and that was to the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Office of Planning.
Here are the NGOs and outside groups that did get money from this, though: The Nature Conservancy, the Smith River National Recreation Area, the University of Hawaii, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, and others. But not to States. Only one went to a State and that was to the State of Hawaii.
Again, this is an inappropriate use of funding, the inappropriate use of funding in the middle of a crisis to try to carry out something that this Congress has never authorized.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 3\1/2\ minutes.
Mr. HOLT. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from New Jersey, Chairman Frelinghuysen, for yielding but also for putting together a very thoughtful amendment. A lot of thought has gone into this amendment. It is compassionate, yes, but it is thoughtful compassion, not dumb compassion.
I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas. It's a misguided amendment that would strike funding from NOAA's Regional Ocean Partnership grants program. These grants help scientists understand where and how the shoreline has changed, evaluate the long-
term effects of storm damage, and prepare mitigation plans for future severe weather events. The whole point is to rebuild better and smarter. The Flores amendment eliminates such funding for coastal mitigation, which means Congress would lose the opportunity to ensure that the money is spent on recovery from this disaster in a smart way that makes coastal communities stronger and safer. It's nonsensical to impair the ability of NOAA to prepare properly for hurricanes in an emergency appropriations bill designed to respond to a hurricane.
I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment, and I thank my good friend from New Jersey for all the thought that has gone into his amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for his remaining 1 minute.
Mr. FLORES. This is what the $150 million is going to go for. This is a bunch of federal bureaucracies to carry out an Executive order that this Congress never approved.
This is not about stopping Sandy relief, this is not about putting roofs back over people's head, this is not about providing food and sustenance for anybody, this is not about rebuilding our roads and bridges, this is not about preventing future storms. This is about just growing a Federal bureaucracy that was never authorized by this Congress.
With that being said, I think it's a clear amendment. It does not stop Sandy relief.
I would urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New Jersey does have 2 minutes remaining if he would seek recognition.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this Amendment.
Regional Ocean Partnerships are supported through a NOAA competitive grants program first established by President Bush in 2004.
As the representative from the Ocean State, I know how important this funding is in helping coastal states deal with a range of priorities--
including, coastal hazards resiliency to the impacts of major storms like Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the coastline of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and the Northeast.
The allocation for Regional Ocean Partnerships Grants will provide much needed funding to states affected by Hurricane Sandy--helping our coastal communities recover, be better prepared for future extreme weather events, and mitigate future risks.
These measures will help our coastal communities in Rhode Island and throughout the impacted region to rebuild, save lives, and prevent future economic and property losses.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. FLORES. Madam Chair, 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 Texas will be postponed.
Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Runyan
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 4, lines 6 through 8, strike all after ``fishery disasters'' and insert ``during calendar year 2012 that were declared by the Secretary of Commerce as a direct result of impacts from Hurricane Sandy:''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which makes a technical correction of the current bill language that makes it clear that fisheries disaster funding is restricted to those States that were declared fisheries disasters in 2012 as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.
While I understand that the intent of the appropriators was to limit the money to the States impacted by Hurricane Sandy, NOAA has informed me that according to the current bill language they will distribute the money to any State with the fisheries disaster declaration in 2012.
While I'm disappointed that more money has not been appropriated to the fisheries that were damaged during Sandy, we need to make sure that this limited pot of money gets to the fisheries that need it most in New Jersey and New York. There is only $5 million appropriated for the fisheries bill. In New Jersey alone the commercial fishing industry has sustained over $4 million in damage.
This amendment was supported by the Garden State Seafood Association, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, and the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey.
I want to thank the Rules Committee for ruling my amendment in order and urge all colleagues to support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Does any Member seek time in opposition?
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. RUNYAN. I would like to yield 1 minute to my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Smith.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my good friend for yielding.
Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my good friend and colleague, Mr. Runyan, to ensure that the funding in this bill is targeted to those fishery disasters resulting from Superstorm Sandy.
Recreational angling contributes more than $125 billion annually to the American economy, Madam Speaker, in addition to creating and sustaining over 1 million jobs.
New Jersey has a long tradition of fishing along our 130-mile shoreline. Recreational and commercial fishing generates over $1.3 billion in New Jersey in economic activity and supports 8,500 Jersey jobs.
This vital industry not only creates and sustains good jobs but boosts fishery conservation efforts, tourism, and contributes significantly to the economy in coastal communities. The disaster declaration on November 16 and the modest funding provided in the pending legislation will help rebuild the damaged and destroyed infrastructure so that this industry can recover and return to pre-
storm levels.
I urge all members to support the Runyan amendment.
{time} 1700
Mr. RUNYAN. I yield 1 minute to another gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Frelinghuysen).
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chairman, I'm very pleased to support the gentleman's amendment. I commend him for his effort. This is directly Sandy related. We thank you for your work on this.
Mr. RUNYAN. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 4, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $13,000,000)''.
Page 5, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced to $0)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, my amendment would strike $13 million in nonemergency funding for the National Weather Service's ground readiness project.
This funding, found in the Frelinghuysen amendment, is for work that is already underway as part of a yet unfinished state-of-the-art weather satellite system. It is my understanding that this particular amount is meant to speed up the preparations needed to get ready for data that will come from these new weather satellites, which are set to be launched 2 to 5 years from now.
Madam Chairman, our hearts go out to the victims that are suffering from the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. However, in the wake of large storms like this, government's knee-jerk reaction is often to throw money at forecasting or storm modeling in order to prevent widespread damage in the future. Unfortunately, even with the best imaginable forecasting systems, we would not have been able to prevent the structural damages which resulted from this particular storm. Yet here we are debating funding for a project due to go online years from now in an emergency supplemental bill, which is meant to provide aid to those who are still suffering in the wake of Sandy.
For fiscal year 2013, the National Weather Service received a total of $991 million. That's $20 million over their initial request. NOAA is expected to ask for additional funding for this particular project over the next 2 years--nearly $15 million in fiscal year 2014 and $18 million in fiscal year 2015, the year the first new satellite is due to launch. It appears that the funding included in the Frelinghuysen amendment is simply meant to get the ground portion of this project finished just a little bit faster.
Madam Chairman, I don't wish to argue the merits of this project, and I agree that if we have the ability to improve our forecasting infrastructure, we ought to do it, but this is not the time nor the place. The time for this project--and other projects like it which are funded in the Frelinghuysen amendment--is during the normal appropriations process.
While I offered seven other amendments to the Rules Committee which would have removed similar nonemergent spending totaling over $300 million, unfortunately, only this amendment made it to the House floor. I'm disappointed that none of my other amendments to cut excessive spending were allowed. I was hopeful that the start of a new Congress would usher in a new dedication to cutting wasteful, duplicative, unnecessary spending. Unfortunately, it looks like it is business as usual.
That said, I'm hopeful this amendment will pass so this particular appropriation may be considered under regular order, as it should.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New Jersey is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman, my good friend from New Jersey.
I want to say that this amendment would do serious damage to our efforts in terms of the National Weather Service.
In the mark of the House and the Senate appropriation bills for FY13, we had this $13 million. It improves our forecasting. What does that mean on the ground? What it means on the ground, all across our country, when there is a severe weather incident, it means that we will have better information for evacuation purposes, if needed. It's about
$1 million a mile to evacuate. It's about saving lives.
So when the gentleman, who is the maker of this amendment, said that he wished we could do this faster and he's not opposed to us having better information, then I join with him in part, in that part, because this is about providing necessary information to the American public about severe weather incidents and saving lives. This is money that both the House and the Senate intended to provide, but in the 112th we were unable to complete our work.
This is vitally important to every single Member in this House in their districts, the businesses and families alike, that the National Weather Service and the satellite system be upgraded as quickly as possible.
We've had the greatest series of severe weather events--over $1 billion each--that we've ever had in our history. It is not time for the greatest country and the wealthiest country in the world to retreat or to equivocate in making sure that we have the very best weather service information, and this satellite system is critically important thereto.
So I thank the gentleman for yielding. I would hope that the gentleman who is seeking waste find waste in some other area, because this is not waste. This is lifesaving information and important throughout our country that the National Weather Service has this upgrade. It's something we would have passed anyway in the normal appropriations process.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, he just made my point. We all want good satellite weather forecasting. The satellites have already been funded and underway. This project is already underway. It's nonemergent spending. We should not have nonemergent spending in an emergent appropriations bill, particularly when we don't have any setoffs for this. There is no reason whatsoever, absolutely zero reason that this could not be considered in the normal appropriations process, as my good friend just stated.
My point has been that these types of projects should be considered under regular order. They should be considered the way that all funding, except for emergency funding, should be considered, and that's through the Appropriations Committee, the regular order, the way we're supposed to be doing things in this House. This is not one of those.
My amendment, if it is passed, is not going to shut down this new weather system. It's not going to ground the satellites. It's not going to ground the ground project. All it's going to do is just say we're not going to put this nonemergent spending in an emergency appropriations bill, and we will take it under regular order as we should. That's my big point. I appreciate my friend saying that we could take it under regular order, as we should be doing.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chairman, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
Mr. HOLT. Madam Chairman, this misguided amendment by the gentleman from Georgia would strike funding for the National Weather Service's ground readiness program.
Now, the ground readiness program means that weather satellite signals can be collected on the ground and those data can be used in operational models and forecasts. This satellite data is critical for forecasting hurricanes. In fact, the National Weather Service used data from these NOAA satellites to accurately predict the scope and the path of Hurricane Sandy.
Now, this amount is a relatively small dollar amount in the overall disaster relief bill, but this amendment is of outsized importance in its misguided intent. A recent study showed that without the polar satellite data from the weather models, the forecasters would have said Sandy would stay out at sea, would not have hit the mid-Atlantic coast. Imagine how much worse the storm damage would have been if the emergency management officials said it would never make landfall.
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It's hard to overestimate how important accurate forecasts are. Let's accelerate the program, not slow it down. It's completely nonsensical to impair the ability of the National Weather Service to predict accurately. This is reminiscent of that ludicrous proposal a few years ago that we abolish the National Weather Service because there is a successful private cable weather channel.
I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Georgia has 15 seconds remaining. The gentleman from New Jersey has 1 minute remaining.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, this is not going to delay data. It's not going to delay the implementation of this new satellite system. The current satellite that was just launched last fall has all the data-receiving capability that it can send out. So all this is doing is just saying let's wait until the regular appropriations process.
I urge passage of my amendment.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield the balance of my time to Mr. Blumenauer of Oregon.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.
My friend from Georgia completely misses the point. Mr. Holt pointed out that this being able to process this ground-based information is important to being able to fully utilize the information from the polar satellite. The last Congress behaved recklessly, candidly, in terms of jeopardizing the flow of this information. It was not treated appropriately in terms of the budget.
I think that this is an opportunity to accelerate in a small way something that is an emergency, tell the people who have been faced with a chain of natural disasters and storms where we have been able to refine our predictions. We can't stop the weather, but we can save lives, and this will get us back on track a little bit.
I cannot imagine a more misguided offset. If anything, we should be accelerating this work more. I strongly urge its rejection.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, 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 Georgia will be postponed.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Duncan of South Carolina
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 7, strike line 19 and all that follows through line 23 on page 8 and insert the following: ``No funds made available by this Act shall be used by the Legal Services Corporation.''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Madam Chair, this Nation's debt now stands in excess of $16 trillion. This is an amount of debt greater than our Nation's economy, exceeding our GDP, and yet, Madam Chair, we have on the floor today legislation which piles upon our children and grandchildren even greater burdens of debt.
Madam Chair, it's time to end the credit card economics. We simply cannot afford to continue to spend money that we're borrowing from countries like China on line items that we don't need and that Congress isn't constitutionally authorized to spend.
Madam Chair, my amendment strips one such line item out of this bill. This is really low hanging fruit. You see, this Sandy relief effort was plussed up, or increased, by $1 million to boost Legal Services Corporation, funding masquerading as disaster relief. And I thought we had a ban on earmarks in this Congress.
Why is a bailout for New York lawyers emergency hurricane relief? Even if you believe this is a legitimate government program--which I don't, by the way--but how can you argue with a straight face that spending on lawyers is legitimate emergency spending?
Madam Chair, let me say again, we're $16 trillion in debt. We're $16 trillion in debt, America. We simply cannot afford to continue like this. We cannot keep spending money that we don't have on things that we can't afford and all the while sending our children and our grandchildren the bill.
What part of $16 trillion in debt do you all not understand?
I sincerely hope that my colleagues will take this opportunity to start to get serious about reining in our spending addiction. This amendment is a tiny step in that direction. It's only $1 million. A million dollars is brushed off as not a lot of money to haggle over here in Congress, but let me tell you, $1 million is a lot of money to the average American. But in this House, that's barely a blip on the radar screen.
This amendment will cut 6 percent of 1 percent of 1 percent of 1 percent of the Federal debt. It isn't that much, but at least it's a start. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, Madam Chair, and we need to take that step today.
This is a program that should no longer exist with Federal dollars. This program hasn't been reauthorized by the U.S. Congress since 1980; 33 years--33 years--of unauthorized appropriations, Madam Chair. Are we going to continue like it's business as usual?
The GAO has criticized LSC over its internal controls and lack of accountability in their financial reporting processes and systems, yet, year after year, we keep throwing money at them. We cannot keep doing things the same way and expect anything other than the same result: deeper and deeper in debt, with a bill that my sons and their children and--hopefully--my grandchildren and maybe their children will get stuck with. Today, let's at least not throw more good money after bad by wasting another $1 million on an unauthorized giveaway to attorneys.
Please support my amendment. It will strip $1 million from this bill and prevent any ``emergency spending'' to pay for attorneys that should be paid for by private citizens in the private sector.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I rise to claim the time in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from New York is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mrs. LOWEY. Legal aid offices in Sandy-affected areas are experiencing a huge increase in requests for civil legal assistance that is directly related to the storm and its aftermath. The Legal Services Corporation exists precisely to help meet the civil legal needs of low-income Americans, and the Legal Services Corporation assistance is never more important than following a major disaster.
Since Sandy hit, legal aid programs in New York and New Jersey have set up recovery hotlines, staffed FEMA disaster recovery centers, partnered with other State and local organizations to conduct disaster assistance training, and participated in clinics to provide legal counseling to affected communities. Local legal service programs are helping families obtain emergency food stamps, disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits and FEMA benefits to pay for rent and other expenses.
The funding this amendment proposes to eliminate would enable local organizations to purchase the needed mobile resources and equipment and to hire the coordinators they need to manage volunteers.
The $1 million this amendment would strike is a small amount relative to all of the other disaster relief efforts in the bill, but it will have a disproportionately large impact on the lives of low-income Americans it will help. I urge my colleagues to reject the amendment.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield 1 minute to the distinguished chairman, Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
In the hundreds of thousands of people that have been displaced in the Northeast are a lot of people who have lost their apartments and houses that don't have the money to hire lawyers. Their conditions are such they've lost everything that they have--their possessions, their apartments, the houses that they've invested in throughout their lives--and many of these people do not have the financial means to protect their interests.
I know people have a hate-on for the Legal Services Corporation of America--and they've had their problems, and our Appropriations Committee has dealt with reining them in when they've acted inappropriately--but at a time when people are in such desperate straits and misery, to deny the poorest of the poor recourse when fat people can be taking advantage of them, or they're looking for some sort of food and shelter and they're seeking legal counsel to make sure that they can protect their rights and their families, I'm opposed to this amendment, I think, for good reason.
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Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to Mr. Jose Serrano of New York.
Mr. SERRANO. Let me first say that your comments once again, sir, are just right on target.
This is one of those amendments that simply strikes out at a government agency not realizing the harm it causes the people. The impact is particularly severe for low-income families, individuals who are unable to afford the kind of legal assistance they might need to help them recover.
Since Sandy, legal aid programs have been on the front lines of disaster assistance, and they will be providing legal assistance for Sandy victims for years to come. They've been dealing with FEMA assistance, with SNAP benefits, with unemployment benefits, along with legal issues related to evictions and housing problems; but the need for legal assistance will not end there.
In future months and perhaps even years, cases involving FEMA appeals, bankruptcy, fair housing, and public housing issues will arise. Contractor fraud scams will proliferate as Sandy victims start receiving cash payments from insurance proceeds and housing repair grants. Legal aid programs will be called on to provide help, and more than ever now we need this kind of assistance. What's interesting about this amendment is that it's not an amendment really directed at the funding as much as it is at the whole Legal Services Corporation. It is an attempt to attack an agency that stands up for those who can't defend themselves.
Interestingly enough, this was Richard Nixon's proudest program. He believed, at that time, as many have after him, that the poor needed a way to defend themselves in our courts. To go after this funding is not to go after a million dollars. Let's be honest. It's to go after the corporation. It is ill-timed, it is wrong, it is unfair; and we should reject it by a majority, if not by a unanimous vote.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Madam Chair, 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 South Carolina will be postponed.
Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Blumenauer
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I would offer the amendment on behalf of my colleague, Mr. Campbell, and myself.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 16, line 6, insert ``with respect to such funds'' after ``expense''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment.
I must acknowledge the collaboration and support of my good friend and the cosponsor of the amendment, Mr. Campbell from California.
The amendment is a simple clarification to ensure that the Frelinghuysen amendment doesn't put taxpayers on the hook for 100 percent of the cost of projects that are unrelated to Hurricane Sandy.
The amendment waives the standard local cost-share for ongoing construction projects. This applies to beach renourishment projects, which are typically cost-shared at a 65 percent Federal and 35 percent local share.
While the waiving of this local cost-share for this type of project is unprecedented, I understand that for our friends in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, Hurricane Sandy was also unprecedented.
Our amendment does not change the language with respect to repairing the beaches damaged by Hurricane Sandy, but unfortunately the language could be interpreted to also waive local cost-share for future periodic beach replenishment unrelated to any damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. These typically can take up to over a 50-year period and can cost tens of millions of dollars. I'm confident that is not what was intended by the amendment as it was offered. But the amendment is necessary to make sure that that's not how it's interpreted at some point in the future.
Madam Chair, my heart goes out to the communities in the Northeast that have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. I have strongly supported the efforts of the people in the region to step forward and be fully compensated to be able to have a robust package. I'm sorry that it's delayed, and I commend the leadership that has been displayed on both sides of the aisle.
I strongly support having the Federal Government provide assistance for people not only to recover, but to rebuild in a way that is stronger and safer. But it does not make sense to use this legislation to change standard, non-Federal cost-share procedures for projects unrelated to Hurricane Sandy. Doing so, I think, would be fiscally irresponsible, and it decrease local communities' involvement and investment in local projects that primarily benefit them and I'm afraid might be a reason for opposition for legislation that I hope passes.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I would be happy to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I want to thank the gentleman and Mr. Campbell, the cosponsor, for this clarification. I'm pleased to accept it. Thank you very much.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. The gentleman is correct that he is restating law, and we also accept the amendment.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I deeply appreciate the hard work and the acceptance of the amendment. I look forward to moving forward with the passage of this, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 7 Offered by Ms. Velazquez
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 21, line 17, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $12,500,000)''.
Page 21, line 18, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $12,500,000)''.
Page 40, line 10, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $12,500,000)''.
Page 43, line 7, after the dollar amount insert
``(increased by $25,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, I rise to engage the chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee in a colloquy and intend to withdraw my amendment.
Mr. Chairman, Hurricane Sandy has left a lasting impact on New York and its residents. The storm surge engulfed low-lying housing--
including the Redhook development in my district--floating basements, common areas, and apartments. These areas remained submerged for days, cutting off essential services. After the water receded, toxic mold spread quickly in damaged areas.
Mold and mildew infestation can pose serious health risks if not addressed in a timely manner. If left untreated, residents and workers are at risk of developing respiratory illnesses or infection. Without providing emergency funding specifically for this purpose, there is serious concern among city residents that calls for more remediation will go unanswered.
Mr. Chairman, I hope that going forward we can work together to ensure that the final bill addresses mold contamination in public housing.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Ms. Velazquez, removing mold is critical to restoring the lives and livelihoods of New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and those in Connecticut living in public housing affected by the storm.
We will work to see that in the final bill funding is made available for mold abatement, and we thank you for your focus on this very important issue that often escapes public notice unless you're directly affected. So I want to commend you for that effort.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I'm very grateful to the chairman.
The success of our response to this tragedy hinges on helping residents rehabilitate the structures they call home.
{time} 1730
It is essential that the resources necessary to provide secure housing for New Yorkers and other residents in New Jersey and Connecticut are made available.
Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman withdraws her amendment.
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Huelskamp
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. HUELSKAMP. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 25, lines 14 and 15, strike ``that is in excess of
$1,000,000, the specifics of each such grant award'' and insert ``the specifics of the grant award''.
Page 25, lines 19 and 20, strike ``a mission assignment or task order in excess of $1,000,000'' and insert ``the mission assignment or task order''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kansas.
Mr. HUELSKAMP. Madam Chairman, my amendment seeks to ensure maximum transparency in a process which will see billions of taxpayer dollars distributed through FEMA grants. While I appreciate that a provision was included to require the disclosure of grants over $1 million, I believe we owe it to the taxpayers to do even more. My amendment strikes the $1 million threshold for disclosure, and it requires the details of all grants distributed under FEMA's disaster relief program to be disclosed.
Recently, a town in California was the subject of a FEMA Inspector General investigation. The FEMA IG found that the grantee received
$830,000 following a recent flood. The town in question spent all of the allocated grant money and has requested reimbursement for $769,000 more. Among the inappropriate expenditures were a host of purchases that had nothing to do with the equipment damaged by the flood, including new chairs, computers, telephones, lamps, and a microwave. FEMA rejected the claim, fining these and numerous other attempts to claim reimbursement outside of the scope of the flood as well as outside of the terms of the grant.
While I commend FEMA for catching this attempted fraud, the sheer volume of grants that will come as a result of Sandy necessitates maximum transparency at the beginning of the process. My amendment requires just that. Let me give you one other example.
According to a September 2012 Department of Homeland Security IG report, I quote:
Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and other disasters up to December 31, 2010, FEMA disbursed more than
$8 billion in assistance payments, some of which were later determined to have been improperly paid to individuals who were ineligible or who received duplicate payments. The debts in question arose in part because FEMA relaxed its internal controls in order to provide the expedited delivery of assistance grants to displaced disaster survivors.
The relaxed internal controls involved improper payments of as much as $621 million to 167,488 recipients. According to the report, FEMA's efforts to recoup these improper payments resulted in $1.3 million collected thus far, but they spent $7.3 million to collect them--again, costing the taxpayers a net of $6 million. Why repeat a process like this if we can avoid it?
The paperwork is already being done on disaster relief grant applications. They're already being recorded on a computer somewhere in FEMA, so there are already disclosure procedures in place that can quickly and appropriately bring forward this information. According to the CBO, this amendment will have no budgetary impact. It simply does not create an undue burden to make the list public in a timely fashion.
I ask my colleagues to join me in injecting 100 percent transparency and accountability at the beginning of the process in order to help root out waste and fraud.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. HUELSKAMP. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I want to thank the gentleman from Kansas for putting forward this amendment. I am pleased to accept it. I just want to assure you that in both the Rogers amendment and my amendment we have plenty of transparency, and we have lots of reports, and I think your added protections of the taxpayers' dollars are very much in order.
Mr. HUELSKAMP. I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 9, as Modified, Offered by Mr. Fleming
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. I also have a unanimous consent for a technical correction of that amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 28, line 6, after the dollar amount (but inside the quotation marks), insert ``(reduced by $9,800,000)''.
Page 28, line 7, insert before the period at the end the following:
: Provided, That none of the funds made available under such heading in title V may be used to repair seawalls or buildings on islands in the Steward B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Fleming) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
Does the gentleman have a modification to his amendment?
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chairman, yes.
I ask unanimous consent to correct a misspelled word from
``steward,'' ending in ``d'' to ``Stewart,'' ending in ``t.''
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the modification.
The Clerk read as follows:
Technical Correction to the Amendment Offered by Mr. Fleming:
In the matter proposed to be inserted by the amendment on page 28, line 7, strike ``Steward'' and insert ``Stewart''.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the amendment is modified.
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chairman, my amendment to the Frelinghuysen amendment will strike $9.8 million of spending on buildings and seawalls on uninhabited islands within the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.
The Stewart McKinney refuge is a complex of 10 separate units composed of over 800 acres that are stretched across the Connecticut shoreline. My amendment specifically addresses the request of the Fish and Wildlife Service to spend nearly $10 million to rebuild buildings and a seawall on one of the 10 units known as the Outer Island.
The Service acquired this property through a private donation in 1995. Since that time, as a result of a memorandum of understanding, the island has been managed by Southern Connecticut State University, which provides access and guided educational activities to visiting school groups during the summer months, which is the only time Outer Island is actually open. In fact, the Southern Connecticut State University Web site is clear:
All schools, university, community, and civic associations or other parties interested in participating in educational activities on Outer Island must have prior approval of the Connecticut State University System coordinators.
While the Fish and Wildlife Service has no staff on Outer Island, the university utilizes paid interns and faculty coordinators to supervise the educational programming. An occasional kayaker may stop and have lunch on the island; but if you want to visit the Outer Island, you must coordinate your visit with the university and not with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, the university received a $250,000 grant from the Long Island Sound Fund.
Madam Chairman, last Friday members of my staff met with representatives of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service has confirmed that they do not charge the university for what amounts to almost the exclusive use of the island. Furthermore, the Service did not provide at any time any analysis or breakdown on how they will spend $9.8 million of our taxpayers' money. In fact, the only information they provided was a one-line explanation that the money will be used to remove debris deposited by storm floodwaters and to repair seawalls and buildings. Frankly, this is totally inadequate.
As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, my subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Fish and Wildlife Service. I intend to conduct our annual budget hearing in March of this year. This request does not belong in an emergency spending bill, and the money should not be in any way appropriated until we get a better understanding of how the $9.8 million will be spent. I am also interested in hearing why this Service does not charge the university for using the island and why they should not be assessed a portion of the repair costs, which benefits them far more than the general public or certainly the taxpayers of the United States.
I urge an ``aye'' vote on this, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1740
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise to claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Connecticut is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise in strong and vociferous opposition to what I view as a misguided amendment. It aims to cut funding that would help repair the seawalls and research buildings damaged by Superstorm Sandy at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut. This is a vindictive amendment, in my view, that needlessly slashes disaster relief for one particular State, and I urge its defeat.
Named after the former Republican Congressman from my State, the Stewart McKinney Wildlife Refugee spans 70 miles of Connecticut shoreline, including 800 acres of island habitats, a beach, and tidal wetlands. One of the more remarkable aspects of the McKinney Refuge is a chain of seven islands along the coast. The islands support habitat for several federally endangered and threatened species and also hosts related research facilities.
These islands are key stops for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway, and two of them have been named ``important bird areas'' by the National Audubon Society. Some of these islands are also in close proximity to urban centers. All of them sustained severe damage during Superstorm Sandy.
For example, the storm damaged the dock, seawall, and education building on the Outer Island research station, which is also the most visited island within the McKinney Refuge. As a result, the natural resources on Outer Island cannot currently be properly managed. On Outer Island, the lack of repairs will have serious environmental consequences. If the seawall isn't repaired, erosion will undermine the foundation of the main building, dislodge the septic tank and cause significant contamination, and will lead to major repair costs. That's why we need to make available disaster aid to the McKinney Refuge so that they can recover from this storm, just as we have many times in the past for other refuges affected by disasters all across this country.
Let me give you some examples. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008, we appropriated $71 million for wildlife refuges in Texas, $20 million in Mississippi, and $74 million for refuges in Louisiana, the sponsor of this amendment's home State.
One of the central responsibilities of this institution is to act on behalf of the American people whenever a major disaster occurs. Federal disaster relief is meant to restore homes, businesses, communities, and Federal facilities to their pre-disaster condition. We do this whether the disaster is a fire in the west, a tornado in the south, or a hurricane in the northeast. There is no good reason to make an exception of the McKinney Refuge here.
The sponsor of this amendment, Congressman Fleming of Louisiana, has argued that this bill includes $9.8 million solely to repair the damage done at the Outer Island. This is simply not true.
The Fish and Wildlife Service requested over $10.9 million for repairs to the McKinney Refuge, including just over $2 million for Outer Island. The rest of the funds, however, would support repairs all along the 70 miles of affected Connecticut coast. By cutting the funding needed to rebuild the Connecticut coastline to its pre-Sandy condition, this amendment prevents the McKinney Refuge from meeting its Federal commitment to conserve wildlife, to provide education and outdoor recreation for the public, and it unfairly singles out Connecticut and all of the protected wildlife along our shores. Is the State and refuge somehow unworthy of Federal support? It's a terrible precedent for disaster aid.
When these disasters occur, we have always come together as a Nation of Americans, just as we did after Katrina and Andrew and Irene, and we should not change that now.
I urge my colleagues to reject what I view as a pernicious amendment and help Connecticut's McKinney Refuge rebuild from this storm.
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded not to traffic the well while another Member is under recognition.
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chair, the gentlelady is correct: after we got more information on this, the nearly $10 million is actually only $2 million when it comes to the Outer Island. However, the gentlelady is incorrect: the university informed us that the vast amount of damage actually came from Hurricane Irene and not from Sandy.
Now as to the other $8 million, it goes to about six different islands that are rarely, if ever, touched by humans. It is for coastline restoration. So what you have is basically $10 million, $2 million of which is to repair damage from a previous hurricane for which there has not been a request. It is uninhabited island, rarely touched or used except in the summertime, and the rest of the islands are virtually never touched or used.
Madam Chair, this is an emergency bill. There's no emergency here. And whatever dollars we use are going to be borrowed from China and put onto the debt. So as a result of that, this does not fit the definition in any way, shape, or form of being an emergency.
I would suggest to the Chamber today that we focus on the emergency. There are a lot of people hurting with this disaster, and we should put our money where it needs to be. We can go through regular order through my subcommittee and address all of the work needs that need to go on here.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. I would just want to say to my colleague, and quite frankly, I don't recall whether you were here or not here during the extensive debates that we had on this floor as it regarded Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Ike in 2008--$71 million for wildlife refuges in Texas, $20 million for refuges in Mississippi, and $74 million for refuges in Louisiana.
Let me just tell you, we have over and over again laid out what the difficulties are and what kind of environmental damage this will cause to the Outer Island, what will happen to contamination in the area, and major areas of our coast along our Connecticut coastline. It is amazing to me that we find it necessary, that in the Northeast, somehow we are being held hostage when the rest of the Nation has received every dime they have asked for. It's wrong, and we should defeat this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentleman from Louisiana has 30 seconds remaining.
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chair, I would again disagree with the gentlelady. I would have to say that, unfortunately, it is our grandchildren who are being held hostage. Now they have tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars each in future debt from the spending we do today. Needless to say, we need to take care of the problem. We need to take care of the emergency, and we need to take care of the people who are hurt. But for heaven's sake, we should not be spending money restoring coastlines on islands that nobody ever goes to.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Fleming), as modified.
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. FLEMING. Madam Chair, 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 Louisiana will be postponed.
Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Benishek
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 28, strike the proviso beginning on line 20.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, like all of my colleagues, I come before you today very concerned about my fellow Americans whose lives were torn apart in October of 2012 due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy, like many natural disasters before it, has caused billions of dollars of damage and has upended the lives of thousands of Americans. Congress gathers here today to consider a very important question: Exactly what is the role of the Federal Government in rebuilding our communities following a natural disaster?
Like many of my colleagues, I believe the Federal Government must be a strong partner in responding to natural disasters, but local communities must lead the way in making the important decisions. Only local communities have the firsthand knowledge to prioritize how precious resources should be spent following a natural disaster. While the Federal Government can and should be a partner, it must be just that--a partner.
Madam Chair, the Federal Government currently plans ahead and budgets for natural disasters. We have an entire agency, FEMA, dedicated to managing these disasters. Perhaps Congress should have a more comprehensive discussion on how to better budget and prepare for natural disasters, but we can't use one hurricane as an excuse to fund or enhance programs that would normally go through the regular appropriations process.
{time} 1750
Local communities and property owners impacted by Hurricane Sandy face tough choices. They must prioritize and decide what projects will be rebuilt and in which order.
One of the provisions in the underlying Frelinghuysen amendment provides for an additional $50 million in grants from the Historic Preservation Fund for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy. Currently, these types of grants typically require a non-Federal match. The Frelinghuysen amendment strikes the non-Federal match requirement for the Sandy funds.
Madam Chair, my amendment would not reduce any of the supplemental funding provided for in the underlying amendment. Again, the amendment does not reduce the supplemental funding. My amendment simply restores the provision that the non-Federal match be applied, as normally required by the National Park Service. In actual practice, this would make the funds more widely available for a larger number of citizens.
My amendment is about good government and good investments. It simply ensures that local communities have ``skin in the game'' and truly support the grants that they apply for. If a local community is truly supportive of rebuilding a project, they will band together and find a match, whether it be a local municipality, State government, or private nonprofit.
I understand that those opposed to the amendment will say that the impacted property owners require emergency funding. They will argue that in order to obtain the funds, stakeholders should be released of the obligations of a non-Federal match, as many are struggling to get by.
To this, I'd like to remind you that our government is still borrowing over 40 cents for every dollar it spends. Just as families must prioritize their budgets, the Federal Government must learn to make adjustments.
Federal grants should not be about having fancy consultants or great grant writers. These type of programs should come down to one thing: local support for a project. The ability to provide a non-Federal match ensures community support for those projects.
We should no longer waive requirements that ensure local communities will support their efforts. This is about good government and ensuring fiscal responsibility now and in the future.
It is my hope that you will join me in supporting this amendment to ensure that this good guiding principle of good government is continued.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New Jersey is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield as much time as he may consume to Mr. Moran.
Mr. MORAN. I thank the very distinguished gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership overall on this bill, but particularly for thinking to waive the non-Federal match, and I'll explain why.
I'm sure the gentleman from Michigan's effort is well-intentioned, but many of the buildings damaged by Hurricane Sandy were historic structures, and their repair will be very expensive.
Now, your amendment would make it cost prohibitive, Mr. Benishek, to repair or rebuild these historic structures. The Interior Department has told us that if the Benishek amendment passes, the historic preservation funds will be almost impossible to spend in the 2-year timeframe.
The regular historic preservation matching requirement is 60 Federal/
40 non-Federal. If there is a 60/40 match requirement for the States affected by Hurricane Sandy, the State Preservation Offices will not be able to meet the matching requirement.
These offices are already struggling financially, and have challenges meeting the match under normal circumstances. If they got the money without the waiver, the $50 million that we provide in this bill would sit in an administrative morass while we tried and then likely failed to spend it. So we would be funding nothing but Federal overhead for 2 years.
The language in the Frelinghuysen amendment, like the Senate bill, limits Historic Preservation Grant funding to those 10 States that received the Stafford Act Major Disaster declaration.
The density of historic structures in Sandy-impacted States is far higher and the damage far greater than any storm in recent memory. In New York State alone there were 51,587 structures on the National Historic Register that received a direct hit from Hurricane Sandy. These are structures of national significance. Likewise, in New Jersey and Connecticut.
These structures include such well-known sites as the South Street Seaport Museum and the Coney Island Historic District, as well as thousands of other structures, which while perhaps not being as well-
known, are no less important.
So the fact is that many private homeowners, businesses, and communities, they take pride in their historic structures. These historic structures bring tourists to their communities. They help generate economic revenue. We should not penalize them as they try to recover from this disaster by making them sacrifice the historic character of their homes, their businesses, and communities.
So I support Mr. Frelinghuysen's provision of waivers in his amendment for this special category of grants, and I ask my colleagues to vote against the Benishek amendment.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BENISHEK. I just want to use the balance of my time to say $50 million is able to be spent in a larger area, with more impact, if the spending is done with priorities determined by local contributions, and that it's not going to be the best grant writer or the person with the most connections but it's going to be the communities that come together with their local support that is going to determine how this money is being spent. And I think that's just a better way of prioritizing the increase in spending for the historic preservation fund in this method.
I think we've seen in previous disasters where Federal money has been just wasted. And I think that having community input and community donations to this would ensure that the money will go as far as it can and be put to the most effective use determined by local input.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, let me associate my remarks with those of Mr. Moran. And certainly, we want to commend the gentleman from Michigan for wanting to save money.
I think, in many communities, certainly in the Northeast, but I'm sure in your home State, there are certain historical structures that define the very essence of those communities. You refer to the fact that the communities are supportive. In many cases, it's the nonprofits that are supporting them.
And I asked the staff--and this is why it's in the bill--when we looked at Katrina relief and all the historic structures that were within that affected area, which was vast, we also provided this window.
Of course, in the Northeast we are often essentially focused on our Revolutionary path. But unless we provide to these nonprofits and to communities, in some cases governmental entities, this waiver, a lot of these historical buildings will be lost forever. And I think that time is of the essence.
I commend you for what you're trying to do, but I oppose your amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, 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 Michigan will be postponed.
Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 49, after line 9, add the following:
TITLE XI--GENERAL PROVISIONS
limitation on use of funds
Sec. 1101. None of the funds provided in this Act shall be used for land acquisition by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
{time} 1800
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Thank you, Madam Chair, I appreciate your kindness and hope that your ears are very gentle today.
Unlike some of the other amendments, this particular amendment does not reduce the amount appropriated in the basic underlying bill. What it does try to say is that the money needs to be used where the money needs to be used. It limits the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture from using any funds from this emergency appropriation for the purchase of additional Federal land.
When Sandy hit, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, Morris Park, Sagamore Hill, they were not spared from what took place. The Statue of Liberty is closed. It is not open to the public. It is in desperate need of repair. What I want to make sure is that the money we put for the repair of the Federal estate is used for the repair of the Federal estate. Unfortunately, in an effort to try and do that, there was some loose language. Even though it attempts to put some parameters on where this money can be used, embedded in the language is the phrase that the Secretary of the Interior may transfer these funds to any other account in the Department and may expend such funds in a myriad of ways to try and come up with something.
Unfortunately, we were given, or made aware of, an unofficial wish list which would actually have used some of the money designed for the repair of these desperate issues to be used for the purchase of property not currently under the control of the Federal Government. That is the practice we wish to curtail. If you want to buy more Federal land, that's the icing on the cake. That should go through regular order. That is not emergency spending.
So with this particular money, it needs to be used where it is necessary. It does not prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers or the GAO from using certain funds as necessary to prohibit any kind of relief or human suffering. It simply says you're not going to buy extra land with the money that is already identified for the need of repairing what we already own.
The National Park Service has given us a list of what they need to do. It consumes the money that is in that approach to it. If you decide not to restrict this and allow them to have the flexibility of purchasing other land, something from this list that is essential has to come off, and that's not right. All we're trying to say is use this money to make sure that we put it where it deserves to be, to end the suffering and repair the public property that we already own.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Denham). The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I oppose the Bishop amendment which, as he says, prohibits the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from using funds made available under this act from any land acquisition.
There is no attempt by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to use the funds made available under the bill for any kind of Federal land grab. However, there are instances when land acquisition can be part of a cost-effective solution to repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. For example, we have Interior and Agriculture facilities in low-lying areas that were destroyed by the hurricane. If either Department wants to move any of those facilities to higher ground to protect them from future hurricanes and that higher ground is not owned by the Federal Government, then the Bishop amendment prohibits the Secretaries from buying that land. So we go through the whole thing all over again. They make an assessment. If they realize that this building isn't going to withstand another hurricane, they should be able to move it to land where it's more appropriate; but you couldn't do it if you have the Bishop amendment.
We also had tidal wetlands that were destroyed that included private lands. Under the Bishop amendment, these private lands could not be acquired as part of a comprehensive effort to restore these wetlands to their natural condition. The private landowners need us to do that. They can't restore them, but the wetlands need to be restored. So this simply gives the two Departments the ability to act in a rational manner to restore the shoreline.
The Bishop amendment is a solution in search of a problem. So I would urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, if I may respond for just a moment. I do appreciate what the gentleman is saying, but I would take issue at the premise upon which it is made. If indeed there needs to be a change of venue from any kind of Federal property--they need to go to high ground--those properties need to be identified, and it needs to go through regular order. Emergency funds should not be used to circumvent the process we already have in place, including the preservation of environmental standards, simply to do that.
Here is the bottom line: if you don't accept this amendment, because the National Park Service has already told us what they will do with this money, if they are allowed because of some pressure from wherever source to purchase excess land with this money, which of these projects are we going to take off?
Do you want to go to Liberty Island and take off the storm drain cleanage or the removing of the debris, the mold remediation, the hazardous debris removal, the removal of storm debris, the replacing of water fountains on Ellis Island, the repairing of the Battery Park screening site tent?
The money is already identified here. This is where it should go. This is the emergency. For heavens sake, make it very clear that the money that's going to be given for an emergency is used to repair what was caused in the emergency, and do not have any loose ends that will circumvent regular order.
If indeed there needs to be long-term changes of where administrative buildings are to be built, go through the regular order. That's the process we have. That should be the way of doing things.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Chairman, I know Mr. Bishop has been involved in the legislative process long enough to know that process and regular order can be one of the most facile ways of preventing anything from getting done. I will not challenge him now to tell us how many things have been held up that thought they could get through regular order in a reasonable period of time.
We have an emergency here. This is urgent, to repair these seashores. The fact is that the National Parks and the National Seashores and the National Wildlife Refuges are great assets to our communities. Not only do they attract tourism; they increase property values, and they enhance our quality of life.
And now it's clear that public lands and natural systems that they protect buffered built up areas from the impact of storms. They play a very important role, so we need to restore them; and restoration of these public resources will require a specific targeted strategy.
A prohibition on land acquisition may very well frustrate the ability to bring back the public value of existing park and refuge lands and to meet other community needs. Where new access points are needed, which is often-times going to be the case, where small purchases are the best or only means to reestablish the lost value of damaged habitat, this amendment would preclude the purchase of even a single acre that would be needed to reestablish public use and resource integrity.
This ties the hands of the professionals who know best how to restore the seashore. This is not a Federal land grant, but they need the tools to be able to make small purchases. We're not talking about a lot of money; we're not talking about a lot of land.
There will be times when you need to buy a small piece of privately owned land to get access to a seashore. There will be times when you need to move it to a more appropriate area. They're not going to be able to spend a lot of money. There isn't a lot of money to do that with.
The fact is that this, I think, is a deliberate effort to frustrate the ability of people who have a vision of what the seashore can be once we restore it to its natural habitat. It seems to me that should be a national objective, to let this area repair and heal. Taking away this tool is going to frustrate that objective.
I would strongly urge a ``no'' vote on the Bishop amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I yield myself the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Utah is recognized for 1 minute.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Thank you very much.
Though I appreciate the words of the gentleman from Virginia, I have to disagree once again. We have a process for the way we do things. This is an exception to that process because of an emergency. The Parks Department has already identified where they need to spend the money. Any authorization that would ask for any kind of acquisition of lands will take away from where the money is already identified to be needed.
{time} 1810
The hypothetical situation of where some expert at some point might want to do this, to spend some type of money, it's nice, it's cute, it's wonderful, but we have a specific process here. If, indeed, you need to move an administrative building from point X to point Y, we have a process to go through that. And it should go through the administrative, it should go through regular order; not be hidden in the bowels of an emergency expenditure.
I'm not cutting any money from this bill. I'm simply saying you spend the money where it was designed to be spent, and there is a loophole in the language here that would allow that to change. That is wrong. Do not allow the Interior Department or the Ag Department to use a loophole to move money that is designed to solve an emergency from the place where it needs to be spent, on the emergency.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, 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 Utah will be postponed.
Amendment No. 12 Offered by Ms. Velazquez
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12 printed in part C of House Report 113-1.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 49, after line 9, insert the following:
TITLE XI
ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISION
Sec. __. The amounts otherwise provided by this Act are revised by reducing the amount made available for ``Small Business Administration--Disaster Loans Program Account'' for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (and within such amount, the amount made available for direct administrative expenses of loan making and servicing to carry out such program), and increasing the amount made available for ``Department of Veterans Affairs--National Cemetery Administration'', by $1,000,000.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 23, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, from the Revolutionary War to the war in Afghanistan, we owe a great debt to our servicemen and -women. One way that we honor them is through their internment in national veteran cemeteries, which gives them a dignified and honorable final resting place.
As anyone who has walked through the rows of tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery knows, these cemeteries are hallowed ground. They allow us not only to pay our great respect to these great men and women, but to reflect on the cost of defending the very freedoms we enjoy in our daily lives. Unfortunately, these burial grounds were not left unscathed by Hurricane Sandy. In fact, the Cypress Hills National Cemetery--New York City's only such cemetery--was heavily damaged by the storm.
As the final resting place for more than 20,000 soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, Korea, and Vietnam, it spans our Nation's military history and is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to defend democracy.
At Cypress Hills National Cemetery, trees were downed, areas were flooded, and many important monuments were jeopardized. Headstones were also damaged, with some pulled out of the ground due to trees falling on them. To honor those veterans buried there, the cemetery must be well maintained, and making these repairs and protecting these structures should be a priority for all Americans. To do this, the underlying legislation provides $1.1 million to make repairs and renovations.
This amendment would provide another $1 million for this purpose and enable those affected veteran cemeteries to take steps to protect this sacred ground from future disasters. This could include installing measures to prevent the destruction of grave sites, regrading areas prone to flooding, and reinforcing critical structures that honor our veterans. Such an investment will make sure that future generations can visit this memorial and understand the sacrifices of those that came before them. Making certain that this memorial stands the test of time is the least we can do for those that gave their lives in service to our Nation.
Ultimately, a Nation is truly measured by how it honors its veterans, and this amendment does just that, while ensuring that we truly leave no man and no woman behind.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am very pleased to accept your amendment, and thank you for invoking the words of Abraham Lincoln.
Mrs. LOWEY. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.
Mrs. LOWEY. This amendment increases funding for the National Cemetery Association account by $1 million, offset by reductions in the SBA Disaster Loan Program.
As I understand it, the gentlewoman has heard from her constituents that these additional funds are needed to address extensive tree damage at New York and New Jersey national cemeteries.
VA cemeteries are national shrines and a lasting tribute that commemorate veterans' service and sacrifice to our great Nation. The amendment will ensure that the VA cemeteries affected by Hurricane Sandy will be repaired in a quick and efficient manner, and I urge all Members to support this amendment.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I thank the gentlelady, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez).
The amendment was agreed to.
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings will now resume on those amendments printed in part C of House Report 113-1 on which further proceedings were postponed, in the following order:
Amendment No. 2 by Mr. Flores of Texas.
Amendment No. 4 by Mr. Broun of Georgia.
Amendment No. 5 by Mr. Duncan of South Carolina.
Amendment No. 9 by Mr. Fleming of Louisiana.
Amendment No. 10 by Mr. Benishek of Michigan.
Amendment No. 11 by Mr. Bishop of Utah.
After which, the Chair shall put the question on amendment No. 1 by Mr. Frelinghuysen of New Jersey.
The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote after the first vote in this series, except that the minimum time on Amendment No. 1 will be 5 minutes.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Flores
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 221, noes 197, not voting 14, as follows:
AYES--221
AderholtAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarneyCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanColeCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramerCrawfordCuellarCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDentDeSantisDesJarlaisDiaz-BalartDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGibbsGibsonGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Green, GeneGriffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHannaHarperHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKindKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLathamLattaLongLucasLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMarinoMassieMathesonMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMeehanMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetersonPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelReedReichertRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRos-LehtinenRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchraderSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiptonTurnerUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWhitfieldWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWolfWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (IN)
NOES--197
AlexanderAndrewsBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrowleyCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDeutchDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGerlachGraysonGreen, AlGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelRichmondRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinema SiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)TiberiTierneyTitusTonkoTsongasVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWilson (FL)YarmuthYoung (FL)
NOT VOTING--14
CardenasCleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeJohnson (GA)KingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeierThompson (MS)
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There are 2 minutes remaining.
{time} 1839
Messrs. POCAN, KILDEE, and BARLETTA changed their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
Messrs. WITTMAN, WENSTRUP, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Mr. TURNER changed their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 16 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Flores Amendment.
Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 16, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''
Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. Broun) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 206, noes 214, not voting 12, as follows:
AYES--206
AderholtAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramerCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDentDeSantisDesJarlaisDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFitzpatrickFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGerlachGibbsGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHarperHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKindKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLathamLattaLongLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMarinoMassieMathesonMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMeehanMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchraderSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShimkusShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWhitfieldWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWolfWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (IN)
NOES--214
AlexanderAndrewsBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBilirakisBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrawfordCrowleyCuellarCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGibsonGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGriffin (AR)GrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHastings (FL)Heck (WA)Herrera BeutlerHigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLankfordLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)MaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)PetersonPingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRichmondRogers (AL)Ros-LehtinenRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWilson (FL)YarmuthYoung (FL)
NOT VOTING--12
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickLynchNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
{time} 1843
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 17 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Broun Amendment.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Duncan of South Carolina
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 202, noes 217, not voting 13, as follows:
AYES--202
AderholtAlexanderAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarlettaBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramerCrawfordCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDentDeSantisDesJarlaisDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGibbs Gingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)GuthrieHallHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKindKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLattaLongLucasLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMarinoMassieMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWhitfieldWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWolfWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NOES--217
AndrewsBarberBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrowleyCuellarCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGerlachGibsonGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGriffith (VA)GrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHarperHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)LathamLee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)MaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarkeyMathesonMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)PetersonPingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRichmondRokitaRooneyRos-LehtinenRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSessionsSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoTerryThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWilson (FL)Yarmuth
NOT VOTING--13
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickLynchNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSmith (TX)Speier
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 1847
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 18 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Duncan (SC) Amendment.
Amendment No. 9, as Modified, Offered by Mr. Fleming
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Louisiana
(Mr. Fleming) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 216, noes 205, not voting 11, as follows:
AYES--216
AlexanderAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarlettaBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramerCrawfordCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDentDeSantisDesJarlaisDiaz-BalartDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFitzpatrickFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGerlachGibbsGibsonGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHarperHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKindKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLathamLattaLongLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMassieMathesonMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMeehanMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetersonPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelReedReichertRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRos-LehtinenRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonTurnerUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWolfWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NOES--205
AderholtAndrewsBarberBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrowleyCuellarCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDeutchDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarinoMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovern McIntyreMcNerneyMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelRichmondRogers (KY)Roybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWhitfieldWilson (FL)Yarmuth
NOT VOTING--11
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
{time} 1851
Mr. LYNCH changed his vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment, as modified, was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 19 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Fleming Amendment.
Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Benishek
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Benishek) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 208, noes 212, not voting 12, as follows:
AYES--208
AderholtAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramerCrawfordCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDeSantisDesJarlaisDiaz-BalartDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGarrettGibbsGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHannaHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanKellyKindKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLattaLipinskiLongLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMassieMathesonMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPeters (CA)PetersonPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelReichertRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRos-LehtinenRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchraderSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWhitfieldWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NOES--212
AlexanderAndrewsBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrowleyCuellarCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDentDeutchDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGerlachGibsonGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHarperHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.JoyceKapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)LathamLee (CA)LevinLewisLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)MaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarinoMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedRichmondRogers (KY)Roybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchockScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWilson (FL)WolfYarmuth
NOT VOTING--12
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickLynchNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 1855
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 20 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Benishek Amendment.
Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah
The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 223, noes 198, not voting 11, as follows:
AYES--223
AderholtAlexanderAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarlettaBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBoustanyBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCoffmanColeCollins (GA)Collins (NY)ConawayCookCottonCramer CrawfordCulbersonDainesDavis, RodneyDenhamDentDeSantisDesJarlaisDiaz-BalartDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)FrelinghuysenGardnerGarrettGibbsGibsonGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHannaHarperHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLanceLankfordLathamLattaLongLucasLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMarinoMassieMathesonMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMeehanMesserMicaMichaudMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPalazzoPaulsenPearcePerryPetersonPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelReedRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRos-LehtinenRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRuizRunyanRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShimkusShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonTurnerUptonValadaoWagnerWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWhitfieldWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWolfWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NOES--198
AndrewsBarberBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCobleCohenConnollyConyersCooperCostaCourtneyCrowleyCuellarCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDeutchDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGerlachGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKindKing (NY)KusterLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeeksMengMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReichertRichmondRoybal-AllardRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalbergWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWilson (FL)Yarmuth
NOT VOTING--11
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
{time} 1900
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 22 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Bishop (UT) Amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on amendment No. 1 printed in part C of House Report 113-1 offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), as amended.
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 228, noes 192, not voting 12, as follows:
AYES--228
AlexanderAndrewsBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBoustanyBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CarterCartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnColeCollins (NY)ConnollyConyersCostaCourtneyCramerCrowleyCuellarCulbersonCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDavis, RodneyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDenhamDentDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGarrettGerlachGibsonGrangerGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHarperHastings (FL)Heck (WA)HigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKindKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarkeyMathesonMatsuiMcCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPalazzoPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)Pingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRichmondRos-LehtinenRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWhitfieldWilson (FL)WolfYarmuthYoung (AK)Young (FL)
NOES--192
AderholtAmashAmodeiBachmannBachusBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBonnerBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCantorCapitoCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)ConawayCookCooperCottonCrawfordDainesDeSantisDesJarlaisDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGibbsGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHerrera BeutlerHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLathamLattaLongLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMarinoMassieMcCarthy (CA)McCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcKeonMcKinleyMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugent NunneleeOlsonPaulsenPearcePerryPetersonPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonValadaoWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWomackWoodallYoderYohoYoung (IN)
NOT VOTING--12
CleaverCohenCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
Announcement by the Acting Chair
The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). The Chair will remind all persons in the gallery that they are here as guests of the House and that any manifestation of approval or disapproval of proceedings is in violation of the rules of the House.
{time} 1907
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 22 due to a death in my family. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Frelinghuysen Amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. There being no further amendments, under the rule, the Committee rises.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Reed) having assumed the chair, Mr. Denham, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 152) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes, and, pursuant to House Resolution 23, he reported the bill back to the House with sundry amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is ordered.
Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment reported from the Committee of the Whole, or on an amendment thereto? If not, the Chair will put them en gros.
The amendments were agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
Under clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 241, nays 180, not voting 11, as follows:
YEAS--241
AlexanderAndrewsBachusBarberBarlettaBarrowBassBeattyBecerraBeraBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBonamiciBonnerBoustanyBrady (PA)Braley (IA)Brown (FL)Brownley (CA)BustosButterfieldCantorCapitoCappsCapuanoCardenasCarneyCarson (IN)CartwrightCastor (FL)Castro (TX)ChuCicillineClarkeClayClyburnCohenColeCollins (NY)ConnollyConyersCostaCourtneyCramerCrawfordCrowleyCuellarCulbersonCummingsDavis (CA)Davis, DannyDavis, RodneyDeFazioDeGetteDelaneyDeLauroDelBeneDenhamDentDeutchDiaz-BalartDingellDoggettDoyleDuckworthEdwardsEllisonEngelEnyartEshooEstyFarrFattahFitzpatrickFosterFrankel (FL)FrelinghuysenFudgeGabbardGallegoGaramendiGarciaGarrettGerlachGibsonGraysonGreen, AlGreen, GeneGrijalvaGrimmGutierrezHahnHanabusaHannaHarperHastings (FL)Heck (WA)Herrera BeutlerHigginsHimesHinojosaHoltHondaHorsfordHoyerHuffmanIsraelJeffriesJohnson (GA)Johnson, E. B.KapturKeatingKennedyKildeeKilmerKindKing (NY)KusterLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)Lee (CA)LevinLewisLipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgrenLowenthalLoweyLucasLujan Grisham (NM)Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)LynchMaffeiMaloney, CarolynMaloney, SeanMarinoMarkeyMathesonMatsuiMcCarthy (CA)McCarthy (NY)McCollumMcDermottMcGovernMcIntyreMcKeonMcKinleyMcNerneyMeehanMeeksMengMichaudMiller, GeorgeMooreMoranMurphy (FL)NadlerNealNolanO'RourkeOwensPalazzoPallonePascrellPastor (AZ)PaynePelosiPerlmutterPeters (CA)Peters (MI)PetersonPingree (ME)PocanPolisPrice (NC)QuigleyRahallRangelReedReichertRichmondRogers (KY)Ros-LehtinenRoybal-AllardRuizRunyanRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Sanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchneiderSchraderScott (VA)Scott, DavidSerranoSewell (AL)Shea-PorterShermanShimkusSinemaSiresSlaughterSmith (NJ)Smith (WA)Swalwell (CA)TakanoThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)TierneyTitusTonkoTsongasTurnerValadaoVan HollenVargasVeaseyVelaVelazquezViscloskyWalzWasserman SchultzWatersWattWaxmanWelchWhitfieldWilson (FL)WolfYarmuthYoung (AK)Young (FL)Young (IN)
NAYS--180
AderholtAmashAmodeiBachmannBarrBartonBenishekBentivolioBilirakisBishop (UT)BlackBlackburnBrady (TX)BridenstineBrooks (AL)Brooks (IN)Broun (GA)BuchananBucshonBurgessCalvertCampCampbellCarterCassidyChabotChaffetzCobleCoffmanCollins (GA)ConawayCookCooperCottonDainesDeSantisDesJarlaisDuffyDuncan (SC)Duncan (TN)EllmersFarentholdFincherFleischmannFlemingFloresForbesFortenberryFoxxFranks (AZ)GardnerGibbsGingrey (GA)GohmertGoodlatteGosarGowdyGrangerGraves (GA)Graves (MO)Griffin (AR)Griffith (VA)GuthrieHallHarrisHartzlerHastings (WA)Heck (NV)HensarlingHoldingHudsonHuelskampHuizenga (MI)HultgrenHunterHurtIssaJenkinsJohnson (OH)Johnson, SamJonesJordanJoyceKellyKing (IA)Kinzinger (IL)KlineLabradorLaMalfaLambornLankfordLathamLattaLongLuetkemeyerLummisMarchantMassieMcCaulMcClintockMcHenryMcMorris RodgersMeadowsMesserMicaMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMullinMulvaneyMurphy (PA)NeugebauerNoemNugentNunneleeOlsonPaulsenPearcePerryPetriPittengerPittsPoe (TX)PompeoPoseyPrice (GA)RadelRenacciRibbleRice (SC)RigellRobyRoe (TN)Rogers (AL)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRokitaRooneyRoskamRossRothfusRoyceRyan (WI)SalmonScaliseSchockSchweikertScott, AustinSensenbrennerSessionsShusterSimpsonSmith (NE)Smith (TX)SoutherlandStewartStiversStockmanStutzmanTerryThompson (PA)ThornberryTiberiTiptonUptonWagnerWalbergWaldenWalorskiWeber (TX)Webster (FL)WenstrupWestmorelandWilliamsWilson (SC)WittmanWomackWoodallYoderYoho
NOT VOTING--11
CleaverCrenshawEmersonJackson LeeKingstonKirkpatrickNapolitanoNegrete McLeodNunesSchwartzSpeier
{time} 1925
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Personal Explanation
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise regarding my excused absence from rollcall votes 11-23 on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. I was unavoidably delayed on my return to Washington due to official business in my district.
I would have voted ``aye'' for my following rollcall votes: 12, 15, 22, 23.
I would have voted ``no'' for my following rollcall votes: 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Authorizing the Clerk to Correct Engrossment
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, that in the engrossment of H.R. 152, the Clerk shall reinsert the text on page 1, lines 3 through 6, of the bill after the enacting clause.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
____________________
