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.
“TO PROVIDE CERTAIN AUTHORITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2590-E2591 on Dec. 17, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TO PROVIDE CERTAIN AUTHORITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
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speech of
HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am attaching an exchange of letters between Chairman Hyde and Chairman Davis concerning the bill H.R. 4436, ``To provide certain authorities for the Department of State, and for other purposes'' for printing in the Record.
House of Representatives,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC, December 14, 2005.Hon. Tom Davis,Chairman, House Committee on Government Reform, Washington,
DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the bill, H.R. 4436, to provide certain authorities for the Department of State. There are certain provisions in the bill which fall within the shared Rule X jurisdiction of your Committee. Specifically, I refer to the language in section 4 of the bill relating to increased limits applicable to post differentials; section 6 of the bill which extends the authorization of personal services contracting authority that waives civil service laws and danger pay allowances; and section 7 relating to official residence expenses. Based on discussions between the two committees, I will change the language in this bill as called up to include a modification in section 4 (e) relating to reporting requirements to include your Committee and to sunset the authorization in section 6. Section 7 will remain as in the introduced bill.
In the interest of permitting this Committee to proceed expeditiously to the floor consideration of this bill, I request your Committee to waive further consideration of this matter. I understand that such a waiver only applies to this language in this bill, and not to the underlying subject matter. I will urge the Speaker to name Members of your Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider this bill.
I appreciate your willingness to allow us to proceed. I will insert this exchange of letters into the Congressional Record
Sincerely,
Henry J. Hyde,
Chairman.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Government Reform,
Washington, DC, December 14, 2005.Hon. Henry J. Hyde,Chairman, House Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter concerning the bill H.R. 4436 to provide certain authorities for the Department of State. I concur in your judgment that certain provisions which you mentioned fall within the jurisdiction of your Committee.
Based on conversations between the two committees and your agreement to make certain changes in the language which will be considered under suspension of the rules, I am willing to waive this committee's right to consider the bill. In so doing, I do not waive its jurisdiction over the subject matter of the bill. I appreciate your commitment to urge the Speaker to name Members of this Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider this bill and to insert this exchange of letters into the Congressional Record.
I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Tom Davis,Chairman.
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