Daily Whipline

July 8, 2009

Whipline

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Floor Schedule and Procedure

• H. Res. 610 - Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2965 - Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 (Rep. Polis - Rules):  The structured rule provides for one hour of general debate, with 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Science and Technology.  The rule provides that no amendments shall be in order except those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution.  The rule provides that the amendments made in order 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, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.  The rule further provides that the proponent of any such amendment may modify its amendatory instructions.  The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill with or without instructions.  The rule provides that the Chair may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if offered by the chair of the Committee on Small Business or her designee.   The rule also provides that the Chair may not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill.  The rule provides that during consideration of H.R. 2965, the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting. Debate on the rule will be managed by Rep. Polis, and consideration will proceed as follows:

  • One hour of debate on the rule.

  • Possible vote on a Democratic Motion ordering the previous question. Members are urged to vote yes.

  • Vote on adoption of the rule. Members are urged to vote yes.

• H.R. 2965 - Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009  (Rep. Altmire - Small Business):  Pursuant to H.Res. 610, general debate on the bill will be managed by Small Business Committee Chair Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Science & Technology Committee Chair Rep. Bart Gordon or their designees.  Consideration on the bill will proceed as follows: 

  • One hour of general debate on the bill.

  • Debate and possible votes on amendments to the bill.

  • Possible debate and vote on Republican motion to recommit the bill.

  • Vote on final passage of the bill.  Members are urged to VOTE YES. 

  H. Res. 609 - Rule to provide for consideration of  H.R. 2997 - making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes (Rep. McGovern - Rules): The structured rule provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Appropriations.  The rule makes in order the following amendments: (1) the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution; (2) the amendments printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules; (3) not to exceed one of the amendments printed in part C of the report of the Committee on Rules if offered by Rep. Campbell or his designee; (4) not to exceed three of the amendments printed in part D of the report of the Committee on Rules if offered by Rep. Flake or his designee; and (5) not to exceed one of the amendments printed in part E of the report of the Committee on Rules if offered by Rep. Hensarling or his designee.  The rule provides that each such amendment shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.  The rule provides that for those amendments reported from the Committee of the Whole, the question of their adoption shall be put to the House en gros and without demand for division of the question.  The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill with or without instructions.  The rule provides that after consideration of the bill for amendment, the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their designees each may offer one pro forma amendment to the bill for the purpose of debate, which shall be controlled by the proponent.  The rule provides that the Chair may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if offered by the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or his designee.   Finally, the rule provides that during consideration of H.R. 2997, the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting. Debate on the rule will be managed by Rep. McGovern, and consideration will proceed as follows:
  • One hour of debate on the rule.
  • Possible vote on a Democratic Motion ordering the previous question. Members are urged to vote yes.
  • Vote on adoption of the rule. Members are urged to vote yes.
• H.R. 2997 - making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes  (Rep. DeLauro - Appropriations):  Pursuant to H.Res. 609, general debate on the bill will be managed by Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Dave Obey.  Consideration on the bill will proceed as follows:

  • One hour of general debate on the bill.
  • Debate and possible votes on amendments to the bill.
  • Possible debate and vote on Republican motion to recommit the bill.
  • Vote on final passage of the bill.  Members are urged to VOTE YES.
  
  

• Postponed Suspension Votes:

1. H.R. 1275 - Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2009 (Rep. Matheson - Natural Resources)
2.  H.R. 1945 - Tule River Tribe Water Development Act (Rep. Nunes - Natural Resources)
3. H.Con.Res. 142 - Supporting National Men's Health Week (Rep. Cummings - Oversight and Government Reform)
4. H.Con.Res. 127 - Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month (Rep. Lee (CA) - Oversight and Government Reform)
5. H.Con.Res. 131 - Directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of "In God We Trust" in the Capitol Visitor Center (Rep. Lungren - House Administration)

Bill Summary & Key Issues

The Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 extends through fiscal year 2011 the Federal government's largest small business research and development programs. The legislation modernizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, changing the legislative guidelines and policies in order to update the program in response to the unique challenges facing small research companies and the changing research priorities of Federal agencies.

The Act is aimed at three broad goals. First, the bill seeks to encourage greater participation in SBIR. An increase in the number of small businesses applying for SBIR is critical to the ongoing success of the program. Second, the bill permits small companies that are majority-owned by qualifying venture capital firms to participate in the SBIR program. A 2003 ruling by the Small Business Administration (SBA) has made small firms with large investments from venture capital companies ineligible to participate in the SBIR program. The SBA ruling forces many small businesses to choose between accepting investments from venture capital firms and participating in the Federal government's largest R&D program for small research firms. Third, the bill seeks to encourage and support commercialization initiatives at Federal agencies that administer SBIR programs. Under current law certain Federal agencies have the authority to develop commercialization programs. This bill extends to all agencies the authority to develop programs designed to support the commercialization of SBIR-funded research.

Additionally, the bill seeks to codify in statute the programmatic flexibility that Federal agencies need in order to administer SBIR awards in a manner that is most consistent with the agency's specific mission. Along with granting to Federal agencies a great degree of autonomy, the bill also requires Federal agencies to establish more concrete goals and objectives with respect to their SBIR programs and directs the agencies to provide Congress with more regular reports.

ENCOURAGING GREATER PARTICIPATION IN SBIR AND STTR

The Act includes a number of provisions designed to encourage more small firms to apply for SBIR and STTR awards. The bill more than doubles the size of SBIR and STTR awards for Phase

I and Phase II grants and establishes a 90-day timeline for issuing a final decision on an SBIR application after the solicitation is closed.

The legislation establishes a federal grant program to reach out to small firms located in underrepresented areas, and that are owned by service-disabled veterans, women, and minorities. Under the grant program established by the bill, the SBA Administrator is instructed to make competitive grants to organizations to conduct outreach efforts to increase participation in the SBIR program and provide application support and entrepreneurial and business skills support for current and prospective participants in the SBIR program. To be eligible for these awards, an organization must have the written endorsement of the Governor of the State where the targeted regions or populations are based. Awards made under grant program established by the bill cannot exceed $250,000 per year and require matching funds from sources other than the Federal government.

PERMITTING SMALL COMPANIES THAT ARE MORE THAN 50%-OWNED BY QUALIFYING VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN SBIR

The Act includes provisions that establish clear guidelines governing the participation of small businesses with substantial investment from venture capital operating companies in the SBIR program. The provisions will allow a small company that is majority-owned by qualifying venture capital firms 1 to participate in the SBIR program, so long as the small business concerns do not (1) have a single venture capital company owning a majority of the concern or (2) have a venture capital company controlling a majority of the concern's board of director's seats. Safeguards-including limits on corporate-backed entities have been incorporated to prevent large companies from using the SBIR program at the expense of smaller researchers.

ADVANCING COMMERCIALIZATION OF SBIR-FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

To support the successful commercialization of SBIR-funded research, the Act permits an agency to grant multiple Phase Two awards and requires agencies to establish initiatives designed to encourage partnerships between SBIR awardees and prime contractors, venture capital investment companies and larger businesses. The legislation also allows an agency to issue a Phase Two award to a qualifying applicant, even if the applicant's research proposal had not been awarded a Phase One grant. The Act defines ''Phase Three'' of the SBIR program and requires agencies to establish commercialization programs that support the progress of SBIR awardees towards ''Phase Three'' of the SBIR program. The commercialization programs may include activities between prime contractors and SBIR awardees, SBIR helpdesks and transition assistance programs. The legislation authorizes appropriations to the SBA funds equal to approximately 1% of the SBIR set-aside. The SBA will allocate these funds to agencies to support the commercialization programs that they are required to implement.

RETAINS PROGRAMMATIC FLEXIBILITY

The Committee's legislation makes these meaningful changes to the SBIR without reducing the programmatic flexibility that is a central feature of the SBIR program as it is currently administered.

Amendments to H.R. 2965 - Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009

1. Velázquez (Manager's):  would (1) authorize the Small Business Administration to establish a program to provide matching grants to minority serving educational institutions to develop programs that encourage minority participation in SBIR/STTR programs; (2) give priority to applications from companies located in areas that have lost a major source of employment; (3) increase the maximum allowable award under Phase I of the SBIR program with respect to applications by veteran owned and controlled small businesses, increase the maximum allowable award under Phase II of the SBIR program with respect to applications by veteran owned and controlled small businesses, and permit small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans to bypass Phase I and apply directly for Phase II awards; (4) add language to require agencies to report specific reasons why those agency SBIR/STTR goals were or were not achieved, (5) provide special consideration in the awarding of SBIR funds to projects which address renewable energy technologies; (6) require that veterans be given priority when applying for SBIR and STTR awards; (7) require the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a SBIR solicitation that requests research proposals for improving the efficiency of water delivery systems and usage patterns in the US and its territories; (8) expand outreach and support activities to Native American-owned small businesses; (9) prioritize SBIR outreach and support activities for areas with high unemployment, and give preference to SBIR and STTR award applications submitted by small businesses located in areas with high unemployment; and (10) make technical corrections to the legislation.
   (30 minutes)
   
   Chairwoman Velázquez recommends that Members VOTE YES.


2. Brown-Waite: would require GAO to examine and report to Congress on the effect that the venture capital ownership restrictions in Section 102 (venture capital operating companies investment in small businesses) have on eligibility and participation under this act.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairwoman Velázquez recommends that Members VOTE YES.


3. Kosmas: would require commercialization programs established by agencies with space shuttle related activities to include efforts to help small businesses affected by the termination of the space shuttle program commercialize technologies through SBIR.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairwoman Velázquez recommends that Members VOTE YES.


4. Reichert/Smith(WA): would give preference to organizations that are located in underrepresented states and regions, or are women-, service-disabled veterans- or minority-owned when awarding grants for Small Business Administration (SBA) outreach efforts authorized under Title III (rural development and outreach).
   (10 minutes)
   Chairwoman Velázquez recommends that Members VOTE YES.


5. Paulsen: would add medical technology to the list of topics that deserve special consideration as SBIR research topics.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairwoman Velázquez recommends that Members VOTE YES.
   

    

Summary of H.R. 2997 - making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

BILLl TOTAL
2009 Enacted: $20.602 billion
President's Request: $22.979 billion
2010 Bill: $22.900 billion

KEY INVESTMENTS

PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH

Food and Drug Administration: $2.995 billion, the same as the President's request and $373 million over 2009, to help FDA improve the safety of domestic and imported food and medical products.

Food Safety and Inspection Service: $1.018 billion, the same as the President's request and $47 million over 2009, for inspection of meat, poultry and egg products, helping to ensure the safety of these products.

HELPING THOSE HIT HARDEST BY THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): $7.541 billion, $236 million below the President's request and $681 million above 2009, to provide proper nutrition to mothers and their children. The bill provides funding to help up to an additional 700,000 women, infants, and children, brining WIC participation to over ten million people. It also sets aside $125 million for the upcoming WIC reauthorization, including a number of program improvements such as: increasing fruit and vegetable vouchers, supporting management information systems, implementing the electronic benefit transfer system, and expanding breast feeding peer counseling program.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program: $180 million, $17 million over the President's request and $19.6 million over 2009, to provide nutritious food to over a half million low-income women, infants, children, and elderly citizens struggling with rising food costs. In order to ensure that more families receive the support they need during this period of economic stress, the bill also provides funding to expand this critical assistance in 32 current states and in 6 new states with USDA-approved feeding plans. These new states are: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Delaware, Utah, New Jersey, Georgia.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): $61.352 billion, the same as the President's request and $7.383 billion over 2009. Funding is included for an initiative to increase elderly participation. It has been estimated that only 30 percent of eligible seniors participate in SNAP.

International Food Aid (P.L. 480 Title II and McGovern-Dole): $1.69 billion, as requested and $464 million above 2009, for the P.L. 480 Title II Grants Program to meet emergency and nonemergency humanitarian food needs in countries stricken with natural disasters and political strife. And $199.5 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, the same as requested and $99.5 million above 2009, to support education, child development, and food security for some of the world's poorest children.

REINVESTING IN RURAL AMERICA

Rural Development: $2.825 billion, $191 million below the President's request and $92 million above 2009, for USDA programs important to rural communities including rural housing, water projects, community facilities and economic development efforts. These programs not only sustain our rural communities, but also create new opportunities for growth and development in the nation's small town economies. The bill builds on the strong base provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and makes substantial investments in rural communities. The bill provides funding for programs that help house families ($8.7 billion), invest in rural businesses ($1.2 billion), and support new community facility infrastructure ($542 million for community facilities, and $9.3 billion for the rural utilities programs).

Animal and Plant Health: $886 million, $8.6 million above the President's request and $4.3 million above 2009, to fund programs that protect American agriculture against animal and plant diseases.

Agricultural Research: $1.19 billion, $37 million above the President's request and $3 million above 2009, for the Agricultural Research Service and $1.253 billion, $87 million above the President's request and $31 million above 2009, for the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (formerly called CSREES) for important agricultural research.

Farm Service Agency: $67.3 million, as requested, to fully fund the 2010 costs to continue modernizing the Farm Service Agency's information technology networks and databases in order to provide more effective and secure service for the agency's customers.

CONSERVATION

Conservation Programs: $980.3 million, $72.9 million above the President's request and $11.9 million above 2009, for the Natural Resources Conservation Service to improve service in the field, deliver conservation to protect the environment, and upgrade aging dams at risk of catastrophic failure. The bill restores cuts to valuable conservation programs, including the Resource Conservation and Development Program and the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program. Importantly, the bill rejects $267 million in cuts to priority farm bill conservation programs, including the Wetlands Reserve Program, Farmland Protection Program, and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.

OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT

Commodity Futures Trading Commission: $160.6 million, as requested, and $14.6 million above 2009, to enhance oversight of the commodity futures markets. The increased resources will provide for additional staff and improved technology to better secure the markets from improper speculation.

Livestock Competition: $23.7 million, as requested and $1.3 million above 2009, to assure fair competition and trade practices, safeguard farmers and ranchers, and to protect consumers and members of the livestock, meat, and poultry industries from unfair, deceptive, discriminatory and monopolistic practices. These funds provide staff to strengthen enforcement, investigative and compliance activities.

SIGNIFICANT CUTS

National Animal Identification: provides no funding for the National Animal Identification System. After receiving $142 million in funding since fiscal year 2004, the Department has yet to put into operation an effective system that would provide needed animal health and livestock market benefits. USDA is currently conducting a public listening tour around the country for several months to hear from stakeholders. Until USDA finishes it's listening sessions and provides details as to how it will implement an effective ID system, continued investments into the current system are unwarranted.

OTHER IMPORTANT POLICY ITEMS

Imported Poultry Products from China: Prohibits USDA from moving forward with a rule to allow potentially unsafe poultry products from China into the U.S.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL): Fully funds the costs to continue overseeing country of origin labeling for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and other products.

Inspection Pilot Program: Prohibits FSIS from implementing a pilot program to inspect certain facilities using a risk-based model until FSIS implements changes recommended by the USDA Inspector General.

Amendments to H.R. 2997 - making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

H.Res. 609 makes in order the following amendment which is listed in part A of the Rules Committee report:

1. DeLauro (Manager's): Appropriates the tobacco fees authorized in recent tobacco bill to start up the new tobacco control program;  provides increases of $2 million for the Agricultural Research Service and $3 million for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; increases funding for the Office of Inspector General by $500,000; increases funding for the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars program to $1.5 million; provides $2 million for the Methamphetamine Inhibitor Grant Program authorized in the Farm Bill; and prohibits first class travel by employees funded in the bill if it violates existing rules. Fully offset by small reductions to administrative programs.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.

H.Res. 609 makes in order the following amendments which are listed in part B of the Rules Committee report:

1. Blackburn: Reduces overall spending in the bill by 5 percent or $1.145 billion.  This would put in jeopardy important funding to increase participation in the WIC program, improve the effectiveness of the FDA and provide development and conservation benefits to rural America.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


2. Brady: Reduces funding for the Office of the Chief Economist by $50,000 and increases funding for the Economic Research Service by $50,000.  While the sponsor may claim the amendment is aimed at research on trade agreements, the funding can in fact be used for any economic research purpose.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES


3. Broun: Reduces funding for FDA Salaries and Expenses by $373 million.  This amendment would make it impossible for FDA to take important steps forward in protecting the safety of our food, drugs and medical devices, including increases in staffing and in the number of inspections of domestic and imported products; updating its labs; and research to lead to quicker ways of detecting contamination of foods.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Capito: Reduces funding for the Office of the Chief Information Officer by $10,038,000 and increases funding for rural water and waste grants, loans and loan guarantees by $10,038,000.  There is heavy demand across rural areas for water and waste resources.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


5. Fortenberry: Reduces funding for the Office of the Chief Information Officer by $2 million and increases funding for grants and loans under the Rural Energy for America Program by $2 million.  The Rural Energy program promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy in rural communities.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


6. Garrett: Reduces funding for Farm Service Agency Salaries and Expenses by $5 million and increases funding for Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Operations by $5 million.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


7. Kingston: Prohibits funding for broadband loans and loan guarantees in this bill, which are dedicated to rural areas.  Expanding broadband service connects rural areas to the global community, helps to raise the standard of living and generates economic growth. 
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.

H.Res. 609 makes in order up to one of the following amendments which are listed in part C of the Rules Committee report, if offered by Rep. Campbell or his designee:

1. Campbell #1: Eliminates $235,000 in project funding for the Center of One Medicine in Illinois. Reps. Jackson and Tim Johnson requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


2. Campbell #2: Eliminates $235,000 in project funding for specialty crops research in  Indiana.  Rep. Ellsworth requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


3. Campbell #3: Eliminates $1,091,000 in project funding for air quality research in Kansas and Texas.  Rep. Chet Edwards requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Campbell #4: Eliminates $868,000 in funding for the Biodesign and Processing Research Center in Virginia.  Rep. Boucher requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.

H.Res. 609 makes in order up to three of the following amendments which are listed in part D of the Rules Committee report, if offered by Rep. Flake or his designee:

1. Flake #1: Eliminates $349,000 in project funding for dairy farm profitability in Pennsylvania.  Reps. Dahlkemper, Holden,  Murtha, Shuster, and Glenn Thompson requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


2. Flake #2: Eliminates $4,545,000 in project funding for multi-state wood utilization research in AK, ID, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, OR, TN, and WV. Reps. Butterfield,  DeFazio,  Harper,  Michaud,  Brad Miller, Oberstar,  David Price,  Mike Rogers (MI),  Schrader, and Wu requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


3. Flake #3: Eliminates $288,000 in project funding for Certified Environmental Management Systems for Agriculture(CEMSA) with Iowa Soybean Association. Reps. Boswell, Steve King, Latham, and  Loebsack requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Flake #4: Eliminates $1,000,000 in project funding for the Agriculture Energy Innovation Center in Georgia.  Rep. Kingston requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


5. Flake #5: Eliminates $159,000 in project funding for dairy education in Iowa.  Rep. Latham requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


6. Flake #6: Eliminates $ 173,000 in project funding for asparagus production technologies research in Washington State.  Rep. Doc Hastings requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


7. Flake #7: Eliminates $303,000 in project funding for wild rice research in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Rep. Peterson requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


8. Flake #8: Eliminates $124,000 in project funding for hydroponic production research in Ohio.  Rep. Kaptur requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


9. Flake #9: Eliminates $638,000 in project funding for foundry sand by-products utilization research  in Maryland.  Rep. Hoyer requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


10. Flake #10: Eliminates  $693,000 in project funding for the Center for North American Studies in Texas.  Rep. Chet Edwards requested this project.
    (10 minutes)
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


11. Flake #11: Eliminates $104,000 in project funding for Urban Horticulture and Marketing in Illinois.  Reps. Danny Davis and Jackson.
    (10 minutes)
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


12. Flake #12: Eliminates $1,037,000 in project funding for multi-state potato research in Idaho, Oregon, and  Washington.  Reps. Doc Hastings,  Larsen, McMorris Rodgers, Simpson, Walden, and Wu requested this project.
    (10 minutes)
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.

H.Res. 609 makes in order up to one of the following amendments which are listed in part E of the Rules Committee report, if offered by Rep. Hensarling or his designee:

1. Hensarling #1: Eliminates $ 864,000 in funding for an Income Enhancement Demonstration project in Ohio.  Rep. Kaptur requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


2. Hensarling #2: Eliminates $1,380,000 in project funding for greenhouse nurseries in Ohio.  Rep. Kaptur requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


3. Hensarling #3: Eliminates $300,000 in project funding for Best Practices in Agriculture Waste Management in California.  Rep. Eshoo requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Hensarling #4: Eliminates $153,000 in project funding for agricultural diversification in Hawaii.  Rep. Hirono requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


5. Hensarling #5: Eliminates $451,000 in funding for cranberry and blueberry disease and breeding research in New Jersey.  Reps. Adler,  Holt,  LoBiondo,  Pallone, and Rothman requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


6. Hensarling: : Eliminates $ 200,000 in project funding for National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy project, in the Kiski Basin in Pennsylvania.  Rep. Murtha requested this project.
   (10 minutes)
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.

Quote of the Day

"I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work.

- Harry S. Truman