Daily Whipline

July 16, 2009

Whipline

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Floor Schedule and Procedure

• H. Res. 644 - Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3170 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010  (Rep. Perlmutter - 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 in order the amendments printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution.  The rule provides that each such amendment 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 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 disposition of the amendments specified in the first section of the resolution, 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.   The rule also provides that the Chair may not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill.  Finally, the rule provides that during consideration of H.R. 3170, the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting.  Debate on the rule will be managed by Rep. Perlmutter, 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. 3170 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010  (Rep. Serrano - Appropriations):  Pursuant to H.Res. 644, general debate on the bill will be managed by Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Dave Obey or his designee.  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.


• Complete Consideration of H.R. 3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep. Pastor - Appropriations):  Pursuant to H.Res. 645, completion of consideration of the bill will proceed as follows:
  
  • 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.Res. 476- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of June as "Black Music Month" (Rep. Cohen - Oversight and Government Reform) 


2. H.R. 1442 - To provide for the sale of the Federal Government's reversionary interest in approximately 60 acres of land in Salt Lake City, Utah, originally conveyed to the Mount Olivet Cemetery Association under the Act of January 23, 1909 (Rep. Matheson - Natural Resources)


3. H.R. 2188 - Joint Ventures for Bird Habitat Conservation Act of 2009 (Rep. Kratovil - Natural Resources)


4. H.R. 129 - To authorize the conveyance of certain National Forest System lands in the Los Padres National Forest in California (Rep. Gallegly - Natural Resources)


5. H.R. 409 - To provide for the conveyance of certain Bureau of Land Management land in the State of Nevada to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Rep. Heller - Natural Resources)


6. H.Res. 543 - Expressing support for designation of June as "Home Safety Month" (Rep. Halvorson - Energy and Commerce)

Bill Summary & Key Issues

Summary of H.R. 3170 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 

Bill Total
2009 Enacted: $22.551 billion
President's Request: $24.226 billion
2010 Bill: $24.150 billion

KEY INVESTMENTS

REBUILDING REGULATORY AGENCIES TO PROTECT CONSUMERS, TAXPAYERS, AND INVESTORS

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): $1.036 billion, $76 million above 2009 and $10 million more than the President's request, to strengthen and enforce rules that govern investments and financial markets and to detect and prosecute fraudulent schemes. Funds will allow hiring another 140 investigators, lawyers and analysts, on top of the 140 added this year.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): $292 million, $33 million more than 2009 and $4.5 million above President's budget, to strengthen the FTC's capacity to protect consumers and combat anti-competitive behavior. Among other things, the FTC investigates and prosecutes unfair and deceptive practices in areas such as foreclosure rescue and credit repair services, non-bank mortgage brokers, payday lending, and debt collection-all especially serious problems during times of economic hardship.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): $113 million, $8 million above last year and $6 million above the budget request. Funds will be used to continue implementing the landmark bi-partisan consumer protection legislation passed in 2008 in response to massive product recalls, including children's toys from China. Funds are included to expand the Import Safety Initiative, which puts CPSC inspectors at key U.S. ports.

Treasury Inspector General: $30 million, $4 million more than 2009 and $3 million more than the request; increase above the request is to help the IG perform mandated reviews in cases where bank failures or other circumstances caused losses to the deposit insurance fund.

FDIC Inspector General: $38 million, $10 million more than 2009 and the same as the request, with the increase mainly for investigations related to bank failures.

SEC Inspector General: $4.4 million to provide, for the first time, the SEC Inspector General an independent appropriation as a safeguard against unwarranted interference.

PROVIDING CAPITAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND

DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

Small Business Administration: $848 million, $236 million more than 2009 and $69 million above the budget request:

• Overall lending: supports $28 billion in new lending to small businesses-critically important for firms having trouble borrowing funds in a tight credit market.


• Micro lending: supports $25 million in new micro lending and $10 million in microloan technical assistance.


• Small Business Development Centers: $110 million, same as in 2009 and $13 million above the budget request. These centers are located throughout the country and provide counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses.


• PRIME: $8 million, $3 million above 2009 and $5 million above the budget request, for technical assistance to low-income small business owners.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: $244 million, the same as the President's budget and $137 million more than 2009. The CDFI Fund helps supply credit to disadvantaged communities, with each dollar invested in the CDFI Fund leveraging at least 15 dollars, on average, in non-Federal investment. The appropriation includes $80 million to launch the Capital Magnet Fund, a competitive grant program for development and renovation of low-income housing.

COMBATING TAX EVASION AND IMPROVING SERVICES TO TAXPAYERS

Combating Tax Evasion: $5.504 billion for IRS tax enforcement, as requested by the President and $387 million more than 2009. Among other things, the increase is for the Administration's initiative to target wealthy individuals and businesses who avoid U.S. taxes by parking money in overseas tax havens.

Improving Services to Taxpayers: $2.274 billion for taxpayer services, $4 million above the request and $19 million below 2009 (reflecting one-time costs in 2009).

• Pre-Filing Taxpayer Assistance and Education: $680 million, up $19 million from 2009, including $5.1 million for Tax Counseling for the Elderly, $10 million for low-income taxpayer clinic grants ($500,000 above the request), and $9 million for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grants ($1 million above the request). 


• IRS Taxpayer Advocate: $206 million, $13 million more than 2009, to help individuals solve ongoing tax problems with the IRS.

SUPPORTING EQUITABLE, EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN FEDERAL COURTS

Federal Judiciary: $6.942 billion, $460 million more than 2009 and $94 million less than requested, to keep up with costs and growing workloads.

• Funds 142 additional staff for the bankruptcy courts, to help deal with the 28 percent increase in bankruptcy filings over the past 12 months. Also adds 118 staff for probation and pretrial services, to handle increased caseloads.


• Implements recommendation from the Federal courts to increase payment rates for attorneys appointed to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

MEETING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL CITY

• Assisting D.C. students: $109 million, the same as 2009, including $35 million for college tuition support, $62 million for improvements to public and charter schools, and $12 million for continuation of the school voucher program for students already enrolled in the program. 


• New initiatives for priority needs: $19 million for housing for the homeless, $5 million to help youth disconnected from school or work, and $4 million for HIV/AIDS prevention. 


• Protecting water quality: $20 million to alleviate combined sewer overflows and the water pollution they cause; $400,000 for testing for lead in drinking water.

OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMS

Office of National Drug Control Policy:

• Drug-Free Communities grants: $98 million, $8 million above 2009, for grants to local community based coalitions to develop and implement plans to reduce drug abuse among youth. 


• High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs): $248 million, $14 million more than 2009 and $28 million above the budget request, for joint Federal-state-local efforts to address drug production and trafficking and drug-related violence. 


• Anti-drug media activities: $20 million, $50 million less than 2009 and the budget request, for public communication and outreach and targeted advertising. The national ad campaign directed at youth is not funded, because of evaluations showing that it has not been effective; part of the savings was redirected to Drug-Free Communities and HIDTA programs.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): $103 million, $11 million above 2009, to safeguard the financial system against drug traffickers, money launderers, terrorism financiers, tax evaders, and others involved in criminal activity.

Election Assistance Commission: $124 million, the same as 2009 and $55 million above the request. Includes $100 million for grants to states to improve voting systems and election administration; $4 million for research to improve accessibility for voters with disabilities; and $2 million for pilot programs for pre- and post-election testing and audit of voting systems.

General Services Administration: $8.466 billion for the Federal Buildings Fund, $38 million above 2009 but $65 million less than the President's request, including $723 million for construction and acquisition and $400 million for repairs and alterations.

National Archives and Records Administration: $457 million, $3 million above the request and $10 million more than 2009, including $13 million for National Historical Publications and Records Commission grants.

Executive Office of the President: $754 million, $26 million above 2009 and $150 million below the request. Includes funds to deal with antiquated and deteriorating computer systems at the White House and for pilot programs for Federal/State cooperation to help improve services and reduce improper payments in jointly administered programs.

IMPORTANT POLICY ITEMS

Removing Special Restrictions on the District of Columbia: Eliminates prohibition on use of local tax funds for abortion, thereby putting the District in the same position as the 50 states. Also discontinues ban on use of funds in the bill for domestic partnership registration and benefits, and allows the District to implement a referendum on use of marijuana for medical purposes as has been done in other states.

TARP Oversight: Requires Treasury Department to report to the Committee on matters related to the financial stabilization program, including progress in implementing the recommendations of various oversight bodies and specifics of staffing and resources for enforcing program rules and protecting taxpayers' investments.

"In-Sourcing": Requires civilian agencies to create an annual inventory of services contracted out and then review whether it makes sense to bring the work back in-house. Last year's Defense Authorization Act required the Defense Department to do the same thing, and the Army says it has already saved $50 million from the process.

Agricultural Exports to Cuba: Clarifies, for 2010, language contained in last year's Act regarding the requirement for payment of "cash in advance" for sale of farm products to Cuba, in order to remove unnecessary obstacles to trade.

Amendments to H.R. 3170 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 

Amendments in Part A of the Rules Committee report - all made in order:

1. Serrano (Manager's): Increases the Consumer Product Safety Commission by $4.8 million to the full authorized level; increases the Community Development Credit Union Revolving Loan Fund by $250,000; and prohibits the use of funds for first-class travel by agency employees that is contrary to applicable regulations. Increases are fully offset by decreases to the General Services Administration's Federal Buildings Fund.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


2. Paulsen: Increases the appropriation for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at the Treasury Department by $15 million and reduces GSA rental payments by the same amount.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


3. Tom Price: Strikes all funding ($4.2 million) for the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). The CEA was created by law in 1946, and provides professional economic analysis and data to assist policymaking in areas like economic recovery, health care reform and energy.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Emerson: Reduces funding for grants to states under the Help America Vote Act by half, a $50 million reduction. This funding is critical to helping states upgrade their voting machines and systems to ensure accurate election results and meet the requirements of Federal law.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


5. Blackburn: Imposes a 5 percent across-the-board cut (totaling $1.2 billion) in all discretionary appropriations in the bill. This would cut 120 positions from the existing staff of the SEC, reduce loans for small business by $875 million, and lead to delays in the Federal courts by cutting more than 1,000 personnel, among many other bad effects.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


6. Broun: Prohibits use of funds for the salaries of the Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change and her deputy, and for positions at the Council on Environmental Quality. These White House positions are key to developing coordinated policy on energy, climate change, and environmental protection-issues which cut across many Federal departments.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


7. Flake #7: Eliminates $100,000 in funding for the small business incubator project of the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. Rep. Gingrey requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


8. Flake #8: Eliminates $200,000 in funding for the Commercial Driver Training Institute project of Arkansas State University in Newport, Arkansas. Rep. Berry requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


9. Flake #9: Eliminates $285,000 in funding for the Proof of Concept Center of Idaho TechConnect, Inc., in Nampa, Idaho. Rep. Simpson requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


10. Flake #10: Eliminates $200,000 in funding for the Greenstone Group project of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund in Virginia, Minnesota. Rep. Oberstar requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


11. Flake #11: Eliminates $150,000 in funding for the Green Business Incubator Project of Montgomery County, Maryland. Reps. Van Hollen and Donna Edwards requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


12. Flake #12: Eliminates $100,000 in funding for the Activity Based Total Accountability project of the Florida Institute of Technology. Rep. Posey requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


13. Flake #13: Eliminates $90,000 in funding for the Commercial Kitchen Business Incubator project of the El Pajaro Community Development Corporation in Watsonville, California. Rep. Farr requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


14. Flake #14: : Eliminates $125,000 in funding for the Defense Procurement Assistance Program of the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Rep. Murtha requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


15. Flake #15: Eliminates $100,000 in funding for the Myrtle Beach International Trade and Conference Center of the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Rep. Henry Brown requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


16. Flake #16: Eliminates $100,000 in funding for the Tech Belt Life Sciences Greenhouse project of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Reps. Doyle and Altmire requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


17. Flake #17: Eliminates $900,000 in funding for an infrastructure expansion project to promote small business in the City of Loma Linda and the City of Grand Terrace, California. Rep. Jerry Lewis requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.






Summary of H.R. 3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Bill Total
2009 Enacted: $33.2 billion
President's Request: $34.4 billion
2010 Bill: $33.3 billion

KEY INVESTMENTS

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: $5.5 billion, $139 million above 2009 and $416 million above the request, to address the nation's water resource investment needs.

• Operations and Maintenance: $2.5 billion, $7 million above the request and $309 million above 2009, to address the over $1 billion backlog of operations and maintenance needs of navigation infrastructure critical to the U.S. economy. 


• Construction: $2.1 billion, $405 million above the request and $19 million below 2009, for projects including on-going flood protection efforts. 


• Investigations: $142 million, $42 million above the request and $26 million below 2009, to plan and design America's next generation of water resource infrastructure. 


• Management Reforms: Continues management reforms instituted at the Corps of Engineers, including the requirement for five-year development plans to guide budget decisions and limitations on reprogramming and contracting methods.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: $26.9 billion, $86 million above 2009 and $1.5 billion below the request, to fund the five primary mission areas for the Department: science, energy, environment, nuclear nonproliferation, and national security.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: $2.25 billion, $321 million above 2009, to increase investments in technologies that use energy more effectively and produce clean, inexpensive energy from domestic sources.

• Solar Energy: $259 million for research, development, and demonstration projects to make solar energy more affordable.


• Biofuels: $235 million for grants to improve production of alternative fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. 


• Vehicle Technology: $373 million, including $40 million for hydrogen transportation systems, to collaborate with industry to improve fuel efficiency with better engines, better batteries and engines that burn clean fuel. 


• Energy Efficient Buildings: $210 million to research conservation technologies for buildings and industry to reduce energy demand. 


• Industrial Technologies: $100 million to help businesses improve energy efficiency. 


• Water Power: $30 million to research new ways of generating power from flowing water. 


• Weatherization Grants: $220 million for insulation and energy conservation measures to reduce utility bills for low-income families.

Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability: $208 million, $71 million over 2009, to modernize and secure the nation's electricity grid.

• Smart Grid Technologies: $62.9 million, $30 million above 2009, for smart grid research and development. 


• Energy Storage: $15 million, more than triple 2009, for research and development of grid-connected energy storage technologies. 


• Cyber Security: $46.5 million for energy delivery cyber security, an increase of $34.5 million from 2009, to develop secure grid technologies as cyber attacks increase worldwide and the grid becomes increasingly network-connected. 


• Clean Energy Transmission and Reliability: $42 million to increase the efficiency of the grid and enable the widespread deployment of clean, domestic renewable energy.

Office of Science: $4.9 billion, $171 million above 2009, for scientific research critical to addressing long-term energy needs. This funding, in addition to the $4.8 billion appropriated in fiscal year 2009 and $1.6 billion in the Recovery Act, exceeds the goals in the America COMPETES Act.

• Basic Energy Sciences: $1.7 billion for basic research primarily on materials sciences and on chemical sciences, energy biosciences and geosciences. This work places heavy emphasis on advancing the frontiers of using ever-faster tools, including $409 million in the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program, to better understand ever-smaller and more detailed phenomena. 


• Applied Research: $2.4 billion for Nuclear Physics, High Energy Physics, Biological and Environmental Research, and Fusion Energy Sciences.

Environmental Clean-up: A half-century of national security and civilian nuclear activity has resulted in an enduring need to mitigate the environmental impacts of these sites on affected communities and the environment.

• $5.4 billion to clean up contamination from nuclear weapons manufacturing and cancelled projects for handling spent nuclear fuel.


• $238 million for non-defense clean-up associated with civilian nuclear energy activities.


• $559 million from the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund for clean-up at uranium processing facilities.

Nuclear Energy: $812 million, $20 million above 2009, to support ongoing research and development projects and to maintain the infrastructure supporting this work.

• $71 million for the Nuclear Power 2010 program, $107 less than 2009.


• $272 million for Generation IV research and development, including $245 million for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP).


• $129 million for fuel cycle research and development.


• $261 million for Idaho National Laboratory and other Radiological Infrastructure.

Nuclear Nonproliferation: $1.5 billion, the same as the budget request, excluding domestic construction projects shifted to Other Defense Activities. This funding will protect the American people by reducing the risk that more countries will acquire nuclear weapons and improve our ability to stop nuclear and radiological materials and weapons from being smuggled into the United States.

• International Nuclear Material Protection and Cooperation: $592 million, $192 million above 2009, to strengthen the security of nuclear materials in Russia and elsewhere, as well as to bolster border and port security worldwide against illicit nuclear trafficking.

Nuclear Weapons Programs: $6.3 billion, $60 million below 2009 and $64 million below the request, for our nation's nuclear weapons, with a shift in priority to greater security. The bill recommends a $40 million increase from the request in Security, a $52 million increase in Weapons Dismantlement activities from 2009, and an increase of $45 million from the request for the Uranium Processing Facility to greatly improve security at the Oak Ridge site.

Loan Programs: The bill continues to support the Title XVII Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan programs to accelerate the implementation of renewable energy generation and to establish a domestic manufacturing base. Recognizing sufficient loan authority for these programs currently exits, the bill includes no additional loan authority. The bill does include statutory language on wage-rate requirements for the Title XVII program.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: $1.1 billion, $17 million above the request and $38 million below 2009, to continue to support and improve the nation's water infrastructure, including $1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation for dams, canals, water treatment and conservation, and rural water projects. 

SIGNIFICANT CUTS
Nuclear Waste Disposal: The Administration has terminated the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. The bill provides $197 million, $92 million below 2009, to continue the licensing process and establish a Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate alternatives for nuclear waste disposal.

B61-12 nuclear bomb: The Committee recommends no funding for the B61-12 nuclear bomb. Until the Administration finalizes its plans for the nation's nuclear strategy, stockpile, and complex plans, the Committee does not support the effort to develop what is essentially a new nuclear weapon.z'

Amendments to H.R. H.R. 3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 on which further proceedings were postponed:

1. Heinrich: Increases the percentage of laboratory-directed research from 6% to 7%. This increases the ability of laboratories to retain expertise and pursue innovative projects by providing additional discretion for Department of Energy laboratories to select research activities.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


2. Cao: Reduces the time for submission of a report by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 90 to 60 days.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE YES.


3. Blackburn: Makes a 5% across-the-board cut to all funding accounts in the bill. This would reduce the bill by a total of $1.7 billion and undercut a number of high priority energy and water activities.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


4. Campbell #9: Eliminates $1,000,000 in project funding for the Housatonic River Net-Zero Energy Building. This project reduces energy consumption by funding cutting-edge energy efficiency improvements. Rep. Olver requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


5. Flake #75: Eliminates $1,500,000 in project funding for a solar power demonstration at the Maret Center. This project reduces net energy consumption through the installation of renewable energy generation. Rep. Blunt requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


6. Flake #77: Eliminates $1,000,000 in project funding for the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology, a consortium of universities that competitively awards grants to develop novel biotechnologies, such as biomass and biofuels production processes. Reps. Abercrombie, Sanford Bishop, Conyers, Etheridge, John Lewis, Brad Miller, David Price, Harold Rogers, Mike Rogers (MI), Rothman, and Stupak requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


7. Flake #78: Eliminates $500,000 in project funding for the Ethanol from Agriculture project. This project performs research and development of technologies to produce alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. Rep. Berry requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


8. Flake #79: Eliminates $2,000,000 in project funding for the Fort Mason Center Pier 2 Project. This project performs energy efficiency and seismic safety upgrades at a public landmark building.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


9. Flake #84: Eliminates $300,000 in project funding for Whitworth University Stem Equipment. This project purchases equipment for a center that educates the next generation of scientists and engineers. Rep. McMorris Rodgers requested this project.
   Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


10. Flake #85: Eliminates $1,600,000 in project funding for The Boston Architectural College's Urban Sustainable Initiative. This project conserves energy and generates renewable energy at a college. Rep. Capuano requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


11. Hensarling #58: Eliminates $500,000 in project funding for the Energy Conservation and Efficiency Upgrade of HVAC project in New York. The project would further energy efficiency and conservation efforts at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art by upgrading an obsolete heating, ventilation and air conditioning system with direct digital control systems. Rep. Maloney requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


12. Hensarling #59: Eliminates $6,220,000 million in project funding for the Pier 36 remove project in California. This project removes the deteriorating Pier 36 located along the San Francisco waterfront. The deteriorating pier poses navigational and environmental hazards.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.


13. Hensarling #62: Eliminates $500,000 in project funding for the Automated Remote Electric and Water Meters in South River. This project purchases and installs bi-directional real time meters that demonstrate to demonstrate smart grid net-metering technologies at a public utility. Rep. Holt requested this project.
    Chairman Obey recommends that Members VOTE NO.



 

Quote of the Day

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell