Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 82) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And I would say technically this vehicle is a continuing resolution that goes to January 31, which is the same date as the existing CR. The difference is there were two anomalies that the administration needed to be included, so we would use this as a vehicle.

The two anomalies are these: the first CR is a loan limitation at $3.8 billion for FHA loan commitments. The administration basically ignored this ceiling and committed $5 billion in new mortgage loan guarantees. The program shut down last week because the guaranteed limitation was exceeded. This resolution would set a new guarantee limitation at $7.7 billion, the fiscal year 2003 level.

Exceeding the guarantee limitation level represents an antideficiency act violation. Language is included in the resolution to require certification from the director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the first CR.

The second anomaly deals with the FAA operations account staff offices. The resolution would allow operations at an annual rate of $141.4 million for the FAA office of security and investigations. Without this authority, furlows of some of the 443 staff would be necessary. The office did not receive a direct fiscal year 2003 appropriation, therefore this special authority is necessary under a CR. The office is responsible for enforcement programs working with ONDCP, TSA, and State and local governments and performs credential and background investigations of employees and contractors in support of the FHA mission.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.J. Res. 82, making technical corrections to the continuing resolution. I further ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be read the third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do so for the purpose of yielding to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) so that he may explain what changes this entails to the continuing resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and that I may include extraneous material on H.J. Res. 82.