Southern Idaho Bureau of Reclamation Repayment Act of 2006

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5666) to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A & B Irrigation District in the State of Idaho, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5666, sponsored by our colleague, Mike Simpson, allows for the early repayment of capital costs associated with a Federal water project in Idaho. Under existing law, landowners who benefit from this water project cannot prepay the capital costs they owe to the Federal Government.

This bill gives the Bureau of Reclamation the ability to accept prepayment from these landowners. This legislation benefits the American taxpayer because it allows early revenue to flow to the U.S. Treasury, and it helps local landowners by reducing their debt.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it is a commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, this legislation simply allows landowners to pay off their financial obligations for the Bureau of Reclamation's Minidoka Project. We believe that this legislation is appropriate and, in fact, may provide a slight financial benefit to the United States. Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to the enactment of H.R. 5666.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.