Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Major General Michael J. Walsh assumed command of Mississippi Valley Division in February, 2008. Since that time, he has played a vital role in managing the Corps' water resources program in the Mississippi River Valley, a $7.5 billion civil works program. GEN Walsh also served simultaneously as President-designee of the Mississippi River Commission, which oversees and implements the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) project.

The MR&T project was authorized through the Flood Control Act of 1928 and is the largest flood control project in the world stretching from Cairo, Illinois to the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The MR&T was conceived in response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the most destructive flood in U.S. history, which claimed countless lives and flooded thousands of square miles.

The recent floods of the Mississippi tested the MR&T project to its fullest. The Mississippi River reached and surpassed record levels in Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi. For the first time in 37 years, the Morganza Spillway was opened to save most of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thankfully, through GEN Walsh's leadership, billions of dollars in flood damage and most importantly lives were saved. Upon reflection, GEN Walsh exhibited the type of control, understanding, and skill that effectively battled a flood that could have devastated the Mississippi River Region. While there is much to rebuild and the loss of life that did occur must be mourned, we must congratulate GEN Walsh and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a job well done. We wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to working with you in your new capacity.

``In God We Trust.'' For over five decades, America has celebrated this phrase as our national motto. This pronouncement is part of our national anthem, is written on our coins and our currency, and is engraved in both Chambers of Congress. But the United States' foundation in God far outdates the period that our country has recognized this steadfast expression as our national motto.

Our country's first national document, the Declaration of Independence, spoke to unalienable rights given to Americans by our Creator. Numerous sources point to our Founders' collective reliance on God for direction and wisdom as they drafted the United States Constitution.

When Congress adopted our Great Seal in 1782, included in its design were numerous allusions to biblical references. And in 1787, when the Constitution was framed at the convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates that God governs in the affairs of men, declaring, ``And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?''

The Founding Fathers knew that prayer and God's Holy word had protected them, blessed them and given them guidance to begin their journey. These Judeo-Christian principles offered a firm, time-tested foundation for America's founders, and it is the inclusion of these principles into our government that makes America special.

Today, as I walk through our Nation's Capitol, I am constantly surrounded by the reminders of God's presence: scripture verses such as John 15:13 found on a statue, paintings of the baptism of Pocahontas and the pilgrims in prayer that we are indeed endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.

America's religious consciousness cannot be ignored.

This is why we must reaffirm ``In God We Trust'' as the official motto of the United States and encourage the public to display this declaration in all public buildings.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act. H.R. 2273 is on the House floor as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. I view the apparent intention of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate coal ash as a hazardous material as another decision by the agency to regulate business without the use of facts, science, or common sense. Everybody wants a clean environment. We all want clean air and clean water, but decisions on how to keep our environment clean should be based on science and not political rhetoric.

My State relies on coal and coal ash for jobs and electricity. I have heard from utilities in my district about the negative impact that regulating coal ash as a hazardous material would have on ratepayers and on employees. I am happy to support H.R. 2273 today to rein in an out-of-control EPA and to protect the interests of my constituents.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011.

H.R. 2681 is on the House floor today as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. This bipartisan bill would provide a much needed legislative stay for the EPA to redraft new cement requirements that would affect approximately 100 cement plants and thousands of jobs.

This type of government regulation hinders job creation and forces American jobs overseas. The American public is growing increasingly concerned about government regulation coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency. A recent survey found that 74 percent of American voters throughout the country believe that businesses and consumers are overregulated. This overregulation has a chilling effect on job creation.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2681 in an effort to rein in the EPA and government regulation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 29) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This resolution authorizes the use of the rotunda on November 16 to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. Speaker, on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy spoke to a joint session of Congress. He said that it was time for a ``great new American enterprise--time for this Nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement.'' He committed this Nation to achieving the ambitious goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth safely.

President Kennedy added, ``I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary'' to accomplish the mission--and that we did as exhibited by the gentlemen to be honored in the rotunda this November.

Bravely pursuing the unknown, these four individuals helped this Nation achieve scientific and technological advancements which inspired the world.

Mr. Speaker, Neil Armstrong was the spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission in history. He was the first person to land a craft on the Moon and the first to step foot on its surface. His immortal words are forever etched in our national memory.

``Buzz'' Aldrin piloted the Lunar Module ``Eagle'' and was the second person to walk on the Moon.

Michael Collins piloted the Command Module ``Columbia'' in lunar orbit and helped his fellow Apollo 11 astronauts complete their mission on the Moon.

Seven-and-a-half years earlier, John Glenn paved the way for these achievements by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth in February of 1962.

Two years ago, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing, the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal Act was passed by Congress. Forty-two years ago, in July of 1969, millions of Americans were transfixed on a place over a quarter of a million miles away. Eyes watched as we stepped into the unknown, walked on the Moon and made history.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this resolution today, and I urge my colleagues to support it in honoring the achievements of these national heroes.

House of Representatives,

Committee on House Administration,

Washington, DC, October 3, 2011.

Hon. John Boehner,

Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lungren and Ranking Member Brady for their support on this matter.

I urge my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, the TRAIN Act is on the House floor today as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. Americans are tired of Big Government, and a majority believes that government regulation coming out of Washington, D.C., has a costly impact on life essentials, such as food and gasoline. Too many Americans are unemployed, and a recent survey shows that 70 percent of voters believe that increasing regulations on American businesses will result in more jobs moving overseas. That is unacceptable.

No government agency is more to blame for an absurd increase in regulation than the Environmental Protection Agency. We all want clean air. We all want clean water. We're all conservationists and want those things, but the effects of the actions of the EPA are clear--they're killing jobs and job creation.

We've asked our colleagues on the other side of the aisle over and over, Where are the jobs? I submit that a thorough investigation of recent EPA regulations could answer that question.

I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the TRAIN Act so that Americans will have an even better understanding of the negative impact that the EPA is having on each of our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 28) authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution honors those brave and courageous Japanese Americans who served in the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as well as those who served in the indispensable Military Intelligence Service.

The 100th Infantry Battalion fought valiantly in the treacherous Italian campaign, earning their nickname the Purple Heart Battalion because of their bravery and sacrifice.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was formed in 1943 from Japanese Americans living in relocation camps. A week after D-day, the 100th Battalion and the 442nd were merged into a single unit, which fought heroically in Europe, as seen in their rescue of the famous ``Lost Battalion'' in France near the German border.

These Japanese American units suffered enormously high casualty rates and received over 18,000 individual decorations, including 9,486 Purple Hearts. For their service in eight major campaigns in Italy and France, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team earned eight Presidential Unit Citations.

Members of the Military Intelligence Service were Japanese Americans who served this country by intercepting radio messages, translating documents, writing leaflets encouraging opposing troops to surrender, and helping our forces understand the enemy we were fighting. In fact, according to General MacArthur's intelligence officer, Charles Willoughby, the efforts of the Military Intelligence Service ``shortened the war by 2 years.''

Mr. Speaker, Second Lieutenant Daniel Inouye, who received a battlefield commission in November 1944, was

one of these brave men. Gravely wounded in April 1945, Lieutenant Inouye received the Distinguished Service Cross. It is fitting and proper that our distinguished colleague in the other body sponsored this legislation, and I'm honored to speak in support of it here today.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution authorizing use of Emancipation Hall in November for this Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

House of Representatives,

Committee on House Administration,

Washington, DC, September 19, 2011.

Hon. John Boehner,

Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, The Capitol,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Boehner: I write to formally notify you that

the Committee on House Administration hereby waives further

committee consideration of S. Con. Res. 28, a concurrent

resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the

Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the

Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry

Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military

Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of

their dedicated service during World War II, in order that

the legislation may proceed expeditiously to the House floor

for consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Lungren,

Chairman.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011, and I want to thank my colleagues, particularly Congressman Smith, Congressman Doyle, and Chairman Pitts, for their great work on bringing this to the forefront today.

Experts estimate that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism. As a whole, developmental disabilities affect an increasing number of young people, and specifically students. In an effort to help provide students with exciting education and enrichment opportunities, I was honored to establish the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities in 2010. Last week, 22 congressional offices, Republican and Democratic, welcomed 11 developmentally disabled students to their staffs to serve as interns for this fall.

Collecting data for autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities is vital to ensuring that every young person with a significant disability has the opportunity, the encouragement, and the support to become gainfully employed in an integrated setting, pursue a postsecondary education, and contribute to and engage in meaningful ways in typical community settings once they leave high school. This gives these individuals with autism hope.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1(b) of the Rules of the Joint Committee on Printing, I hereby submit the Rules of the Joint Committee on Printing for the 112th Congress, as adopted by the Joint Committee during its organizational meeting on June 22, 2011.

Joint Committee on Printing, 112th Congress

rule 1.--committee rules

(a) The rules of the Senate and House insofar as they are

applicable, shall govern the Committee.

(b) The Committee's rules shall be published in the

Congressional Record as soon as possible following the

Committee's organizational meeting in each odd-numbered year.

(c) Where these rules require a vote of the members of the

Committee, polling of members either in writing or by

telephone shall not be permitted to substitute for a vote

taken at a Committee meeting, unless the ranking minority

member assents to waiver of this requirement.

(d) Proposals for amending Committee rules shall be sent to

all members at least one week before final action is taken

thereon, unless the amendment is made by unanimous consent.

rule 2.--regular committee meetings

(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be the

second Wednesday of every month when the House and Senate are

in session. A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if

there is no business to be considered and after appropriate

notification is made to the ranking minority member.

Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman, as he may

deem necessary or at the request of the majority of the

members of the Committee.

(b) If the Chairman of the Committee is not present at any

meeting of the Committee, the vice-Chairman or ranking member

of the majority party on the Committee who is present shall

preside at the meeting.

rule 3.--quorum

(a) Five members of the Committee shall constitute a

quorum, which is required for the purpose of closing

meetings, promulgating Committee orders or changing the rules

of the Committee.

(b) Three members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of

taking testimony and receiving evidence.

rule 4.--proxies

(a) Written or telegraphic proxies of Committee members

will be received and recorded on any vote taken by the

Committee, except for the purpose of creating a quorum.

(b) Proxies will be allowed on any such votes for the

purpose of recording a member's position on a question only

when the absentee Committee member has been informed of the

question and has affirmatively requested that he be recorded.

rule 5.--open and closed meetings

(a) Each meeting for the transaction of business of the

Committee shall be open to the public except when the

Committee, in open session and with a quorum present,

determines by roll call vote that all or part of the

remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the

public. No such vote shall be required to close a meeting

that relates solely to internal budget or personnel matters.

(b) No person other than members of the Committee, and such

congressional staff and other representatives as they may

authorize, shall be present in any business session that has

been closed to the public.

rule 6.--alternating chairmanship and vice chairmanship by congresses

(a) The Chairmanship and vice Chairmanship of the Committee

shall alternate between the House and the Senate by

Congresses: The senior member of the minority

party in the House of Congress opposite of that of the

Chairman shall be the ranking minority member of the

Committee.

(b) In the event the House and Senate are under different

party control, the Chairman and vice Chairman shall represent

the majority party in their respective Houses. When the

Chairman and vice Chairman represent different parties, the

vice Chairman shall also fulfill the responsibilities of the

ranking minority member as prescribed by these rules.

rule 7.--parliamentary questions

Questions as to the order of business and the procedures of

Committee shall in the first instance be decided by the

Chairman; subject always to an appeal to the Committee.

rule 8.--hearings: public announcements and witnesses

(a) The Chairman, in the case of hearings to be conducted

by the Committee, shall make public announcement of the date,

place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on

any measure or matter at least one week before the

commencement of that hearing unless the Committee determines

that there is good cause to begin such hearing at an earlier

date. In the latter event, the Chairman shall make such

public announcement at the earliest possible date. The staff

director of the Committee shall promptly notify the Daily

Digest of the Congressional Record as soon as possible after

such public announcement is made.

(b) So far as practicable, all witnesses appearing before

the Committee shall file advance written statements of their

proposed testimony at least 48 hours in advance of their

appearance and their oral testimony shall be limited to brief

summaries. Limited insertions or additional germane material

will be received for the record, subject to the approval of

the Chairman.

rule 9.--official hearing record

(a) An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of all

Committee proceedings and actions. Brief supplemental

materials when required to clarify the transcript may be

inserted in the record subject to the approval of the

Chairman.

(b) Each member of the Committee shall be provided with a

copy of the hearing transcript for the purpose of correcting

errors of transcription and grammar, and clarifying questions

or remarks. If any other person is authorized by a Committee

Member to make his corrections, the staff director shall be

so notified.

(c) Members who have received unanimous consent to submit

written questions to witnesses shall be allowed two days

within which to submit these to the staff director for

transmission to the witnesses. The record may be held open

for a period not to exceed two weeks awaiting the responses

by witnesses.

(d) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony

given at a public session or, if given at an executive

session, when authorized by the Committee. Testimony received

in closed hearings shall not be released or included in any

report without the approval of the Committee.

rule 10.--witnesses for committee hearings

(a) Selection of witnesses for Committee hearings shall be

made by the Committee staff under the direction of the

Chairman. A list of proposed witnesses shall be submitted to

the members of the Committee for review sufficiently in

advance of the hearings to permit suggestions by the

Committee members to receive appropriate consideration.

(b) The Chairman shall provide adequate time for

questioning of witnesses by all members, including minority

Members and the rule of germaneness shall be enforced in all

hearings notified.

(c) Whenever a hearing is conducted by the Committee upon

any measure or matter, the minority on the Committee shall be

entitled, upon unanimous request to the Chairman before the

completion of such hearings, to call witnesses selected by

the minority to testify with respect to the measure or matter

during at least one day of hearing thereon.

rule 11.--confidential information furnished to the committee

The information contained in any books, papers or documents

furnished to the Committee by any individual, partnership,

corporation or other legal entity shall, upon the request of

the individual, partnership, corporation or entity furnishing

the same, be maintained in strict confidence by the members

and staff of the Committee, except that any such information

may be released outside of executive session of the Committee

if the release thereof is effected in a manner which will not

reveal the identity of such individual, partnership,

corporation or entity in connection with any pending hearing

or as a part of a duly authorized report of the Committee if

such release is deemed essential to the performance of the

functions of the Committee and is in the public interest.

rule 12.--broadcasting of committee hearings

The rule for broadcasting of Committee hearings shall be

the same as Rule XI, clause 4, of the Rules of the House of

Representatives.

rule 13.--committee reports

(a) No Committee report shall be made public or transmitted

to the Congress without the approval of a majority of the

Committee except when Congress has adjourned: provided that

any member of the Committee may make a report supplementary

to or dissenting from the majority report. Such supplementary

or dissenting reports should be as brief as possible.

(b) Factual reports by the Committee staff may be printed

for distribution to Committee members and the public only

upon authorization of the Chairman either with the approval

of a majority of the Committee or with the consent of the

ranking minority member.

rule 14.--confidentiality of committee reports

No summary of a Committee report, prediction of the

contents of a report, or statement of conclusions concerning

any investigation shall be made by a member of the Committee

or by any staff member of the Committee prior to the issuance

of a report of the Committee.

rule 15.--committee staff

(a) The Committee shall have a staff director, selected by

the Chairman. The staff director shall be an employee of the

House of Representatives or of the Senate.

(b) The Ranking Minority Member may designate an employee

of the House of Representatives or of the Senate as the

minority staff director.

(c) The staff director, under the general supervision of

the Chairman, is authorized to deal directly with agencies of

the Government and with non-Government groups and individuals

on behalf of the Committee.

(d) The Chairman or staff director shall timely notify the

Ranking Minority Member or the minority staff director of

decisions made on behalf of the Committee.

Rule 16.--committee chairman

The Chairman of the Committee may establish such other

procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry

out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective

operation of the Committee. Specifically, the Chairman is

authorized, during the interim periods between meetings of

the Committee, to act on all requests submitted by any

executive department, independent agency, temporary or

permanent commissions and committees of the Federal

Government, the Government Printing Office and any other

Federal entity, pursuant to the requirements of applicable

Federal law and regulations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 tomorrow for morning-hour debate, thereafter to resume its session at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 672) to terminate the Election Assistance Commission, and for other purposes, 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.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As we move forward on the difficult job of securing our Nation's financial future, the Congress will face many difficult decisions. Programs will have to be cut, and some even eliminated. All of those programs are there because someone wants them. We have to look carefully at each one and decide whether the benefit it creates is worth the cost of maintaining it.

After more than 2 years of hearings, investigations and oversight, the Committee on House Administration has identified not just a program but a Federal agency that we cannot justify to the taxpayers. That agency, the Election Assistance Commission, should be eliminated.

Mr. Speaker, while the House is going to be making some very difficult spending decisions in the future, this is actually a clear and easy choice. The EAC was created in 2002 by the Help America Vote Act. HAVA passed the House with a large bipartisan majority. One hundred seventy-two Republicans voted for the bill that created the EAC. Its creation was a bipartisan choice, and so should be its termination. One of the primary reasons the EAC was created was to distribute money to States to update voting equipment and voter registration systems. The EAC has accomplished that, paying out over $3 billion to States for those purposes. With our deep debt and deficit, there almost certainly will be no more money for the EAC to distribute, meaning that that function is complete.

Another of the EAC's main functions, conducting research on election issues, is also complete. The agency has completed all of 19 planned election management guidelines as well as the 21 planned quick start guides. It has completed four of the five studies required under HAVA, and the fifth is tied up in an interagency controversy, making it unlikely that it will ever be finished.

The EAC also maintains a clearinghouse for election officials to share experiences working with voting systems, and it operates a program to develop voluntary guidelines for voting systems, test voting systems against those guidelines, and certify that systems comply with those guidelines. Thirty-five States and territories use the Federal testing and certification system in some way to decide what voting systems their election officials can purchase and use. Unlike the grants and research programs that are now obsolete, the clearinghouse and the testing and certification programs provide continuing value for State and local election officials.

Against that backdrop, we have to look at the reality of what has happened to the EAC. When it was created by HAVA, the EAC was a small agency authorized for 3 years to spend up to $10 million per year. That was 9 years ago. The agency is still there, and its last full-time, full-year appropriation was for almost $18 million. Since a staff ceiling was removed in 2007, the agency has doubled in size, and this doubling came despite the fact that many of the EAC's responsibilities were completed or diminished. The average salary at the EAC is over $100,000. It has an executive director, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, and an accounting director. In its budget request for 2012, the EAC proposed to spend 51.7 percent of its budget on management and administration costs. Mr. Speaker, that bears repeating. The EAC planned to spend more than half of its budget on overhead. An agency with that plan is an agency that should be eliminated.

The need to eliminate the EAC is so great that the National Association of Secretaries of State, a bipartisan group, whose members have received the more than $3 billion distributed by the EAC, has passed two resolutions calling for Congress to dissolve the agency. In 2005 and again in 2010, the Secretaries of State asked us to do what I am asking this House to support today.

Beyond simply being an agency with an increasing size and a dwindling purpose, the EAC has proven time and time again that what the agency knows how to do best is to be reckless and irresponsible with taxpayer dollars. In the short time I have served on the Committee on House Administration, we have learned of two different cases where legal claims were filed against the EAC for discrimination against candidates for the position of general counsel. The first case involved discrimination based on the candidate's political affiliation. The second involved discrimination based on the candidate's service in the military. Political neutrality and assistance to military and overseas voters are values the EAC should promote, not undermine.

On top of that, these cases are expensive for the taxpayers.

In the development of this bill, we have sought out and received a considerable amount of input from election officials and others, in hearings at the committee and other settings. That input has allowed us to improve this bill as we have moved forward. Perhaps most importantly, we added a Guidelines Review Board that gives election officials and others a formal seat at the table when voting system guidelines are developed. This board streamlines two existing boards into a single, smaller one but preserves the ability of States and local election officials to stay involved directly.

Before I close, I would like to thank Chairman Hall from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. He has worked closely with us as a partner in developing this bill. I appreciate his efforts to improve the bill and to bring it to the floor.

This bill is a careful and thoughtful measure to close down a Federal agency in a responsible way. To sustain an agency that has completed its assigned studies, dispersed its assigned grants, and fulfilled most of its mandates is the definition of irresponsibility. We haven't rushed through this process. We've held hearings. We've listened to numerous experts. We've kept and reassigned the programs that provide true value for election administrators. And now is simply the time to end the EAC and save American taxpayers at least $33 million in the next 5 years.

It doesn't get any easier to find an example of wasteful government spending. If we can't do this, we might as well pack up and go home because this is as obvious as it gets.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield as much time as he shall consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lungren), chairman of the Committee on House Administration.

I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey, chairman of the Committee on House Administration's Subcommittee on Oversight.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), also a former Secretary of State for the State of Colorado.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the remaining time?

Mr. Speaker, I find it very interesting that the statement was just made that the FEC is too political to take on the responsibilities of

the EAC. That's an amazing statement in light of the fact that the EAC has been sued for political discrimination--the very agency that's supposed to take care of fairness and do things in these issues gets sued for political discrimination. So that is hardly an argument to say that it can't be transferred.

We are looking at transferring the essential functions of the EAC over to the FEC with the personnel and funding that's necessary to do that job. It's a very responsible and adult thing to do to take care not only of spending issues, but we have an agency that is spending 51.7 percent of its budget on administration and management, not in program administration, not in taking care of grants, those have come and gone. So here we are in that situation of an agency that needs to be eliminated.

And I want to make it clear that in no way, by eliminating the EAC, are we doing anything to repeal or have any intent to do away with HAVA. That is something that came about in a bipartisan effort, and it will remain and shall remain as we move forward. But the EAC was created and funded for a 3-year period. Nine years later, we have one of the most inefficient agencies that we will probably ever see. It is beyond tweaking and correcting to do that.

I want to say that we all believe it is essential in our country that everyone has a right to vote and has access to vote and that no one be disenfranchised. In no way does that have any impact in a negative way. In fact, it will make the election process more efficient to do away with an agency like this. It is a Federal agency that has long outlived its usefulness. And if we look at the people that are on the ground in the States, the Secretaries of State in each of our States, that NASS would pass a resolution, not once, but twice, that this agency needs to be done away with--we need to follow that great advice of those that are most intimately familiar with what's going on.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 243 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

I rise in opposition to the amendment.

This amendment filed by the gentleman from Illinois would require a GAO study to be completed, 1 year, analyzing how health care costs are affected if EPA does not proceed with regulation in its role as determined in Massachusetts v. EPA.

You know, this case did not determine whether or how EPA should regulate greenhouse gases. To the contrary, it did not mandate that EPA move forward with global warming regulations, and it certainly did not direct the EPA to begin regulating tens of thousands or millions of stationary sources across the United States economy.

In any event, no GAO study is needed because the EPA, itself, has already concluded that greenhouse gases pose no direct adverse health effects.

Here's what the EPA has stated: ``Current and projected ambient greenhouse gas concentrations remain well below published thresholds for any direct adverse health effects, such as respiratory or toxic effects.''

So even if the EPA had concluded that there were direct health impacts, EPA's own administrators concluded that the agency's greenhouse gas rules are not going to be effective in appreciably reducing temperatures or global emissions.

Administrator Jackson has said: ``We will not ultimately be able to change the amount of CO2 that is accumulating in the atmosphere alone.'' If anything, EPA's global warming rules will cause global emissions to increase as U.S. manufacturing and industry goes to countries with much less stringent environmental laws.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor Jack Cristil of Tupelo, Mississippi for his

contribution to sports radio and television broadcasting, and specifically the state of Mississippi through his dedicated service as a Mississippi State University (MSU) announcer. For 58 years, Cristil has been at the microphone broadcasting across the radio airwaves for Mississippi State football and basketball games.

Cristil began his career calling minor league baseball games in Tennessee and Alabama and later moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi to call high school football games. In 1953, Cristil was hired by MSU's Athletic Director C.R. ``Dudy'' Noble as the voice of the Bulldogs and Mississippi State football games. Four years later, in 1957, Cristil began to broadcast MSU basketball games as well.

Cristil is a recipient of the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement award, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Broadcaster of the Year in 1988 and a 21-time winner of the Mississippi Broadcaster of the Year. Additionally, he was a recipient the Chris Shenkel Award in 1997 by the College Football Hall of Fame as well as being a 1991 inductee to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

On February 23, 2011, Cristil announced that due to urgent health reasons he would call his final Mississippi State University basketball game the following Saturday. Last weekend, millions of sports fans nationwide were privileged to listen briefly to Cristil's final broadcast during the Mississippi State versus the University of Tennessee basketball game when ESPN announcers went silent for a few moments allowing Cristil's live radio feed to broadcast over national television.

Cristil was known for his commitment to journalistic professionalism in his broadcasts as well as his unique and trademark expressions such as, ``You can wrap this game in maroon and white!'' and ``Welcome to a sun-bathed Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium on the beautiful campus of Mississippi State University!''

To quote a story from the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper, The Clarion-Ledger, the following is a great representation of Cristil's attitude and personality:

``Of a State--Alabama football game when Bob Hope was on tour and doing a show that night in Tuscaloosa, unbeknownst to Cristil. Bear Bryant's boys, as usual, were beating up on State when somebody came by the visitors' radio booth and whispered to Cristil, `Hope is available at halftime if you want him.' Responded Cristil, `Fellow, I need some hope right now.' But Bob Hope did come by and did do the interview. `One of the best halftime guests I ever had,' Cristil says. `Funny and smart.' ''

In his career, Cristil has broadcast over 1,500 basketball games and 636 football games, which is nearly 63 percent and 55 percent, respectively, of all of Mississippi State's games.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Jack Cristil's broadcasting career and service to Mississippi State University by saying as Jack Cristil would say: ``You can wrap it in maroon and white!''