Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 783 and rollcall No. 784 regarding the Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Conference Report, I am not recorded (because I was absent for my step daughter's wedding.) Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 783 and ``aye'' on rollcall No. 784.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 2892, the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act

Account: State and Local Programs

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Howell County Emergency Preparedness

Address of Requesting Entity: 3 Courthouse, West Plains, Missouri 65775

Description of Request: Provide an earmark for $250,000 for an Emergency Operations

Center in West Plains, Missouri. The Emergency Operations Center will serve the residents of Howell County and surrounding counties in the region in case of any natural or man-made hazards. The funding is budgeted at approximately $7,275 for administrative and legal expenses; $81,000 for land, structures, right-of-ways, appraisals, etc.; $2,925 for project inspection and architectural and engineering fees; $153,175 for equipment, construction and miscellaneous items; $5,625 for contingencies.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 2997, the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia

Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite E, Columbia, MO

Description of Request: Provide $1,339,000 for the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute to provide objective, quantitative economic analysis of agricultural policy alternatives. Approximately $188,000 or 14% will be used to continue a cooperative agreement with the University of Wisconsin relating to dairy policy; $340,000 or 25% will be used to conduct analysis of rangeland, cattle and hay, sheep and specialty crops with the University of Nevada--Reno; $811,000 or 61% will be divided between the University of Missouri and Iowa State University to provide a ten-year baseline and policy analysis for U.S. and world agriculture.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia

Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite E, Columbia, MO

Description of Request: Provide $595,000 for the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) to provide Congress with information regarding farm financial risk and farm structure and the impacts of alternative agricultural policies on these factors. Approximately $244,000 or 41% is for FAPRI at the University of Missouri to provide stochastic and deterministic baseline and policy scenarios, and $351,000 or 59% is for AFPC at Texas A&M University to provide representative farm analysis.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Delta Research Center

Address of Requesting Entity: Highway 61, Portageville, MO 63873

Description of Request: Provide $174,000 for the University of Missouri--Delta Research Center to continue research on rice production in the mid-South. Approximately $140,610 will be for multiple personnel costs, $29,000 for materials and supplies, and $5,000 for other costs.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia

Address of Requesting Entity: 214 Middlebush Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211

Description of Request: Provide $889,000 for the Rural Policies Institute to provide unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs, and opportunities in rural people and places; and to spur public dialogue and help policymakers understand the impacts of public policies and programs on rural people and places. Salaries and fringe benefits $654,000 or 74%, for Center Investments $60,000 or 7%, for conferences and events $50,000 or 6%, for consultants $25,000 or 2%, for office expenses $40,000 or 4%, for travel $60,000 or 7%.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Delta Research Center

Address of Requesting Entity: Highway 61, Portageville, MO 63873

Description of Request: Provide $556,000 for continued soybean cyst nematode research at the University of Missouri--Delta Research Center. Of the $556,000, 85% is for salaries and benefits, the remaining 15% is for

travel, supplies, and costs for a winter seed nursery.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 18450 Ridgeview Lane, Dexter, MO 63841

Description of Request: Provide $207,000 to the USDA--APHIS--Wildlife Services in Southeast Missouri. Of the $207,000, 80% would be utilized for salaries and benefits, 17% for APHIS--Wildlife Services program support and 3% for vehicle maintenance and fuel. A portion of the operating budget will also be provided by local municipalities, commodity organizations and university support.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: General Provision

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Congressional Hunger Center

Address of Requesting Entity: Hall of States Building, 400 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite G100, Washington, DC 20001

Description of Request: Provide $3,000,000 for the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program. Of the $3,000,000 in funding 54% would be for salaries, benefits, healthcare and other costs associated with the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and 46% for similar costs associated with the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Agriculture Research Service--Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry

Address of Requesting Entity: 203 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, Missouri, 65211

Description of Request: Provide $660,000 to support research on viable alternative production and protection options to help revitalize the economic and environmental health of rural farms and communities in Missouri and surrounding states. Approximately, $438,882 [or 66%] is for salary and fringe to support professional track faculty, research associates, field research specialists, graduate and undergraduate students; $201,982 [or 31%] for materials and supplies in support of laboratory and field-based research on campus and at five MU farms and centers; $19,137 [or 3%] for travel.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Research and Education Activities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Center for Grapevine Biotechnology at Missouri State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 9740 Red Spring Road, Mountain Grove, Missouri, 65711

Description of Request: Provide $422,000 to research the ability of wild grapevines to defend themselves against pathogens, and their capacity to synthesize health-promoting properties. Of the funds available 46% for salary and benefits, 21% for other direct costs including materials and supplies, and 25% for F&A.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3183, the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

Project Name: Wappapello Lake, MO

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Oak St. Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $5,232,000 for Wappapello Lake, MO MR&T Operations and Maintenance. This funding is for routine operation and maintenance, as well as work on U.S. Highway 67. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Operations and Maintenance Account.

Project Name: Bois Brule Drainage and Levee District, MO

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bois Brule Levee and Drainage District of Perry County, MO

Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 347, Perryville, MO 63775

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,938,000 to continue work on a flood damage reduction and deficiency correction project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately, $400,000 to award a contract for the Missouri Chute pump station; $420,000 to complete exploration and design of relief wells; and $1,118,000 to construct additional relief wells. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account.

Project Name: Cape Girardeau (Floodwall), MO

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Cape Girardeau

Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $183,000 to continue work on a flood damage reduction project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The $183,000 will be used to complete the rehabilitation of the floodwall. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account.

Project Name: Clearwater Lake, MO (Seepage Control)

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Piedmont

Address of Requesting Entity: 115 West Green Street, Piedmont, MO 63957

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $37,791,000 for Clearwater Major Rehabilitation Project to continue work on a flood control project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The $37,791,000 will be used to complete Phase I(b) construction and continue Phase II to construct a cutoff wall. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account.

Project Name: Mississippi River Levees, AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO & TN

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: MRT--Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 E. North Main Street, Dexter, MO 63841

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $44,702,000 for Mississippi River Levees (MR&T) to continue work on flood protection projects conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Construction Account.

Project Name: St. John's Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Missouri

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: MRT--Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. John's Levee and Drainage District of Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 40, New Madrid, MO 63869

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000 for the St. John's Bayou and New Madrid Floodway. This funding will be used to conduct NEPA activities. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Construction Account.

Project Name: Clearwater Lake, Missouri

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Piedmont, Missouri

Address of Requesting Entity: 115 West Green Street, Piedmont, MO 63957

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,827,000 for Operation and Maintenance of Clearwater Lake. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account.

Project Name: St. Francis Basin, AR & MO

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Little River Drainage District

Address of Requesting Entity: 1440 Kurre Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $9,509,000 for St. Francis River and Tributaries, AR & MO Maintenance. This funding will be used for land and damages, cultural resources, engineering, design, construction management and operate and maintain two pumping stations. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Maintenance Account.

Project Name: Caruthersville Harbor, Missouri

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pemiscot County Port Authority

Address of Requesting Entity: 619 Ward Avenue, Caruthersville, MO 63830

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $482,000 for Caruthersville Harbor for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $482,000 is for dredging the harbor to authorized levels. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account.

Project Name: New Madrid Harbor, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New Madrid County Port Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Main Street, New Madrid, MO 63869

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $400,000 for the New Madrid County Harbor for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $400,000 is for dredging the harbor. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account.

Project Name: New Madrid Harbor (Mile 889), Missouri

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of New Madrid, Missouri

Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 96, New Madrid, MO 63869

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $240,000 for the New Madrid Harbor Mile 889 for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $240,000 will be used to dredge the harbor. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account.

Project Name: Little River Diversion, Dutchtown, Missouri

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Section 205

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Little River Drainage District

Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 159 Cape Girardeau, MO 63702

Description of Request: The Little River Diversion project will be funded at the discretion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through Section 205 funds. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 205 account.

Project Name: Mississippi River Levees, AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO & TN

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 E. North Main Street, Dexter, MO 63841

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $11,311,000 for Mississippi River Levees (MR&T) to continue work on flood protection projects conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operations and Maintenance Account.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a good friend of mine and a great servant of Missouri's Eighth Congressional District, Liz Anderson. Mrs. Anderson, born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on September 9th, and she is being sorely missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the citizens of Southern Missouri.

For 30 years, Southern Missourians have been accustomed to getting the news of the day from Mrs. Anderson. First as a reporter, then as editor and co-owner of The Enterprise-Courier in Charleston, Missouri, and The East Prairie Eagle in East Prairie, Missouri, Mrs. Anderson brought her considerable skills to the newsroom. In our communities, she is remembered for being tough, fair, inquisitive, patriotic, and-- above all--for taking the time to become at least twice as informed as she needed to be on any issue that earned a place in her newspaper.

Separate from her vocation in the newsroom, Mrs. Anderson put her considerable talents to work on issues she felt were important to Mississippi County, Missouri, as well as to the rest of the state and to the nation. On flood control, river transportation, and economic development issues, the positive effect of her efforts will endure along with our memory of her.

To Liz Anderson's family, I extend my heartfelt condolences. To the members of this U.S. House of Representatives, I commend her strong community spirit and her dedication to the principles of a free press. Mrs. Anderson put that free press to work in an exemplary way in Southern Missouri--and we should all take her tremendous contributions to heart as we honor her memory.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Josh Eckhoff to the U.S. House of Representatives and to recognize his tremendous contribution to our nation. Josh's story is a testament to his selflessness and an example of service every American citizen should take to heart.

After he graduated high school, Josh volunteered to join the Missouri National Guard. He was called to service in Iraq on two occasions. On his first deployment, Josh trained Iraqi soldiers to provide security for convoys tasked with transporting supplies. When he returned home, Josh enrolled in the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He was then deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Then, in September of 2007, Josh was called to duty in Iraq again. This time his mission was clearing roads. He had been in Iraq for six months when an improvised explosive device exploded, causing him serious injury. After several surgeries, tremendous hardship, difficult rehabilitation and a long recovery, Josh is now back in St. Louis, where he will complete his degree.

He has received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his courage, and he is a great example of perseverance to everyone in my home state of Missouri. He will be the Parade Marshall in the annual Cotton Carnival Parade in Sikeston, Missouri, on October 3 this fall. We will give him a hero's welcome in Southern Missouri, and I think it is highly appropriate that Josh Eckhoff receive the same recognition in this Congress for his many accomplishments, past, present and future.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3326, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to research materials that will lead to advances in the storage and generation of power. To maintain a strong national defense, our nation must develop new devices from innovative polymer-based materials that have lower- power requirements, greater strength, lighter weight, higher sensitivity, and robustness to operate under extreme conditions. The research will provide materials that will lead to important advances in the generation and storage of power. The power generation systems would have advantages for military use over current systems in terms of weight, flexibility, and functionality.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to complete a project to develop high performance alloy materials and advanced manufacturing of steel castings for new light weight and robotic weapon systems. This program would enhance defense component capabilities at a reduced cost. The program would also augment war fighter capability by increasing the mobility and reliability of weapons systems.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $6,000,000 to develop new, low-cost, sensors and an integrating network methodology for geospatial localization and tracking of explosive related threats and precursor materials using spatially distributed, multimodal sensors. This effort is consistent with the U.S. Army goals of assured mobility and force protection.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, AF

Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to develop fiber reinforced ultra-high temperature materials for hypersonic flight vehicles. Ultra-high temperature materials are imperative for the leading and trailing edges, and control surfaces, of future hypersonic vehicles. The proposed project would greatly advance the material selection and design capability for military systems projected to operate in the extreme environments associated with hypersonic flight. Success of this project would enable the United States to uphold its position of world leadership in these critical technology areas.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill, 2010.

Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson

Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ozarks Medical Center

Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 1100, West Plains, MO 65775

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for equipment in a new and expanded Emergency Department.

Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson

Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University

Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, MS 1900: Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $205,000 for the Southeast Health on Wheels (SHOW) Mobile Program. The SHOW Mobile initiative is a health Literacy, health promotional and disease prevention and primary health and dental care program designed to serve Southeast Missouri. The program is administered by the College of Health and Human Services of Southeast Missouri State University.

Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson

Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University

Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau,

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $650,000 for an environmental study, engineering design work, and construction work on Route 25 in Jackson, Missouri. The funds will be used to alleviate traffic and dangerous conditions on Route 25 between Jackson Trail and the city limits of Jackson, Missouri. The State of Missouri will provide 20% match. All federal funds received will be spent on Route 25 in Jackson, Missouri and will not be transferred to another project.

Request Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for the expansion of four-lane highway south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to south of Route 160. The funds would also be used to rehabilitate dangerous intersections on Route 67 at U.S. 160, as well as Missouri Highway 158. The State of Missouri will provide 20% match. All federal funds received will be spent on this project and will not be transferred to another project.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to rehabilitate the Chester Bridge which transverses the Mississippi River from Perry County, Missouri to Randolph County, Illinois. The bridge is vital to the region's transportation needs. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on rehabilitation of the Chester Bridge and will not be transferred to another project.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Economic Development Initiatives

Requesting Entity: Washington County, Missouri

Address of Requesting Entity: 102 N. Missouri Street Potosi, MO 63664

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $300,000 for renovations to make the Washington County, Missouri Building accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Washington County Building is outdated and many sections are inaccessible to individuals in wheelchairs. The federal funds would provide the means for Washington County to bring the building in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for right of way improvements and

engineering design to the narrow portion of Route 63 in Phelps and Maries Counties. This project will improve the overall safety of the roadway. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on right of way improvements and engineering design. None of these funds will be transferred to another project.

Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Account: Transportation & Community & System Preservation Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to improve shoulders, as well as widen and straighten curves along Route 34 in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger Counties. This segment of Route 34 is heavily traveled by commuters and there are serious safety concerns with the roadway. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on improving Route 34. None of these funds will be transferred to another project.

Mr. Speaker, in southern Missouri, rural families are struggling with job losses. We are a vibrant district with a time- honored work ethic, but job losses have hit us especially hard during a time of unprecedented economic challenges.

Constituents call my office every day, and they're asking what is Congress doing for them, how are we helping the manufacturing worker who doesn't want to go to the unemployment office because he really just wants to go back to work. And I hear a lot of justifiable anger from the same callers about Congress' policies that are going to make it tougher for them to get back to work. Cap-and-trade is the focus of their frustration and mine.

Today, unemployment is still severe in southern Missouri with the potential to go much higher, much higher, if the cap-and-trade bill becomes law. More than 3,000 jobs could be lost in the Eighth District in a single year, and the few new green jobs this bill would create won't be in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will leave with us a legacy of energy cost increases that will kill generations of jobs in rural America and in southern Missouri. Like my constituents, I am ready and willing to get to work if you will only give us the opportunity.

Good energy policy is good jobs policy. I hope we can reverse course on cap-and-trade so it doesn't destroy our rural economy.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak here today on behalf of this resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of Agriculture. When President Lincoln organized USDA he called it the ``People's Department.'' That legacy is truly evident in the millions of Americans served each day by the Food and Nutrition Service.

Contending with hunger is a sad fact of life for 36 million food insecure Americans. The programs administered and implemented by the dedicated public servants at FNS, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC, the National School Lunch Program, TEFAP and the Commodity Supplemental Food Nutrition Program--just to name a few-- provide the difference between hunger and adequate nutrition for these adults and, unfortunately, so many children.

However, these programs, vital to so many of our constituents, do not run on autopilot. For the past 40 years dedicated individuals at the Food Nutrition Service have worked to reach those in need, while protecting the integrity of the programs they administer. They have driven error rates down, while working to increase participation rates; FNS has proven to be able stewards of the programs they administer.

Mr. Speaker, forty years ago today man set foot on the moon. This was a dream for untold generations which this government made a priority and achieved. When we set this goal, the tools needed to achieve it did not exist--they had to be invented. Forty years ago the Food Nutrition Service was also formed, our nation's greatest tool in fighting hunger. I look forward to the day when we set our goals high again and provide the resources necessary to truly end hunger in the United States.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, since this is the first bill I'm managing on the floor as ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee, I'd like to say for the record how honored I am to have this position.

The economic challenges facing our Nation demand that the contents of the Financial Services Appropriations bill be deliberately laid out and carefully structured. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies which regulate the financial and telecommunications industries, collect taxes and provide taxpayer assistance, support the operations of the White House, the Federal Judiciary, and the District of Columbia, manage Federal buildings and provide oversight of the Federal workforce.

I want to commend Chairman Serrano for his efforts in crafting the bill. It has been a real privilege and pleasure to work with him. And while we don't always agree, he has been very open to concerns and issues raised by Members on our side of the aisle. I thank the chairman for his commitment to bipartisanship and for listening to the minority views.

I also want to thank the majority staff who worked on this bill, including the Clerk, David Reich, Bob Bonner, Karyn Kendall, Lee Price, Andria Oliver, Ed O'Kane, Alex Jobal and Nadine Berg. I also have to commend the members of the minority staff. John Martens, Alice Hogans, Dena Baron, and my staff, Justin Rone and Jeffrey Connor, who have all been extremely dedicated to putting the best possible product forward from the subcommittee. On both sides, these staff members worked very hard for the committee and the American people, and I appreciate their efforts.

While I've been pleased to have a wonderful working relationship this year with Chairman Serrano, I am disappointed by the fact that we're not doing what our constituents have asked us to do, and that is to work together in a totally bipartisan way at the full committee level to make the lives of our constituents better.

For example, the rule for consideration of the bill limits debate to 17 amendments, and I believe that 97 were submitted to the Rules Committee. This rule, then, doesn't, the rule governing the debate here, did not display bipartisanship or regular order because we had colleagues who want today offer amendments about which they felt very strongly, saving taxpayer money by taking extra returned TARP money and putting it toward the deficit, people who felt very strongly about the D.C. public school systems, and the like. But it's troubling that they weren't able to offer their very substantive amendments, amendments which our constituents feel very strongly about.

I do urge my colleagues to support a process where every Member has the opportunity to have his or her voice heard on the floor of the House.

Now, let me turn to the bill before us today. The $24.15 billion allocation provided to the subcommittee is much too large. It's a 7 percent, or $1.6 billion increase above the current year, excluding stimulus funding. This allocation allows most agencies in the bill to be funded at or above the rate of inflation. I believe the resource requirements of the agencies funded in the bill can be met with a smaller allocation. Especially at a time when every household in America faces difficult budgetary choices, Congress must be diligent when spending the taxpayers' money. The Federal Government, in this bill, is growing at an incredible rate at a time when employers who I represent in the district have cut jobs, and when people are really hurting. They're making the tough choices, and we really should too, as an example to them.

The Congressional Budget Office concedes that, ``Under current law the Federal budget is on an unsustainable path--meaning that the Federal debt will continue to grow much faster than the economy over the long run.''

This bill primarily funds government agency operating accounts. It doesn't support programs or grants, and doesn't represent a commitment to fiscal sustainability. In short, this bill

provides a 7-percent increase which goes straight to the bureaucracy's bottom line. We're not making the tough decisions the American people feel we should consider at a crucial time for our Nation's economy.

The administration's own budget documents state that the Federal debt held by the public will be 68.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2014. This is the highest percentage of Federal debt to GDP since 1950, the year that I was born.

That said, using the allocation provided to him, Chairman Serrano has done an outstanding job of crafting this bill. I'm grateful that the bill provides increases to critical programs such as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Treasury Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Programs, and Tax Preparation Assistance Grants.

I also support the proposed reduction in the ONDCP's media campaign in order to provide additional resources to the Drug-Free Communities program and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.

I'm pleased the bill provides $74 million for D.C. education programs, including $42 million to D.C. public schools. My stepdaughter currently teaches in a District public school, and her reports, along with the Adequate Yearly Progress measurements, indicate dramatic improvements need to be made before every D.C. school is offering the opportunity that children in D.C. deserve.

In the meantime, this bill does not eliminate the Opportunity Scholarships program, but it does restrict the program to students already enrolled in it.

How can we limit educational opportunities for low-income students when we know the public school system is underperforming?

Regarding the General Services Administration, I am grateful that the chairman has included language directing a review of the GSA supply schedule. In just one example of the need for this review, the Department of Homeland Security has identified $42 million of savings over 5 years by no longer using the GSA to purchase office supplies. We want to try to improve the GSA supply procurement process so that this savings can be replicated throughout all government departments and agencies.

I also support the GSA construction and alteration projects funded in the bill. I don't usually have positive things to say about GSA construction and alteration accounts, but I will say that the chairman has done an excellent job in crafting the bill that funds justifiable projects.

I also want to thank the chairman for including language clarifying the congressional intent regarding the cash-in-advance policy in the sale of agricultural and medical supplies to Cuba. This clarification will help American producers expand their markets in a significant neighboring export market.

One area of the bill that I believe has received an excessive level of funding is payments under the Help America Vote Act. There is no question that we are obligated to provide for free and fair elections. It's a hallmark of our democracy, and we must always work to safeguard the electoral process. However, the administration justifiably proposed to cut this particular program to $50 million because the States aren't spending the funds that have been provided in the past years. The account contains a surplus of $186 million today. This bill needlessly adds $100 million to this underused account.

The Election Assistance Commission is waiting for the States to claim the 2008 and 2009 grant funds. Of the $115 million provided in fiscal year 2008, only $25 million has been claimed by the States. Of the fiscal year 2009 funds, $100 million, only $3 million has been paid to two States.

Another area of the bill that deeply concerns me is controversial changes to longstanding general provisions regarding the District of Columbia. I strongly oppose these changes. I do not believe that increasing the availability of abortions or medical marijuana will improve the quality of life in the District of Columbia.

As you see, Mr. Chairman, this bill is very controversial. Not only does the proposed bill spend more than $24 billion, but it proposed to change longstanding policies on which Members on both sides of the aisle have long agreed. This is why the bill should be considered in regular order.

We recognize that operating under an open rule is grueling, long, hard work, and we've done it that way for years and years, at least as long as I have been on this committee. At the same time, we believe that the responsible regular functioning of this institution is important, especially on spending measures that demand the full attention of the Congress because they have the full attention of the American people.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, while I have some reservations regarding this bill and I'm disappointed that it's not being debated so that all Members could be heard, I would again like to thank Chairman Serrano for his openness and his friendship.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I now yield 3 minutes to a fellow subcommittee member and a very hardworking member from Texas (Mr. Culberson).

I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette)

(Mr. LaTOURETTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I now yield 3 minutes to a member of our subcommittee, Mr. Crenshaw from Florida.

I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).

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

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

At this time, Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the chairman again for his graciousness and for his openness in working with me and with

the rest of the subcommittee on the minority side, and I look forward to continuing that relationship.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the manager's amendment.

Mr. Chairman, while I don't oppose the content of this amendment, I do oppose the process in which it was offered.

Mr. Chairman, this is a controversial bill to many Americans. Increasing spending by $1.6 billion, or 7 percent, should be allowed to be debated under this bill. In addition, the changes in long-standing policy on abortion and on medical marijuana should also have an opportunity to be debated. I think that the responsible regular functioning of this institution is so important, especially on spending measures that demand the full attention of Congress, because they've got the full attention of the American people.

As my colleagues know, a manager's amendment traditionally is meant not to be controversial. It's meant to be offered and supported by both sides of the aisle to improve the bill in ways on which we can all agree. The manager's amendment is meant to have a quick debate, typically followed by debate on more difficult issues. Taking three proposed amendments by our Democratic colleagues and rolling them into a manager's amendment while prohibiting debate on the majority of amendments submitted by the Republicans is not in the tradition of this House or the tradition of what a manager's amendment should be.

I urge a ``no'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment would strike $50 million from the $100 million under the Election Assistance Commission for Help America Vote grants for States.

The President's budget requested a total of $52 million for election reform programs, $50 million for grants to States, and $2 million for research and other initiatives. My amendment would simply return the State grant funding level in this account to the same amount that the President's budget requested.

Sixty-two percent of the States have not even applied for their fiscal year 2008--2008--Help America Vote funds. Of the $115 million provided for State grants in fiscal year 2008, only about 20 percent of the funds have been obligated to the States; $25 million has been given to 18 States. Of the $100 million provided for State grants in fiscal year 2009, not even 4 percent has left the Treasury. Only two States have received fiscal year 2009 funds. So we have almost $186 million still sitting in the Treasury for these grants.

Now, I think you all know me and you know me well enough to know that if there is a need, I'm fully supportive of matching the funding level to that need. However, I see little need to provide another $100 million in unused funds to then get to a total of $286 million in untapped funds.

I respect my chairman, and I respect the need for election reform and certainty in the election process. There is no question that we are obligated to provide for free and fair elections. It is a hallmark of our democracy, and we must always work to safeguard our elections. However, this is one account that has a demonstrated lack of funding needs for the coming fiscal year. Even the President recognized the opportunity to save the taxpayer $50 million.

I urge all to do the same and vote ``yes'' on my amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. Chairman, I said earlier that I have great respect for my chairman, and I certainly have great respect for the gentleman from New Jersey who has worked tirelessly on HAVA and worked to ensure that we have fair elections across this country.

And I do not believe that we should, to take a quote, shortchange any piece of the electoral process. But I bring to my colleagues' attention, once again, the fact that we have $186 million that is sitting in the Treasury the States have not tapped into. Sixty-two percent of the funds from 2008 haven't been used. We've only used 4 percent for 2009. And I think that nobody better than our President understands the need for us to find savings. And when we're sitting on $186 million, and with the additional $52 million that we will have in this account, we're still well over $200 million. And I dare say that at the rate that the States are using this money, we will never spend it.

And certainly, in difficult economic times, I truly believe that deferring to the President's budget request makes good economic sense.

I yield back the balance of my time, and urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Funding recommendations included in this bill were made in full compliance with the applicable rules and procedures of the House. On a bipartisan basis, we have scrutinized thousands of Member requests and recommended funding for those projects we believe are most meritorious. In addition, the Small Business Administration was given an opportunity to vet this project and provided the committee with no negative feedback regarding the project or the grantee. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

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

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition.

Funding recommendations included in this bill were made in full compliance with the applicable rules and procedures of the House. In addition, the Small Business Administration was given an opportunity to vet this project, and it provided the committee with no negative feedback regarding the project or the grantee.

Unfortunately, Mr. Simpson, the sponsor of the amendment, was unable to come to the floor due to other important business.

I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished minority leader, Mr. Boehner.

I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Funding recommendations included in this bill were made in full compliance with the applicable rules and procedures of the House, and the Small Business Administration was given an opportunity to vet this project, and provided the committee with no negative feedback regarding the project or the grantee. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

I yield to Mr. Brown of South Carolina.

I yield 3 minutes to my good friend, Mr. Culberson from Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, funding recommendations included in this bill were made in full compliance with the applicable rules and procedures of the House. In addition, the Small Business Administration was given an opportunity to vet this project and provided the committee with no negative feedback regarding the project or the grantee.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lewis, the sponsor of the amendment, was unable to come to the floor due to other important business.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this time to yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt).

I yield back the balance of our time.

You all, thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart.

We have been told that this was a triumph for women and a triumph of bipartisanship. And I think that says it all. We have proven, I think, that we will rise above any kind of partisanship, work together, come together as a team, and really work hard for something. And I think we're a good example for the whole House.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3170, the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill:

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri System, Columbia, MO

Address of Requesting Entity: University Hall, 1100 Carrie Francke Drive, Columbia, MO 65211

Description of Request: $249,000 is provided for the University of Missouri's Extension Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (ExCEED) program. The funding will be used to promote economic development in the Mississippi River Hills Region and the Ozark Heritage Region. Over a three year period, funding will be utilized to expand the current part-time Executive Director position in the Mississippi River Hills Region to full-time, as well as establishing a part-time youth entrepreneurship coordinator and equipment in this rural area. Additionally, over three years this

funding will allow the Ozark Heritage Region to expand their entrepreneurship education and business counseling.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Downtown West Plains, Inc., West Plains, MO

Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Jefferson Ave., West Plains, MO 65775

Description of Request: $500,000 is provided for Downtown West Plains, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation, to complete the exterior and interior renovation of a 100 year old building which will house a Small Business Incubator. These funds will be matched with $1,144,000 in local, state, and other federal funds. The Ozarks Small Business Incubator, when completed, will provide personalized assistance to small business entrepreneurs by supporting their efforts with business related education, financial guidance, business plan development, mentoring, and access to tangible resources such as building space, shipping dock, and shared office equipment.

Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Girl Scouts of the USA, New York, NY

Address of Requesting Entity: 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

Description of Request: $101,000 is provided to the Girl Scouts of the USA for a national program to improve financial literacy. These funds will allow for the research and development necessary to prepare the foundation for a financial educational program directed towards girls.