* Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, this is not a perfect bill, but it is certainly worthy of our support. H.R. 2112 represents a fair compromise between both parties and is an example of how we can achieve concrete results for the American people if we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Earlier today, I called on Congress to skip the upcoming planned recess so we can accomplish the business of the American people. Passage of this bill will represent the first step forward in that regard.
* There is much to be proud of in this legislation. H.R. 2112 provides $2.5 billion for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is $334 million above the House-passed version of the legislation. This bill will give FDA the necessary resources to continue the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, of which I am the author and will help keep tainted food off of our shelves. We will also restore our commitment to the most vulnerable among us by providing $6.6 billion for the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition program, which is $570 million over the House-passed level.
* I have called on my colleagues to pass legislation that will invest in our infrastructure and H.R. 2112 will make small progress in that area. It includes $500 million for a third round of TIGER grants, which have been critical in helping state and local governments to move forward on large, regional projects that will have significant impacts on their communities. The federal-aid highway program will receive $39.8 billion, which is $12.1 billion more than the House proposal, an investment that will result in 400,000 more jobs than what House Republicans supported. This bill will also include $10.5 billion for transit programs, $2.5 billion more than the House bill, which means DOT will be able to continue to support projects that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide commuters with an alternative to their personal vehicles when traveling to work or to run errands. I am, however, disappointed that this bill contains no funding for high-speed rail. I would remind my colleagues that we are continuing to cede innovative ground on this development to the Chinese, Japanese and French, and it is imperative we do not halt progress on President Obama's vision to create national high-speed rail network.
* H.R. 2112 will also invest in innovation by providing an increase of $173 billion, or $7 billion, for the National Science Foundation. This investment is critical to ensuring that the United States is supporting high-risk, high-payoff ideas that the private market cannot or will not invest in. Such innovation will also be supported through an increase in funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps small to medium-sized manufacturers to become more efficient and more competitive in a globalized economy. It also maintains funding for research efforts in the Great Lakes, a national treasure we must preserve and which provides countless opportunities for recreation, conservation, and jobs.
* Compromise is never perfect, and quite often neither side is fully satisfied with the outcome. But everyone will need to make sacrifices if we are to adequately address the unfinished business of the American people. And that is what this bill is--unfinished business. H.R. 2112 will ensure that Congress is back here to have the same debate on a different set of appropriation bills on December 16th. If Congress had passed the 12 appropriations bills individually, we would not be debating H.R. 2112 today.
* We were elected to be civic leaders who could put public interests before self interests. It is not in America's best interest to sit here refusing to support a bill that does not mirror each of our individual priorities. What is in America's best interest and helps move us forward is to come together today and support a compromise that, while imperfect, gets the job done. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to serve that purpose by supporting this bill and continue to find ways to make meaningful agreements to pass legislation that will put Americans back to work and help rebuild our economy.