Providing for Consideration of H.R. 1806, America Competes Reautorization Act of 2015; Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2250, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2016; and Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2353, Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Americans have sent us here to get things done. They are tired of gridlock. And we, in the 114th Congress, are on track to be one of the most productive Congresses in modern history.

House Republicans have an aggressive and forward-looking agenda which will help our economy recover and help create high-paying American jobs.

The use of the compound rule, which provides for separate consideration of each underlying measure under a single rule, helps expedite legislative business.

The consideration of one rule allows the House more time to debate the underlying measures, or to consider additional legislative business. We have a lot to do, and this is an efficient way to get our work done.

I appreciate the discussion that we have had over the last hour. And although we may have our differences of opinion, I believe that this rule and the underlying bills are strong measures that are important to the future of our country.

This rule provides for ample debate on the floor: the opportunity to debate and vote on three bills and numerous amendments sponsored by both Democrat and Republican Members of this Chamber. This rule will provide for a smooth and deliberative process for sending these bills to the Senate for their consideration.

These bills are solid and substantial measures that will address several critical issues facing our country.

H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, is a pro-science bill that will keep America competitive in the 21st century global economy by prioritizing taxpayer investments in basic research without increasing overall Federal spending.

H.R. 2250, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2016, keeps funding for the legislative branch level with fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and will be used efficiently and effectively for the operations of the legislative branch of the Federal Government.

H.R. 2353, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, will allow transportation spending to continue through July while we in Congress work diligently toward a next step to close the shortfall in the highway trust fund.

Currently, highway and transit spending authority expires at the end of this month, and officials at the Department of Transportation are concerned that Federal cash infusions to transportation projects in my State and around the country would slow or even halt as the summer construction season begins unless we extend this temporary extension.

Overall, this is a strong rule that provides for consideration of three important bills, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 271 and the underlying bills.

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