Amendment Offered by Mr. Flake

Amendment Offered by Mr. Flake -- (House of Representatives - June 28, 2006)

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Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chairman, it is appropriate that we live under the rules of the House that we have voted in the 108th and the 109th Congress. But I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this important matter.

I appreciate that had the Ways and Means Committee addressed this issue in a timely fashion to make a stronger statement heard to Russia for their misconduct, for the billions of dollars lost to U.S. companies, including the music and television industry and software industries, all of which are very important to California, we would not be here today.

Additionally, it is with regret that I remind the Appropriations Committee that had they simply chosen not to fund this, this amendment would not be necessary, but the not funding by the Appropriations Committee is in order.

So although I don't approve of this rule, in hindsight, I recognize that the time to object to it was at the beginning of the Congress. Before yielding back, I will, therefore, attempt to have this rule modified in the next Congress so as to allow people to determine where their funds will be spent. Because this rule effectively made it impossible to not fund something simply because in previous Congresses decisions had been made on tariff.

I do appreciate, though, that we will live under the rules of the House; and Congresswoman Watson and myself will continue to work to make sure that Russia lives up to the standards before entering the WTO.

And, Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for your kindness in giving me this opportunity to speak.

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