PERSONAL EXPLANATION -- HON. XAVIER BECERRA (Extensions of Remarks - September 21, 2000)

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HON. XAVIER BECERRA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, September 21, 2000

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on September 14, 2000, I was detained with business in my District, and therefore unable to cast my votes on rollcall numbers 472 through 476. Had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``aye'';'' on rollcall vote 475, and ``no'' on rollcall votes 472, 473, 474 and 476.

Mr. Speaker, I am unable to support the Conference Report for H.R. 4516, the Legislative Branch Appropriations for F.Y. 2001, because it bypassed the normal appropriations process. Moreover, this legislation raises Members' salaries while falling half a million dollars short of the Administration's budget to fund more important priorities of the American people. However, there are several provisions in the report which I strongly support. I applaud the conferees for fully funding the Administration's law enforcement initiatives, including a proposal to add 600 AFT agents to more fully enforce existing gun laws. In addition, I strongly support the provision which would repeal the 3 percent telephone excise tax that was levied as a luxury tax over 100 years ago to fund the Spanish American War. Finally, the $258 million for the U.S. Customs Department's automation program in the legislation is critical, and I am pleased the conferees recognized its importance. I look forward to enacting these measures in a bill that better funds other needed priorities, which is arrived at through a more thorough discussion between Members of Congress.
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