H.R.6003 - Federal Government

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 779.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1253. (consideration: CR H5222-5265; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5233-5245)

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6003 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1253 and Rule XVIII.

The Speaker designated the Honorable James P. Moran to act as Chairman of the Committee.

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 6003.

H.AMDT.1077 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Oberstar. (consideration: CR H5245-5249; text: CR H5245-5246) An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 110-703 to provide that none of the funds may be used to employ workers in violation of section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act; require the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on ways to streamline compliance with National Historic Preservation Act requirements for federally funded railroad infrastructure projects; insert provisions regarding the Northeast Corridor; require studies regarding the expansion of the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor to Memphis and to far south Texas; require proposals for building station stops for the proposed high-speed rail system in the Northeast Corridor; authorize intercity passenger rail grants to be used for bicycle access into rolling stock and would provide bicycle racks in trains and make technical corrections to the bill.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1253, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Oberstar amendment.

H.AMDT.1077 On agreeing to the Oberstar amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.1078 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. Davis, Tom. (consideration: CR H5249-5254, H5261-5263; text: CR H5249-5250, H5261-5262) An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 110-703 to authorize the Transportation Secretary to make grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to finance in part the capital and preventive maintenance projects included in the Capital Improvement Program approved by the Board of Directors of the Transit Authority; and prohibit funds to the Transit Authority unless the Authority ensures its rail customers have access to any services provided by any licensed wireless provider that notifies the Authority of its intent to offer services to the public.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1253, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tom Davis (VA) amendment.

H.AMDT.1078 On agreeing to the Davis, Tom amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.1079 Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Smith (WA). An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 110-703 to require Amtrak to engage in good faith discussions, with commuter rail entities and public transportation authorities operating on the same trackage owned by a rail carrier as Amtrak, with respect to routing and timing of trains to efficiently move a maximal number of commuters, intercity, and passenger rail passengers, particularly during peak times of commuter usage. The amendment would also require such discussion with respect to the expansion and enhancement of commuter rail and regional rail public transportation service.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1253, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (WA) amendment.

H.AMDT.1079 On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.1080 Amendment (A004) offered by Mr. Sessions. An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 110-703 to prohibit funds from being used for the long distance Amtrak route with the highest cost per seat/mile according to Amtrak's March 2008 monthly performance report unless the Secretary has transmitted a waiver for this route or a portion of it because the Secretary considers it critical to homeland security.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1253, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sessions amendment.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Sessions amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

H.AMDT.1081 Amendment (A005) offered by Mrs. McCarthy (NY). An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 110-703 to add to the passenger rail system comparison study a request to study train horn technology, with an emphasis on reducing train horn noise and its effect on local communities.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1253, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCarthy (NY) amendment.