LARSON
EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT AT SPEAKER HASTERT'S FAILURE TO ALLOW
COLTSVILLE BILL TO REACH HOUSE FLOOR
HARTFORD- U.S. Congressman John
B. Larson (CT-01) today expressed his disappointment following the House
Republican Leadership's refusal to allow non-controversial legislation,
including the Coltsville Study Act, to be taken up under unanimous
consent by the House today during a "pro forma" session of the
House. Larson had urged House Speaker Dennis Hastert to allow this and
other non-controversial legislation sponsored by members of both parties
to be passed by unanimous consent during the session this afternoon
before the House officially adjourns the 107th Congress. Ultimately,
however, only a single bill making technical changes to the Homeland
Security Act was allowed to the floor.
Larson stated: "I am
disappointed that the Republican Leadership in the House has failed to
take action this afternoon on the Coltsville bill, or any other of the
many pending bipartisan and non-controversial initiatives this
afternoon. The House had the opportunity to follow the Senate's lead in
passing the Coltsville bill by unanimous consent before the closing of
the 107th Congress, but the Republican Leadership has failed to act.
Although disappointed by their decision, passage in the Senate is a very
positive step, and having had a favorable Committee hearing and now
having gained the support of the National Park Service, I am anxious to
reintroduce the legislation as soon as the 108th Congress convenes in
January to keep the momentum of this project moving forward until we can
secure its passage."
Larson is the sponsor of the
House version of the legislation, which calls for the Interior
Department to conduct a feasibility study of the Coltsville section of
Hartford for possible inclusion in the National Park System.
