[Page H5630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    WIDE GRASSROOTS SUPPORT CITED FOR PASSAGE OF AMERICAN OVERSEAS 
                             INTERESTS ACT

  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, later today the House will resume work on 
H.R. 1561--the American Overseas Interests Act. It recognizes that the 
cold war is over by proposing the most important and comprehensive 
reform and reorganization of our foreign affairs activities in nearly 
50 years.
  Our legislation rolls up three independent cold war agencies and cuts 
spending by $3 billion over 2 years. While the administration threatens 
to veto our bill, a broad array of grassroots organizations supports 
it, including citizens against Government Waste, the National Taxpayers 
Union Foundation, the Association of Concerned Taxpayers, and the Eagle 
Forum, to name just a few.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1561 offers an opportunity to streamline and 
downsize the Federal Government and cut spending while continuing to 
project American influence and power around the world in a cost-
effective manner.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support the American Overseas 
Interests Act on final passage.

                          ____________________