Speech #930057136

Another objection which I believe is valid is that there should be no effort to legislate in a reorganization plan but simply present the reorganization scheme with its framework and let it go at that. However. it is my understanding that the old reorganization procedure has lapsed since April 1 and I strongly recommend to the members of the House Government Operations Committee. of which it is my privilege to be a part. that in any new reorganization procedure the details be spelled out carefully so as to permit amendment and to limit any legislative provisions being provided by the administration under the guise of reorganization. As I related earlier. my objection to Reorganization Plan No. 2 when it came before the Government Operations Committee was because of its section 2 which called for the displacement of about 980 or 1.000 Immigration and Naturalization personnel. They were to be brought over into the Customs -Service and primarily engaged in drug control. Regardless of the charges and countercharges that have been passed back and forth as to whether or not the happenings that have occurred since this resolution was before our committee. The facts are that there has been an agreement entered Into which has been endorsed by the administration and certain organizations involved that deletes section 2. Again. to repeat. my opposition to the proposal was the fact that as it was written in the beginning. it would weaken the Immigration Service. I do not claim to be an expert as to the efficiency of our immigration people but I do know that as the result of some hearings that I have been privileged to chair. the Immigration Service is undermanned both in the border patrol and in all the major cities in the United States. Now that the threat to the Immigration Service has been relieved. my own opposition to the plan is accordingly withdrawn. Mr. Chairman. the Nations pressing need for an effective. unified drug enforcement agency is so great as to override any objections that might be raised to the collateral issues surrounding reorganization plan No. 2.