Norman D. Dicks: “And I do this very reluctantly, but I'm glad that the sponsor of the amendment has arrived, and we will let her talk…”

“And I do this very reluctantly, but I'm glad that the sponsor of the amendment has arrived, and we will let her talk about this. Section 8127 limits spending for military bands to $200 million for fiscal year 2012. Now, that is a lot of money and I'm a person who believes in music, believes in our bands. I have been at Fort Lewis out in my part of the country, now Joint Base Lewis-McChord, for many ceremonies. And there's no question about it; the music really does add to the whole event. But we are in a very tough fiscal period here. During the full committee markup, this was agreed to by a voice vote. The amendment parallels similar language included in section 599(c) in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012. So we've had the authorization committee look at it, we've had the Appropriations Committee look at it, and I think that we ought to support the position that came out of the full committee. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. McCOLLUM. Fellow Members, this amendment was adopted by voice in committee, and this amendment was not one that I lightly came up with.…”