Alan Lowenthal: “It is unfortunate that we can't come together today to support such a simple fix to, as Mr. Wittman pointed out, such a…”

“It is unfortunate that we can't come together today to support such a simple fix to, as Mr. Wittman pointed out, such a highly successful program. I think the operative word that you have said is that it is premature at this point, not that you really oppose the ability to protect our waterfowl populations to keep them vibrant and make sure that duck hunters have ducks to hunt. I think we all agree upon that. I also just want to say that the one issue is just to make clear that we are not talking about automatically increasing inflation. All we are saying is that when inflation does come--which will erode this program--that there is a process in place that the Secretary of the Interior will make a recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. That Commission has to support it. At most, it would have been a 35-cent increase. {time} 1130 But I hear what you are saying about that, and if you will work with me as we go forward to see when is the best time that we can work on this, I will ask to withdraw this amendment. Can I get a commitment that we will work together?”