Ronald Dellums: “Mr. Chairman, let me surface an issue that has not been dealt with and just put it on the table so we all can look at…”

“Mr. Chairman, let me surface an issue that has not been dealt with and just put it on the table so we all can look at it. That is that this bill, there is joint jurisdiction on this piece of legislation. The tragedy of this institution is that we tend to get caught up and see the world in very narrow terms, and that is through the narrow prism of our committee jurisdiction. But someone was wise enough, Mr. Chairman, to refer this bill to two committees. I would hope that the process would allow us to bring together the perspectives and the perceptions of both committees in the hope that in joining those two perceptions, we will arrive at the wisest decision, so we do not get caught up in knee-jerk responses on the basis of a committee jurisdiction. I do not know taxes. I am not on Ways and Means. But I will debate anyone in this town on national security matters, because that has been my job for 25 years here. We looked at this bill. Where are we in agreement? First, that this is a maritime nation. Second, that we need to stimulate shipbuilding. Third, that we need to stimulate commercial shipbuilding. Fourth, that American workers and shipbuilders believe that it is in their mutual self-interest to end government subsidies of shipbuilding. So let us take that off the table. We all agree with that, so we do not have to sword fight over these issues.”