C. W. Bill Young: “the Committee on Appropriations does recognize the impact of last winter's ice storms to private and public landowners…”

I yield myself 2 minutes to pay tribute to a longtime staffer of this defense subcommittee. This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to bring a defense appropriations bill to the floor without having Kevin Roper sitting here…

I understand the concerns, and the gentleman and I have spoken at length about these issues and I am equally concerned as is he. And I think it is appropriate that we do ask for such a report; and when we meet with the Senate for…

it is obvious that he has put a lot of time and effort into this amendment. The committee has reviewed the amendment thoroughly, and we will accept the amendment.

we are not aware of that amendment. We do not have a copy. We are not aware that the gentleman has an amendment. We can change our request if he would provide us with a copy of the amendment.