Cliff Stearns: “I think you made a very excellent point that that's--how Mr. Chu used the law was not how it was intended.”

Thank you, Connie, very much for that report, and thank you also for the continued leadership that you have provided for the former Members of Congress. Your counsel is always appreciated and is invaluable. I now will lead to another…

Thank you, Martin. I think, as you pointed out, we were waiting for both the majority leader, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, and the minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, between 8:45 and 9:00, and they might have had different schedules/commitments…

The Chair announces that 27 former Members of Congress have responded to their names.

Barbara, if you will come up. Barbara, your plaque is inscribed: ``We thank Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly of Connecticut for her leadership and guidance for the past 2 years as president of the U.S. Association of Former Members of…