Cliff Stearns: “What the gentleman is saying when we think about it, my good colleague from Florida and New York, were the people in…”

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

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 now recognizes the president of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress, the Honorable Martin Frost of Texas, to address the Members.

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…