Richard B. Nugent: “I would like to thank my friend from New York (Mr. Reed), also a Rules Committee member that I serve with, for the…”

“I would like to thank my friend from New York (Mr. Reed), also a Rules Committee member that I serve with, for the opportunity to support this rule and support the underlying legislation, H.R. 2017, which appropriates funds for our Nation's Homeland Security operations for 2012. Just a comment: I thought that's what we are here to talk about, and so we are going to go back on track in regards to where we should be. As a member of the Rules Committee, I am proud of this rule. It is the first open rule in 4 years, Mr. Speaker, and that's because of you. It's a continuation of our promise to the American people that we are committed to bringing openness and free-flowing debate to this Chamber as a service to the American public. And just like the rule keeps our promises to the American people, so does the underlying legislation. It keeps our promise to reduce spending, to narrow the size and scope of the Federal Government. It also keeps our promise to provide those men and women who work day in and day out to keep our Nation safe with the tools and the resources they need. I have heard a lot about local first responders in connection with this bill. Mr. Speaker, I spent my entire career in law enforcement. I spent the last 40 years as a cop, and the last 10 of those years I served as a sheriff of a county in Florida. You don't need to tell me about what our local first responders need. I know it firsthand, I have lived it.…”