On the recordNovember 17, 2011
I rise as a proud member of this conference committee and of this committee. The Constitution of the United States gives us instructions that we are to watch our treasury and protect it and make sure that the money that we spend out of that treasury is appropriate for the operation of this country. Chairman Rogers and the three ranking members who have operated in this particular mini-bus have been very noble in that effort. A commitment was made under the Budget Control Act that we would stay within $1.043 trillion, and this first start of finishing this appropriations process will see to it that we meet that commitment. Chairman Rogers has been very, very distinct and positive that he will meet that commitment, and this is the first step to meeting that commitment. It is important that although this is a noble effort, we have funded what is needed, and we have given an open process both in subcommittee, committee, and on this floor. And by that, we have shown the American people that we are making our promises known, that we are on the route to turning this country around and setting it back on a fiscal track that we can sustain. I want to commend all who have been involved in this process, both the ranking members and the chairmen, for they have done noble work to come up with this product.…
