Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I certainly appreciate the overview of the ranking member in his initial remarks today. I would note that the bills before us today, these 12 bills, are all coming to the floor from the Natural Resources Committee. They are critical bills in many areas, from natural resources to indigenous peoples and beyond. Many of these bills actually come to us from the Senate and, if passed here, will go on directly to the President, so this is a productive agenda that we have here with every expectation that these bills will advance. I also want to say, on behalf of the majority, that I fully endorse the ranking member's commendations to the staff that are with us today and in our Natural Resources Committee. He makes an important and vital point. We all appreciate our staff. We are blessed by their service. We are blessed by their expertise, and I would be remiss if I did not say, on behalf of our chair, Chair Grijalva, that we all endorse those comments, and I thank him for those very kind comments. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).”