Hal Rogers: “I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as I noted earlier, this may be the last time I speak before the…”

“I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as I noted earlier, this may be the last time I speak before the body as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. Let me first say how much I appreciate the friendship and the camaraderie with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey). She has been a pleasure to work with. She is perceptive; she is persistent; she is a personal friend; and we enjoy a great friendship. Without a doubt, the last 6 years have had their ups and downs, but I have always been proud to serve the people of Kentucky, the people of this Nation, the Committee on Appropriations, and this great institution that we admire. Let me highlight, Mr. Speaker, just a few of these ups and downs that I mentioned with one of my favorite exercises, a by-the-numbers reflection on our many shared experiences. Here is my by-the-numbers recollection of my last 6 years at the helm of the Committee on Appropriations: 650, the number of hearings held by appropriations subcommittees. 140, the number of appropriations bills considered on the House floor. 19, the number of appropriations bills considered on the floor in just 1 month, October of 2013. 12, the number of appropriations bills we should pass every year. 2,122, the number of floor amendments considered to appropriations bills. 555 and counting, the number of floor hours spent debating appropriations bills. 70, the number of appropriations bills enacted into law. Hopefully this will make it 71.…”