what the Federal Government gives, it can certainly take away; and Federal agencies are once again contradicting each other, a recurring theme under this and prior administrations.

Achieving these objectives will help give the Federal Government the metrics to improve our environment while allowing California's farmers to provide food and fiber to our Nation and the world.

Today's hearing is about fostering government accountability and restoring balance to a region devastated by natural and man-made drought.

In all that time, how many people at the Veterans Administration hospital system have actually been fired?

We have all lived through the many, many reports throughout the last 3 or so years of veterans who have been denied access to care.

Isn't the problem, in fact, it doesn't matter how much money you throw at, it doesn't matter who you put in charge, if you don't hold people accountable for their actions or lack of actions, you are never going to get good results.

waiting 45 minutes for a response for a health care facility even one time is a disgrace.

We have sent money to bolster the VA, the VA hospital system to try to improve care.

we will continue working daily to make the VA accountable, to be sure that people who are not doing their job should be fired, people who are breaking the law should be prosecuted, and we will continue that endeavor.

I have never heard of a system that advocates for the employee over the patient.

If we can get it to you, we would. Trust me on that.

the bills represent a bad deal for taxpayers, the environment, and public health. They should be rejected by Congress unless and until they are very significantly improved.

These are well-intended settlements and I commend those of you who have worked so hard on getting these bills to this important juncture.

The American people have asked for and deserve transparency and accountability so their taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Again, I just ask my colleagues to support this. This is common sense. We need to protect our soldiers, sailors, airmen, as well as marines. We need to make sure that they are safe out there, that every dollar is put into readiness to…

May I inquire how much time I have? The CHAIR. The gentleman from Louisiana has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 3 minutes remaining.

I thank my friends and colleagues for their comments and statements, but I simply have to disagree. Again, this is about military readiness, which we are at a low, low point. We are getting all sorts of reports. We are having hearings from…

Again, my amendment is not a debate about climate change, regardless of where you fall on that issue. All this does is free up DOD to make the vital important decisions on that, instead of handcuffing it. I reserve the balance of my time.

I demand a recorded vote. The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Louisiana will be postponed. {time} 0020 Amendment Offered by Mr. Huffman

How much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Louisiana has 2 minutes remaining. The gentleman from Washington has 2\3/4\ minutes remaining.

I would respond, first of all, by saying I think we all see the reports. If you are on Armed Services, you hear our generals talk about how our readiness is in dire straits, that we can't respond to the challenges around the world. At a…

I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the following new section: Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this…

With all due respect to the ranking member, all my amendment does is holds the status quo before these two executive orders; and that is, the commanders in the field and the generals at the Pentagon can do whatever is best for the…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following new section: SEC. 3__. PROHIBITION ON CARRYING OUT…

My amendment prevents scarce dollars from being wasted to fund two of President Obama's executive orders regarding climate change and green energy. These are dollars that should go to the readiness of our Armed Forces. A similar amendment…