John Kerry: “I appreciate the chairman accepting that and I appreciate the efforts of the committee. I know the committee put in…”

“I appreciate the chairman accepting that and I appreciate the efforts of the committee. I know the committee put in additional money, about $200 million, and that is important funding. Again, I restate, we are looking at a $7.3 billion problem. That is a step forward. I am very grateful to the chairman for being willing to try to find this report. I hope the Department itself will respond accordingly to the language which the committee has appropriately put in here to try to get this in scope. We have been talking about this for 4 years now and most people would agree, in the major ports-- California, New Jersey, New York, Miami, various places--this is a major concern. The communities are increasingly feeling ill-equipped to respond appropriately. I thank the Chair for his response. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”