Steny Hoyer: “I rise, as I have a couple of times in the past, to simply say that I think on our side, obviously, we believed that we…”

“I rise, as I have a couple of times in the past, to simply say that I think on our side, obviously, we believed that we needed to move forward on the work. All of us, however, share what has been said about Tom Lantos, for whom we had the greatest respect, and we all share a sadness at his loss. I regret that the actions that precipitated this hour that you are taking have occurred. They have occurred. We can't change them. Having said that, I want to say that I understand the point the gentleman is making, and I understand the point my friend Mr. Blunt has made. I think it will suffice to say that. But I can appreciate the position the gentleman found himself in and that Mr. Blunt and his leadership found themselves in.”