Bruce F. Vento: “Reclaiming my time, I might say that the Natural Resources Committee is one of the most productive committees and…”

“Reclaiming my time, I might say that the Natural Resources Committee is one of the most productive committees and produces--works on a lot of different proposals that are complex. The types of changes included in this substitute, I might add, were very much a mirror of what had been introduced by Congressman Lehman in the initial bill, and were provisions that had been included in the Senate-passed measure. I do not believe that there were very many issues that were not dealt with by Members. Now I understand for Members to go home and read a couple hundred pages of material at night is difficult. I must say that, if I want to play the role that I have to play, it is not uncommon occurrence for me, or for other Members around here, to do that. I say, 'If you want to be a participant in this type of process, this is the sort of assignment that we get on a regular basis day in and day out.' So, I would just say, 'Furthermore, this bill came up the next day, the substitute, all with unanimous consent.'”