Bruce F. Vento: “The point with regard to the 15 years I did not characterize with the other language, but I do not agree with the…”

“The point with regard to the 15 years I did not characterize with the other language, but I do not agree with the gentleman's interpretation of the argument over 'necessary' and or 'desirable' in terms of what the impact would have been. The concern, of course, is that we wanted to go forward. I am supporting the chairman's amendment to the amendment of the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] and would just suggest that this is a workable, a reasonable alternative in terms of addressing this particular issue. The other ancillary suggestions, of course, are something that came up late, was not offered in committee and, therefore, we are trying to work it out here on the floor today and I hope that that would be accomplished. I might say too the gentleman from California has repeatedly stated that the gentleman from Minnesota was not here when he conducted his debate. This gentleman has been here throughout the debate.”