Rob Andrews: “I thank my friend for yielding, and I would like to thank and congratulate him and Chairman McKeon and their outstanding…”

“I thank my friend for yielding, and I would like to thank and congratulate him and Chairman McKeon and their outstanding staffs for first-rate work and leadership on this issue. This bill is an example of a properly resourced and properly thought- out plan that would serve the interests of those who serve us. As we meet tonight, there are America's best sons and daughters stationed around the world in dangerous and often lonely places who are defending our freedom and doing us proud every single day. I do believe this budget plan is one that gives them the tools and the support that they need. It has many good things to recommend it. But I wish it were actually going to take effect, because the fact of the matter is unless this Congress acts, this plan will never take effect. Instead, it will be about $50 billion shy of the resources that we're going to debate and vote on this week. Mr. Chairman, I think the whole House would be well-served by following the example by which this legislation was put together. Led by Chairman McKeon and Mr. Smith, there was open, transparent, substantive dialogue throughout this process. Members on both sides of the aisle met for--my goodness, was it 16 hours, 18 hours, it seemed like longer, and any idea that any Member had was brought to the body, was vigorously debated, and either approved or disapproved. There was an open process that led to a good piece of legislation.…”