On the recordJuly 11, 2011
First of all, let me compliment my colleague and good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett). And, of course, I'm reluctant because he's done his homework and he's worked hard, and I believe, with him, that we need to reduce Federal spending. We've been going over a financial precipice. But we on the Energy and Water Committee made a commitment. Of course, we were given a very low allocation, so we had to meet that. But we have cut Energy and Water back to approximately the 2006 level after multiple hearings. We have put into the bill more oversight. I believe we have made the tough choices. We've reviewed all accounts. We've put at the pinnacle, of course, our responsibility for national security, national defense, and the weapons program and the nuclear navy, the next class of Ohio ballistic submarines, and also made substantial investments in the Army Corps of Engineers. I am reluctant to oppose this amendment, but I think we've made the tough choices. I urge Members to oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
