Rodney Frelinghuysen: “First of all, I do appreciate the fact that she recognizes the committee made some tough choices. In fact, our overall…”

“First of all, I do appreciate the fact that she recognizes the committee made some tough choices. In fact, our overall bill is really down close to the 2006 level. Obviously, in some quarters, that doesn't satisfy every Member of Congress, but I'm respectful of her desire to go further. Cuts of this magnitude, quite honestly, go far too deep. The types of things we do in our bill--our responsibility for the reliability of the nuclear stockpile--that's utmost, as is our responsibility for cleaning up nuclear waste. In fact, there are consent decrees where things have to be cleaned up because of things left over from World War II. There is research and development, which is important, and water issues. We heard for 2\1/2\ hours earlier today of the types of things that can happen to our Nation when water infrastructure is not kept up and modernized. There is the loss of human life, the loss of livelihoods, the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. {time} 1800 I am respectful of the gentlewoman's perspective, but in reality this would be very damaging to our national security and to things that are important to life and property. I am happy to yield to the ranking member.”