Chuck Fleischmann: “Once again, I thank my distinguished colleague and friend from Pennsylvania for being consistent and very thorough in…”

“Once again, I thank my distinguished colleague and friend from Pennsylvania for being consistent and very thorough in all of his investigations, and I do really appreciate this. This has been insightful, but once again, I must respectfully rise to oppose the amendment. The energy and water bill includes flat funding for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. The amendment would reduce this amount by 99 percent, leaving only $250,000, not even enough to cover all administrative costs. This commission seeks to create jobs in some of the most poverty stricken areas of our Nation, and funding should not be decimated. Mr. Chair, I respectfully urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”