On the recordDecember 17, 2015
I want to thank the chairman and Chairman Aderholt for the consideration they gave to our input. They were kind in that consideration, and we certainly appreciate that. Mr. Speaker, we have heard reasons why to vote for this bill: defense spending and lifting the ban on crude oil. Let me add one other aspect, and that is the repeal of the Country of Origin Labeling requirements that are currently in law. By repealing Country of Origin Labeling, we help American producers avoid in excess of $1 billion of retaliatory measures that Mexico and Canada are spring-loading to begin applying against American production. This repeal avoids that. Mr. Speaker, in my view, this adds additional weight to why I am supporting this bill. I would hope that my colleagues would look at the defense spending and look at the crude oil ban, but also look at the repeal of COOL as a reason why to support this bill and move it to the Senate and then to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' as I am. With that, again, I thank the chairman for his consideration during this process. We appreciate being a part of the work, and I look forward to supporting it.
