William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I want to start by commending the leadership of Chairman McKeon and…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I want to start by commending the leadership of Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith in getting this bill to the floor in such a timely way, especially after the President's budget was quite late, but also in getting this bill here on a unanimous vote by the committee. None of us agrees with every provision that is in this bill, but members of the committee were able to put aside personal preferences on individual issues to support a bill that benefits the Nation overall, and I hope that the House will do likewise. I think it is important to emphasize that it has been a bipartisan effort, working together with the chairman and the ranking member and also with the chairmen of the subcommittees and with the ranking members of the subcommittees, that has gotten us to this place. I think it is especially appropriate for this bill to be named for Chairman McKeon, not only in recognition for his leadership on this bill, but for his leadership of the committee during some very challenging circumstances throughout his tenure. Some of those challenges have included our own budget issues, as was just addressed by the ranking member, as well as a myriad of threats around the world, so this measure that does so much for our country's security will always be associated with the many contributions of Chairman McKeon to our country's security. Mr.…”