I strongly urge the Committee to move these bills as soon as possible.

You know, as I look at how these annual catch limits are set, I know there are a number of other elements there--the overfishing limit, which corresponds to maximum sustainable yields--so I am going to kind of dive into a few fishery…

I believe the basic premise of H.R. 2304 is on point but that we need to expand and refine some provisions before moving forward if we are to make this bill helpful to the entire regulated community.

I appreciate you taking the opportunity to schedule this important hearing on amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

It was disappointing when the announcement came out on the 2012-2017 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program that Lease 220 in Virginia was not included as part of that.

I want to bring to your attention a letter from myself and other colleagues from the Virginia congressional delegation to ask you to reconsider that determination made on Lease 220.

I think both of the conflicts are very, very similar, and to me they ought to be able to be taken up and those issues taken care of in a fairly timely manner.

I want to thank you on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth for your work in protecting and preserving historic Fort Monroe.

I want to ask this. As you look across the board with that broad bipartisan support, you look at the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia legislature, local officials, state officials have all said let us go forward with Lease 220.

With that widespread support, I am wondering why the Department determined not to go forward with this in the 2012-2017 plan.

It seems like spreading this out over another five years is less than what we are capable of.

A great country can't live on borrowed money forever. You can't have a strong and growing economy by having a huge deficit and debt.

Gentlemen, thank you so much for your service to our Nation. And I want to begin by noting that everybody that serves in our Armed Forces is special.

This bill is necessary because the only way to guarantee public access is to require it by law.

I am the author of this legislation that would continue to allow hunters to electronically purchase the annual federal duck stamp required to hunt migratory waterfowl.

Our federal parks and monuments should be available for all Americans to enjoy--not something to be admired from afar and from behind a chain link fence.

I want to compliment the lead cosponsor of the bill, Congressman Ron Kind (Wisconsin), for his leadership, commitment and passion for sportsman's issues and waterfowl conservation.

If the price goes up, the number of purchases will go down and potentially result in less revenue.

I happen to be one, too, that buys multiple duck stamps.

Your viewpoints on Goldwater-Nichols, the idea of jointness and where we can go there to really have a multiplying effect on our Force, I think, is very, very important for all of us to realize.

Thank you for letting me get grilled, lightly grilled, by that Member of Congress from California, Duncan Hunter.

On rollcall Nos. 760 and 761 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on both 760 and 761. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Edwards The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote…

Arlington Cemetery is a special place for many reasons. But for me, it is special because it is where generations of heroes have been laid to rest.

I feel so passionately about accountability and oversight of Arlington and why I was happy to read about the recent progress that has been made on a number of issues.

On rollcall Nos. 695 and 696, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on 695 and ``aye'' on 696. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended. The amendment was…