Good morning. The committee will come to order. We were hoping to be able to move out two of our nominees that are currently pending before the committee. We obviously have to have the requisite number of members here. So, until such time as we have a quorum, we will move to our scheduled full Committee Hearing on infrastructure permitting. If we are able to get the quorum of 12, we will take up the business meeting at that point in time. I would anticipate that it would be relatively quick. So, with that, we have names on the table in front of us, but i would invite you each to come to the table as i provide an opening statement. Mr. Cason, miss fleeingal, mr. Turpin, mr. Brown, caruso and russell. Were here to discuss infrastructure permitting challenges, efforts to streamline federal approvals and opportunities to improve their responsiveness, the transparency and predictability of our system of permit review. I think we all recognize the need to make investments that will both upgr
The speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 233, the nays are 181. The resolution is adopted. And, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. He house will come to order. Members are requested to take their seats and remove their conversations from the well. Members are requested to take their seats. Members are requested to take their seats. Members will clear the aisles and remove their conversations rom the house. Members will clear the aisles and remove their conversations rom the house. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. The speaker my colleagues, i rise for a very happy purpose that the to recognize honorable don young of alaska is the new dean of the house of representatives. All right. The tradition of having a dean that dates back centuries to the house of commons. It is an honor that goes to our longest continuous serving member. Don young is one of only 28 americans in our history of
So i certainly hope they would be but i have no confidence as i sit here right now that they will. Senator nelson when, mr. Secretary, when you look at a map like this, a map of syria that i assume you handed out, somebody did thats a mess. And maybe it is the only solution is the solution of a political exit for assad so that we can go after these extremist elements. By the way, i had to leave the committee to do an interview on cnn, and the whole focus that they wanted to jump on was your statement earlier in the hearing that we had only trained up 60. But i pointed out to them what you said was the vetting is very difficult and in fact we are vetting some several thousands additional and the vet is a lot more tore tuesdayous because you certainly dont want to have a guy trained up and then you ends up aiming his gun back at us. In iraq, do you think that this new Prime Minister has the capability of getting out of his shiite mold and does he have the capability of bringing all the s
And minority whip limited to five minutes. But in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Poe, for five minutes. Mr. Poe thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the president , quote, avoid the battle, complains, and misses opportunities. Those were the words of leon panetta president obamas former secretary of defense and c. I. A. Director in 2011. At the time panetta, along with military commanders and joint chiefs of staff, recommended that the United States leave 24,000 troops in iraq to prevent that country from falling apart and becoming chaos. According to panetta the administration was so eager to rid itself of iraq that it was willing to withdraw rather than lock in arrangements that would preserve american influence in our interests. So the president ignored the advice of his own secretary of defense and top commanders and pooled troops out of iraq in 2011. The timing just before the 2012 president ial leaks to me appe
Without freedom or liberty. May they be instruments of justice for all americans. May your spirit live with them and with each of us and may your grace around us and those we love that in all things we may be the people you would have us be in service to this great nation. May all that is done within the peoples house this day be for your greater honor and glory. Amen. P senator santorum the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from california mr. Mcnerney. Mr. Mcnerney i ask everyone to join me in pledging allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Senator santorum the chair will entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the g