What's going on in the Senate and all of the bickering regarding the delays or whatever... We are not doing anything out of the ordinary. We are examining a bill as we normally do and we need to do this seriously. I told you that this had an impact on two departments and that we had received requests regarding testimony.
Had I wanted to filibuster or prolong the work of the committee needlessly, I would not have suggested 10 or so witnesses, I would have suggested 30. I want us to follow committee procedure. I cannot be here Monday. Mr. Storseth's argument that perhaps no one will be here to ask questions is not relevant. I am my party's agricultural critic. I want to be present to hear what is going on in this committee and I want us to complete our study on the bill. That is the normal procedure, without exception.
I do not see any urgency requiring us to start multiplying the number of meetings. Let's proceed normally. Our witness list is not unduly long. Let's hear from them and then we will be able to proceed with the adoption of a bill, just as we do for the others.