hal rogers, on the other hand, let's see, what can i say about hal rogers? a wonderful member from kentucky who also in this arena knows as much about the subject as anybody that i know. one of the things that's disconcerting to me about this bill, for it is one that perhaps addresses the most important area of responsibility we have that is, protecting our homeland, combined this bill with our national security measure and that is our national defense and america's ability to protect freedom in the world. but indeed, it's interesting to note that at a subcommittee meeting recently, i spend some time dealing with another bill, and air -- an area the public isn't always so supportive of, namely the foreign assistance or foreign aid bill. it came to my attention in this process and exchange that the foreign aid bill that will be coming to the floor very soon is approximately $10 billion more than our homeland security bill. think about that. we're in a condition where people, to say the least, here at home are pressed to the wall. all kinds of concerns besides

subcommittee's tradition of bipartisan cooperation initiated by its first chairman and now ranking member, hal rogers. i want to thank the distinguished ranking member for his advice and help in making this about eighter bill and for his staff, too, for working so closely and constructively with us. we agree on most of this bill and i believe this is a bill that every member in this body can get behind. in total the bill contains 42 -- $42.625 billion in appropriations for the department of homeland security. this is $2.6 billion or $6.5% above the comparable fiscal year 2009 amount and about 1% below the administration request excluding coast guard overseas contingency operations. this level reflects our share of the $10 billion cut made in the budget resolution to the administration's overall request. homeland security requires -- the chair: will the gentleman suspend? the committee will come to order. members will take their conversations off the floor. the gentleman may proceed. mr. price: homeland security requires identification of and response to all threats whether manmade or natural. this al