mr. fortenberry: objection to the gentleman for the second time? the chair: without objection so ordered. mr. fortenberry: it is important to address the side. we have over 40 cents on the dollar is borrowed. we have $14 trillion of debt. this is a tough agricultural appropriations budget. i don't like it. the cftc is an important organization and does very important work. i think there are structural flaws in the commodities market. markets that are designed to decrease volatility and are increasing volatility and causing risk. but the issue is what are we going to prioritize and where. the c fmptmp c since the recklessness since the bailouts that were voted on, has received 53% in its funding. it's being asked to share in the overall budget of reducing the overall cost by a margin that is actually less than other parts of the bill. it's a tough budget. i don't like it either, but we have to try to tighten our belt in a responsible manner and given the increases, it's important to have historical perspective. and i yield back. the chair: the gentl

mr. fortenberry: i yield. mr. aderholt: the gentleman from nebraska makes some good points. i support immigration laws which includes partnerships with the states and law enforcement through the 287-g program. as the gentleman from nebraska noted, 287-g is an important tool among many and gives i.c.e. a force multiplier for immigration enforcement. i thank the gentleman from nebraska for his attention to this important program. and i will continue to work with him as we move this bill forward. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida, mr. mica, the chairman of the transportation and infrastructure committee, rise? seek recognition? mr. mica: mr. speaker, i move to strike the last word. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. mica: mr. speaker, at this point i was planning to offer to the house and to the committee for its consideration as we consider one of the most important appropriations measures that the house will consider and that's for our ho

mr. fortenberry: thank you, madam speaker. i thank the gentleman from california, our ranking member on the foreign affairs, for the time. madam speaker, this is a very tough call. a tough set of circumstances. there is much complexity here with the convergence of war and diplomacy and geopolitics and allied relations. what is clear, however, is that the president has not communicated effectively with the united states congress, nor has he sought this body's authorization for the undertaking in libya. let's have a brief history lesson here, though. some in this body called for unilateral action against libya just three months ago. that was appropriately resisted by this administration until other nations, particularly the british and the french, were willing to put up their own assets and give structure to a nato coalition. however, now u.s. actions in an important allied effort to save libyan civilians from eminent slaughter have clearly moved beyond the scope of humanitarian relief and stabilization efforts. with that said a

mr. fortenberry: thank you, madam speaker. i thank the gentleman from california, our ranking memb on the foreign affairs, r the time. madam speaker, this is a very tough call. a tough set of circumstances. there is much complexity here with the convergence of war and diplomacy and geopolitics and allied relations. what is clear, however, is that the president has not communicated effectively with the united states congress, nor has he sought this body's authorization for the undertaking in libya. les ve a brief history lesson here, though. some in this body called for unilateral action against libya just three months ago. that was appropriately resisted by this administration until other nations, particularly the british and the french, were willing to put up their own assets and give structure to a nato coalition. however, now u.s. actions in an important allied effort to save libyan civilians from eminent slaughter have clearly moved beyond the scope of humanitarian relief and stabilization efforts. with that said an abrupt

mr. fortenberry. the chair: the gentleman from nebraska is recognized for three minutes. mr. fortenberry: i thank the gentleman from georgia for the time. madam chair, farmers are good americans. they understand our tight budgetary times and the need to tighten the belt and they are willing to do their part. but before we vote on this bill which does some very heavy lifting in this regard, let's consider the profound benefits that american agriculture brings to people across the country. it's about food security. today, americans pay only 10% to 12% of their income on food compared to those in other nations who pay up to 50% or more. ag policy now is also about economic security, energy security and even national security and global stability. agriculture, madam chair, is one of the few bright spots of the american economy. agriculture is consistently one of the few trade areas where the u.s. still holds a positive trade balance. and exports are growing as the world demands more and more american-grown food. last year ag exports neared $108 billion and projections indicate an

mr. fortenberry: thank you, madam speaker. i thank the gentleman from california, our ranking member on the foreign affairs, for the time. madam speaker, this is a very tough call. a tough set of circumstances. there is much complexity here with the convergence of war and diplomacy and geopolitics and allied relations. what is clear, however, is that the president has not communicated effectively with the united states congress, nor has he sought this body's authorization for the undertaking in libya. let's have a brief history lesson here, though. some in this body called for unilateral action against libya just three months ago. that was appropriately resisted by this administration until other nations, particularly the british and the french, were willing to put up their own assets and give structure to a nato coalition. however, now u.s. actions in an important allied effort to save libyan civilians from eminent slaughter have clearly moved beyond the scope of humanitarian relief and stabilization efforts. with that said a