mr. westerman: mr. chairman, this is a unique situation where the fish and wildlife service has already begun a new environmental assessment. in the meantime, there are fish farmers who are hurting because of this ruling, as they're seeing their stock being eaten by these birds with no recourse to take against them. these birds not only effect fish farmers, they also effect smallmouth bass populations in the lake states. these farmers should have the right to protect their crops while this new environmental assessment is being put in place. and i encourage my colleagues to support this amendment so we can stand up for small farmers that are doing their best to feed our country. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arkansas. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. he amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to consider amendment number 88 printed in ous

mr. westerman of arkansas. the chair: the gentleman from arkansas, mr. westerman and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from arkansas. mr. westerman: i would like to thank the gentleman from california, chairman calvert, for allowing me to offer this important amendment. i rise in support of my amendment. and my amendment is simple. it removes $12 million from the e.p.a.'s environmental programs and management account and places $10 million into u.s. forest services and forest services range plan account which supports scientific research through the analysis program and the forest products laboratory. this will free up money from the federal bureaucracy for use and on the ground scientific research in the wood products and biomass and threatened species. to make sound on decisions, it is imperative to quantify the amount of standing timber and how much is lost to insect and disease infestation, how many trees are lost to wildfire and how much net growth occurs in our forest. the forest inventory analysis p

mr. westerman: i believe these are -- ms. mccollum: it's my understanding they are frozz i yield back and and so he wouldry questions members oppose this nd produce from house of natural resources the to re soffing this issue and ask the gentleman whether they are in doubt. question and i think this amendment be tabled voted down until the proper committee has the vet. but this us a radical change and iry serve. the chair: the good reservings. rit merit they are treated they are independent the lawsy act or the international trade of endangered species which they are not. well be relling lated under fmplet d.a. ap i encourp a set. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. ms. mccollum: i have right to close. it's without doing an inspiration wf no way of knowing sprentionlyhese are perfected. radical in nt is no the chearninging the practices and what we were looking to address was report language in he discussions we had in the community and have to a a though you turn ruined he men and women rn put at a dis

mr. westerman: i also rise an an advocate for a better way this blueprint put forth by speaker ryan and my colleagues in the house republican conference is our vision for a more confident america. we have a framework that is a better way to free millions from poverty, a better way to make america strong and safe a better way to create an environment for americans of all walks to experience true economic growth and opportunity. a better way to govern by returning to the rule of law outlined in our constitution. a better way to lead healthy and productive lives by replacing a failing obamacare with a health care system that works for the american people and a better way to pay for essential government services by creating a simpler, fairer tax code. as we dream of an america with a future that outshine ours blessed past, i urge my colleagues to embrace this vision, work to see its proposals implemented, and leave to our posterity evidence of our ood stewardship of this most pretentious responsibility. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from californi