Bob Filner: “I understand the technical point of order, but my constituents do not understand how a technicality can prevent dealing…”

“I understand the technical point of order, but my constituents do not understand how a technicality can prevent dealing with this emergency in San Diego and in California. The chairman knows, and I will not bother to ask, but the chairman knows that there are hundreds if not thousands of provisions that have been on appropriations bills since the gentleman's chairmanship that have been passed through this Congress. The gentleman knows that items which are not authorized are approved. I heard the gentleman in an earlier statement saying they were meaningless items in this bill. I do not know about that, but certainly in other appropriations bills they have been significant authorizations. On behalf of my constituents, I would just plead to the gentleman, on a technicality, do not insist on a point of order when we have this emergency that is bleeding us dry. All the small businesses are at risk in San Diego and in California. Please do not send them under.”