On the recordMarch 3, 2010
I find it a bit ironic that my friends on the other side of the aisle are so outraged by this procedure that's been done routinely by both Republican- and Democratic-controlled Congresses. The blanket waiver is to allow maximum flexibility in bringing legislation to the floor quickly--legislation to support the Federal highway transit programs, which provide much-needed jobs during these difficult times; or, legislation to extend vital social safety-net programs such as unemployment insurance and COBRA, programs which, thanks to the Senate and the filibuster that preceded the debates over there, allowed these programs to expire at the end of February, putting 200,000 workers off the job until we get this bill passed. We aren't sure what form all these measures are going to take yet, but it is essential that we have maximum flexibility to respond to whatever legislative vehicles can best address these matters. I want to point out that these are very, very difficult times. In my own district, we have 20 percent unemployment.
