George Miller: “I simply rise to commend the Committee on Rules for passing out an open rule and urge support of the rule. I think this…”

“I simply rise to commend the Committee on Rules for passing out an open rule and urge support of the rule. I think this is really the test of an open rule, and that is when we have tough issues. We saw an open rule under unfunded mandates. Yes, there were many amendments, but there were many issues drawn and Members got a chance to express themselves and cross-examine Members on both sides of the aisle. I hope we do that again as on unfunded mandates, and I want to compliment the Committee on Rules for preserving this debate. Next to our voting card our constituents give us, the right of free debate and the ability to cross-examine one another on issues is one of the most important privileges we have in this House. We should not get too caught up in the 100 days. Otherwise, the 100 days could end up looking like George Bush's golf game. He played really fast, but it was not really a good game. I hope we can preserve open rules so we have free and open debate that is subject to cross-examination on the basic ideas about the direction of this Government. Again I want to thank the Committee on Rules on preserving an open rule on this measure.”