Jane Harman: “the need for rescissions and deficit reduction has never been greater, and I agree with the gentleman from California…”

“the need for rescissions and deficit reduction has never been greater, and I agree with the gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier], my colleague, that it is time to step up to the tough choices. This rule, however, does not afford Members the opportunity to step up to a serious debate about responsible alternative ways to cut spending. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the rule is arbitrary in forcing proponents of amendments to stay within chapters of the bill, chapters which have no more relationship to the real world than chapters from Alice in Wonderland. ``Then you should say what you mean,'' the March Hare went on. ``I do,'' Alice hastily replied; ``at least--at least I mean what I say-- that's the same thing, you know.'' And what do the rule's proponents say. ``It too confusing to do otherwise.'' Do they mean what they say? Or is this patronizing statement part of an effort to demean the independence, intelligence and integrity of every Member of this body. Further, we could have prevented making disaster relief a political football where victims of disasters are pitted against some of the most vulnerable in our society, the aged, the young and the ill-housed, and we could have had an opportunity to delete the language preventing the President from issuing his executive order on permanent replacement of strikers.”