Jerry Lewis: “Mr. Speaker, I think most Members who are focusing at all upon this discussion know full well that these riders that are…”

“Mr. Speaker, I think most Members who are focusing at all upon this discussion know full well that these riders that are being proposed by way of this motion to instruct are items that on the surface look very, very appealing. There is little doubt that it would be foolish of any of us to suggest that Members ought to walk in here and vote knee-jerk, or otherwise, against this proposal. Having said that, I think the public would be misinformed if they thought this appropriations committee of our authorizing committees of jurisdiction had reviewed these issues, held hearings effectively on these issues and really provided the kind of input that the legislative process ought to included. One more time we are asked to support riders at the last moment, and I want the Speaker and my colleagues to know that as I go to conference I will weigh very carefully the amount of input that we have received from those Members who have responsibilities of jurisdiction. By no way, shape or form does this reflect what I consider to be an obligation on my part to respond positively to these last-minute considerations, which fall well outside my jurisdiction.”