Nancy Pelosi: “Mr. Chairman, in his closing remarks, our distinguished leader explained how many elements there were to this en bloc…”

“Mr. Chairman, in his closing remarks, our distinguished leader explained how many elements there were to this en bloc amendment and said that we were finding fault with a small part of it. The fact is that we would like to find no fault with an en bloc amendment. There are many provisions in it. I dare say most of us have not the faintest idea what they are, but we trust the Chairman on those technicalities and recommendations from the committee. This is usually a noncontroversial measure that most Members would expect to support. That is why it is so disappointing that this en bloc amendment is being used to put a very controversial amendment in. To use the engine of an en bloc on technicalities for a substantive change in the bill that is controversial is unusual, and that is why we oppose it, because of the substance of the provisions. It has been said that this is about protecting the American people. Let us keep our standard before us. How do we protect the American people best?”