Alcee Hastings: “before we turn over our constitutionally granted power to the executive branch, let us vote on a measure that will…”

“before we turn over our constitutionally granted power to the executive branch, let us vote on a measure that will actually reduce the deficit, rein in irresponsible spending and help to bring accountability back to the House's legislative process. Mr. Spratt's bill does many things to encourage deficit reduction. It reinstates pay-as-you-go rules for both mandatory spending and revenues. It amends the Congressional Budget Act to stop the reconciliation process from being used to make the deficit worse or the surplus smaller. It enforces the 3-day layover requirement in the House rules to give Members adequate time to review legislation. It adds earmark provisions. The bill protects important mandatory spending like Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits from any expedited rescission process. It prohibits the President or executive branch officials from using the rescission authority as a bargaining tool or even a source of blackmail just to secure votes. In all fairness, when Mr. Clinton was the President of the United States, the first thing that he did with the veto power he had was veto something in toto. It will be used in a partisan manner. It is important for Members to know that defeating the previous question will not block the underlying bill, but by voting ``no'' on the previous question, we will be able to consider the Spratt alternative bill. I urge all Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question.”