Kendrick Meek: “Crystal clear, Mr. Ryan, that we don't just come to the floor, Mr. Speaker, to talk about Republicans, what they are not…”

“Crystal clear, Mr. Ryan, that we don't just come to the floor, Mr. Speaker, to talk about Republicans, what they are not doing or what they are doing to the American people versus for the American people. We actually fight in the Rules Committee that is on the third floor of this Capitol to beg the committee, I think it is really heavily weighted, I think it is like 14 Republicans on that committee, or 14 or 12 Republicans, versus 7 Democrats. So that means that two or three Republicans can have a cold and they still prevail and are making sure they keep control of this House and what comes to this floor. So much for bipartisanship. The Rules Committee sets the rules, Members, on what comes to the floor and what doesn't come to the floor. This is what we were able to muster up. Ranking Member John Spratt from South Carolina offered a substitute amendment to pay-as-you-go. Now, this means pay-as-you-go. That means that if you are going to spend, you have to identify where you are going to get the money from. Can I have that chart again. I am not talking about any of this business of borrowing from Japan, from China, from OPEC nations or any of these countries that are out there. I don't blame these countries, don't get me wrong. I don't blame them for getting a piece of the American apple pie. I just wish more Americans could get a piece of the American apple pie. John Spratt put forth an amendment on House Concurrent Resolution 95, the 2006 budget resolution.…”