Maxwell Frost: “I would like to make several basic points to my colleagues in the discussion on this rule. First is the question of…”

“I would like to make several basic points to my colleagues in the discussion on this rule. First is the question of bipartisanship. The Democrats in good faith entered into negotiations with Republicans to try and work out a stimulus package. Republicans broke off those negotiations and commenced an attack on the majority leader in the Senate. That was their response to bipartisanship. Instead of permitting Democrats to bring a substitute up tonight, which perhaps might attract some bipartisan votes and be a real bipartisan solution, they crafted a closed rule. That was their response to bipartisanship. Mr. Speaker, one of the previous speakers earlier this evening mentioned the visit by the President of the United States to the Democratic Caucus today. The President came to the Caucus and thanked us for our support in the war on terrorism. The President did not mention the economic stimulus package, and we were advised in advance of his visit that he would not take any questions about the economic stimulus package. Now, we all have a great deal of respect for the office of the Presidency, but this was not an act of bipartisanship this morning. Mr. Speaker, this bill will cost a whopping $250 billion over the next 5 years. This bill has no offsets for these costs, so the entire amount will be added to the deficits the director of OMB has predicted for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004.”