Maxwell Frost: “the rule poses a serious threat to the American economy because it prevents the House from considering anything other…”

“the rule poses a serious threat to the American economy because it prevents the House from considering anything other than the same old failed Bush economics that have left America with the weakest economy in a generation. Now, when I am back in my district in Texas, I am often asked a question that is highly relevant to today's debate. That question is, ``Why does the Bush administration continue to insist on more tax breaks for the wealthiest few, while the country is running record deficits?'' So I want to take a few minutes to share with the House the explanation I give to my own constituents. It all began during the 2000 campaign for President. At the start of that campaign, the Republican candidate from my State of Texas, who now serves as President, made an almost unprecedented decision. He became one of the very few presidential candidates who have ever rejected Federal funding during the primaries. By rejecting Federal funds, of course, he freed himself from the State by State spending limits and, therefore, he was able to outspend his most serious Republican rival for the nomination at a critical point in the primary campaign. As a part of the decision to reject Federal funds, the Bush campaign established a special group called the ``Pioneers.'' Each Member of this small elite group agreed to raise at least $100,000 for the Bush campaign.”