Porter Goss: “1 week ago this House--including 60 Members of the majority party--sent a thundering message that restrictive rules…”

“1 week ago this House--including 60 Members of the majority party--sent a thundering message that restrictive rules, which purposely shield Members from accountability, will not be routinely accepted and should not be tolerated. But until recently Democrat leadership seems to be ignoring the storm among its ranks. Today we have yet another restrictive rule, which arbitrarily prohibits fair and orderly consideration of a host of substantive, reasonable, common sense amendments to H.R. 811, the independent counsel bill, a bill which arguably affects every Member. Members were sent here to participate, to cast tough votes. We are expected to debate the issues, listen to all sides and then make our best judgments. That is the spirit of deliberative democracy. No one said it should be easy, comfortable or risk-free. But the Democrat leadership is bound and determined to slam the door on Members with reasonable amendments in trying to protect Members from being accountable to their constituents, and to shut off debate on matters displeasing to Democrat leadership. Time and again the majority assumes the most pretzel-like contortions to avoid the tough votes on the controversial issues.…”