Porter Goss: “Mr. Speaker, believe it or not, the sound of my phones ringing off the hook this week was music to my ears--because…”

“Mr. Speaker, believe it or not, the sound of my phones ringing off the hook this week was music to my ears--because Americans from all over were calling to urge an open rule. For months, Republicans on the Rules Committee have been raising the issue about the importance of the rules that govern debate in this House. We have made the point that process is substance in the House of Representatives--and that open rules are the basis for true deliberative democracy. We've complained bitterly about restrictive rules that shut down debate and stifle Members' efforts to improve legislation. Well this week we had a real breakthrough--we had thousands of Americans calling their Congressmen and demanding support for an open rule. People understood the importance of allowing all good ideas that relate to the education of our children--which concerns every family in this country--to be considered by this House. I commend Chairman Moakley and Chairman Ford for their willingness to support an open rule on H.R. 6.”