I very much thank the chairman for yielding. That's right, 7 months--7 months. I'm one of the new guys on Capitol Hill, and I ran for Congress to do exactly what we're doing down here today. There are going to be a lot of folks down here…

I am pleased to come to the floor today. I'm still a little bit winded. I was over in the Ways and Means Committee room where we were talking about exactly these issues. I'm embarrassed that my fitness is in such a state that running up…

I'm conflicted as I come to the floor today, Mr. Speaker. I'd actually planned to talk about tax reforms this morning. The Ways and Means Committee for the first time in 10 years is holding a hearing on the Fair Tax next Tuesday, July 26…

At this time I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to another cosponsor of the Fair Tax, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson). (Mr. CULBERSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McGOVERN. I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, once again I stand in strong opposition to this closed rule and to the underlying bill. It's time for a grown-up moment, Mr…

I don't, though I do have the bill's sponsor here to answer any questions you all might have. Mr. McGOVERN. He didn't answer any of them last night; so I'm not sure whether we will get many answers here today. I yield 1 minute to the…

I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. Does the gentleman have additional speakers?

I have the sponsor of the legislation right here to answer that very question. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

That is not correct. The responsibility lies here, as my colleague knows. But as is true with every word in the Constitution, it relies on the judiciary to interpret it.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the purpose of debate only, I would like to yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this…

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Georgia? There was no objection.

By direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 355 and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 355 Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in order…