Neil Abercrombie: “I not only agree, but I think we should have an extensive discussion as to what exactly constitutes welfare, what…”

“I not only agree, but I think we should have an extensive discussion as to what exactly constitutes welfare, what exactly constitutes discretionary spending, what programs should we have and not have. For example, my understanding is that the Speaker, for some reason unknown to me, is proposing a defense act or bill which revolves around national missile defense. Now, I would say, and I would hope you would agree, that the majority has not only very able, but extremely well-informed, experienced legislators on the Committee on National Security, of whom I can name two or three right now: Mr. Weldon, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Cunningham. I can think of just three offhand. And the minority has people like Mr. Spratt. Mr. Dellums, others I could name, Mr. Peterson of Florida, who are equally capable, and equally capable, by the way, of defending and rebutting on the question of national missile defense. But the Speaker has said he wants to bring forward a missile bill. Now, I do not think the Speaker knows any more about missiles than he knows about Hawaiian malasadas, and I do not think he knows much about malasadas, and I will spell that after this is over, but take it from me, it is a Portuguese donut, and I do not think he knows much about it. I think Leonard's knows all about it out in Honolulu. But that budget, if we are going to talk about spending and welfare, has to be looked at very hard.”