Patsy T. Mink: “It would be unconscionable and beyond the scope of power of this Congress to pass this amendment and rob a whole class…”

The bill must originate in the House of Representatives. We must be given the opportunity to debate and amend this measure.

Today we are considering the conference report on the so-called Labor-HHS FY2000 appropriation measure, even though this measure has not even been voted on by the House.

The Republican leadership has provided us with no opportunity to amend this measure. We are being denied the opportunity to offer an amendment on behalf of our constituencies.

Although adopting these bills through a series of continuing resolutions is very costly to the taxpayers, it provides us with time to debate and amend these measures properly and constitutionally.