Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to one more in an inevitable series of highly restrictive rules that have plagued this 104th Congress since its inception under the new Republican majority, the new rule governing debate on H.R. 1868, the Foreign Operations Appropriations for fiscal year 1996. I rise once again to accentuate what is increasingly evident to anyone watching the proceedings of this body over the last 6 months--accountability and democracy have once again become captive to the irrational, frenzied efforts of the Gingrich army to shove legislation through this House for no apparent reason. Despite the fact that several Members on both sides of the aisle would like to have the opportunity to offer additional amendments to this disastrous piece of legislation, the new rule before us allows only four amendments, debateable for 20 minutes, and bars all others. The last I checked, Mr. Speaker, this was still the United States Congress, the outpost of free speech and open debate. Does the new majority want to turn it into Tiananmen Square? If they keep up these rules, they'll certainly continue to encounter vehement objects from myself and my Democratic colleagues. I urge my colleagues to stand by the historically democratic processes of this institution and this Nation, vote against this rule, and work to end the outrageous tape over the mouth tactics of those on the other side of the aisle.”