Barney Frank: “I hope Members will be careful walking on the floor right now, especially on the Republican side of the aisle, because I…”

“I hope Members will be careful walking on the floor right now, especially on the Republican side of the aisle, because I wouldn't want anyone to fall into the enormous gap that has just been created between the gentleman's comments and his voting record. Mr. Chairman, we heard a great argument about the need to cut the budget deficit and stop spending. During the recent debate on the budget, an amendment was offered to limit entitlement spending to farmers to $250,000 per entity. The amendment said no agricultural entity, no individual, could get more than $250,000 per year. It was defeated by the Republican Party. The majority of Democrats voted for it. It will cost $1 billion over 10 years--at least. We had the Brazilian cotton farmers, but my friends on the other side hate for me to mention that because unpleasant reality is always bothersome. You know, over a 4-year period, we're going to spend more money subsidizing American and Brazilian cotton farmers than we are on this program.”