Barney Frank: “I have not thought of myself as naive in a long time, but I guess I am. I have heard and read and even participated in…”

“I have not thought of myself as naive in a long time, but I guess I am. I have heard and read and even participated in saluting unity, in arguing that divisive issues ought to be deferred at this time; indeed, while I continue to think spending billions on missile defense is a diversion from the real defense needs of this country and a waste, and destabilizing at a time when the world does not need that, I understand the decision not to press that at this time. So I was deeply shocked to be told yesterday that the Republican leadership has chosen to use this bill to make an assault on millions of gay and lesbian Americans in general, and on those who live in the District of Columbia, in particular. Not only are they launching this assault, but they are going to extraordinary lengths to do it. A nongermane amendment has been protected by the Committee on Rules so that a decision of the Committee on Appropriations, recognizing the right of people in the District of Columbia to make their own choices about how their money will be spent, can be overruled.”