John Joseph Moakley: “Mr. Speaker, like the other Democratic members of the Committee on Rules, I am very glad the bill is being brought up…”

“Mr. Speaker, like the other Democratic members of the Committee on Rules, I am very glad the bill is being brought up under an open rule, but I must say that I think it could just as easily have been brought up under suspension of the rules, especially given the great hurry to finish the Contract With America within 100 days. Mr. Speaker, there is no controversy at all around this bill. It had one amendment in committee that passed by voice vote. The bill itself passed the committee on the Judiciary by a voice vote. The majority could have just as easily put this under the suspension calendar, and I do not know why they did not, unless they want to show all the open rules that they have amassed over the year. So, an open rule for the bill is a good step, but not exactly a courageous one. Mr. Speaker, what concerns me is what may happen when we get the more controversial parts of the crime bill to the floor.”