John Joseph Moakley: “Yes, Mr. Speaker. However, I am here showing the American people and the people here that the statements made by the…”

“Yes, Mr. Speaker. However, I am here showing the American people and the people here that the statements made by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon], are not being carried out: ``We are going to have the wide open rules.'' We had three open rules this year that we put through on suspension last year. We will have open rules when they figure it is noncontroversial. When the Republicans were in the minority, they complained loud and long about what they called closed rules. If there was a time cap, the rules were closed. Anything but a wide open rule they considered closed. Now they say ``Well, this is almost an open rule.'' There is no such animal. It is closed or it is open. All have to play by the same rules. Mr. Speaker, that was then, and now is now. These days the Republicans are passing out closed rules like Fenway franks at a Red Sox game. Today's rule is no exception. In fact, Mr. Speaker, this rule counts votes on amendments toward the 10-hour time cap. In the end the 10 hours goes pretty quickly when every three votes eat up an hour.”