Rich Neal: “before I begin I would just like to make a brief comment about the gentleman from California's suggestion just a few…”

“before I begin I would just like to make a brief comment about the gentleman from California's suggestion just a few moments ago that he was guided by principle when it came to shutting down the Government. The most telling quote about the Government shutdown came from that sage of wisdom in the Republican leadership on the Senate side when he looked at the House at that grim moment and said, ``It is time for adult leadership over in the House.'' For anybody to suggest that the Government shutdown ought to be used as an example for not getting the budget resolution out on time fails under any sort of scrutiny. As of last night in this institution, we had cast about 38 rollcall votes. We have been in session since the beginning of January and we have had few legislative days. Now I know we all would say that that is a welcome contrast to what we had done 2 years ago. But who even in this institution today speaks of the Contract With America? Who even remembers the term the ``Contract With America''? What I think is more telling is that there must indeed be a middle ground between what we did 2 years ago and what we are doing so far in the 105th Congress. It strikes me as being odd that while we have had, since January 3 or January 4, an opportunity to proceed with a budget resolution, that we have accomplished so little. I used to do a lot of contract negotiations. I can tell you that in successful contract negotiations, both sides offer up opening positions.…”