Steny Hoyer: “I intend to vote for this continuing resolution, as I presume most of us will. But let us recognize what we are doing…”

“I intend to vote for this continuing resolution, as I presume most of us will. But let us recognize what we are doing for what it really is. It is the budgetary cap stone to 6 years of the Republican's Perfectionist Caucus. I do not remember how many remember Speaker Gingrich's speech to the Perfectionist Caucus in 1998, but it was a compelling and accurate speech as to why we are here right now. Now, my very close friend for whom I have great respect, and I emphasize that because I want the public to know that in a bipartisan way, I think the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of our committee, does an excellent job. And, frankly, had his caucus listened to him and the other appropriators as to what we should be doing, we would not be here now. But the Perfectionist Caucus moniker was born 2 years ago when then Speaker Gingrich walked on to this floor and chastised his Republican colleagues, the Perfectionist Caucus, not all of these Republican colleagues, for urging the defeat of an omnibus spending measure. Perhaps they would do so again this year. After 4 years in the majority, it seems Mr. Gingrich had finally seen the light. But not before these things had happened: The GOP failed to pass a budget at all in 1998.”