Steny Hoyer: “Reclaiming my time, Mr. Leader, we understand that, but everybody on this floor, every Member, perhaps not the American…”

“Reclaiming my time, Mr. Leader, we understand that, but everybody on this floor, every Member, perhaps not the American public, but every Member knows that the majority, when it needs a waiver of the rules to present something on the floor that it wants to present, waives those rules. So when I said something that the minority wants to offer, I meant that, very frankly, if the democratic process is going to operate openly and effectively so that there can be different alternatives considered, alternatives that we believe are appropriate, as well as, obviously, the majority can present the alternatives it deems to be appropriate. Clearly, if one fashions a bill so that the alternative we believe is appropriate is not consistent with those rules and will not give us a waiver, you effectively have precluded us from offering that substitute or those amendments. I mentioned the substitute, but I also would hope that there would be a willingness to make in order numerous amendments from the minority side of the House. As I have pointed out, Mr. Leader, we represent approximately 140 million Americans on this side; you represent approximately 150 million Americans. That is pretty close. The Americans who sent us here obviously would want to see their alternatives considered by the full House. And if they are rejected, so be it.…”