Debbie Dingell: “I say to my colleagues, vote down this iniquitous rule. It is unfair. It is demeaning. It strikes at the heart of the…”

“I say to my colleagues, vote down this iniquitous rule. It is unfair. It is demeaning. It strikes at the heart of the parliamentary practices that are the proud tradition of this body. It also tears at the throat of honorable and open and fair debate. It denies every Member, not just Democrats, the right to offer amendments to the bill. Mr. Speaker, 31 amendments were requested of the Committee on Rules last night; not a one was given. A substitute was given. The chairman of the committee talks of the need to have a fair and open process. Well, we do not have a fair and open process. Therefore, vote down the rule, vote down the previous question. It is an outrage, and it is inconsistent with the tradition and practices of the House. I would point out that in the rules, rule XVI, clause 6 begins, "When an amendable proposition is under consideration, a motion to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order." It is in the rules. The Committee on Rules should read it. We are not discussing the substance of the legislation. We hope to have a fair chance to do so. We hope to have a fair chance to amend the basic proposition before this body. The Committee on Rules has not given it to us. I went before the Committee last night and I asked, am I wasting my time and am I wasting your time by being here? The answer is, I was. I was not told that I was, but the simple fact of the matter was the decision had already been made.…”