Political Quotes

“I came here to the House floor to discuss the unfunded mandates question. But a much more important question is before this body. This is not the Duma, this is not the Reichstag. This is the House of the people, and in the 40 years that I have served here, it has been my pride that we have had free and open debate, and that great questions, including questions of the propriety and the behavior of Members of this body, could be discussed on the floor in an appropriate fashion. Today we find that that cannot be. Members on this side get the distinct impression that a gag rule is being imposed and that Members of this side may not raise questions about the behavior of the Speaker. It is interesting to note that there has been no appointment of an ethics committee. The behavior of the Speaker cannot in any way be addressed in that body. It is interesting to note that the ruling of the Speaker has precluded a discussion of that question here in this body. We need the appointment of an ethics committee, because perhaps that is the only place we can address it, and we also need the appointment of a special prosecutor to inquire into matters that cannot be addressed on the House floor.”