Tim Walz: “I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding. As the American people watch us here, the previous gentleman from…”

“I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding. As the American people watch us here, the previous gentleman from Florida was right in that the frustration levels are as high as they've been with this sacred institution, with this idea of self-governance. It would be a lot easier if we didn't have to go through all of this. I hear some of my constituents sometimes say, We need to get rid of some of you Members of Congress. There are too many of you. I say, Why think small? Get rid of all of us and name a king. Then we don't have to do a dang thing, do we? They can think for us. {time} 1320 The idea is coming here together to self-govern ourselves. And the gentleman and all the speakers were right: It's about the integrity of this institution. It will be here, and it will stand when we are long gone and forgotten. Our children will inherit this place and the things that happen here. The integrity of this institution stands above all else. That's why when I walked through this door, coming out of a classroom in Mankato, Minnesota, after a career in the military and in teaching, I was approached by Louise Slaughter who said, You were sent here to do things differently. It's about making this place work, and I've got a bill for you. And for 5 years, Louise and I and seven others have tried to make this case. So I am pleased today that it's here. It's not perfect. As one of our former colleagues, Dave Obey, used to say, Of course it's not perfect. You'll get perfect in heaven.…”