Bart Stupak: “I came here today to speak of unfunded mandates, but I must point out to the American people that there was no…”

“I came here today to speak of unfunded mandates, but I must point out to the American people that there was no legislation ready to come to the House floor this week or today or tomorrow. It will not be until Friday. But now I must speak of a new gag rule which is being implemented in this House. The gag rule in this House, and this Chamber, is that the media can truthfully report to the American people, but a duly elected Member of this body, of this Congress, cannot report from this floor to his or her constituency the latest press reports on the Speaker's book deal. So let me remind any Speaker in this chair that the Members of this side of the aisle will not be gagged, we will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, we will continue to question all actions of anyone who does not conform to the high standards expected by the American people and of this institution. Free speech will not be squelched to protect anyone.”