Melvin Watt: “I do not think my colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Rohrabacher], could have set the table any better for my…”

“I do not think my colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Rohrabacher], could have set the table any better for my comments, because I, too, am here today to speak on behalf of the American people, and some of the principles for which the American people fought many years ago in the establishment of this country. This is a first for me. This is my third term in Congress. I am in my 5th year. I have never, ever requested an hour to address my colleagues or anyone in a special order. But I come today with such a firm belief that what we are about to do in this House on tomorrow, the issue that we are about to consider, which would require a two-thirds vote in this House for the passage of a bill which had the effect of increasing taxes, is so inconsistent with every single principle that is near and dear to me, and should be near and dear to the American people, that I asked for this time today.”