Melvin Watt: “since very early in this session of Congress, I have been addressing on a number of occasions the process by which we…”

“since very early in this session of Congress, I have been addressing on a number of occasions the process by which we deliberate and consider laws for this country. I debated and took issue with the cutting off of debate on an important bill in the Committee on the Judiciary. I have debated on a number of occasions on this floor the process by which we consider issues. It seems to me that we have now gotten to the point where it is not the process of debate or the process for reaching a reasonable result that is at issue but simply reaching that result because some Contract With America or contract on America was made with the people. Our primary obligation, Mr. Speaker, is to deliberate and study the issues that come before us and to debate those issues for the American people. The value of this body is the diversity that we bring to this body and the ability to hear the various perspectives of people from throughout this Nation that 435 Representatives bring here and offer in the debate. If there is not sufficient time to debate, then that diversity cannot be honored. Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to reconsider this issue. Give us ample time to debate it.”