Donald M. Payne: “Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I rise in strong opposition to the provision…”

“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I rise in strong opposition to the provision in the rules package which will eliminate all legislative service organizations. Let's be honest--this attack on the caucuses and their right to exist is not motivated by any desire for reform. It will not save the public money. This change has one purpose, and one purpose only--to silence the voices of those who dare to question the status quo in this supposedly new and ``open'' House of Representatives. The elimination of the caucuses is an attempt to cut off the flow of information and ideas that the party now in power finds threatening. Despite their public lip service to bipartisanship, the Republicans showed true colors behind closed doors. Let me quote from the document they distributed in the Republican conference. They said it was important to cut out the caucuses because, and I quote, ``Eliminating the Legislative Service Organizations severely damages the power structure of the House Democrats.'' Is this bipartisanship? The Congressional Black Caucus and the other legislative service organizations have been run in an efficient, responsible manner.”