William R. Richardson: “The American people sent us a message in November. They want less government, less bureaucracy, more ethics, and more…”

“The American people sent us a message in November. They want less government, less bureaucracy, more ethics, and more accountability. They did not vote for arrogant government, and they did not vote for coronations of any one party or individual. This rule is a gag rule, no amendments to the Republican rules package. While the Speaker's first statement was gracious, the first act of this new Republican majority is not about re- form. It is about congressional retreat. For all of their talk about reforming the old guard, Republicans today are doing something that probably no other Congress in history has ever done. They have proposed a closed rule within a bill brought up under a closed rule. Mr. Speaker, let us have openness and accountability.”