Charles Rangel: “not too long ago, when there was a different majority, we used to have a little pamphlet called How to pass a law. I…”

“not too long ago, when there was a different majority, we used to have a little pamphlet called How to pass a law. I know the freshmen had a chance to read it before they took it off. But it used to go something like this: A Member introduces a bill. It is forwarded to a committee. The committee assigns the bill to a subcommittee. They have hearings on the bill and people who are for it and against it, they listen to the testimony. Then the committee members amend it, they change it. But when they pass it, they take it up to the full committee. The full committee, they too sometimes have hearings, and they have people to listen to it, to see whether it makes sense. Then they amend it and they report it to the floor. And that is the way it used to be, before the new rules come in. Nothing goes to the committees anymore. You can sit on the subcommittee, the full committee, and all you have to do is be in the back room with the Speaker and let someone have a great idea and pass it to my dear friend, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Solomon, and Mr. Solomon brings it to the floor. I do not mind that. When you lose, you are entitled to be subjected to this type of legislative oppression. I never complain. But do not mess with my Constitution. Do not do that to the American people.…”