David Thomas: “I apologize for attempting to create a partisan approach to dealing with a very real problem. I think all of us are…”

“I apologize for attempting to create a partisan approach to dealing with a very real problem. I think all of us are intending to make a good bill better. But one of the things we have to be cautious about is in examining the Senate bill which has been brought over is to be reminded that article I, section 7 of the Constitution says, ``All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.'' Referring back to the opening of the 102nd Congress in which the Congressional Record reflected, and I will have this made a part of the Record at the appropriate time, ``jurisdictional concepts related to clause 5(b) of rule XXI.'' This is an attempt to create a systematic approach: ``In order to provide guidance concerning the referral of bills to assist committees in staying within their appropriate jurisdictions under rule X, to assist committees without jurisdiction overtax or revenue measures, it should be emphasized that the constitutional prerogative of the House to originate revenue measures will continue to be viewed broadly to include any meaningful revenue proposal that the Senate may attempt to originate.''”