David Thomas: “The gentleman from Texas is at a disadvantage. He arrived on the floor not hearing the gentleman from California's…”

“The gentleman from Texas is at a disadvantage. He arrived on the floor not hearing the gentleman from California's opening statement, in which the said he was not opposed to this legislation. There is no opposition to this legislation. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I would be more than willing to engage in a discussion of the shortfall of the Medicare fund, which was not adequately reported by this administration in any form that allows us to understand it. But that is a debate that will take place at another place and another time. The purpose of this debate under the rules is to discuss the matter in front of us, and all this gentleman from California is trying to do is to maintain decorum and order in the house and request that the Speaker enforce the Rules of the House so that we may have an orderly debate and not traverse the countryside in any and all directions by any individual who may have an honest and earnest attempt to discuss this issue or may be motivated by other reasons.”