Maurice Hinchey: “Of course, what the gentleman from Oregon is pointing out here is an undermining, even an abrogation of the basic…”

“Of course, what the gentleman from Oregon is pointing out here is an undermining, even an abrogation of the basic democratic system under which this Congress is supposed to function. This Congress is set up as a place where the issues that are of most importance and of deepest concern to the American people can be debated freely and openly. Certainly, this environmental issue in all of its aspects, its aesthetic aspects, its environmental quality aspects, its public health aspects, is an issue that ought to be debated fully. We ought not to be here in the evening, during the period of Special Orders, although it is a good thing to do, we really ought to have the opportunity to exchange these views with Members on the other side of the aisle, the Republican Party who is in charge of this House and sets the rules in this House. We ought to be able to engage them in substantive debate on these issues so that people can see the differences that exist between them and us, and so that they can then make a decision as to what kind of representation they want.”