Nita Lowey: “in my 16 years in office, I have seldom seen such a blatant disregard for the truth. What occurred in this body last…”

“in my 16 years in office, I have seldom seen such a blatant disregard for the truth. What occurred in this body last week during the consideration of the bill should be an embarrassment to every Member of this Congress. To purposely mischaracterize amendments offered during committee consideration of a bill is simply outrageous, and quite frankly, it sets a dangerous precedent. Many of us have different views and even deep disagreements about the important issues we consider in this institution, but we should be using the power of debate to resolve those differences. Instead, the majority is using parliamentary gimmicks and deliberate mischaracterizations to misrepresent the intentions of other Members of this body. The official record exists to record the views and actions of the participants of the debate, not to editorialize and inflame the debate. To go so far as to change the descriptions of amendments, to use an official document to mislead the American people about alternatives suggested by the minority is a gross abuse of power by the majority, and it is just not honest. If we allowed this or similar action by either party to go unchecked, if we let this happen now, it will almost certainly happen again. The Congress can do better. The American people certainly deserve better, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important resolution.”