Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, this is an open rule, so any Member that wants to offer any amendment that complies with the rules of this House may do so under this process. The VA/HUD bill which this rule makes in order provides an increase, an increase of $8.2 billion over last year and adds funding to a number of important programs, including veterans medical care, veterans compensation and pensions, section 8 housing, safe drinking water, clean water, state air grants, EPA research, pollution control grants, the National Science Foundation and NASA. Those of us who do not care for the tobacco provisions can vote to strike them. That is the beauty of this wide open rule. That is the fairness of this wide open rule. At the same time the bill funds these priorities, it lives within the parameters of the budget resolution. This balance of fiscal and social responsibility deserves our support. I urge a yes vote on the rule and the bill.”