On the recordApril 22, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this must be an election year or something. The Republican majority this year fancies itself a constitutional convention, so many constitutional amendments have come forward. The framers gave us a flawed document, but this was not the flaw in it. Why is two-thirds so rare in the Constitution for a presidential veto, for a constitutional amendment and for expulsion of a Member? Because the framers were democrats. They reserved minority power for fundamental rights only, not for everyday business of the House. This amendment would create a field day for lawyers: the 'de minimis' language in the amendment, for example 'De minimis' in relationship to what? Who is the majority afraid of? They control the House. Are they afraid they will raise taxes, like taxes on tobacco, for example, to save the lives of children? We are not smarter than the framers. I like the framework they gave us. Let's keep it.
Source
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