Louis Stokes: “I rise in total opposition to this rule. This resolution makes a travesty of the Democratic process and the rules of…”

“I rise in total opposition to this rule. This resolution makes a travesty of the Democratic process and the rules of fair play. This rule is nothing but an attempt to divert attention to peripheral issues and deny the Congress and the American people the opportunity to discuss the real issues. I was not permitted to offer an amendment which would have restored $2 billion to the veterans and housing programs that will be cut here today. The debate today should be whether cuts should be made in the Veterans Administration, or in the summer jobs program, or in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. We should not be debating the question: Do you want to cut the VA or do you want to cut Americorps? The debate should not be on whether the veterans' program is more popular than Americorps. But unfortunately, that is exactly what we would have to do as a result of this rule. They do not want the debate to be on whether a cut in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is good policy. They are afraid of that debate. So they hide behind this artfully crafted gag rule and force the debate to be on whether you want to rob Peter to pay Paul. The Sophie's Choice they have left us is totally unfair, and totally unnecessary. There is nothing in the House rules or in the Budget Act that requires such a rule. Even though not required to do so, these bills offset the supplemental funding provided by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1. Why are the extra rescissions included?”