Political Quotes

“I rise to speak against the rule. First, I cannot believe that the Committee on Rules blocked several of our important consumer protection amendments. It is shocking that the Committee on Rules blocked the anti-redlining amendment adopted by the Committee on Banking and Financial Services in markup. Somehow this amendment was just deleted with no vote, no debate, by the stroke of a pen or a computer error. When I asked my colleagues how this could happen this morning, I was reminded of the many anti-democratic maneuvers that we face each and every day in this House. How tragic. This anti-redlining amendment is to prevent insurance affiliates from redlining. It fits squarely into our country's history to not tolerate discrimination in its many forms, but particularly not to allow discrimination in housing. It was adopted in open session on a rollcall bipartisan vote. Whether it was by one vote or by 20 votes, it was democratically adopted. The amendment is an important tool in fighting redlining and racial discrimination. It is inconceivable to me that members of the Committee on Rules would go on record as opposing fair housing and in support of redlining. I urge rejection of this horrendous, outrageous rule. Mr. Speaker, we have not allowed banks to discriminate--why should we allow insurance Companies to discriminate?”