Charles W. Stenholm: “I know the chairman of the committee did not intend to misspeak, because much of what he said I totally agree with. That…”

“I know the chairman of the committee did not intend to misspeak, because much of what he said I totally agree with. That is, it is not the Committee on Appropriations that has in fact got us to this point of impasse, but it is the leadership of their party that has us here. It is their unwillingness to bring the appropriation bills under the budget that passed the House, that everybody talks about. That is what is keeping us held up. The misspeaking... was when he said no one on this side of the aisle offered a budget alternative. I do not know how many times I have to take to the floor to remind everyone... we brought a substitute amendment, the Blue Dog Democrats... we brought an alternative budget to the floor of the House. We respectfully asked the majority to allow us to debate that on the floor of the House, and we were denied. So I would appreciate it if no further Members on the other side would say that no one on this side of the aisle offered an alternative, a substitute budget, because some of us did but were prevented by the same leadership that has got us into the impasse tonight; and it is not the Committee on Appropriations.”