On the recordSeptember 6, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I think anybody who heard the remarks from my friend Brian Fitzpatrick is, without a doubt, inspired by the new blood and the new fire in the belly of this new membership of this institution that, again, wants to make real change. I love what he said to me--and he may be mad when I quote him, but he said: If we could get a vote, if we could just get a vote. And if we got a vote, I believe it would pass because I think the American people would put too much pressure on our colleagues, which is a good thing. That is how it works. And we would pass this, and we would be able to have this new dynamic which would get at that root cause and change the behavior of this institution and the culture. He said: If I could get that, I would be willing to leave tomorrow, if that is what it took. If I knew I could leave knowing that that would happen, I would leave tomorrow. Thank God for people like Brian Fitzpatrick. I am so proud to serve with the gentleman, and I appreciate his leadership on this issue. He really is the heart of this movement in our class. And I know that it extends beyond our class, but I think there is a sense of urgency to do something real in this class. This isn't the silver bullet. This isn't the panacea. There is a list of things that are root causes and fundamental structural reforms, but I think this one should be the easiest to pass this House. And the people want it, as the gentleman said. Mr.…





