Political Quotes

“like our Republican colleagues as a new Member of this Congress, I came seeking constructive change, and of that change I was most eager to join with our Republican colleagues the concept of opening this House. Yet at this first opportunity for change, this Republican rules package fails. I do not know what they call a rule in California or New York where you get no amendment and no alternative, but in Texas we call that closed government. You propose two completely closed rules, two rules that do not allow one new Member, one old Member, one Republican, one Democrat to offer any amendment to this package. More than that, you have done what is unprecedented perhaps in the history of this country, and that is to provide a closed rule within a bill that is brought up under a closed rule. This is not open government. This is not reform. It is more closed government as usual. This is barring the door, slamming the door shut and actually then barring that door for people to participate in the process of democracy. It was only a few months ago that the distinguished gentleman from California suggested that when a closed rule is foisted on this House, the Members are denied the opportunity to represent their constituents. That is no less true today. You have said that this is a new chapter in the history of this House, but you have made it an edited, indeed a censored chapter.”