On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
I reserve the right to object because just to sit here and listen, after having spent the last 4 years dealing with the most closed Congress--the last Congress, in fact, had more closed rules than any Congress in American history--and then to be lectured about what is a travesty is itself a travesty. That's the real travesty. That many closed rules, and you come down here and want to tell us what is awful? Try standing here for the last 4 years and dealing with closed rule, closed rule, closed rule, no amendments. We're not going to let you represent your people because we're going to cram everything down. That's a travesty. Let's get on with the democratic process because that's what it is when you get to hear from both sides. We heard from one side. We heard 'travesty' several times, and now we'll get back to the democratic process. And with that, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
