On the recordDecember 8, 2016
To be able to defend the Nation, we have the military. They are excellent. I am sure ``Mad Dog'' Mattis is excellent. But a waiver? Is this going to be the administration of waivers? We have already heard from the top Democrat in the Senate, changing the rules governing nominations he opposes. We know that, changing the rules in a CR, we should oppose. This is not regular order or regular legislation. This is a continuing resolution. For the American people, let me tell you what is happening. They are trying to ease under the door a process of eliminating the basic principle of separating the fact that you are in the military and you must have a separate period of time before you come into civilian leadership. This is a bad process, a bad bill. Let's not fool the American people. Let's treat them with fairness. This is wrong. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the Rule for Senate Amendment to H.R. 2028, the ``Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016.'' I oppose this rule for four reasons: This rule does not follow the regular order process for House consideration of each appropriations bill; allow the full funding of the federal government for fiscal year 2017; allow for amendments; and support a long standing prohibition of not legislating on an appropriations bill.…
