William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “Madam Speaker, one of the things that most Americans don't realize is to what extent the Speaker, through the Rules…”

“Madam Speaker, one of the things that most Americans don't realize is to what extent the Speaker, through the Rules Committee, controls this House and even what we can vote on. She determines what bills will be brought here, even what amendments may be offered. And there are very few ways to get another issue even considered here. But that's what this next vote is about. It's about trying to get a vote on a proposal that most people who went on the YouCut Web site this week have chosen as something that should at least get a vote. Now the gentleman from Mississippi has a serious proposal on the floor. But there are other serious proposals which ought to be considered as well. One of them is to cut the subsidy that goes to Amtrak's sleeper class service. Madam Speaker, the facts are this. Sixteen percent of the people who ride Amtrak's long distance routes, 16 percent, choose the sleeper class service. Everybody else rides in coach, but the people who choose the sleeper class service... the problem is the taxpayers subsidize an average $396 per ticket for every one of those people who choose that sleeper class service.”