David Obey: “I doubt that I will take the full time. But let me simply observe, we have had a budget deal announced by the President…”

“I doubt that I will take the full time. But let me simply observe, we have had a budget deal announced by the President of the United States and the leadership of this Congress. That has been met with varying degrees by enthusiasm by different Members of Congress, and yet, whether we are for or against that budget deal, I would hope that every responsible Member would like to see a bipartisan attitude develop for the consideration of that and all others that we deal with this year. It seems to me that a very important place to start with that bipartisan attitude is on this bill. I do not think we further that cause when this House inserts into this legislation provisions which they know the White House has already announced are poison pills. I do not much care which party gets credit for some of these provisions that we are going to be debating in the bill today. I do not think that either party gains or loses when we provide aid to regions of the country that are in distress. I think the country gains, and I think those regions gain.”