David Obey: “I take this time only to say that I am somewhat startled by the comment I just heard from my good friend from Louisiana.…”

“I take this time only to say that I am somewhat startled by the comment I just heard from my good friend from Louisiana. He indicated that the House would be most likely to accept the three Senate provisions that I have indicated we would not insist on supporting. Did the gentleman really mean that we are inclined to accept a $100 million reduction in appropriations for veterans' health care? Did he really mean that the House is inclined to accept the Senate language which guts the Brewster amendment which attempts to guarantee that the money would be used for deficit reduction rather than used to finance the tax package? If that is the case, then I think the gentleman outlines most clearly why we do need to support and vote for this recommittal motion, because I know very few Members certainly on this side of the aisle who would be comfortable with admitting ahead of time that they want the House to acquiesce in the Senate gutting of the Brewster amendment. And I certainly do not think I would, and for instance acquiesce in the reductions that were made in veterans' health care.”