I happen to agree with the gentleman from Virginia on the substance of the issue. But the fact is that the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted in open session with open debate to adopt the Cole amendment. Now, as chairman of the full committee, I don't have the luxury of producing bills that represent my own priorities. It is my obligation to try to find the center of gravity that enables us to represent the views of the House. That's what we did on this issue. And for the gentleman to suggest that there is anything corrupt about it is scurrilous.
Editor's note · Context
The speaker addresses the adoption of the Cole amendment and defends the committee's process.
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This amendment was a Republican amendment offered by Mr. Cole from Oklahoma. It was not slipped in. It was voted in in the subcommittee appropriation bill 5 months ago.
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