David Obey: “as you know, I have been less than enthusiastic about virtually every amendment offered here today, but this is one…”

“as you know, I have been less than enthusiastic about virtually every amendment offered here today, but this is one exception. I want to congratulate the dean of the House. He has been a lion for all of the years he has been here in defending Social Security and in pursuing the goal of universal health care for every American. Before that, his father played the same role. I am pleased to see that he is carrying on the tradition. For a moment, when the gentleman from Michigan explained this amendment to me, I had doubts about supporting it. But then I recognized the legitimacy of the gentleman's concern, especially because the gentleman in the Social Security Administration in question had been appointed through a recess appointment. I felt that that process was an indication of disrespect for the congressional prerogatives of this body, or I should say the other body. To express what I mean, I want to simply remind Members that several weeks ago when the amendment was offered by Mr. Emanuel to eliminate funding for the Office of the Vice President, I voted against that amendment because I thought that members of one institution in the government owe a certain degree of respect to the other institution, even if you don't especially care for the policies of the people who run that institution.”