David Obey: “I agree we need accountability. And I want to simply say I don't regard your failure to pass any of your amendments as a…”

“I agree we need accountability. And I want to simply say I don't regard your failure to pass any of your amendments as a personal failure on your part. Mr. Chairman, I think the gentleman has done his dead level best. The problem is that the system is not conducive to producing real results because, as the gentleman himself has said on this House floor, Members look at these motions and they say, I am not going to vote for the Flake amendment because I have got earmarks hanging out there and I don't want to have my endangered. The result has been that nothing has happened. That is why we have had some of the problems we have had. We could have an honest disagreement about what will be the best system, but I would hope that the gentleman would recognize, even though he might disagree with it, it is an honest effort to develop a system which is far more forthcoming than the one we have had in the past. And I would simply point out that while the majority leader indicated that he had adopted transparency proposals last year, they conveniently arranged them so that they didn't apply to any of the appropriation bills that they passed last year. That is not the gentleman's fault. But it is the responsibility of the minority leader. I thank the gentleman for the time.”