David Obey: “Are we supposed to meet with Senator Specter again who says there is no give? We were told we should meet with people at…”

“Are we supposed to meet with Senator Specter again who says there is no give? We were told we should meet with people at a higher level on Monday. That is what we are doing. As you well know, your leadership has kept you on a tight leash, and every time we try to negotiate something with the Committee on Appropriations, we are told it is vetoed by your leadership. If the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) will be in town, if the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) will be in town, if the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) will be in town so the people with the real power over there can make some decisions, you bet I will be in town. But absent their participation in that room, I am not going to waste my time again waiting for a call that has not come. I have waited for three weeks, and I am tired of it.”