David Obey: “I think, in fairness to the chairman, it is important to point out that the reason that my colleague has had so many…”

“I think, in fairness to the chairman, it is important to point out that the reason that my colleague has had so many women objecting to proceeding under regular order today and the reason he has had so many of us join them is because we have seen what we regard as a routine action on the part of the Committee on Rules to systematically deny to ranking minority members on committees, ranging from the Committee on Armed Services, to the Subcommittee on Agriculture, to the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, to the Subcommittee on the Interior. We have seen routinely requests of ranking minority members denied and then amendments put in order which do extensive rewrite of authorizations. And, so, I think that the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] needs to understand that the unhappiness extends far beyond that one amendment. We believe there must be an understanding about how amendments are or which amendments are made in order when asked for by ranking members on all committees. And it is not just that one message which is causing the problem.”