David Obey: “Mr. Chairman, we have by the previous vote unfortunately short-circuited the democratic process in this House, and we…”

“Mr. Chairman, we have by the previous vote unfortunately short-circuited the democratic process in this House, and we have prevented us from having any really meaningful debate on this resolution today. Under the rule, we are going to be free to talk about providing additional money for homeland security. We just are not going to be able to put any amendments before the House that in any substantial way enhance homeland security, and I find that unfortunate. I think that there is much in this bill that is good, and I wanted to congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the committee, because he has done his constitutional duty and he has seen to it that the 200-year-long responsibility of the Congress to keep a tight leash on the public purse has been maintained, and I congratulate him for it. My problem is that I think it is a missed opportunity to provide additional protection for people at home.”