David Obey: “I still am experiencing some laryngitis, but I want to take a moment to comment on this bill. It is certainly not a…”

“I still am experiencing some laryngitis, but I want to take a moment to comment on this bill. It is certainly not a perfect bill. And I believe it needs more funding for both arts and energy research and several other programs, but I intend to vote for it. Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen) and his staff for handling this bill in the way in which every appropriation bill ought to be handled. Information was made fully available to the minority, and strong efforts were made to work out virtually all differences on the bill. In contrast to nominal bipartisanship, this was a truly bipartisan approach. I think it needs to be recognized in this House when that happens because it does not happen nearly enough, as evidenced by the many bills which come to the floor in a state of high controversy. Let me also congratulate the committee for adhering to an agreement made last year when the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) was chairman.”