David Obey: “Mr. Chairman, when this bill came to the floor, it was in shape to be supported on a bipartisan basis and it was in…”

“Mr. Chairman, when this bill came to the floor, it was in shape to be supported on a bipartisan basis and it was in shape that was going to be signed by the President. At least that was my understanding. Now, with the adoption of the Gekas amendment tonight, it is pretty apparent that this bill is on a collision course with the President. I would simply observe that this body appears to be in such a hurry to get in yet another conflict with the White House that it is willing to leave the House in a State of total confusion, and the Nation as well. Three years ago, I remember being told by many Members on the other side of the aisle that the Mississippi flood should not be funded until every dollar that was expended for that flood was offset in both budget authority and outlays. Then the rule seemed to change over the past year and a half. Then the rule seemed to be, well, at least it ought to be offset only with respect to budget authority. Now, given the action which struck some $1.6 billion on a point of order tonight, this bill now has a $1.6 billion hole. So it seems to me that in addition to putting this bill on a track for a veto, which will mean the needed disaster assistance will not be delivered, it also leaves us in a total state of confusion about what the policy of this House is supposed to be with respect to whether or not disasters are supposed to be offset or not.”