Gerald Kleczka: “Let me reclaim my time and indicate to the membership, who know better than I do, that substitute amendments to…”

“Let me reclaim my time and indicate to the membership, who know better than I do, that substitute amendments to legislation coming before the House are rare this session under Republican control. The best we can do is a motion to recommit, and there are not 3 people sitting out there watching C-Span who know what the heck that is, but it is good cover. But as far as the rule goes, I do want to thank my good friend from New York, Mr. Solomon, for permitting a substitute amendment which we will offer in a short time before this body. But let us review and try to set straight what is at issue here. What are we doing? Well, the Governor of the State of Wisconsin has asked the President and the administration to approve 88 separate and distinct waivers so Wisconsin can implement a welfare change, a change which I should add that I support for the most part. But the issue today, Mr. Speaker, is not welfare reform, and it is not welfare reform because we are going to have that debate within a couple of weeks on this floor.”