Paul Ryan: “I want to talk about what my friend from California just mentioned. And I want to just simply say that I think that the…”

“I want to talk about what my friend from California just mentioned. And I want to just simply say that I think that the gentleman from California is truly a gentleman, and I enjoy the time we've spent together. But there are just a few things I think need to be corrected. Number one, the gentleman mentioned that over the last 6 years, the Republicans, when they were in charge, squandered the opportunity, lost the credibility. Well, guess what? It's only taken 6 months for this majority, maybe 6 years for the former majority; 6 months, and this majority has turned their back on earmark reforms. Six months into the new majority, and this majority has turned this thing upside down. What do I mean when I say that, Mr. Chairman? Let me just quote our current Speaker, on December 14, 2006, 'We will bring transparency and openness to the budget process and to the use of earmarks, and we will give the American people the leadership they deserve.' What happened? Well, a number of things happened. Under the Republican majority, earmarks got out of control. Under the Republican majority, waste occurred. Let me be the first one to say that.”