Alan Simpson: “I have to tell you, in all honesty, I understand what he is trying to do, and I agree with him in many ways; but, when…”

“I have to tell you, in all honesty, I understand what he is trying to do, and I agree with him in many ways; but, when he says we have to observe the rules of the House, the rules of the House also allow for the Rules Committee to write a rule that overrides the rules of the House. If it is approved by a majority, guess what, that is what happens. We are following the rules of the House, but he raises a point that is of concern--and should be. When I was chairman of the Interior Subcommittee, we tried to defund the Endangered Species Act and designations of critical habitat because the Endangered Species Act had not been reauthorized for something like 23 or 26 years. We lost an amendment on the floor to put the money back into it, but we were trying to make a point--and I was supported by the chairman of the Resources Committee--but we were trying to make the point that the authorizing committees need to get busy and do their job. I fully believe that. That was 8 years ago. We still haven't done anything to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act, and the chairman at that time supported what we were trying to do. I haven't seen any reauthorization bills come up. Now, if you look at what is not authorized in the Federal Government right now--or where authorizations have expired--I think there is a reason for an expiration date.…”