Providing for Consideration of H. R. 3161, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration , and Related Ageencies Appropriations Act,...

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3161, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - August 02, 2007)

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Mr. LEWIS of California, this is a sad day in the history of the Appropriations Committee and the House of Representatives. Meaningful, legitimate debate is being stifled and the voice of the Republican minority is being silenced. Sadly, this is the day that will be remembered as the day that the Democrat majority imposed martial law on the People's House.

My colleagues know that I have the highest level of respect for the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Mr. Obey. Together, we worked as partners during the 109th Congress, passing Appropriations bills through our committee and through the House. Our committee, and indeed, the House, is at its very best when we work together across patty lines and rise above purely partisan politics.

During the last Congress, I was privileged to serve as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and Mr. Obey was our distinguished ranking member.

During my tenure as chairman, the House considered 22 regular order appropriations bills. In each and every instance, I worked closely with my leadership and Chairman Dreier in seeking a rule that allowed for a maximum level of open debate, including amendments, on the House floor. Every one--every one--of those 22 annual spending bills was considered under an open rule.

We allowed and even encouraged dissenting voices to be heard on these bills. The result was often vigorous and lively debate on the House floor. But that's precisely why our constituents send us to Washington.

I was disappointed that Mr. Obey's first bills as chairman--the fiscal year 2007 continuing resolution and the emergency supplemental--were both considered under a closed rule. Mr. Obey, under direction from his leadership, is now heading down the same road yet gain.

The Democrat leadership, with absolutely no consultation with the minority, has adopted a closed rule for the consideration of the Agriculture Appropriations bill. As a result, scores of legitimate policy amendments offered by the minority have not been made in order.

This is a dangerous and perilous precedent that sets precisely the wrong tone as we attempt to complete work on our annual spending bills. A closed rule leaves the minority little choice but to walk away from the tradition of comity that has marked our longstaning work on this committee.

I find it interesting that we had only spent 3-4 hours debating this bill before the Democrat majority decided to pull the plug. I find it troubling that the decision was made by the Democrat leadership to impose a martial law, closed rule on the Ag bill in their rush to begin their month-long August vacation.

This legislation is simply too important to have it rushed through the House with no debate and no opportunity for the body to consider amendments. An open rule is the only proper way for the House to consider this legislation.

I certainly hope that this lock-down martial law rule on the Ag Appropriations bill isn't a preview of what the House can expect tomorrow as we consider the DoD Appropriations bill, legislation that comprises roughly one-half of all discretionary spending.

The Democratic leadership, which promised the most open and transparent legislative process in history, is now showing its true colors. It has failed to fulfill its commitment to the Members of this body by not affording all Members an opportunity to openly amend and debate this bill.

I urge my I colleagues to oppose this rule and adopt a rule that will allow free and open debate on this and other pending spending bills.

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