Silencing American Voices in the Appropriations Process

SILENCING AMERICAN VOICES IN THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS -- (House of Representatives - July 20, 2009)

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Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as we enter the fourth week of the appropriations process, I stand before you once again, angry and frustrated that the Democratic leaders continue to silence the voices of the American people by refusing to allow this body to debate legislation in an open and transparent way. As the American people know by now, Democratic leaders have limited the time of debate and the number of amendments to spending bills that the minority could bring up. This is an unprecedented practice that has not been done by either Republican or Democratic majorities in recent memory.

Mr. Speaker, this is completely outrageous. The opposition party and the American people deserve an opportunity to examine and criticize the majority's policies, and then we deserve the opportunity to offer alternatives when we disagree.

But what Speaker Pelosi is doing now not only goes against the practices of this House; it also goes against everything she promised the American people when Democrats took control of the House in 2006. Mr. Speaker, this Congress is passing nonstimulus stimulus packages, cap-and-trade boondoggles, and now we're silencing the voices of the American people.

I ask, when is enough enough? It has to change.

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