Amendment to Assist District Water Projects Falls Victim to Speaker Pelosi's Dictatorship

Press Release

Amendment to Assist District Water Projects Falls Victim to Speaker Pelosi's Dictatorship

Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. spent time this week on the House floor highlighting the unprecedented muzzle that Speaker Pelosi used to silence Representatives' amendments and voices. Speaker Pelosi's appropriations process is unprecedented; as for over two centuries all views were allowed to be heard on appropriations legislation.

Less than 6% of the bipartisan amendments that have been offered to the Rules Committee have been allowed on the House floor. Just one of many amendments that have been blocked from debate is Dr. Broun's amendment to increase the construction account of the United States Army Corps of Engineers by $171,000,000, offset by a reduction of $171,000,000 to the Office of Science.

"The Army Corps of Engineers has acknowledged the backlog of construction projects they face. My amendment would shift the FY 2010 increase for the Office of Science to the Army Corps of Engineers Construction Program. This shift of funds would move the monies directly to the Army Corps construction budget, in turn lightening the backlog of projects that our area faces.

"Our lakes along the Savannah River Basin not only serve as economic engines for our communities, attracting thousands of visitors each year, they also provide clean drinking water to thousands of residents. Amendments offered to address the impact Georgia faces from the worst drought since the Civil War should at least be considered on the House floor. Enough is enough and Speaker Pelosi's dictator-like appropriations process must be reformed," said Congressman Paul Broun.

According to the Constitution, all appropriations bills must begin in the House of Representatives. For over two centuries, all views were allowed to be heard on appropriations legislation. Every Representative could offer an amendment and have their voices heard in the public light. But the long standing tradition of openness ended earlier this month when the majority decided that the minority party no longer mattered.

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