Waiving Requirement of Clause 6(a) of Rule XIII With Respect to Consideration of Certain Resolutions

WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS -- (House of Representatives - October 08, 2004)

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 831 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I have always been proud to support the Defense authorization bill in the House, and this year is no exception. The conference report on the Department of Defense Authorization Act helps ensure the safety of our fighting men and women around the world. It provides them with the tools they need to fight the war on terror, and it provides much-needed benefits that will improve the quality of life for them and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support moving the conference agreement forward because of its importance to our national security and to our troops in the field.

While I will not oppose this martial law rule which will allow the House to consider the conference report before we adjourn for the elections, I must take a moment to note there are Members on this side of the aisle who are concerned about rushing to adopt the conference report before Members who were not on the conference committee have an opportunity to study its provisions. It has been the habit of the Republican leadership during this Congress to effectively deny Members the right to know what we are voting for or against.

I cannot oppose this martial law rule, but I think it is long past time when the Republican leadership of this body stops depending on party loyalty to pass bills and instead moves towards ensuring that legislation is considered in a bipartisan manner. That is the best thing for the country and, in the end, best for both political parties.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland).

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall).

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

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Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional requests for time. I urge adoption of the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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