David Dreier

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, when we began this day debating the rule I said, as I yielded time to my colleagues, that we were considering these measures under the most open procedure that has ever been used for a first day of any session of Congress in our Nation's history. Now I have been listening to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk over the last several hours about this process being closed, preventing them from the chance to offer amendments. I cannot help but think about the task that I was given in January 1993 along with the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] and several others, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], former Senator David Boren, Senator Pete Domenici, to put together the first bipartisan bicameral effort in nearly half a century to reform this institution, and I was very optimistic 2 years ago today believing that the leadership in this House would in fact bring the measures that we have been passing by overwhelming margins with bipartisan support over the past several hours to the floor. Time and time again they made those commitments to me. They said we would do it, and what happened? Absolutely nothing. I look at my good friend, the gentleman from Indian [Mr. Hamilton], there with whom I served, and he knows very well that, as he went to members of his leadership, unfortunately his effort to bring about a bipartisan package of reform was denied by them, and I believe there are many other Democrat Members who wanted to have it done, but unfortunately the leadership did not allow it. And what has happened here tonight? We have listened to people talk about how this process is closed, preventing Members from having the opportunity to amend it. Well, as the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] just reminded me, throughout the hours and hours that we had and the efforts of the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, we took input from Democrat and Republican Members. We have got a chance to implement 23 of those, Mr. Speaker. We should do it right now. Mr. Speaker, with that I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Atlanta, GA [Mr. Linder], a new member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentleman from West Chester, OH [Mr. Boehner].