Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

Good morning, Madam Speaker. Welcome to this week of Christmas.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, my friend Mr. McGovern, the vice chairman of the Rules Committee, for bringing this martial law rule to the floor of the House of Representatives today.

Madam Speaker, the 111th Congress is in its final days, or so the body hopes. The rule before us today provides for an expedited same-day consideration of all legislation brought forward until Christmas Eve and extends suspension authority for that same period. This martial law rule consists of the ability of the Democrats to bring 4 more days of expedited consideration on top of the 11 days my colleagues gave themselves on the 8th of December.

This Congress has seen a record number of restrictive rules over the past 2 years. In fact, we have not debated one open rule in this Congress. I don't believe that closing debate, limiting amendments, and shutting down Democrats and Republicans out of their thoughtful solutions on the House floor is what we were promised by Speaker Pelosi. Speaker Pelosi openly told the American people that she would run the most open, honest, and ethical Congress. Madam Speaker, I would say to you that as we started, so are we ending, in chaos.

It seems like every time I come to the House floor I point out that my Democrat colleagues are using an unprecedented, restrictive, and closed process. This is not what the American people wanted, and I believe the American people truly do want their Member of Congress to be able to come to Washington, DC, to fully participate in the process. And unfortunately, we find ourselves here again today with Members simply sitting back in their offices, wondering and waiting what is next, what are we even debating, what are we doing, rather than being actively involved in this democratic process. Madam Speaker, that's why people came to Congress.

This Congress has managed to rack up a record $1.4 trillion deficit in 2009, more than three times the size of the deficit in 2008, and it hit a $1.3 trillion deficit this year. Additionally, we have seen unemployment at or above 9.5 percent across this country for over 18 consecutive months and a national debt that has now ballooned to $13.4 trillion, and yet we see no end to the spending, which is evident by the rule that we are here discussing today. No discipline; no feedback from Members,

Members of this body coming faithfully to do their job, not even knowing what is happening and what is next, purely speculation. No sharing of information; no plan that can be executed based upon the Members of this body understanding what we're doing, where we're going, and what is next.

Madam Speaker, if there ever was a time when the American people need to know what the plan is and Members of Congress need to know what the plan is it would be now. It would be now for us to determine not only how to have fiscal restraint, but also, a majority who offered leadership, leadership on a budget process, leadership on a transparency process, leadership on the ability for Members of Congress to come and effectively represent their district and, perhaps more importantly, not just a budget that was never produced, how about an appropriations bill that was properly done.

Every single business that I know of--State and local government, families, schools--everybody has a budget. Even nonprofits who try and work in the best interest of a smaller group of people recognize you've got to have a plan. That's an exception for this Federal Government. It's an exception by this Congress, and that is not leadership.

As the chairman of the Budget Committee once said, If you can't budget, you cannot govern. I think he's right. That's exactly the truth of what Chairman John Spratt said. And if the shoe fits, we're wearing it right now. Unfortunately, we've come to expect this behavior from this majority, but, once again, there is always tomorrow. Republicans have made a pledge to America, and we intend to keep it.

I am happy to report that very soon, on or about January 5, 2011, there will be a significant course correction in this House of Representatives. Members will be expected to, and allowed to, read legislation before they cast their votes, take part in the activities of not only their committees, but also come to the Rules Committee with their ideas to take part in the process that they want to do.

I think open rules will make a triumphant return to the House floor, and elected Representatives, Members of Congress, will have a chance to fully contribute in this legislative process. It does not make me happy when I recognize that there is no Member, freshman Member of this body, who has not, for the last 2 years, seen this body work the way it was designed--a legislative process that would be open, a legislative process that would be ethical, and a legislative process that would be transparent for people.

So here we are, once again, the week before Christmas. I can handle that. I'm here ready to work but, like the rest of my colleagues, waiting for a small cadre of people to let us in on the plan.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule. We've got to return to a process which is prepared for the future and prepared for Members to fully participate.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1771 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1771.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1771 waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII, requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee. This would allow for the same-day consideration of any resolution reported through the legislative day of December 24, 2010.

The resolution allows the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of December 24, 2010. The Speaker or her designee shall consult with the minority leader or his designee on the designation of any matter for consideration pursuant to section 2 of the rule.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I regret that the gentleman from Texas will not support this rule so that we can move our legislative business forward, but I'm not surprised because, quite frankly, his party, the Republican Party, has had one goal since President Obama became President of the United States, and that is to obstruct and delay everything, and that's what they've tried to do.

The gentleman talks about democracy. Well, I think the American people are scratching their head as they see what's happening over in the Senate where a minority, not a majority, but a minority determines the agenda. A minority can hold legislation from coming to the floor. That's not the democracy that most people believe our government is about.

I'd also say to the gentleman that we look forward to the next legislative year, and we look forward to the gentleman and his party becoming the leaders of this House. And as someone who has been on the Rules Committee, both in the majority and minority, I don't recall a single instance when the gentleman, when his party was in power, ever voted against a closed rule proposed by the Republican then-majority, but we will see what happens.

And I will also say, Madam Speaker, that one of the things I think that the American people are now beginning to realize is that the Republicans are not at all serious about fiscal discipline. You know, I remind everybody that when Bill Clinton was President, we had record job creation and we had historical fiscal restraint. We actually eliminated the deficit and started paying down the debt.

When George Bush and the Republicans then took over, what ended up happening is they took this record surplus and turned it into historic debt. And how did they do it? Well, they did it through a number of things. Unpaid-for wars is one of them. The other is a Medicare prescription drug bill that, by the way, nobody here had a chance to read, that was voted on in the middle of the night. They kept the vote open 3 hours so that people's arms could be twisted, but it cost twice as much as anybody thought it was going to cost, not paid for.

But the thing that really broke the bank was their unprecedented tax cuts and giveaways to the wealthiest individuals in this country, not paid for, not paid for. And sadly, Madam Speaker, the Republicans in the Senate held unemployment compensation, benefits to the millions of people in this country who are unemployed through no fault of their own, held that hostage so they could get their tax cuts for the rich. And those tax cuts for the rich, by the way, Madam Speaker, are not paid for, not a single offset to pay for those tax cuts for the rich.

Donald Trump gets another tax cut, unpaid for; and guess what, that debt gets piled on the backs of my kids and the kids of every American in this country. It is just not right.

I think the American people are beginning to realize that their real goal is to go after domestic spending in an unprecedented way--Social Security, Medicare, programs that benefit the most vulnerable in our country. They will launch an unprecedented war against the poor in this country. We are going to see early on what their real agenda is. And I bet, Madam Speaker, as polls will reveal, it is not what the American people had in mind. So, again, I regret that the Republicans continue to want to do the same old, same old which is to delay and obstruct and put off and put off. But I think we need to pass this rule.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in eight votes on the floor of the House of Representatives today.

The first vote was H.Res. 1771--Same Day Consideration Rule. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on that question.

The second vote was H.R. 6540--To require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The third vote was Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5116--America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The fourth vote was Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The fifth vote was Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2751--FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The sixth vote was S. 3243--Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The seventh vote was Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3082--Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The eighth vote was H.R. 6547--To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted ``aye'' for each of the following votes:

Roll 657, December 21, 2010: On Agreeing to the Resolution: H. Res. 1771, Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

Roll 658, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H.R. 6540, Defense Level Playing Field Act.

Roll 659, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment: H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act.

Roll 660, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment: H.R. 2142, GPRA Modernization Act of 2010.

Roll 661, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments: H.R. 2751, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

Roll 662, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Concur in the Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment: H.R. 3082, Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.

Roll 663, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H.R. 6547, Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.

Roll 664, December 21, 2010: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment: H.R. 847, James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Madam Speaker, I was absent on December 21, 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the following:

H. Res. 1771--Same Day Consideration Rule; H.R. 6540--To require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess (Rep. Inslee--Armed Services) Suspension bill; Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5116--America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Rep. Gordon-- Science and Technology); Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act (Rep. Cuellar--Oversight and Government Reform); Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2751--FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (Reps. Waxman/Dingell--Energy and Commerce); S. 3243--Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 (Sen. Pryor/Rep. Shuler-- Homeland Security) Suspension bill;

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3082--Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 (Rep. Obey-- Appropriations); H.R. 6547--To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees (Rep. George Miller--Education and Labor) Suspension bill.