Date: 2010-12-08
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my friend from Colorado for the time. I also thank him for his gracious words. He. in the short period of time that he has been here. has already left a mark with his thoughtfulness and his hard work. and really his conscience and compassion. He has left a mark on this Congress. And I know his constituents must be. and will continue to be. very proud to have sent him here because they have already seen the kind of Member of Congress that JARED POLIS is. So I thank him for those kind words. And I share with him the view that we have been able to work on some projects together. and my hope that we will be able to work in the future. And really my almost certainty that we will be able to work together in the future on important projects as well. Mr. Speaker. as this. the 111th Congress. proceeds. its in its final days evidently. The rule before us provides for expedited same day consideration for all legislation brought forward until December 18. and extends suspension authority for that period. Its really martial law rule because it closes down the process. does not allow Members of Congress to review legislation. to really know what legislation that will be considered is about. And in an historically unprecedented manner. it sets 11 days for this expedited consideration of legislation without necessarily showing legislation to colleagues before consideration. The congressional majority and the Speaker have not fulfilled their 2006 campaign pledge to have. and I quote. "The most honest. the most open. and the most ethical Congress in history." It was indeed needed reform at that time. But as we now know. it failed to materialize. This majority admits. Mr. Speaker. with the rule before us today. it admits that it doesnt even pretend to care about fair process and transparency and the rights of the minority any more. The congressional majority feels no need to allow the public and all of our colleagues to read legislation before the House votes. The language before us allows bills to be considered the same day that they are ushered through the Rules Committee. The majority cares little for the ability of Members to have input in the form of amendments to vital. mustpass legislation that we will consider in the next days and weeks. I think its important to note. though I think its unfortunate. that the House of Representatives has not considered even one open rule this Congress. And that would have been certainly something that I would not have expected. In my 18 years here. I have never seen this before. and did not expect it. This House has not considered even one open rule this Congress. Now. weve come to expect that from the current majority. And so its to be expected that the majority will have more martial law rules like the one before us in the days ahead. I think its appropriate. I think its good news that the Republicans. that we have made a pledge that I am confident will be kept. I am happy to report that very soon there will be significant and impactful course correction in the House of Representatives. The Members will be able to read legislation before they cast votes. Open rules will make a triumphant return to the House floor. All Representatives in this House will be able to contribute to the legislative process. bringing forth a chorus of ideas that have been suppressed during the last two Congresses. So thats good news. And that is one of the good things about renewal in politics and the democratic process. Again I thank Mr. POLIS for his courtesy. for his friendship. and all of my colleagues. As I said a few weeks ago. these have been an extraordinary 18 years. Mr. Speaker. the honor of my life. This is the Congress of the greatest Nation in the world. And its a miracle. The United States of America is a miracle of freedom. And so as I leave this House. again I thank all of my colleagues for the honor of being able to have been able to serve with them. for the honor of having been able to serve with them. both those who have helped me. who have agreed with me and the causes that I have fought. and those who have opposed me. Its been an honor to serve with all of them. At this point we have no further speakers. and so. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to vote "no" on this rule. and to let this House return to openness a few weeks ahead of schedule. I yield back the balance of my time.