[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 135 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      UNSTACKING THE STACKED DECK

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, most people know that 9 against 4 is a heavily 
stacked deck. Around here, 9 against 4 is the ratio of majority to 
minority members in the House Rules Committee, the ultimate stacked 
deck, designed to ensure that the Democrat majority retains ironfisted 
control over the legislative agenda of this House. If you want to know 
why proposals that a majority of Americans want us to debate--like term 
limits, a true balanced budget amendment, repeal of the Social Security 
earnings test or roll-back of capital gains taxes--seldom come to the 
floor for a vote, look no further than the Rules Committee, where good 
ideas like these often go to die. For 40 years we have tried it the 
Democrats' way. It is time to make a change--and that is what the 
Republican contract with America is all about. Change the balance of 
power in this House, unstack the stacked deck, and bring the people's 
agenda forward.

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