[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DISCHARGE PETITION FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced a discharge petition 
today, number 3. I am urging all of my colleagues to join in signing it 
on both sides of the aisle.
  The discharge petition provides for essentially an open rule. It 
allows full opportunity for open debate, and it allows full opportunity 
for amendment. It permits the minority to do what they feel is 
necessary, but it also assures that my colleagues on the Majority side 
will have full opportunity to participate.
  There is no funny rule here, no cooking of the process. It is a full, 
open and fair process, both with regard to the amendment process and 
with regard to the actual handling of time and other parts of the 
legislation.
  I urge all of my colleagues on both sides to join in signing this 
discharge petition on the patients' bill of rights. It is almost the 
first of July. The important part of the session is almost behind us, 
and all that we really are going to have time on from now on is to 
address budget appropriation and spending matters.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do something that the American 
people want. Sign the discharge petition and support the patients' bill 
of rights.

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