[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Republicans were 
forced repeatedly to use procedural maneuvers to protest the unjust 
proposed change of current House rules denying the minority's right to 
participate in floor debate.
  The political headlines today are correct: ``Dems Bend Rules, Break 
Pledge.'' If enacted, this would be the first change to such a rule 
since 1822.
  After declaring to run the ``most open Congress in history,'' 
Democrat leaders have repeatedly broken this promise and sought to 
stifle the minority's voice, beginning with their first 100 hours and 
now even through 100 days.
  If Democrat leaders are intent on suppressing the representative 
voice of nearly half of the American population, Republicans are left 
with no choice but to fight for our right of participation in the 
legislative process.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget 
September 11.

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