[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 12746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              FSC/ETI BILL

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I find some small amount of irony with 
my friend on the other side of the aisle talking about secrets that 
somehow we do not want the American people to know. The American people 
can judge for themselves about the extent of this economic recovery who 
wins and who loses; and the prescription drug benefit, the seniors of 
this country have seen through the sham that it is.
  But for them to talk about secrets, I find particularly ironic, 
because Members of the minority party have to come to the floor today 
in the 1-minutes to talk about the important FSC bill, because that is 
a secret; and we are voting on it in a few minutes. There is not a 
printed copy that is available. Only the lobbyists are aware. There 
will not be adequate time for debate, a meaningful debate, in 30 
minutes. They will not allow amendments. They will not even allow the 
bipartisan alternative to be voted on on the floor.
  I find a great deal of irony about their concern for secrecy. I think 
they ought to start by opening up the legislative process so at least 
their own Members have a chance to participate with people on the other 
side of the aisle.

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