Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, today's effort is a moment of satisfaction
but not delectation. This stands before us as a testament that Congress
cannot be dictated to by a minority of the majority. This institution
cannot work based upon the principle that a minority of the majority
can dictate the outcome of legislative life.
I am glad we are finding common ground and common purpose. It is
similar to the Congress that I joined a lot of years ago.
But rather than a moment of gloating, we should all take a look at
what has happened to the process that once governed this institution.
And my plea to the new Speaker of the House is going to be: Remember
that the committee system is the vertebra of Congress. It is within the
structure of the committee system that we find the way forward.
And to Speaker Boehner, a good man and a good friend who leaves here
in the next couple of days, congratulations, as well as to Leader
Pelosi, Leader McConnell, and Leader Reid. But the sad commentary is
this could never have happened if they didn't take it upon themselves
to do the actual negotiation. The polarization in this institution
would have prevented that.
We cannot keep taking America to the financial precipice. We need
some predictability, some confidence in building the economy. By
embracing this proposal, we allow that opportunity to perhaps happen.
We take default off the table. The full faith and credit of the United
States will not be impugned. We will not allow the country to be
hijacked by extremist views.
I say to those here, that small number that want to dictate the
outcome of what happens in this institution: Pay some attention to the
skill and the art of legislating as opposed to just the talking points
that lend themselves to the incendiary commentary that flows from this
institution now. Work with both sides to try to find an outcome that
the American people can look at as having accomplished with some pride.
We look at this institution with great regard, and what has happened
to it is a shameful exercise in allowing this rule that prevents us
from moving forward because of the advances that are made by a minority
of the majority.
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