Providing for Consideration of H.R. Manage Our Wolves Act, and Providing for Proceedings During the Period From November Through November 2018

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule which will pave the way for a vote on a bill that will summarily delist the gray wolf from protections under the Endangered Species Act by congressional fiat, in direct contradiction to our Nation's animal protection policies that have done so much to preserve the diversity of animal existence over the last 45 years.

In addition, in keeping with the sad track record of this Republican- controlled Congress, this is yet another closed rule, number 102 over the last 2 years, to be exact, that will prohibit consideration of any amendments.

Most egregious of all, however, this rule includes a totally non- germane provision that will deny debate of a separate resolution that will end U.S. participation in the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen's civil war.

This separate resolution, the Khanna resolution, which I am an original cosponsor of, will be effectively blocked from congressional consideration and debate by passage of this rule, despite the humanitarian crisis and indiscriminate coalition air strikes, which American forces have enabled with refueling, and with logistical and technical support over the last 3 years.

This bipartisan resolution deserves debate and as a coequal branch of government, Congress should not be shirking its duty once again by allowing U.S. military force to be used at the whim of the executive branch.

Sadly, this rule is another example of the complete abdication by the 115th Congress of its duty to act as a check on a coequal branch of government. This rule is another surrender by a weak-kneed majority on its way out the door to the executive branch.

To quote ``The Hollow Men'' by T.S. Eliot, this Republican 115th Congress is ending ``. . . not with a bang but a whimper.''

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source