Republicans Stifle Open and Meaningful Debate on Budget Reconciliation

REPUBLICANS STIFLE OPEN AND MEANINGFUL DEBATE ON BUDGET RECONCILIATION -- (House of Representatives - November 10, 2005)

(Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, having served in the California State legislature for 24 years, half of which was spent in a leadership role, I know how to engage in a bipartisan process. This budget reconciliation bill is not bipartisan.

Rather than provide the House with an opportunity to engage in a serious and meaningful budget discussion, we are left with this take-it-or-leave-it package that, if passed, will increase our budget deficit nearly $20 billion.

Rather than accept an offer by the Blue Dogs to discuss our 12-point deficit reduction alternative, we are left with this plan as our only option. It is a Hobson's choice, which is no choice at all.

Rather than do what our constituents expect us to do, which is discuss, debate, and have meaningful oversight and make tough policy choices, we are left with a budget reconciliation package that is nothing more than a fig leaf to cover up a host of fiscal shortcomings.

I may be new to Congress and the process, but I know this budget reconciliation package is wrongheaded and sadly lacking in transparency. I urge a ``no'' vote.

http://thomas.loc.gov