Sessions Statement on Democrat House Rules Changes
Statement
Sessions Statement on Democrat House Rules Changes
"Today, House Democrats once again placed politics over good public policy by instituting unilateral, undemocratic changes to House Rules.
"Under their Rules package for the 111th Congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat Majority colleagues have chosen to stifle the voice of Minority representation by limiting the ability to provide alternative legislative solutions - particularly for tax increase legislation. Along with the creation of additional "pay-as-you-go" loopholes, the Majority will effectively bar the Minority from removing proposed tax increases and subject alternative proposals to a different set of standards than the debated legislation.
"These unprecedented power moves build on the Majority's broken promises for honest, open leadership in the 110th Congress. Now with an even greater majority in the House, the Majority has chosen to further limit dissenting views and to repeal term limits for committee chairmen - effectively rolling back key reforms demanded by the American people in 1995.
"My Republican colleagues and I will not stand by silently while the Majority seeks to disenfranchise over 100 million Americans who are represented by Republican Members. Yesterday, I joined House Republican Leadership in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi, urging her to reconsider her attempts to institute undemocratic one-party rule. Additionally, House Republicans offered an alternative to the Democrats' Rules package that would reinstate transparency and accountability, including encouraging fairness in committee ratios and transparency in the committee voting process. Unfortunately, this responsible alternative was promptly rejected by the Majority.
"Especially during this time of economic challenge, the American people should see a government committed to accountability and responsible fiscal policy. The Democrats' House Rules package fails to provide either, and the American people deserve better."
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