Before the US House takes up legislation, the
Rules Committee approves and sends to the House floor a rule governing debate on the legislation. Consequently, it is often the case that by the time the House takes up -- for debate and vote -- some substantive legislation, the House will have already tied its own hands, effectively silenced opposing voices in both parties, and insured that uniformity, not constitutionality, not wisdom, and not small "d" democracy, govern the discussion.
What this means today is that the House Rules Committee, and the rule they recommend at the conclusion of their 2 p.m. hearing today, will decide for the House whether a real floor debate on health care can even take place, or whether the proceedings on Saturday will instead be the sad, last kabuki dance of liberty in a land that lost the will to be free, and show its freedom by clinging to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Yesterday, because our representative was too busy to visit with us, my son, James Jr., my nephew, Irving, and I met with our representative's chief of staff and his communications director. Both told us that our representative WOULD vote to include an amendment to the legislation banning federal monies for abortions IF SUCH AN AMENDMENT is brought to the floor for a vote. Both knew, and by the time we were done, knew that we knew that his expressed willingness to vote for an amendment that, it can safely be said, would never come to the floor was a dishonest disreputable way to deceive those he represents. But things could change. A majority of representatives could demand an "open" rule, allowing the offering from the floor of amendments. Under an "open" rule, my representative would have the opportunity to vote against federal funding for abortion.
So there you have it.
If the Rule adopted for debate is the one generated today by the House Rules Committee, then you can rest assured that the House will be staking out the position that the federal government should control 1/6th of our economy, that our taxes should fund the murder of unborn children, and the liberty should give it a rest.
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