In his first inaugural address on March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson said, “The minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.” This statement was ironically included in Speaker Pelosi’s document “A New Direction for America.”

Speaker Pelosi also said in “A New Direction for America:”

• “Every person in America has a right to have his or her voice heard. No Member of Congress should be silenced on the floor…guaranteeing that the voices of all the people are heard.”

• “Regular meetings between Chairs and Ranking Members of committees and staff should be held.

• “Members should have at least 24 hours to examine bill and conference report text prior to floor consideration. Rules governing floor debate must be reported before 10 p.m. for a bill to be considered the following day.”

Well, the most recent supplemental appropriation bill is proving that these statements are raging falsities. Instead of allowing an open and transparent discussion on funding for our brave men and women serving this country, Speaker Pelosi would rather send a vital funding bill to the President without the opportunity for amendments.

The Republican minority isn’t asking for anything out of the ordinary. We should have the opportunity to analyze the bill and offer suggestions that would improve the legislation. We want for Speaker Pelosi to keep the promises that she made in “A New Direction for America” and maintain her position that “no Member of Congress should be silenced on the floor.” Our soldiers deserve better than to have their funding used as an obvious political stunt.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm and is filed under Politics, Economy/Budget, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security .