Speaker. one must acknowledge the fact that the rule now under consideration is fair and Just. that under its modifled provisions it allows 5 hours of debate and does In fact permit amendments. Unfortunately. we must also admit that this otherwise good rule was given to a bad bill. and at the worst possible time. It was the Nations understanding that this lameduck session of Congress was called to deal with the fiscal affairs of this country. with the problems of its Jobless. its homeless. and its destitute and not with a complex and most controv( .sial immigration bill. Because the provisions of the bill before us will affect millions of human beings almost immediately. and millions more in generations to come. it must be considered in a regular session of Congress. and not during the last few hours of this lameduck session when almost every Member has hardtoget reservations for the trip home. and one foot in the door waiting for the last gavel to come down ending the 97th Congress. The people of America expect and deserve more than Just an immigration bill that no one seems to want in its present form. Had Members been asked if this bill be scheduled. I am sure that the answer would have been an overwhelming and resounding "no." Perhaps that Is at least one of the many reasons why almost 300 amendments have been printed in the RECORD in compliance with the rule.
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immigration