mr. speaker , i yield myself such time as i may consume before yielding to the distinguished ranking member to respond to my colleague from georgia by indicating , the last time i looked at the rules , it allowed that individual members have a right to make amendments , and we are not required to offer a substitute . 
mr. speaker , i yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from new york ( ms. slaughter ) xz4003780 , my good friend . 
