Thanks to TIME’s Katy Steinmetz, a rough transcript of Rep. Charlie Rangel’s speech on the floor today:

The Speaker Pro Tempore: For what purpose does the gentleman from New York seek recognition? The house will be in order. Members will take their seats. The house will be in order. Members will please clear the aisles. The chair is aware of a valid basis for the gentleman’s point of personal privilege. The gentleman from New York is recognized for one hour …

Rangel: I rise to the floor because the newspapers and the media have indicated that there’s a concern of some of the members of this House that I retire or I remove myself from this body, and I’ve always tried to play by the rules. And I cannot think of anybody that has encouraged me to speak here, and I want to thank all of you who are concerned about me for saying that, you know, a guy’s a fool to represent himself, as some of the people have said.