A Rules Committee decision to bar all GOP amendments to flood insurance legislation headed for the House floor Thursday provoked strong criticism, including a rebuke from the Democratic chairman of the committee that wrote the bill.

“It was very unfair,” House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., said. “And I regret it because I think we have good relations in our committee, and I have to make clear that I don’t want this to spill over.”

“It was very unfair, it was very unwise,” he repeated, vowing to vote against the rule governing the flood insurance bill.

Frank’s comments came after several Republicans protested the Rules panel’s decision to deem all seven GOP amendments to the flood insurance overhaul bill (HR 3121) out of order. Thirteen other amendments were allowed.

In retaliation, Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, offered a motion to adjourn, which failed 229-175.

House Republicans accused Democrats of reneging on promises to run the House openly and fairly.

“The irony of what I see today is so powerful,” said Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, who had three amendments to the bill rejected by the Rules Committee. “I’m curious whether . . . now that the Democrats are in the majority, Mr. Speaker, whether they consider it arrogant of themselves, whether they consider it an unethical assault on our democratic values to sit here and bring us a rule which is closed to Republicans?”

The measure is intended to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program and place it on sound financial footing.