[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, there are many days when the 
American people are frustrated if they watch what the House of 
Representatives does during the course of their day. But today is one 
of the days when the American people would be very proud of what the 
House of Representatives did, because the House of Representatives 
today, by an overwhelming vote, showed the American people that we are 
willing and able to abide by the same laws that we impose on other 
Americans.
  There are three provisions of today's Congressional Accountability 
Act that I think are of particular importance and interest to the 
American people, and I am proud to have been a supporter of all three.
  The first is the provision put forth by the gentlewoman from Arizona 
[Ms. English] dealing with the frequent flier issue. I am a strong 
supporter of the measure which would restrict the use of frequent flier 
miles.
  The policy of the House regarding the use of official travel miles 
has come under fire from those who argue that Members of Congress are 
taking advantage of their official positions. Under current law, 
Members of the House who receive frequent flier miles from taxpayer-
funded travel may redeem these benefits for personal use. Every other 
Federal agency, including the United States Senate, restricts this 
practice. It is time for the House to do the same.
  Since the American taxpayers pay the cost of the travel, they should 
reap the benefits. If Members of Congress receive frequent flier miles 
from flights paid for by the taxpayer, then those miles should be used 
for official use only. Until personal us is prohibited, Members will be 
open to the charge that they are looking for a free ride from the 
American public. I was proud when the House today on a voice vote 
accepted the amendment to limit that.
  The second amendment that the American people I am sure would be 
proud of is the amendment that ensures that whatever health care 
reforms we institute in this body will be the same as the benefits that 
other Americans receive. I actually think there are many Americans out 
there who are under the mistaken perception that Walter Reed is our 
personal physician. As the people here know, we pay probably a third of 
the cost of our health care insurance. But it is important for us to 
let the American people know that we are not better or we are no worse 
than they are.
  If we pass health care reform, and I sincerely hope we pass health 
care reform within the next 12 days, it is my strong belief that 
whatever plan we pass should include Members of Congress as well.
  The third issue that the American people would be proud of is the 
measures that were put forth by the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. 
Swett] and the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays]. Those provisions 
ensure that many of the laws, if not all of the laws we pass as a body 
will apply to the Members of Congress as well as to the American 
public. Again the concern is the perception that somehow we feel we 
should be treated differently. Most, if not all Members of this House 
know how hard we work, and that we are not treated differently. But it 
is important that the American people also recognize that we do not 
place ourselves above them.
  As a freshman member of Congress, it is a great honor to be a Member 
of this body. I believe that all Members know or should know what a 
tremendous honor it is to serve the American people in the House of 
Representatives.
  Consequently, it is our duty to let the American people also know 
that we believe that we are still servants of the people and should be 
treated like every other American.
  For those reasons, I am proud today Congress, by an overwhelming 
vote, passed the Congressional Accountability Act.

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