[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    THE CONTRACT BEGINS OPENING DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentlewoman from Washington 
[Ms. Dunn] is recognized during morning business for 4 minutes.
  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, the American people don't want politics as 
usual. The status quo is failing. They yearn for politicians who are 
willing to give their word, to be accountable and then leave Congress 
if they don't live up to it. In other words, the people want a binding 
contract.
  Further they want politicians--regardless of party--to sign a 
contract with them to be responsible for the things taxpayers care 
about: from tax relief for families to reduced redtape to cutting back 
the bloated bureaucracy of the Congress itself.
  Guess what, Mr. Speaker. That is what this contract is all about: 
accountability and responsibility. And to write this contract, we went 
to the grassroots of America: we want to candidates who are out 
doorbelling their neighborhoods. And we asked a simple question: What 
do Americans want from their Congress?
  We then put it in the form of a contract, pledged to sign it, and 
even provide taxpayers with a simple scorecard so that they can grade 
their Member of Congress on whether or not he or she is delivering on 
the contract.
  That's all it is: a straightforward contract with the taxpayers of 
America based on the things they want, from a Congress they perceive as 
distant and disconnected. It's not a Washington, DC-controlled 
blueprint, rather it is a blueprint designed by the people we 
represent--designed to return the control of Washington, DC, to the 
people.
  What I want to stress in my remarks is that the contract with America 
will take effect on day one of next year, January 3, 1995. On opening 
day, if the pro-contract forces are in a majority, we will rewrite the 
rules of the House. In effect, we'll give the House back to the 
taxpayers. And how will we do this?
  Well, first, we will force the Members of the House to live under the 
laws that apply to the rest of the country. We do not have to wait for 
the Senate or the President to act; we can make it a part of our own 
House rules.
  Second, we'll audit the entire Congress for waste, fraud, and abuse. 
The House has been under control of one party for 40 years, accountable 
to no one, especially the taxpayers. That kind of absolute power 
invites abuse. We'll find it and fix it.
  Third, we'll cut deeply into the overgrown bureaucracy that has 
sprung up around the Congress itself. Committees have staffs that are 
too large, too partisan and often too highly paid. Mr. Speaker, about 
100 staff people here in the House earn more than Gen. Colin Powell 
made when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. No wonder the 
American people think Congress is out of control.
  Fourth and finally, on opening day we'll abolish the practice of 
closed-door committee hearings. No longer will the American taxpayer be 
kicked out of a hearing because arrogant Members of Congress want 
privately to discuss ways to spend that taxpayer's money. We'll protect 
national security, of course, but other than that we'll say, ``Leave 
the doors open, let the public and the free press have a seat in the 
meeting room, and let the sun shine in.''
  Mr. Speaker, this need not be partisan. Anybody who wants to be a 
Member of Congress can sign this contract.
  The American people have spoken clearly on these matters: They want 
real welfare reform, a real crime bill, a real line-item veto, real 
family tax relief, and real term limits.
  Let's take advantage of the ``window of opportunity'' this fall's 
elections offer us, to put in place a majority who will fight to give 
the peoples' House back to the people.

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