[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IT IS TIME FOR TRUTH IN VOTING

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL D. CRAPO

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the toughest and 
most comprehensive internal reforms in over 50 years in this House. An 
open Congress is the only way to restore a sense of public confidence 
in our legislative process. I urge Members on both sides of the aisle 
to support this Contract for a People's House.
  When our constituents recently sent us to Washington as Members of 
the 104th Congress, they demanded that we change the way business is 
done. The past 2 years, however, have allowed little room for a more 
open and accountable process for Members of either party in Congress. 
What a remarkable opportunity it is then, to bring a breath of fresh 
air to the current business of the House through reforms of the 
committee system, House rules, and budget process. We are now making 
substantial progress in achieving the goal of comprehensive 
congressional reform that we promised to the American people. Gone are 
the days of ghost voting by proxy in committee, closed committee 
meetings that shut out the American people as well as other Members of 
Congress, and budget numbers that do not honestly reflect increases 
from year to year. And I am proud to say that the Speaker will 
institute a program to make the House electronically accessible to 
everyone. These reforms are just the beginning of a new House.
  To supplement the already substantial list of reforms that are being 
proposed and debated today, I am reintroducing the Truth In Voting Act. 
Reintroduction of this legislation comes at a critical time now that we 
have more opportunity to end the manipulative procedures, sham votes, 
and secret meetings of the old process. This legislation would codify 
and clarify many of the fine reforms being debated today, and it keeps 
alive the perennial process of self-examination and reform that brings 
vitality to representative government. I urge my colleagues to support 
the Truth In Voting Act, and reforms that will lead this House into the 
21st century.


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