[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 LEGISLATIVE REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1995, which contains those reform proposals 
recommended by the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress that 
have not yet received full consideration by the House of 
Representatives.
  As you know, the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, 
cochaired by myself and Congressman David Dreier, was created by 
Congress in August 1992 with a mandate to conduct a comprehensive study 
of the internal operations of Congress and provide recommendations for 
reform by the end of 1993. The panel completed its task, and in 1994 
the House did pass one of its major recommendations--requiring the 
House to live under the same laws it applies to the private sector.
  Unfortunately, the remainder of the joint committee's reform plan was 
not considered by the full House during the 103d Congress.
  However, today many of the joint committee's recommendations--fully 
or in part--will be adopted by the House, including proposals to: Again 
apply private sector laws to Congress; streamline the bloated 
congressional committee system by reducing the total number of 
committees and restricting the number of committee assignments Members 
can have; significantly reduce the number of subcommittees; cut 
congressional staff; open up Congress to enhanced public scrutiny by 
publicizing committee attendance and rollcall votes; and require that 
the Congressional Record be a verbatim account of congressional 
proceedings.
  The 104th Congress has made a good start toward meaningful 
congressional reform. These efforts have been assisted by the work of 
prior reform commissions such as the joint committee, as well as the 
continuing public demand for change. But many important components of 
the joint committee's reform package have not yet been considered by 
the House.
  For example, the joint committee proposed that private citizens be 
included in the ethics process in a meaningful way. Under this 
proposal, private citizens would investigate ethics complaints against 
Members of the House.
  Another joint committee recommendation that has not been adopted 
would publicize the special interest projects and tax breaks included 
in legislation, providing additional barriers to wasteful spending and 
special interest tax loopholes.
  Still another joint committee proposal would streamline the Federal 
budget process by shifting it from an annual to a biennial cycle, 
reducing redundant decisions, and allowing more time for oversight. But 
such budget reform proposals also have not received full consideration 
by the House.
  Because the reform effort is not complete, I am introducing the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1995, which contains all of the 
reform recommendations of House Members on the joint committee that 
have not been adopted in some form by the House. Included are the 
ethics, special interest, and budget reform proposals that I have 
mentioned. Also included are a number of additional recommendations, 
such as the regular reauthorization of the congressional support 
agencies, scheduling reform, and enhanced public understanding of 
Congress. My sense is that the work of the Joint Committee on the 
Organization of Congress can continue to serve as a valuable vehicle 
for proceeding with reform.
  I intend to work with other Members to ensure that these proposals 
are given full consideration by the committees of jurisdiction and the 
entire House. And over the next few months, I also intend to introduce 
additional reform proposals that would strengthen the joint committee's 
package, and help make Congress more efficient and publicly 
accountable.
  As I have said repeatedly over the past few years, a comprehensive 
reform bill should be brought to the House floor--and under a generous 
rule, so that Members can consider, debate, and vote on the major 
reform alternatives. Although some of the reforms that will be adopted 
today are important, these proposals are to be considered under closed 
rules. Free and open debate about congressional reform has not yet 
occurred in the House.
  Again, Members should have the opportunity to vote on the major 
reform issues.
  Congressional reform should be an ongoing process. Every year a bill 
should be scheduled for floor consideration dealing with institutional 
reform, just as the House regularly deals with legislation 
reauthorizing major programs and agencies.
  Of course, institutional reform is no panacea. Many difficult issues 
are on the agenda of the 104th Congress. But sustained and meaningful 
change is crucial for the restoration of public confidence in Congress.


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