[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN CONGRESS

  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am not quite sure under your ruling that 
I can even refer to the Speaker in any respect, but as someone who came 
to the floor today to vote when the vote was called, I did not expect 
to speak. But as someone whose family has fled from oppression in 
search of freedom and democracy, I am appalled at what could happen in 
the greatest hall of democracy in the world. But I have seen it today.
  You can question the motives of a whole group of people, put their 
motives in question, but you cannot question the motive of an 
individual who is in a leadership position and determines the agenda of 
this House.
  You can pass a Congressional Accountability Act, yet you cannot call 
for the accountability of an individual who leads the House and seek 
its disclosure. This is not about an individual's book deal who may be 
paid by royalties and the $4 million is coming. But it is about public 
licenses, public airwaves. It is about our national treasures, and you 
are denying one of the greatest national treasures, the ability of 
Members to speak in this House freely.

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