[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 11 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT BE SHUT OUT OF THEIR HOUSE

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, my Republican colleagues set an 
unfortunate precedent by gagging debate on the House floor, and 
disallowed the airing of legitimate questions surrounding a Member's 
financial dealings.
  Today, Republicans and the Heritage Foundation plan yet another 
closed door meeting with telecommunications executives to discuss 
future regulation of our public airwaves. The meeting is closed to 
Democrats, closed to the media, and closed to the public.
  But, this is not the only way that the public may be shut out of 
their House. The Heritage Foundation has recommended to Republicans in 
Congress that they cut corners by charging admission to the U.S. 
Capitol. In fact, one Heritage Foundation scholar said this week of 
tourists who take guided tours of the Capitol, and I quote: ``They wear 
down the steps, they brush against the walls.''
  Republicans should not be concerned about the American people wearing 
down the steps.
  They should be concerned about how special-interest influence and 
book deals are wearing on the reputation of this institution.

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