[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 12 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 20, 1995
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. 
We all agree that Congress can no longer exempt itself from the 
legislation it passes. Compliance with such legislation by the rest of 
this Nation's citizens is mandatory. This congressional body moved 
forward to pass H.R. 1 on the opening day of legislative business for 
the 104th Congress by an overwhelming vote of 429 yeas. Now we are left 
to consider the Senate-passed version of this same bill. What a great 
opportunity for reform.
  But do not let the Republican leadership fool you into thinking that 
the Congressional Accountability Act is a pillar of Republican reform. 
As a freshman Member, I must continually do my homework. I am fully 
aware that this reform effort was attempted in the 103d Congress. This 
legislation passed the House but was held up by the Republicans in the 
Senate. Why would the Senate block passage of this legislation in the 
103d and pass it without reservation in the 104th? Because they did not 
want President Clinton to sign this reform into law, giving Democrats 
the credit for reform-oriented policies. We now know that the 
Republicans were working hard for 2 years to build a platform for the 
1994 mid-term elections by halting action on important pieces of 
legislation in the Senate. Let us give credit to good ideas where 
credit is due.
  And while we are revisiting this corrective measure, why not look 
more closely at a provision the Senate has added for itself concerning 
frequent flier miles? This issue has not received enough attention from 
this congressional body. I urge further dialog and consideration of 
these reform measures as well.


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