[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 12 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CALLING FOR OPENNESS AND AN END TO CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS

  (Mr. TORRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, following this past week's events regarding 
the Speaker's book deal it has become clear to us here in Congress that 
the Republicans do not want the American people to know about the 
details.
  I ask, is it coincidence that Republican members of the House 
Commerce Committee met yesterday in a closed door session with the 
CEO's of major telecommunications companies--among them 
multimillionaire publishing magnate Rupert Murdoch?
  And today's Washington Post reports that Speaker Gingrich addressed 
the group at a closed dinner last night.
  Is it coincidence that Democrats are being silenced and ruled out of 
order when questioning the book deal?
  The Republicans have stated that they want a more open House--should 
the American people be shut out from knowing what happened last night 
behind closed doors?
  What happened to letting the sunshine in?
  Mr. Speaker, the American people want to know.
  

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