[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1621-H1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            REPEAL RAMSPECK

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to end a 
powerful, but little-publicized perk associated with Congress. My bill 
will repeal the Ramspeck Act, which for 55 years has quietly allowed 
former congressional and judicial employees to burrow into the civil 
service--given priority consideration over all other applicants, and 
full seniority when hired--upon the retirement, election defeat, or 
[[Page H1622]] death of their employer, Today the Ramspeck Act is a 55-
year-old solution to a problem that no longer exists--namely the hiring 
and retention of congressional staff. I think we all agree that we have 
hard-working, dedicated staff, and this is in no way meant to denigrate 
them or the work they do. But to give any applicant for a Federal job 
such preferential treatment is wrong--and I hope my colleagues will 
join me in working to end this practice which smacks more of who you 
know than how good a job you can do.


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