[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          INTRODUCTION OF THE GOVERN- MENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

  (Mr. MARTINI asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern over the 
Supreme Court's recent decision in Hubbard versus United States. In 
that decision the high court overturned a Federal statute that has been 
used to prosecute Members of Congress and others who intentionally and 
knowingly release false or deceptive information to Congress. The 
current law no longer is applicable to such situations.
  As a former Federal prosecutor, I know that section 1001 of 18 U.S. 
Code is a critical provision of law, which protects the Federal 
Government from potential waste, fraud, and abuse.
  That's why in response to the Supreme Court's decision, I have 
introduced the Government Accountability Act (H.R. 1678) which will 
extend the false statement statute to all three branches of the Federal 
Government.
  If Congress fails to act, unscrupulous public officials, contractors, 
and private citizens will be able to engage in acts of fraud and 
misconduct against the Federal Government without fear of punishment.
  Mr. Speaker, we are here to serve the American people not ourselves.
  In closing, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 1678 which brings 
accountability back to the Federal Government.

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