[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8711-H8712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday the House considered the 
fiscal year 1996 legislative appropriations bill and I do agree that 
the House has to take a serious look at its own fiscal affairs. 
However, I would like to comment on a matter that relates to the daily 
operation of the House and does not make financial sense.
  Last week, the House folding room and all of its related operations 
were closed. This decision was made under the guise of streamlining and
 reform. However, it is nothing more than a mean-spirited, poorly 
conceived, and fiscally irresponsible action. It is truly reform for 
the sake of reform.

  I applaud the House Oversight Committee in its efforts to change the 
way that the House does business. I was elected to Congress to help to 
restore the public's faith in this institution. However, by trying to 
save money in closing the folding room, the committee has created a 
bookkeeping nightmare and as Members search for new vendors to serve 
the printing and mailing needs of their constituents, the total 
franking and overall costs to the taxpayer will probably increase.
  Our constituents need and deserve to be well informed about the 
issues that affect them. Bulk mailings and newsletters are an essential 
part of our jobs and voters expect to have a clear line of 
communications to their representatives in Washington. Certainly, a 
responsible use of these mailing privileges is expected; nevertheless, 
by closing the folding room another barrier has been created between 
Washington and the rest of the country.
  Why were other remedies related to the House operation of a folding 
room not considered further? An outside company could have been brought 
in to run the day-to-day operations of the folding room. As it now 
stands. congressional staffs now have to scramble to find new vendors 
and much of their productivity is wasted as they endeavor to fold, 
stuff, and seal hundreds of pieces of normal correspondence that they 
churn out on a daily basis. And the job is not done well. I know of a 
recent bulk mailing that was improperly handled by an outside vendor 
and because of this precious time and money was lost.

[[Page H 8712]]

  Without the folding room, the House is a more confused and 
inefficient operation. Is this what the American people voted for in 
the last election?
  And, there is a very important moral issue at play. Over 100 people 
lost their jobs when the folding room was abruptly shut down. Many of 
these people were loyal employees of the House with over 20 years of 
faithful service. I believe that the treatment of the folding room 
staff was wrong. I am very distrusted that many are starting to believe 
that the House is the last plantation. If the labor laws of America are 
to be applied to Congress, then the employees of the House should be 
treated with at least minimum levels of respect and decency.
  I want Congress to be efficient and mindful of the taxpayers' money. 
However, by closing the folding room, the total money spent by the 
House will most likely increase, constituent service will be slowed, 
and the House will appear to be even more out of touch. The Oversight 
Committee's action are well intentioned, but poorly implemented. The 
House may find that it needs to look at this issue again.


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