[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 189 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2261-E2262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 1995

  Mr. COX of California. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I was unavoidably 
detained and unable to return to the Capitol in time to record a 
``yes'' vote in favor of H.R. 2564, legislation to toughen disclosure 
rules for lobbyists.
  The passage of H.R. 2564--on the heels of last week's landmark vote 
to completely ban all gifts from lobbyists--adds to this new Congress' 
already impressive list of achievements in changing the way Washington 
does business.
  On the first day of this Congress, the new Republican majority in the 
House of Representatives delivered on its promise to drastically cut 
congressional staff. We have continued to deliver on this pledge, 
cutting spending in the legislative branch, reducing committee staff by 
one-third, and completely eliminating three full committees and 
redistributing their duties.
  We have also instituted internal term limits on the Speaker and 
committee chairmen, and ended the practice of ghost voting in 
committee, requiring instead that Members themselves be present to 
vote. And, the crown jewel of our internal reforms thus far--the first 
Republican bill signed into law by Bill Clinton--was legislation 
requiring that the laws of the land apply to Congress as well.

[[Page E 2262]]

  While there is still more to be accomplished on our congressional 
reform agenda, these significant reforms--including H.R. 2564--will do 
much to end business as usual in Washington, and to restore honesty and 
integrity to Congress.

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