[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DELAYED DECISION FROM COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, for 14 months the House Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct has dithered, dallied, and delayed making 
a decision on the complaints against Speaker Newt Gingrich. As we 
learned earlier this year, delays in the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct investigations give the appearance of a coverup. The 
secrecy and delays connected with the Bob Packwood investigation 
brought disgrace to this institution. Let us not repeat the same 
mistake when it comes to the Speaker of the House.
  Public pressure and the increasing public disclosure of potential 
wrongdoing has compelled Republicans on the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct to consider an outside counsel, but only with severely 
limited duties, so that many of the questions that need to be answered 
would be left untouched.
  Mr. Speaker, we need an outside counsel allowed to conduct a full 
investigation, and let the chips fall where they may. As Mr. Gingrich 
himself said in 1988, the only way to ensure a thorough nonpartisan 
investigation of the highest ranking Member of the House is to appoint 
an outside counsel with, and I quote, ``The independence necessary to 
do a thorough and complete job.''
  The time to appoint an outside counsel is now. Further delays will 
cause damage to this institution.

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