[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
             THE HOUSE MUST NOT TOLERATE A DOUBLE STANDARD

  (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, both Common Cause and I insist 
that in order to carry out the responsibilities of an outside counsel 
effectively, it is necessary for the counsel's authority and 
independence to be clearly and publicly established. The special 
counsel must have the authority and independence necessary to conduct 
the inquiry in an effective and credible manner. The House of 
Representatives, as well as the American public, deserve an 
investigation which will uncover the truth. At this moment, I am afraid 
that the apparent restrictions placed on this special counsel will not 
allow the truth to be uncovered. ``The rules normally applied by the 
Ethics Committee to an investigation of a typical Member are 
insufficient in an investigation of the Speaker of the House. Clearly, 
this investigation has to meet a higher standard of public 
accountability and integrity.'' Prophetic words, indeed, Mr. Speaker.
  These are the words of the current Speaker of the House in 1988 
referring to the investigation of a former Speaker of this House. This 
House cannot and must not tolerate a double standard. The Ethics 
Committee must follow the standard set by Speaker Gingrich himself.
  We need an outside counsel to investigate Speaker Gingrich and we 
must not restrict the scope of that counsel's investigation. Let's get 
on with it.

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