[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING AMOUNTS FOR FURTHER EXPENSES OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF 
                            OFFICIAL CONDUCT

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the 
resolution (H. Res. 377), providing amounts for further expenses of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in the second session of the 
104th Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, 
I would like to ask the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas], the 
chairman of the Committee on Oversight, if he would explain the purpose 
of this resolution to the membership.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FAZIO of California. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 377 is to provide an additional 
$580,000 for expenses associated with the investigations and studies by 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. $400,000 of the 
$580,000 is for the procurement of consultants in cases pending.
  This resolution is obviously with some precedent. The Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct is really the only committee in the House 
that cannot determine its own agenda ahead of time. It is, by its very 
nature, a reactive committee.
  We have in the past supported resolutions of this nature. As a matter 
of fact since 1982, seven resolutions have come to the floor. This 
resolution is necessary so that the committee can carry out the 
investigations, the studies, and the responses to Members' requests for 
explanations that are part and parcel the nature of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct.
  Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues support House Resolution 377. 
It is simply affording the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
the resources necessary to do its job.
  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to 
object, I would concur in the gentleman's characterization of the 
resolution, and simply indicate that I hope the committee would return 
here expeditiously if there is any further need for funding for any 
purpose that comes before the committee. We are all anxious to see them 
proceed with all of their work as quickly as possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 377

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. FURTHER EXPENSES OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF 
                   OFFICIAL CONDUCT.

       For further expenses of the Committee on Standards of 
     Official Conduct (hereinafter in this resolution referred to 
     as the ``committee''), there shall be paid out of the 
     applicable accounts of the House of Representatives not more 
     than $580,000, of which not more than $400,000 may be used 
     for procurement of consultant services under section 202(i) 
     of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.

     SEC. 2. VOUCHERS.

       Payments under this resolution shall be made on vouchers 
     authorized by the committee, signed by the chairman of the 
     committee, and approved in the manner directed by the 
     Committee on House Oversight.

     SEC. 3. LIMITATION.

       Amounts shall be available under this resolution for 
     expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on 
     January 3, 1996, and ending immediately before noon on 
     January 3, 1997.

     SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.

       Amounts made available under this resolution shall be 
     expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Committee on House Oversight.

     SEC. 5. ADJUSTMENT AUTHORITY.

       The Committee on House Oversight shall have authority to 
     make adjustments in amounts under section 1, if necessary to 
     comply with an order of the President issued under section 
     254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
     of 1985 or to conform to any reduction in appropriations for 
     the purposes of such section 1.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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