[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT SHOULD RELEASE SPECIAL
COUNSEL REPORT ON SPEAKER GINGRICH BEFORE ADJOURNMENT
(Mr. WARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I am appalled at how my colleagues across the
aisle are misusing the powers of the Committee on Standards of Official
Conduct. They have stalled the review process on a complaint about
Speaker Gingrich to such an extent that now they may not even address
the allegations at all before we adjourn this year.
Exactly what does the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct do,
if it will not report on findings? What is in the report that they do
not want the American people to see it?
The investigation has so far cost the American people half a million
dollars. I think these same taxpayers, as well as Mr. Gingrich's own
constituents in Georgia, deserve to know if the allegations are true or
false.
If the Republicans on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
plan to adjourn before addressing this complaint, the least they should
do is release the report from the outside counsel. Let the people of
America judge for ourselves if there is any wrongdoing.
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