[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H10334-H10335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT

  (Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to address 
theHouse for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, ``I have a number of concerns 
regarding the Ethics Committee's contract and instructions to the 
special counsel.
  ``First, I am concerned that the scope and authority and the 
independence of the special counsel will be limited by the guidelines 
the Ethics Committee has established.
  ``The committee shall give the special counsel full cooperation in 
the issuance of subpoenas.''


                             point of order

  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a point of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his point of order.
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is not adhering to the rulings 
of theHouse again with respect to speaking on the floor regarding 
matters before the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, if I may be heard on the point 
of order?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will hear the gentleman from 
California.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, the words I have uttered up 
until the time I was interrupted are not my words. They are in fact the 
words of Speaker Gingrich on July 28, 1988, in a letter from Speaker 
Gingrich to theHonorable Julian Dixon, the former Chair of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, 
this is proper.
  If I can continue to be heard on the point of order, Mr. Speaker, I 
am not speaking to a matter that is currently before the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct. I am speaking to a matter that was 
before the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in 1988, where 
the question was raised at that time as to whether or not that 
committee had, one, limited the scope of inquiry by the special 
counsel, where the question was raised as to the contract between the 
special counsel and the committee, and whether or not the committee 
was----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will kindly suspend. The Chair 
is prepared to rule.

[[Page H10335]]

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I have not been heard on the 
point of order. I have a right to be heard.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair is acceding to the gentleman from 
California's points. The gentleman may proceed in that context.
  Mr. MILLER of California. I only wanted you to do that after I 
presented the evidence.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has ruled. The gentleman may 
proceed in order, with his 1-minute time limitation.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Further, ``The committee shall give the 
outside counsel full cooperation in the issuance of subpoenas.
  ``The outside counsel shall be free, after discussions with the 
Committee, to make such public statements and reports the counsel deems 
appropriate.
  ``The outside counsel shall have full authority to recommend what 
formal charges be brought before the Ethics Committee.
  ``The committee shall not countermand or interfere with the outside 
counsel's ability to take steps necessary to conduct a full and fair 
investigation.''
  The Speaker went on to say it was his impression from the press 
reports that ``the Ethics Committee has specifically failed to meet the 
test that was set forth by Common Cause.''
  He says, ``I would therefore like a copy of the resolution, the 
guidelines adopted by the Ethics Committee outlining the authority the 
committee has given the special counsel in order to carry out the 
responsibilities of the outside counsel.''
  Mr. Speaker, if it was good in 1988 for Speaker Wright, then it is 
good today for Speaker Gingrich.

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