[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H11054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE SPEAKER AND ETHICS

  (Mrs. SCHROEDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, the Speaker of this House 
was unable to find a room anyplace in this Capitol Hill complex for the 
Democrats to have a hearing on Medicare cuts, and so we were outdoors--
outdoors--for many long days talking about what they were trying to do 
behind closed doors. And when seniors came to the Hill a year ago to 
ask the questions of the committees who were in charge, Speaker 
Gingrich had them arrested and we had to go get them out. And now when 
we have charges against the Speaker that have been analyzed by an 
outside independent counsel, we are not allowed to see them. What is 
going on here?


                             point of order

  Mr. CHRYSLER. Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman will suspend. The gentleman 
will state his point of order.
  Mr. CHRYSLER. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Colorado is violating 
House rules by referring to matters before the Ethics Committee which 
are specifically forbidden in House rules.
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. May I be heard on the point of order, Mr. Speaker?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman may be heard.
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. My question is, what does this House do when not only 
just a regular Member of the House but the chief officer of the House, 
the third in line for the presidency, has these serious charges and we 
cannot see them even though they were publicly funded? Why can we not 
discuss them on this House floor and why are we told we must go outside 
to discuss them as we had to do Medicare cuts?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. For reasons previously stated, the Chair 
sustains the point of order and asks the gentlewoman to proceed in 
order.
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I thought the gentleman from Georgia 
[Mr. Lewis] made a very emotional and correct approach. There comes a 
time when we all must stand up and say, what are these rules for? Are 
they to keep the American people from learning the truth?
  I am shocked that the United States of America that believes in free 
speech is gagging Members of Congress about the third most important 
elected official in America, and I am stunned the other side is 
insisting on that.

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