[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10530-H10531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600
                      DOING THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Spreaker, I thank my colleague from Florida for his 
thought-provoking remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I have listened with interest to many different 
perspectives on this floor and in this chamber on this Sunday afternoon 
when we remain in session intent on doing the people's business.
  Mr. Speaker, I was especially astounded to hear a lecture in ethics 
from the other side, particularly from one Member who finds himself 
ethically-challenged and, indeed, involved in civil litigation 
concerning what many would define as an ethical problem, and yet that 
is the level of absurdity we have reached in Washington, when those who 
are suspected of doing wrong often stand to claim their endeavors to be 
right.
  So it is sadly, Mr. Speaker, at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, 
where this morning our President met with leaders of the minority 
party, but failed to meet with the leadership of this House from the 
conservative majority. Indeed, in discussing with the leadership of the 
majority party the phenomenon, apparently this President has not met 
with the majority leadership throughout this two years of the 105th 
Congress.
  Yet tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States will 
leave our Federal capital, intent on raising funds for electioneering. 
First he will go to Palm Beach, Florida, and then tomorrow night he 
will go to New York City. New York City? Yes, New York City. He will be 
there to raise money for a Member of this House who sits on the 
Committee on the Judiciary and who has aspirations of joining the other 
body here on the hill.
  Now, Mr. Speaker, I understand how hard bitten and cynical 
Washington, D.C. has become. Indeed, in stark contrast to my usual 
weekend activities when I am back home in position to listen and learn 
from the constituents of the 6th District of Arizona, I had the 
opportunity this morning to watch the various Sunday news programs, and 
came away from those just a bit chagrined by the ferocity of the spin 
cycle, and the seeming hunger on the part of the media elite to cast 
aside the Constitution and find some unconstitutional or extra-
constitutional remedies for the plight in which our President finds 
himself.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all remember, we stood here as a body 435 
strong in January of 1997, raised our right hands and swore to uphold 
and defend the Constitution of the United States. Those in the 
Executive Branch take a similar oath. And for anyone in any office to 
suggest that we cast aside the Constitution and constitutional 
principles to embrace some remedies of

[[Page H10531]]

convenience, do our constitutional republic a grave disservice.
  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I would call upon the President of the United 
States to cancel his questionable fund-raising activities tomorrow, to 
stay in Washington, D.C. and to do something unique, indeed, novel: To 
call the leadership of the Congress and to join with Members of this 
House and the other body in constructive solutions to the challenges we 
face. Otherwise, Mr. Speaker, let us state clearly, so there will be no 
doubt, we are prepared to stay here as long as it takes.

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