[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2661-H2662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I am still not sure where that line is. If I 
were to say that the Republican candidate for President misled us into 
this war, is that crossing the line?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will state these guidelines.
  As the Chair stated on March 11 and April 22, 2004, the standards of 
decorum in debate applicable to the President are applied against any 
apparent nominee for that office. Thus, although remarks in debate may 
include criticism of such a candidate's official positions as a 
candidate, it is a breach of order to refer to the candidate in terms 
personally offensive, whether by actual accusation or by mere 
insinuation.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry.
  I am not going to challenge the ruling of the Chair; but if the 
candidate of the Democratic Party is accused of condemning our troops, 
I find that crossing the line, inappropriate and wrong. We are allowed, 
the candidate is allowed at Senate hearings to make his voice known 
about the war in Vietnam. He did not condemn the troops. I am upset 
with the ruling of the Chair.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The point of order has been overruled.

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