[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                           HON. STEVE SCALISE

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2019

  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I rise today regarding my absence from 
the House on Monday, October 21, 2019. Had I been present for Roll Call 
No. 568, I would have voted ``nay'' on the motion to table 
consideration of H. Res. 647, a resolution to condemn and censure 
Congressman Adam Schiff for making false statements at the House 
Intelligence Committee hearing on September 26, 2019.
  As a co-sponsor of the censuring resolution, I strongly support 
efforts to bring it to a vote on the House floor. Unfortunately, as my 
colleagues across the aisle continue to conduct an impeachment inquiry 
in secret, this is yet another example of their refusal to be 
transparent with the American people. Just as they have refused to go 
on record and vote on impeachment, my colleagues across the aisle are 
refusing to hold one of our colleagues accountable for making false and 
disparaging representations of the President of the United States. 
Congress has a Constitutional responsibility to be fair and 
transparent, and refusing to do so has very grave consequences for the 
future of our country.
  We were all elected to the people's house to work on behalf of the 
American people. Refusing to have a fair and open debate, as well as a 
recorded vote on H. Res. 647, is a severe disservice to the American 
people, and an affront to the democracy upon which our country was 
founded.

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