This measure makes so much sense that it has already been co-sponsored by 46 members with little salesmanship on my part. This simple change in the Rules allows members an opportunity to view the provisions of a bill before they vote on the measure. Guaranteeing members this right to be informed of legislation we are voting on would move us light years ahead. My bill also contains a provision which allows this rule to be suspended only upon the joint request of the Speaker and the minority leader based upon a determination of national emergency and an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members. I have heard from many Freshman members who are surprised that there is not a provision in the rules requiring that printed copies be available. Many of them came here from state legislatures who have this rule. I know that my state of New Hampshire has this same rule. State legislators I talked with said that at first implementing this rule caused some problems for staff and old school politicians, but it was so well received be rank and file members, the media and public interest groups, that it is enthusiastically complied with today. I hope that the members of the joint committee will endorse this simple rule change and support a measure aimed at true reform. Mr. Chairman, thank you again for this opportunity to testify. Wit Zeliff In nut - I TILLIE K. FOWLER 4TH DISTRICT, FLURIDA Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515-0904 STATEMENT BY REP. TILLIE FOWLER TO JOING COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR DURING MY CAMPAIGN, THE SALARY OF THE DEPUTY DOOR KEEPER ON THE TAIL OF BOUNCED CHECKS, UNPAID MEAL TABS AND POST CITIZEN REPRESENTATION...THAT IS WHAT THIS HOUSE IS SUPPOSED Tillie K. Fowler Page two AS YOU MAY KNOW, I SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR BOTH THE HOUSE AND YESTERDAY, I WAS WITNESS TO ANOTHER NEEDED REFORM THAT NEEDS I ALSO THINK THAT A COMPLETE REVIEW OF COMMITTEES, SUBCOMMITTEES, AND THEIR STAFF SHOULD TAKE PLACE. A ZEROBASED BUDGET APPROACH IF YOU WILL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO REVIEW EACH COMMITTEE AND ITS USEFULNESS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CONGRESS WOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE WITH A FEW LESS COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE STAFF. MR. CHAIRMAN, I COMMEND YOU AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE THANK YOU. |