SOLUTIONS: - * REFORM THE BUDGET PROCESS BIANNUAL BUDGETING, LINE ITEM VETO, BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT ARE ALL NECESSARY CHANGES; * REQUIRE THAT ALL BILLS INCLUDE OBJECTIVE COST PROBLEM: CONGRESS ITSELF IS TOO BIG AND WASTES TOO MUCH SOLUTIONS: * RESTRUCTURE COMMITTEE SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE OVERLAPPING JURISDICTION AND BETTER REFLECT OUR NATIONAL PRIORITIES COMMITTEES; - CUT COMMITTEE SIZE & ELIMINATE SELECT x REDUCE THE SIZE OF STAFF BY CUTTING BACK ON BUDGETS; x REQUIRE ENHANCED PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF COMMITTEE x ESTABLISH DIRECT LINES OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL * ELIMINATE THE "SLUSH FUNDS" AND REQUIRE GREATER FUNDS; * ELIMINATE LSO'S (LEGISLATIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS) CLEARLY THIS IS A MONUMENTAL TASK AND, WHAT IS EQUALLY CLEAR IS THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SOLVE ALL OF OUR INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH ONE STROKE OF YOUR PENS. BUT THE FIRST STEP TOWARD OUR GOAL OF CONGRESSIONAL REFORM HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN - THE FORMATION OF THIS JOINT COMMITTEE AND THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH YOU ALL APPROACH YOUR TASK AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAIT THE OUTCOME BODES WELL FOR THIS INSTITUTION. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO SHARE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS AND BEST OF LUCK IN THE COMING MONTHS OF HARD WORK! THOMAS M. BARRETT 5TH DISTRICT, WISCONSIN Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515-4905 Testimony of the Honorable Thomas M. Barrett Before the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress February 4, 1993 I would initially like to thank the committee members for granting me the opportunity to testify before this historic committee. I would especially like to thank co-Chairmen Boren and Hamilton for your continuing efforts on behalf of positive reform of this institution. I would also like to commend the efforts of my colleague from Wisconsin, Mr. Obey, the dean of the Wisconsin delegation, who represents a shining example of the kind of leadership needed in Wisconsin and across this country. I am here today to ask you to include in your proposals a simple change in federal law. The law should state that members of Congress and their staffs are prohibited from receiving anything of value from lobbyists or their principals. It's a simple idea. It's straightforward, and you won't need an army of lawyers to interpret it. In making this proposal, I recognize that there are many people in this city who would characterize the proposal as "Pollyanna ish" or assume I just got off the fruit boat. However, this is a serious proposal that 90% of the American people would probably support. Before you consider it, I think it is important for you to know who I am not. I am not a Congress-basher. elected by telling voters that everything is wrong with Congress. I have tremendous respect for this institution and I believe that the best way to improve it is through positive action rather than through constant criticism. You should also know that I am not a novice to legislative bodies. I served a total of eight years in the Wisconsin Legislature 5 years in the Assembly and 3 years in the Senate. I know the pressure on legislators and the opportunities for them to do tremendously positive things for the communities they represent. I know that a law prohibiting legislators and legislative staff from receiving anything of value can work because it works well in Wisconsin. The beauty of the Wisconsin law is that it is fair and everyone understands it. It is awkward, and at times it seems to border on the ridiculous, such as those occasions when a legislator must decline a cup of coffee from a lobbyist. However, legislators and lobbyists understand the rules. both Here in Washington, members of both chambers have increasingly been criticized for distancing themselves from their constituents. I believe that the Congress would be well served with a change in the present code of ethics designed to bring members into closer contact with the people we represent. One way in which we might become closer to those we represent is to ensure that we do not seek or accept meals, gifts and trips which are not available to the general public. I believe that this committee was formed to explore ways in which the members of Congress can get back in touch with the people who elect us. Present ethics laws, which are inherently slanted toward monied interests, are not strong enough to make certain that the interests of constituents are foremost in the minds of legislators. I am confident that a stronger ethics policy at the federal level will enable the members of Congress to hear more clearly the voices of the American people calling for a government which addresses their problems rather than issues of special interests. Once again, I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to address the committee, and I want to express my strong support for continued efforts at positive reform by the committee and the Congress as a whole. TESTIMONY BEFORE THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS Distinguished Chairmen and Members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify before you today on, what I believe, is an issue that symbolizes much of what has gone wrong in Washington congressional exemption from laws. Congress is wholely or partially exempt from several major pieces of legislation including, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Freedom of Information Act. I share the sentiments of the public who sees this practice as an outrage and supports its elimination simply because it is wrong. But I also support bringing Congress under the laws it is currently exempt from for a much more practical reason Congress will write more effective and responsible legislation once it is required to fully live under the same laws it places on the Executive Branch and private sector. By exempting ourselves from laws, we are depriving members of the opportunity to experience firsthand the effects of the legislation we adopt. And, in turn we are removing ourselves one step further from the average American, insulating this institution from the needs and frustrations of our constituents it is no wonder so many feel we are out of touch. When Ross Perot was on the board of General Motors, he sought to eliminate the practice of allowing high-level executives to trade in their company car for a new one any time there was a problem with the car. He recommended executives take their car to the local dealership to have it repaired. He didn't recommend this to save money or to punish General Motors executives. Ross Perot wanted to introduce GM's executives to GM's customers and allow top management the opportunity to see firsthand what its customers were thinking, feeling, and experiencing. The taxpayers, in a sense, are our customers. And we need to enhance our sensitivity to their needs by making sure we live under the same laws. Congressman Swett and I, alony with the freshman members joining us here today, have introduced legislation, the Congressional Accountability Act, which would bring Congress under all laws from which it is currently exempt. Our bipartisan effort, already has more than 110 cosponsors. |