Dreier, Rules Republicans Seek to Restore Sunshine to Rules Committee

January 10, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC ‑ Congressman David Dreier (R‑San Dimas, CA), House Rules Committee Ranking Republican, was joined by his Republican Rules Committee colleagues today in introducing H.Res.48, a resolution that would overturn a rules change approved last week that shields votes in the Rules Committee from public scrutiny. Title V of H. Res. 6, Adopting Rules of the House of Representatives for the 110th Congress, removed a requirement implemented in the 104th Congress that all votes taken in the Rules Committee be included in the official Congressional record. Dreier and his Republican Rules colleagues all voted against the change.

“The Democrats decision to roll back sunshine requirements on Rules Committee votes is as troubling as it is baffling,” Dreier said. “Why don’t they believe these votes should be in the official Congressional record? In 12 years of Republican control of the House Rules Committee, more than 1300 roll call votes were taken and there were no errors in any of our committee reports. At best, this is a solution in search of a problem. At worst, it’s an attempt to shield the Rules Committee and its majority members from public scrutiny of their actions. We believe votes in the Rules Committee must be included in the official Congressional record. There should be no excuses or exemptions.”

Text of H.Res.48