Congressional Issues

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) today voted in favor of legislation, HR 325, which adopts a version of ”No Budget, No Pay,” an initiative Peters declared his support for prior to being elected to Congress. HR 325 also raises the nation’s debt ceiling for three months, giving Congress more time to develop a more permanent solution.

When a Member of Congress is given time to formally express an opinion or make a statement on an issue before the House, they are said to have the 'floor' of the House, and their views are referred to as a 'Floor Speech'.

How House Members are allotted time to speak, or sometimes observe silence, are adapted from rules of order originally written by Thomas Jefferson. The speeches and other proceedings of the House are published daily in the Congressional Record.

Editorials historically came about as a means to let the average person know the opinions of the editors and publishers of newspapers and magazines.

Eventually editors realized that added interest in their newspapers and magazines could be sparked by allowing readers to express their opinions on the page opposite the editorial, and the modern op-ed was invented. Today 'editorial' and 'op-ed' are often used interchangeably to refer to any written piece expressing an opinion on the issues of the day, whether in a magazine, a newspaper, or a website.

Congressman Scott Peters was sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives by House Speaker John Boehner January 3rd, 2013.