Bob Filner: “I rise in opposition to many of the elements of this package. While there are some admirable portions--for which I would…”

“I rise in opposition to many of the elements of this package. While there are some admirable portions--for which I would vote if they stood alone--the package as a whole must be defeated! When we carefully examine what these rules will do, we discover they are not reforms at all, as has been promised, but steps that actually reduce our ability to serve the public and increase opportunities for purely partisan activity. Eliminating the Post Office and Civil Service Committee would be a disservice to the many retirees who have dedicated their lives in service to their country! I have received many letters and calls from seniors who are extremely concerned about this action. Eliminating the legislative service organizations will make it more difficult to get a fair hearing for any program or analysis that goes in a different direction from that of the new majority. In 1992, Congress went through a concerted effort in the aftermath of the House Post Office scandal to make the House administration a non-partisan activity, reporting in a bipartisan manner to Congress. This was true reform. But the proposed rule would eliminate the nonpartisan Doorkeeper's Office--and open a backdoor to partisan manipulation. The new Speaker's Office is another attempt to consolidate power in a partisan manner--eliminating the progress that has been made in protecting the rights of both the minority and the majority and in fostering full debate of issues before this legislative body.”