Mike Honda: “I am not opposed to the amendment, but I figured that I could spend a little time now, since I didn't take it on the…”

“I am not opposed to the amendment, but I figured that I could spend a little time now, since I didn't take it on the last one. As a Member who represents Silicon Valley, I am supportive of most any effort to move us towards becoming a more paperless Congress. This amendment is easy to support because the Government Printing Office has already taken steps that reduce printed copies of the Congressional Record. GPO has surveyed the House and Senate for their continuing to print copies of the Record, along with other print documents, like the Federal Register, the first survey of its kind. And for those offices like my own that told GPO that we want to opt out of having the Record delivered to our offices, GPO stopped those deliveries. I think the gentleman would also be interested in knowing that 68 percent of the costs of producing the Congressional Record is incurred whether copies are printed or not. These are the pre-press costs that are used to create the electronic file which they upload for online and also print. So while I'm not opposed to reviewing how Congress does its work, including its documents requirement, I believe Members should spend some time getting to know the agency before acting upon it. I think that this move towards a more paperless Congress will start here. It needs to start here with our own practices, and I believe the GPO will accommodate.…”