Alan Grayson: “I want to repeat: one of the questions to make that determination is whether the dignity of the House has been offended.…”

“I want to repeat: one of the questions to make that determination is whether the dignity of the House has been offended. As I indicated, there is one final point to make here before I get into further argument, which is this: the American public is now of the following opinion: What do you have a higher opinion of, Congress or zombies? Congress, 37 percent; zombies, 43 percent. Now, clearly, statements such as these and others cited in the resolution call into question the dignity of the House. These statements are not from a single editorial or merely one passer-by. These statements are being expressed around the Nation and across the globe. They have contributed to a Congressional approval rating plummeting to 7 percent--that is 7 percent--in the latest Economist/YouGov poll, and they must be addressed by this body. Thankfully, rule IX of the rules of the House of Representatives provides Members a mechanism through which to address those times when the dignity of the House has been harmed and called into question. It allows for questions of privilege. Specifically, rule IX reads as follows: Questions of privilege shall be, first, those affecting the rights of the House collectively, its safety, dignity, and integrity of its proceedings. I submit to you, Mr. Chair, that these are questions squarely within the dignity of the House of Representatives.…”