Porter Goss: “It is Independence Day in this House, as we begin to set ourselves free from the shackles of what America knows is the…”

“It is Independence Day in this House, as we begin to set ourselves free from the shackles of what America knows is the status quo, business as usual. I hardly need to remind my colleagues about the Dark Ages, when committee chairmen zealously perpetuated their turfs; when Members missed committee meetings because votes were taken by proxy; when committee meetings could be held in the dead of the night behind closed doors, sometimes locked closed doors, locked to the minority; when Members could come to this floor and apparently wilfully disclose classified information without admonition; when large tax bills could pass on the slimmest of margins and huge spending packages could slide through on a voice vote. The excesses of Congresses past are well documented. On November 8, Americans sent a message. Well, Mr. Speaker, message received. Limiting the terms of committee chairmen, banning proxy voting, establishing truth in budgeting, reducing staff, opening up and streamlining the committee process, mandating recorded votes on spending bills, these changes today will make this a more responsive and responsible House.”