Elijah Lewis: “today or tomorrow the House will consider a privileged resolution I have introduced calling on the Ethics Committee to…”

“today or tomorrow the House will consider a privileged resolution I have introduced calling on the Ethics Committee to release the report of the outside counsel investigating Speaker Newt Gingrich. I would like to read the text of that privileged resolution: Whereas on December 6, 1995, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct agreed to appoint an outside counsel to conduct an independent, nonpartisan investigation of allegations of ethical misconduct by Speaker Newt Gingrich; Whereas, after an eight-month investigation, that outside counsel has submitted an extensive document containing the results of his inquiry; Whereas the report of the outside counsel cost the taxpayers $500,000; Whereas the public has a right--and members of Congress have a responsibility--to examine the work of the outside counsel and reach an independent judgment concerning the merits of the charges against the Speaker; Whereas these charges have been before the Ethics Committee for more than two years: Whereas a failure of the Committee to release the outside counsel's report before the adjournment of the 104th Congress will seriously undermine the credibility of the Ethics Committee and the integrity of the House of Representatives; Therefore be it resolved that-- The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall immediately release to the public the outside counsel's report on Speaker Newt Gingrich, including any conclusions, recommendations, attachments, exhibits or accompany…”