Elijah Lewis: “Whereas on December 6, 1995, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct agreed to appoint an outside counsel to…”

“Whereas on December 6, 1995, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct agreed to appoint an outside counsel to conduct an independent, non-partisan 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 judgement 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 release to the public the outside counsel's report on Speaker Newt Gingrich--including any conclusions, recommendations, attachments, exhibits or accompanying material--no later than Wednesday, September 25, 1996.”