John Sarbanes: “It is very simple. We think the compass within the organizing resolution would be an assurance of what is now the…”

“It is very simple. We think the compass within the organizing resolution would be an assurance of what is now the minority in terms of the allocation of resources so we will be able to meet our responsibilities. We are not asserting the majority will not assume the chairmanships of the committees. Obviously they will do so. In fact, I stood out here a little while ago and said I recognize now I was on my way to being the ranking member instead of the chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. We are simply saying, and it goes right to the point the Senator raised about the workings of the institution, part and parcel workings of the institution is to include within the organizing resolution an understanding with respect to the allocations, particularly since Members of the majority--not all Members, but some Members of the majority--have been very outspoken in asserting a position that would significantly deny to the minority adequate resources to meet its responsibility and which is directly counter and in marked conflict with the way the majority was treated in the last Congress when they were a minority.”