Rod Grams: “during consideration of the fiscal year 1993 legislative branch appropriations bill, I offered, and this body passed, an…”

“during consideration of the fiscal year 1993 legislative branch appropriations bill, I offered, and this body passed, an amendment to prohibit midterm office moves in the House of Representatives--with an average savings of $15,000 per vacancy. I am pleased to say to my colleagues that it worked. Both Vern Ehlers and Frank Lucas now occupy the offices of their predecessors, and they will continue to do so until the end of this Congress. Our newest colleague, Ron Lewis, will move into the office of the late William Natcher--and I am willing to bet anyone that this will save the taxpayer more than $15,000. Sure, it may seem like a drop in the bucket. But last year's amendment showed the American people that Congress is starting to hear and heed their concerns, that Members of the House are capable of spending their money as wisely as we spend our own. It's about time. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, this prohibition expires in October. So I urge the House Building Commission to make this commonsense reform a permanent change that does not need to be renewed annually. I also urge the Commission to rethink the House office lottery system to make it less costly to the American taxpayer. It is a small step, but an important one--and one which has already saved precious taxpayer dollars.”