Harold Volkmer: “I view the House of Representatives as one of the most respected bodies and institutions in this world, maybe not quite…”

“I view the House of Representatives as one of the most respected bodies and institutions in this world, maybe not quite to the extent that I do my church and my home, but it reaches right up there with them. This is the greatest institution for democracy in the world. It should never be sullied, should never be soiled by actions of any of its Members, yet today we have a stain on the U.S. House of Representatives. We have a cloud over its existence. That is the question of the Speaker's involvement with Rupert Murdoch over the book deal. Mr. Speaker, only 2 weeks ago, finally we had a House Ethics Committee appointed. It has not met. Nothing has been done. Yet we all know from published reports of the meetings between the Speaker, Mr. Murdoch, his lobbyists, and others, we all know that the corporations that are controlled by Mr. Murdoch have matters pending before the Federal Communications Commission. We all know that there is possible pending legislation that would benefit Mr. Murdoch and his holdings before this House of Representatives. We should have a thorough investigation. Yet, what it appears is going on now is, there is nothing going to be done, that that committee is not going to meet. It is not just the committee in action that concerns me. It is the fact that everyone agrees; we just heard from Mr. Wertheimer of Common Cause, who says we need an adviser for ethics outside, independent counsel, to look into this. I agree.…”