Political Quotes

“I rise in support of House Resolution 238. I remind my colleagues that an independent autonomous congressional inspector general would have completed his investigation by now, would have helped us live up to our constitutional responsibility to discipline our own Members, and would have removed the political cloud surrounding this scandal from this House for 2 years. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 238. I would think that every Member of this body has learned that the American people want representatives in the U.S. Congress that will act responsibly and with accountability. The responsible action today will be to support this resolution. For over 2 years, I have advocated the creation of an independent office of congressional inspector general. Such offices exist in the executive branch. An independent IG could have helped this institution avoid the tragic embarrassment of the post office scandal and even the need for this debate today. Had an independent IG existed, a prompt investigation would have been completed, appropriate action taken, years of delay and political maneuvering avoided. This lingering cloud of uncertainty can't be removed by the IG that exists within the House today, because he is virtually powerless in these situations. We have a continuing responsibility to run the people's House in a manner that is not only efficient and effective, but also above ethical approach.”