Gregg Harper on Government Reform

Voted NO on Senate pay raise.

Makes appropriations to the Senate for FY2010 for:
1. expense allowances;
2. representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders;
3. salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations);
4. agency contributions for employee benefits;
5. inquiries and investigations;
6. the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control;
7. the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;
8. miscellaneous items;
9. the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and
10. official mail costs.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D, FL-20): We, as Members of Congress, have responsibility not just for the institution, but for the staff that work for this institution, and to preserve the facilities that help support this institution. We have endeavored to do that responsibly, and I believe we have accomplished that goal.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. SCALISE (R, LA-1): It's a sad day when someone attempts to cut spending in a bill that grows government by the size of 7%, and it's not allowed to be debated on this House floor. Some of their Members actually used the term "nonsense" and "foolishness" when describing our amendments to cut spending; they call that a delaying tactic. Well, I think Americans all across this country want more of those types of delaying tactics to slow down this runaway train of massive Federal spending. Every dollar we spend from today all the way through the end of this year is borrowed money. We don't have that money. We need to control what we're spending.

Member of House Committee on Ethics.

The House Ethics Committee's functions revolve around the standards of ethical conduct for members of the House. Under this authority, it:

• Agrees on a set of rules that regulate what behavior is considered ethical for members (rules relating to gifts, travel, campaign activities, treatment of staff, conflicts of interest, etc.)
• Conducts investigations into whether members have violated these standards
• Makes recommendations to the whole House on what action, if any, should be taken as a result of the investigations (e.g. censure, expulsion from the House, or nothing, if the member is found not to be violating a rule)
• Provides advice to members before they (the members) take action, so as to avoid uncertainty over ethical culpability.

In response to criticism of the House Ethics Committee, the House created the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), an independent non-partisan entity established to monitor ethical conduct in the House.

Member of House Committee on House Administration.

The House Committee on House Administration deals with the general administration matters of the United States House of Representatives, such as:

• Appropriations for salaries and expenses
• Employment of persons by the House, including staff for Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and Committees; and reporters of debates.
• The Library of Congress, including management thereof.
• The House Library.
• Statuary and pictures.
• Acceptance or purchase of works of art for the Capitol.
• United States Botanic Garden.
• Purchase of books and manuscripts.
• The Smithsonian Institution and the incorporation of similar institutions .
• The Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards (Franking Commission).
• Printing and correction of the Congressional Record.
• Accounts of the House generally.
• Assignment of office space for Members and Committees.
• Services to the House, including House food services, parking facilities, and administration of the House Office Buildings and of the House wing of the Capitol.
• Travel of Members.
• Raising, reporting, and use of campaign contributions for candidates for office of Representative.
• Compensation, retirement, and other benefits of the Members, and employees of Congress.