Rules Committee Republicans Demand Coverage of Rules Committee Proceedings
The Republican Members of the House Rules Committee today officially requested the Democratic Majority work with them to bring sunlight to the work of the Rules Committee in order to give the American people a better understanding of the legislative process. In a letter that cites the poor process that dictated the handling of the stimulus and cap and trade bills, as well as the broken appropriations process, the Rules Committee Republicans are seeking the cooperation of Rules Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) to have cameras installed in the hearing room as soon as possible.
The letter to Chairwoman Slaughter states in part:
"Recent events have demonstrated over and over that more transparency in the Rules Committee’s proceedings is necessary. Whether it is a 300-page amendment dropped in Members’ laps at 3 o’clock in the morning, a conference report authorizing large payouts to AIG executives, or the Rules Committee’s new-found role as the arbiter of every amendment considered on the floor of the House, the public deserves to see what we’re up to in the Rules Committee.
"Therefore, we respectfully request that you work with the Chief Administrative Officer to install cameras in our committee room at the earliest possible opportunity for the purpose of webcasting our proceedings."
The Rules Committee hearing room is among the smallest on Capitol Hill, and one the last few without cameras to record the work of the committee. The full text of the letter is available here.
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