I’ll continue to keep you updated as I hear of additional legislative priorities for the 112th Congress. You’ve heard Senator Mitch McConnell’s take on what lies ahead, and now you know that Representative Ron Paul plans to actively pursue an audit of the Federal Reserve. I also heard, just today, that Representative David Dreier has requested cameras in the House Committee on Rules main hearing room. Dreier is the Committee’s Ranking Member, but soon-to-be Chairman (most likely). I first heard Republicans talk about installing cameras during John Boehner’s speech at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), but, at that time, it was uncertain if they would win a majority and have the ability to implement such change.
Dreier sent a letter to Dan Strodel, Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, asking that cameras (or a temporary live stream video) be installed before the 112th Congress begins. Here is an excerpt from the letter:
“As you may be aware, the Committee on Rules is the only Committee - other than the Intelligence and Ethics committees - which does not have the ability to broadcast video of its proceedings in its main hearing room. Given the important nature of our work, my Republican Rules Committee colleagues and I have repeatedly requested that the Majority undertake the installation of cameras in the Rules Committee hearing room to the end that the Committee begin webcasting its proceedings. The Republican Members feel strongly that the American people should have the ability to watch the Committee in action.”
I couldn’t agree more. The Rules Committee is a powerful entity because it basically determines what legislation comes to the floor for an up-or-down vote. For example, hundreds of amendments can be submitted to a bill, but the Rules Committee may only permit a few of them to receive an official floor vote. The absence of cameras inside the Rules Committee was a hot topic during the health care debate, as House leaders considered a procedural sleight of hand (Slaughter Solution) to pave the way for swift passage of the reconciliation package.
The American people do not want closed-door legislating and procedural gimmicks, especially from one of the most influential committees in Congress! If cameras are allowed in other hearing rooms, why should Rules be the exception? I sincerely hope Representative Dreier is successful in this endeavor because transparency is not an issue of right or left, it’s an issue of right or wrong.