Freshman Congressional Members

New members of Congress along with Representatives Hamilton (D- IN) and Gradison (R-OH), held a news conference to urge creation of special committees that would propose changes in the organization aimed at ending recently reported abuses, such as check bouncing at the House private bank, disclosure of unpaid restaurant bills by members, and the leaking of confidential documents. This week, the freshman members will send a letter to House Speaker Foley and Republican Leader Bob Michel to express support for the proposed reform committee and to ask for a seat on the committee. A bill to establish the bi-partisan reform committee on Congress was introduced in late July by Representatives Hamilton and Gradison along with Senators Boren (D-OK) and Domenici R-NM) to study and recommend improvements in the organization of Congress. Similar temporary committees in 1945 and 1965 were successful in achieving congressional reform. close