The Fort Apache scout., 1963-02-01
First Congress Days
By Rep. George F. Senner, Jr.
Congressman - 3rd District - Arizona

After few weeks in Wash Of my opinion based my
ngon getting used the d of vital issues facing the dis
tine, thought would take this trct and nation.
method to tell you how feel Congressman is in excel
about being Congressman lent position to get the facts on
from Arizona. nearly any subject you can i'm
truly great experience agne. In addition to the Ii
and face with all humility brary of Congress right
share thoughts and the street from the House Of
experiences with yOu through tce Building there all the
the cooperation OF this bureaus and agencies OF the
per- government as we'll as hundreds
Intelligent decisions can only of organizations which repre-
the careful all facets of the American
y gathered information. have culture and economy.
spent of the past month These groups provide Con.
gathering and dgeSting nor gre information and
nation as have the members OF that IS expert Verified doc-
my staff. mented and difficult to obtain
During study occurred under ordinary circumstances.
that it is also vitality i'm My job to Sift and digest
poant for constituents of the this information correate
Third District to be informed with the best interests of Arzo
and that is what this column mas Third Congressional Dis
will attempt to do tct and then make decision
In general will be column legislation before Congress-
HAVE RECEIVED considerable mail concerning the House
Rule Committee and think this good time explain what
all the fuss about and why voted to retain committee OF
This not partisan battle There unanimous vote in
the Republican conference AS the Rules Committee
OF Is members providing the composition Democrats and
Republicans twas set by the Republicans
when they in control of the House.
also point there nothing about the
OF the Rules Committee At various times has had H. r. A.
standing committee of the House. and Congresses the Speak
er did not even appoint Committee on Rules.
Purpose of the Rules Committee to carry out the will of the
majority of the Congress of the United Sates and to carry out
the business of legislating
Until its expansion to Is members the Rules Committee hadn't
been doing this and killed bills which had passed both the
Senate and the House Much vital legislation prevented from
coming the floor for debate where the pros and
be inspected by the entire membership of the House.
Until two years ago. the House Rules Committee the only
committee of the House that had number of members
This allowed tie stop legislation and gave tremendous
power to man. the chairman of the committee
Opponents of keeping the committee Is argued that the
will of the majority could work through discharge petition
signed by 28 members but this has been epugnan
bers of Congress and has been successful only the past
20 years.
believe elected representative should have reasonable op
porniy to hear discuss and debate the important that
before Congress-
This the republican form of government The repreSen-
tav should stand and be counted so that true representation
had by the people through the elected representatives
Because of the foregoing to be counted