Rep. Chu Statement on Republican Rules Package for 115th Congress
Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives approved of the rules for the 115th Congress by a vote of 234-193. The package, drafted by House Republicans, introduced a number of new rules, including a budget waiver to make it easier to repeal the Affordable Care Act and a decorum provision requiring fines against Members who use electronic photography or broadcasting from the House Floor. It also reinstates the "Holman Rule," which makes it easier to fire Federal employees or cut their pay through the federal appropriations process without proper debate or a committee hearing. The new rules were originally intended to include an additional provision to lessen the independence and capacity of the Office of Congressional Ethics, however this provision was removed at the last minute following public outcry. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), released the following statement:
"With this rules package, Republicans are making it clear from the start that the goals of this Congress are to make it harder for constituents to get healthcare, harder to rely on committee hearings, and harder to investigate ethics violations. It's not surprising that the first vote taken by Republicans made it easier for them to undo the popular and successful Affordable Care Act. This is something they have done almost 70 times now, despite warnings from experts and constituents alike that doing so without a replacement plan will cause millions to lose their health insurance. Furthermore, the new rule to fine members who use cameras on the floor is a particularly egregious and punitive action. When Speaker Ryan turned off the cameras to the House Floor during our sit-in earlier this year, Democrats used social media to allow millions of Americans to follow along with their Representatives. We, and so many others, demanded action to restrict certain gun purchases. What we are getting instead is action to restrict the Democratic Party.
"I'm also disturbed by the reinstatement of the ‘Holman Rule', which flies in the face of Republican promises for more transparency and debate in our law making process. Lastly, while I am relieved that Republicans made the last-minute decision to pull their rule gutting the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, I'm deeply troubled by the secretive manner in which the provision was introduced, and the attempt to circumvent strict ethics polices that it represents. We must continue to oppose any attempt to weaken our ability to police the ethical violations of those with the public trust."