Wilson Statement on Minority Bill of Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2007

CONTACT: Kim Olive
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 420-9493 (Cell)

Wilson Statement on Minority Bill of Rights

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) today joined House Republicans in calling for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to uphold a proposal she crafted in 2004 that will allow the Minority Party to fully participate in the legislative process. Wilson released the following statement:

“After trumpeting minority rights for the past 12 years, Nancy Pelosi has an opportunity to promote her own proposals. Democrats should not thrust a liberal agenda on the American people by blocking Republican participation in the legislative process. In my legislative career, I have served in the Minority and the Majority, and I know the process can be open.

“I urge Speaker Pelosi to extend the same rights to Republicans she fought for when in the Minority.”

The Minority Bill of Rights ensures the 110th Congress will move forward by encouraging honest, open legislative debate instead of stifling the voices of the minority party

Among other measures, the resolution says:

ò Bills should normally be considered under a procedure that allows open, full, and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants all members the right to offer amendments or substitutes;

ò Bills should only come to the Floor after full hearings, open subcommittee and committee markups;

ò Members should be allowed a full 24 hours to examine bills and conference reports before they come to the floor; and

ò Rules governing debate must be reported before 10 p.m. for a bill to be considered the next day.

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