Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 7, 1994 TAG: 9405090126
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ERIKA BOLSTAD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Goodlatte, who is unopposed, opened his campaign Friday by talking up six bills he plans to introduce that deal with congressional reform and government cost-cutting.
Goodlatte called the reform bills ``another solid step to returning Congress where it belongs, to the people.''
Only one of the six bills has been formally introduced in the House of Representatives, but the others are scheduled to be introduced next week.
One bill involves cutting the congressional franking budget. Franking is the privilege that allows legislators to send official correspondence free of charge. This bill would make those entitled to use the congressional frank more accountable for their charges, Goodlatte said, requiring that a monthly statement of costs be available to the public.
Goodlatte's second bill would cut the legislative branch's administrative budget by 25 percent, eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic offices.
``The majority of people in Congress believe they were elected to solve every problem in the universe,'' Goodlatte said. He added that some government bureaucrats do nothing more than sit around and think of ways to keep their jobs, adding to the cost of running the federal government.
Goodlatte said his office already has successfully cut spending 25 percent.
His third bill ``ends the pension gravy train'' that makes retired members of Congress millionaires. Pensions would be computed under the same formula that applies to all other federal employees.
Goodlatte also will sponsor three bills dealing with roll call and proxy voting in the House.
One bill would prohibit voting by proxy in committee or sub-committee, forcing representatives to attend their committee hearings. Another bill would require a roll call vote when taxpayers' money is involved.
``Many bills are passed by a simple voice vote,'' Goodlatte said. ``This would force a roll call vote on [any legislation] that spends a dime of money.''
The final voting bill would allow any member of the House to demand a roll call vote on line items within bills.
Goodlatte is also the co-sponsor on some 20 other reform bills, ranging from a proposed balanced-budget amendment to a term-limit bill.
Some of the reforms could take time.
``We have had some progress this year,'' he said. ``The trend is in our favor, but it's a long road.''
Goodlatte will be formally nominated at the 6th District nominating convention in Lynchburg next week.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB