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Ford Press Releases - Congress, 1968-1970
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Ford Press Releases - Congress, 1968-1970
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Press Releases Subject Files
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U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
U.S. Congress. 1789-
House Republican Policy Committee (U.S.)
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The original documents are located in Box D6, folder "Ford Press Releases - Congress,
1968-1970" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
O Office Copy
Congressional Leadership Briefings
RTH - Backgrounder
HOW THE HOUSE MAY PICK THE NEXT PRESIDENT
If no Presidential nominee gets an absolute majority (270) of electoral
votes on November 5, the Constitution provides that the House of Representatives
shall "immediately" choose the next President from the two or three contenders
with the most electoral votes.
When the House chooses a President, and only then, Congressmen do not
vote as individuals representing the people of their districts but by State
delegations. Each State casts one vote, whether it has only one or 41 Members
in the House. An absolute majority of 26 State votes is required to pick a
President.
If a State's delegation in the House is evenly divided, as are Illinois,
Oregon and Montana in the current Congress, it has no vote and voters of those
States are effectively disenfranchised. In this Congress, Democrats are a
majority in 29 State delegations and Republicans are a majority in 18.
In 24 States, however, a switch of one or two seats from Democrat to
Republican would significantly change its preference for the next President.
A Presidential election can be thrown into the House of Representatives if
the Electoral College vote is exactly tied between two persons, 269 to 269, or
if third party or additional contenders win enough electoral votes to prevent
anybody from getting 270. (There is no provision for a second ballot by the
electors.)
It has happened both ways in U. S. history, but not for 144 years.
Despite several Amendments the ground rules, unfortunately, are not fully
fixed by the Constitution. Some elements depend on ordinary statute law,
which can be changed by this or any Congress. Furthermore, the ground rules
by which the House selects a President differ from those by which the Senate
selects a Vice President, or Acting President, in case of deadlock.
Only twice has the House picked a President. It could do so again in 1969.
In 1801, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were tied in the Electoral
College. The House chose Jefferson after Alexander Hamilton, his longtime
political rival, threw his support to the Virginian and against his fellow
New Yorker. Burr later killed Hamilton in a duel.
In 1825 the Constitution had been amended to preclude another such impasse,
requiring electors to vote separately for President and Vice President, who
presumably would be of the same party.
Digitized from Box D6 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Four candidates won electoral votes in that election: Andrew Jackson,
by far the popular favority; John Quincy Adams, who had only two-thirds as
many popular votes and 84 electoral votes to Jackson's 99; Henry Clay and
William Crawford.
Clay ran a poor third in popular votes but was nosed out of consideration
by the House (of which he was Speaker) by trailing Crawford, 37 to 41, in
electoral votes. Nobody had a clear majority of electoral votes so the
House had to choose among Jackson, Adams and Crawford, the top three.
Eventually, after much wheeling and dealing, the House elected John
Quincy Adams as our fifth President over Jackson, despite his popular and
electoral plurality. It was said Adams promised Speaker Clay he would appoint
him Secretary of State, and he did. But four years later Jackson turned
Adams and his party out of the White House forever, and Clay never became
President.
Both in 1801 and 1825, the President was chosen by the expiring or "lame
duck" Congress, by House Members whose terms were about up. In 1933, however,
the 20th Amendment to the Constitution fixed the terms of new Senators and
Representatives to begin at noon on January 3, and those of the President and
Vice President to begin at noon on January 20, 17 days later.
But the Constitution remains inexplicit about (1) the date of national
elections, (2) the date when the Electoral College casts ballots for President
and Vice President and (3) the date when these electoral votes are officially
counted by a joint session of House and Senate.
These times and dates are left for Congress to determine. They can be
and have been changed by simple majorities like any other law.
At present, Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November (Nov. 5, 1963); the duly chosen electors meet in their respective
States and the District of Columbia and cast their votes on the first Monday
after the second Wednesday in December (Dec. 16, 1968), and the Congress meets
to canvass and certify the electoral vote at 1 p.m. on the January 6th
following each meeting of the electors (Jan. 6, 1969.)
This, of course, would be the new (91st) Congress, with all Members of
the House sworn in on Jan. 3 under the Constitution. But this Jan. 6 date
can be changed by Congress at any time. It was changed to Jan. 7 in 1957 to
avoid a Sunday session. It could be moved back to some date between Dec. 16,
when the electors meet, and Jan. 3, when the old Congress expires.
(2)
Thus, one may speculate that Vice President Humphrey, himself denied the
Presidency by a House deadlock, might cast the Senate vote that makes
Sen. Muskie the Acting President of the United States.
The only certain guarantee the American voter has of electing Richard
Nixon as the next President of the United States, of barring Hubert Humphrey
from the White House or his running mate from the Acting Presidency indefinitely
and of outlawing any wheeling and dealing within Democratic State delegations
by a third party contender is to elect a substantial Republican majority in
the next House of Representatives.
To be safe this majority must comfortably exceed the 218 seats that are
the minimum for control of the House, a gain of 31 in 1968 as compared to 47
in 1966.
To be absolutely sure of a change in Washington next year enough Repub-
lican Congressmen must be elected to make up majorities within at least 26
State delegations -- eight more than Republicans control now.
Ideally a shift of 9 seats could accomplish this, but practically it will
take more to make certain. Congressional contests in 24 States are the
battleground in this Presidential backstop operation.
One Republican replacing an incumbent Democrat in the House would switch
the Presidential preference of seven States: the presently tied Illinois
(12-12), Oregon (2-2) and Montana (1-1) delegations plus Pennsylvania (R13-D13
with one vacancy), Kentucky (R3-04), Nevada (D1) and Tennessee (R4-D5). All
but 2 of these States have Republican Governors; together they have seven
Republican Senators.
In another 11 States, a switch of one seat would deny the House vote to the
Democrats and two more Republican Congressmen would win control: Alabama (R3-
05), Arkansas (R1-03), Colorado (R1-D3), Hawaii (D2), Maine (D2), Maryland (R3-
05), Massachusetts (R5-D7), New Mexico (D2), Oklahoma (R2-04), Rhode Island (D2)
and Virginia (R4-06).
A 1968 gain of two Republican setas also would win the House delegations of
New Jersey (R6-D9), Washington State (R2-D5) and West Virginia (R1-D4) and
would tie up California (R17-D21), Connecticut (R1-05) and South Carolina (R1-
D5) if the next President is chosen by the House of Representatives.
(4)
Thus, one may speculate that Vice President Humphrey, himself denied the
Presidency by a House deadlock, might cast the Senate vote that makes
Sen. Muskie the Acting President of the United States.
The only certain guarantee the American voter has of electing Richard
Nixon as the next President of the United States, of barring Hubert Humphrey
from the White House or his running mate from the Acting Presidency indefinitely
and of outlawing any wheeling and dealing within Democratic State delegations
by a third party contender is to elect a substantial Republican majority in
the next House of Representatives.
To be safe this majority must comfortably exceed the 218 seats that are
the minimum for control of the House, a gain of 31 in 1968 as compared to 47
in 1966.
To be absolutely sure of a change in Washington next year enough Repub-
lican Congressmen must be elected to make up majorities within at least 26
State delegations -- eight more than Republicans control now.
Ideally a shift of 9 seats could accomplish this, but practically it will
take more to make certain. Congressional contests in 24 States are the
battleground in this Presidential backstop operation.
One Republican replacing an incumbent Democrat in the House would switch
the Presidential preference of seven States: the presently tied Illinois
(12-12), Oregon (2-2) and Montana (1-1) delegations plus Pennsylvania (R13-D13
with one vacancy), Kentucky (R3-04), Nevada (D1) and Tennessee (R4-05). All
but 2 of these States have Republican Governors; together they have seven
Republican Senators.
In another 11 States, a switch of one seat would deny the House vote to the
Democrats and two more Republican Congressmen would win control: Alabama (R3-
D5), Arkansas (R1-03), Colorado (R1-03), Hawaii (02), Maine (02), Maryland (R3-
D5), Massachusetts (R5-D7), New Mexico (D2), Oklahoma (R2-04), Rhode Island (D2)
and Virginia (R4-D6).
A 1968 gain of two Republican setas also would win the House delegations of
New Jersey (R6-D9), Washington State (R2-D5) and West Virginia (R1-D4) and
would tie up California (R17-D21), Connecticut (R1-05) and South Carolina (R1-
D5) if the next President is chosen by the House of Representatives.
(4)
AGENDA FOR A REPUBLICAN 91ST CONGRESS
afficalapy
Electoral College Reform
Clean Elections Legislation
Congressional Reform
Creation of a New Hoover Commission
Block Grants and Revenue Sharing
Reform Foreign Aid
Revise Military Draft System
Improve Social Security
National Emergency Strikes
Fiscal Reform
Reform and Revise Welfare Programs
Revitalize the Merchant Marine
Provide farm policies and programs that will bring fair prices
and greater opportunity to the American Farmer
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Review and Evaluate Existing Federal Programs
Encourage the initiation and expansion of private industry job
training programs through enactment of Republican Human Invest-
ment Act
Encourage state and local direction of educational programs and
provide system of tax credits for higher education costs
Clean Air - Clean Water
Speed the development of modern mass transportation systems.
Provide new and long-range highway planning and programs.
Improve Veterans Benefits
[The above items require legislative action during the 91st Congress.
This list is not set forth in order of priority nor is it intended to include
every subject that will be acted upon by the next Congress. The listed sub-
jects, however, have been considered in great detail and positive proposals
and programs have been developed with respect to them, by the House Republican
Conference, Policy Committee and Task Forces as well as the Republican Coor-
dinating Committee and the 1968 Republican Platform.]
ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM
Under our present system, the President is elected by ballot in the Electoral
College. Every State is represented by electors equal in number to the State's re-
presentation in the House and Senate. These electors are selected in the manner
determined by the individual state legislatures. In addition, the District of Columbia
is granted three electors by operation of the 23rd Amendment. A candidate for President
must receive a majority of the 538 ballots cast, or 270 votes, to be elected. The
Electoral College never assembles in one place, but rather meet separately in fifty-
one separate jurisdictions. There is only one round of balloting. If no candidate
receives a majority, then the House of Representatives elects the President and the
Senate elects the Vice President.
The present electoral college system is dangerously inadequate. For example:
1. It has permitted a candidate with fewer popular votes than another
candidate to be elected President.
2. It has allowed electors to disregard the mandate of their election
in casting an electoral ballot.
3. The winner of the plurality of the popular vote in a state wins all
of the electoral votes in that state regardless of the vote received
by the other candidates.
4. It has required the House of Representatives to decide elections when
no candidate received a majority of electoral votes. In this process,
each state, regardless of population, is given one vote.
5. Under the present system, the President and Vice President that are
finally chosen can be from different political parties.
6. There is no provision made in the present law for the selection of a
successor in the event of the death of a presidential or vice presid-
ential candidate prior to the counting of the electoral votes by
Congress on January 6th.
There have been a number of plans proposed to correct deficiencies in the
present system. One plan retains the electoral votes of the states, abolishes
the office of elector and automatically awards the electoral votes of a State to
the popular winner in that State. A second, the "district" plan continues both
the office of elector and a State's electoral votes but provides that the electoral
votes are to be spread among equipopulous districts (equal in number to the number
of Representatives in the House) plus two at-large districts. The winner of each
district automatically receives its electoral vote. A third plan abolishes the
office of elector but retains the state's electoral votes which are divided among
the candidates in proportion to their shares of the total popular vote within the
state. And a fourth plan proposes that the President be elected by direct vote of
the people. Under this plan, the present electoral college system is completely
abolished.
One of the first things the next Congress must do is solve this serious
problem and then, without further delay, present to the American people a workable
plan.
CLEAN ELECTIONS LEGISLATION
The laws dealing with election campaigns must be revised and updated.
The Federal Corrupt Practices Act was enacted in 1925. The Hatch Act was passed
28 years ago. Studies such as the 1962 Report of the President's Commission on
Campaign Costs reveal that present laws invite evasion and are filled with
loopholes. Absent basic reform, public confidence in the election process may be
eroded. For two years the House Republican Leadership, the Policy Committee and
the Republican Members of the House Administration Committee have worked for the
enactment of clean elections legislation. Specific and detailed election reform
legislation has been drafted and introduced.
Honest reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures and streamlined
enforcement procedures would be ensured through the enactment of the following
Republican Election Reform Bill:
1. A five-member bipartisan Federal Elections Commission is established
to receive reports and statements regarding campaign contributions
and expenditures.
2. The Commission is given full and complete authority to enforce the
provisions of the Act. It shall be the duty of the Commission to
make reports and statements available for public inspection and to
prepare and publish summaries and reports.
3. Candidates for Federal office and political committees supporting
such candidates that accept contributions or make expenditures ex-
ceeding $1,000 in any calendar year, are required to report contri-
butions and expenditures.
4. Donations by an individual of more than $5,000 to any candidate for
Federal office or any committee supporting such candidate in any
calendar year are prohibited.
5. Conventions, primaries and party caucuses are placed under the re-
porting and disclosure provisions of the bill.
6. The disclosure of gifts or honorariums of more than $100 is required of
candidates for the House and Senate as well as incumbents.
7. Members of the House and Senate are prohibited from using contributions
derived from a fund raising event or activity for personal or family
purposes.
8. Campaign contributions by political action committees financially
supported by a corporation, trade association or labor organization
are regulated.
CONGRESSIONAL REFORM
The problems of today and the challenges of tomorrow demand an efficient
and effective Congress. A spittoon approach to the problems of a computerized
society is no longer adequate. Unless new procedures and techniques are developed,
the historic role of Congress as an essential check on the power of the Executive
may be destroyed.
Republican Congressional Reform legislation will be one of the first pieces
of legislation to be brought to the House Floor next year. This legislation would:
1. Establish a Joint Committee on Congressional Operations with continuing
authority to study the structure and procedures of Congress, to recommend
additional reforms and changes and to determine the feasibility of em-
ploying data processing and information retrieval systems.
2. Establish an Office of Placement and Office Management to assist Members,
Committees and officers of the Senate and House seeking competent per-
sonnel and to furnish advice and information regarding office management
procedures.
3. Protect the rights of the minority by providing the right to appoint and
direct certain committee staff members, the right to present minority
views and reports, the right to call witnesses during committee hearings
and the right to equal time on conference reports.
4. Permit the broadcasting, telecasting and photographing of committee
hearings that are open to the public.
5. Establish a Bill of Rights for committees that would require announcement
of record votes and permit a majority to compel the calling of a meeting,
the opening of meetings to the public and the filing of a report.
6. Authorize measures designed to assist Members of Congress in the perform-
ance of their Congressional duties. Such measures would include enlarging
committee staffs, strengthening and improving the Legislative Reference
Service, and authorizing the committees to employ experts as consultants
on an interim basis.
7. Provide for the adjournment of Congress during the month of August.
8. Implement fiscal controls and budgetary reforms that would include a
greater utilization of the General Accounting Office, a multiple year
financial projection of programs, the updating of the budget on June 1
of each year, and the testimony of responsible Executive Department
officials before the Appropriations Committee of each House within 30
days after the budget is presented to Congress.
CREATION OF A NEW HOOVER COMMISSION
Waste, inefficiency and duplication of effort have been the natural and
foreseeable result of the bureaucratic explosion that has taken place within the
Federal Government during the past five years. New agencies, bureaus and programs
have been created in unprecedented numbers without a corresponding and much-needed
review and reorganization of the Executive Branch. As a result, a Catalog of
Federal Programs for Individual and Community Improvement requires 414 pages. The
Encyclopedia of U. S. Government Benefits covers 1,007 pages. There are more than
60 Federal programs that deal with urban problems while 37 offices in the Executive
Branch are concerned with the problems of the aging. And there are 42 separate
Federal agencies involved in educational programs. Republican legislation that would
establish a new independent bipartisan commission patterned after the two distinguished
Hoover Commissions, to recommend essential reorganization and reform in the Executive
Branch of our government must be enacted.
The two Hoover Commissions, which were created and established by Republican
Congresses, contributed markedly to the ability of the Congress and the agencies
themselves to improve efficiency and to eliminate duplication of Executive functions.
For example, the first Hoover Commission recommended the Reorganization Act of 1949.
Other recommendations led to the creation of the General Services Administration,
the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 which formally established the Department
of Defense, the Classification Act of 1949, the reorganization of the Post Office
Department, and the passage of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1950. On the basis
of the recommendations of the second Commission, the Department of Defense was re-
organized, the budget system was modernized further, research activities were
coordinated, the Federal career service improved, and the National Library of Medicine
created. Without question, a new Commission would lead to reforms of similar scope
and significance.
BLOCK GRANTS AND REVENUE SHARING
Block grants encourage maximum State coordination and permit the States
and localities to establish priorities and run their own programs with a minimum
of Federal interference.
The Comprehensive Health Act provides one of the best examples of what can
be done under the block grant approach. This Republican-sponsored and supported
act consolidated 16 separately administered public health programs and permitted
the States to develop plans, establish priorities and coordinate local activities.
The recently passed Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Assistance Act as
it was improved and perfected by Republican amendments, also employs a block grant
approach. It provides maximum State and local control over law enforcement and
minimum Federal interference.
The Republican proposed Revenue Sharing Program provides a long range
solution to the serious fiscal problems of State and local governments. Revenue and
Credit sources available to State and local governments have not kept pace with
demands and prices. On the other hand, the income tax on which the Federal govern-
ment relies for the bulk of its revenue produces steadily increasing amounts.
Under the Republican proposal, federally collected tax revenue will be
returned to the States with no strings attached and with a minimum of federal ad-
ministrative oversight. With this money, the State and their political subdivisions
will have an opportunity to initiate and implement essential Programs which they
determine have a high priority in their particular State or locality. These programs
will be directed and controlled by State and local officials. The deadening hand of
federal bureaucracy will not be permitted to follow the federal money and thereby
control the local Program.
REFORM FOREIGN AID
In foreign as well as domestic affairs, the Johnson-Humphrey Admin-
istration has attempted to solve problems by simply applying large amounts
of tax dollars. They have lost sight of the fact that the initial and basic
theory of the Point Four program was its emphasis on technical assistance.
Then, as now, developing countries are handicapped by a lack of administrative
and technical skill.
The foreign aid authorization should be limited to one year. There is
a definite need for new ideas and changes in the aid program. The stagnation
and deterioration of recent years must be reversed. Investigations in depth
must be conducted. Outmoded and counter productive policies and projects must
be identified and corrected.
Our aid must be positioned realistically in our national priorities.
Only those nations which urgently require America's help and clearly evince a
desire to help themselves will receive such assistance as can be diverted from
our own pressing needs. In providing aid, more emphasis will be given to
technical assitance. Multilateral agencies will be encouraged so that other
nations will help share the burden. The administration of all aid programs will
be revised and improved to prevent waste, inefficiency and corruption. Maximum
participation by private enterprise will be encouraged.
Foreign aid activities will not be permitted to range free of our foreign
policy. Nations hostile to this country will receive no assistance from the United
States. We will not provide aid of any kind to countries which aid and abet the
war efforts in North Victnam.
REVISE MILITARY DRAFT SYSTEM
The order of call for eligible registrants should be revised so that those
in the younger age group would be called to active duty first. Under the present
system of priorities for induction, the oldest are selected from the age group of
26 years and under. This system has resulted in considerable uncertainty. An
individual classified as available at 18 1/2 remains subject to possible induction
until he reaches his 26th birth date. Moreover, the degree of his exposure to in-
duction increases directly with his age and reaches its maximum point on the day before
he reaches age 26. The younger men, as a group, are more adaptable to the routines
of military training and there are fewer dependents' problems at these ages. Also,
a man who is awaiting a draft call has greater difficulty in finding and keeping
suitable employment.
When military manpower needs can be appreciably reduced, we will place the
Selective Service System on standby and substitute a voluntary force obtained through
adequate pay and career incentives.
IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY
The Social Security System will be strengthened by providing automatic
cost of living adjustments under Social Security and the Railroad Retirement Act.
An increase in earnings permitted to Social Security recipients without loss of
benefits, provision for post-age 65 contributions to Social Security with defer-
ment of benefits, and an increase in benefits to widows will also be provided.
The age for universal Social Security coverage will be gradually reduced from 72
to 65 and the former 100 percent income tax deduction will be restored for medical
and drug expenses for people over 65. Additionally, steps to help improve and
extend private pension plans will be taken.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY STRIKES
Promises by the Johnson-Humphrey Administration to recommend legislation
dealing with crippling economic strikes have never been honored. Instead, settle-
ments forced or influenced by government and overriding the interests of the parties
and the public have shattered the Administrations' own wage and price guidelines
and contributed to inflation.
Effective methods for dealing with labor disputes involving the national
interest must be developed. Permanent, long-range solutions of the problems of
national emergency disputes, public employee strikes and crippling work stoppages
are imperative. These solutions cannot be wisely formulated in the heat of emer-
gency. The development of practical, acceptable solutions that conform fully to
the public interest will be given the highest priority.
REFORM AND REVISE WELFARE PROGRAMS
The rigid welfare requirements that stifle work motivation must be
revised. Locally operated children's day-care centers that free the parents
to accept work will be supported.
Burdensome administrative procedures will be simplified, and existing
programs will be revised so that they encourage and protect strong family units.
Recent studies indicate that many Americans suffer from malnutrition
despite six separate federal food distribution programs. Fragmentation of federal
effort hinders accomplishment. Federal Food distribution programs must be unified.
There must be active cooperation with the states and private enterprise, to help
provide the hungry poor sufficient food for a balanced diet.
FISCAL REFORM
The economic crisis triggered by the chaotic fiscal policies of the
Johnson-Humphrey Administration poses the greatest single threat to the initiation
and implementation of the plans and the programs that are desperately needed to
meet and solve our pressing problems. The last balanced budget was in 1960. The
deficits under the Kennedy-Johnson-Humphrey Administrations have totaled $65.8
billion and the deficit in fiscal 1968 was a record $25.4 billion.
Since the Johnson-Humphrey Administration took office, the cost of living
has increased nearly 11.6 percent. Interest rates have reached their highest point
since the Civil War. So unprecedented is the rate of increase, the standard books
of tables for estimating mortgage payments must be rewritten. Three years ago a
home could have been purchased with a government backed mortgage of 5 1/4 percent.
Today, the rate of interest is 6 3/4 percent. This means that a homeowner with a
20-year $20,000 loan will have to pay $5,154.40 more in interest charges.
From the outset of the fiscal crisis, Republicans in Congress have demanded
the establishment of priorities, a reduction in spending and the revision and reform
of existing programs. The Republican Members of the Appropriations Committee and
the Ways and Means Committee led the fight to make budget cuts, recisions and
limitations on budgetary authority an integral part of any tax increase. Largely
at the insistence of Republicans, the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968,
contained an order to cut $6 billion in 1969 budget expenditures, $10 billion in new
obligational authority and $8 billion in unspent authorizations.
In the 91st Congress, an even greater effort will be made to establish
priorities, reduce spending and revise and reform existing programs. Unless our
present fiscal deterioration is averted, the very people that we now seek to help
will be hurt the worst. Job training and educational programs will be set back
years. Social programs will be curtailed and urban renewal and slum clearance will
be crippled.
REVITALIZE THE MERCHANT MARINE
Our merchant marine has been allowed to deteriorate. There are grave
doubts that it is capable of an adequate response to emergency security needs.
The United States has drifted from first place to sixth place in the
world in the size of its merchant fleet. By contrast, the Russian fleet has been
rapidly expanding and will attain a dominant position by 1970. Deliveries of new
ships are now eight to one in Russia's favor.
For reasons of security, as well as of economics, the decline of our merchant
marine must be reversed. A vigorous and realistic ship replacement program to meet
the changing pattern of our foreign commerce must be implemented. Industry-government
maritime research and development, emphasizing nuclear propulsion must be expanded.
Construction and operating subsidy procedures must be simplified and revised.
REVIEW AND EVALUATE EXISTING FEDERAL PROGRAMS
The Great Society programs administered by huge Federal bureaucracies
have not delivered the goods. Waste, inefficiency, and few real results have
been the rule rather than the exception.
State and local governments are now buried under a mass of Federal Grant-
In-Aid programs. There are today some 1,271 separate aid programs that are admin-
istered by a total of 21 Federal departments and agencies, 150 Washington Bureaus
and 400 Regional offices. There are some 70 federally funded job training programs
with some cities having as many as 30 operating side by side.
Many programs have outlived their original purpose; others actively
compound the problems they were designed to relieve; still others are loosely
administered and very wasteful. In the next Congress, we would seek to squeeze
as much effectiveness as possible from the ill-conceived and hastily enacted
programs that are now on the books until such time as they can be revised, con-
solidated, transferred, or terminated.
AGRICULTURE
Our legislative goal is farm policies and programs that will enable pro-
ducers to receive fair prices in relation to the prices they must pay for other
products.
Proposals designed to encourage farmers, especially small producers, to
develop their bargaining position will be considered.
A two-way export-import policy which protects American agriculture from
unfair foreign competition while increasing our overseas commodity dollar sales
to the rapidly expanding world population will be provided.
The management of the Commodity Credit Corporation's inventory operations
will be reorganized SO that the Corporation will no longer compete with the
marketings of farmers.
Programs for distribution of food and milk to schools and low-income
citizens will be improved.
The program to export our food and farm technology in keeping with the
Republican-initiated Food for Peace program will be strengthened.
Farm cooperatives including rural electric and telephone cooperatives
will be assisted consistent with prudent development of our nation's resources
and rural needs.
Research for industrial uses of agricultural products, new markets, and new
methods of cost-cutting in production and marketing techniques will be emphasized.
Programs emphasizing vocational training, economic incentives for industrial
development, and the development of human resources will be used to revitalize
rural America.
Credit programs designed to help finance the heavy capital needs of modern
farming, will be improved.
Finally, the American farmer will be given a more direct voice in shaping
his own destiny.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Republicans in the 90th Congress have led the way towards the enactment
of major legislation in the field of law enforcement and criminal justice.
Republicans in the 91st Congress will continue to accord this subject top
priority.
We will sponsor and support measures which prevent and deter crime as well
as those which are concerned with crimes that have been committed.
Chronic or repeat offenders, for example, are a major cause of crime. We
will seek legislation to involve private industry in the rehabilitative process
behind prison walls through the medium of tax incentive: We will also explore
the feasibility of a federal bonding program to encourage meaningful employment
of ex-convicts who earnestly desire to "go straight".
At the same time we will protect society from unrehabilitative professional
criminals by providing for realistic sentencing standards as to them.
We will assist State and local law enforcement while preserving the primacy
of State responsibility in this area.
We will increase public protection against racketeer infiltration of
legitimate businesses.
We will revamp the federal law enforcement establishment, the federal
corrections system and the system of criminal justice at large.
We will improve narcotics rehabilitation.
We will improve the Bail Reform law.
Through the Joint Congressional Committee on Crime we will exercise
continuous legislative oversight to insure that the laws passed by Congress
are utilized and enforced by the Executive branch.
Finally, we will explore the means to re-introduce reality into the process
of determining the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants.
JOBS
The most effective job trainer in the Nation is private enterprise.
Employers and employees working together have conceived and developed many sound
training programs. Our rapidly advancing technology requires many additional
programs of training and retraining. To meet this need, business must expand its
formal as well as informal training capability. Classes must be held during business
hours or after work in plants, offices and nearby classrooms. The skilled supervisors
and the acknowledged experts employed by the various companies as well as full-time
teachers must be utilized to provide the required instruction if we are to close the
training gap. This can be done through the Republican Human Investment Act.
The Republican Human Investment Act provides a thoughtful and effective
method to meet the chronic unemployment and underemployment problem that is posed
by the uneducated, unskilled, untrained worker. It would stimulate the initiation
and expansion of job training and retraining programs by private industry by pro-
viding a tax credit for certain expenses of such programs.
CLEAN AIR
The Air Quality Act of 1967, P.L. 90-148, for the first time makes
meaningful and definite divisions of responsibility between states and the
federal government on the matters of combating air pollution. At the insist-
ence of the Republican members, it limited the authority of the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare to three things: 1) determining the scientific
criteria, 2) recommending abatement procedures, and 3) designating air sheds.
The states, singly or in concert, are authorized to meet the problems by
1) determining how much of the various pollutants can be emitted by industries
and other installations, and 2) creating machinery for enforcement.
Unfortunately, the tasks assigned to the federal government are proceeding
very slowly. A Republican administration and a Republican Congress would see to
it that the federal government carried out its assigned responsibilities diligently
so that state governments can protect their citizens from the dangers of increasing
air pollution.
EDUCATION
Programs for pre-school children must be improved and expanded. State,
local or private programs of teacher training will be encouraged. Better teaching
methods and modern instruction techniques such as educational television and volun-
tary bilingual education will be supported.
States will be encouraged to present plans for federal assistance which
would include state distribution of such aid to non-public school children and
include non-public school representatives in the planning process. Where state
conditions prevent use of funds for non-public school children, a public agency
should be designated to administer federal funds.
Post-high school technical institutes that will enable young people to
acquire satisfactory skills for meaningful employment will be expanded. For youths
unable to obtain such training, we prepose an industry youth program, coupled with
a flexible approach to minimum wage laws for young entry-level workers during their
training periods.
The rapidly mounting enrollments and costs of colleges and universities
deprive many qualified young people of the opportunity to obtain a quality college
education. To help colleges and universities provide this opportunity, we favor
grant and loan programs for expansion of their facilities. We support a flexible
student aid program of grants, loans and work opportunities, provided by federal
and state governments and private organizations. We favor tax credits for those
burdened with the costs of higher education, and also tax deductions to encourage
savings for this purpose.
IMPROVE VETERANS BENEFITS
A sound program of veterans benefits that will merit the approval
of the nation and its veterans must be perfected. Such a program will include:
1) Compensation payments that are commensurate with the cost of living for
service connected disabled veterans and their survivors, particularly widows
with minor children. (2) Special consideration for older veterans in deter-
mining eligibility for pension and hospitalization. (3) The continued operation
of the Veterans Administration hospital system dedicated to the care and treatment
of veterans, with an adequate number of beds, both medical and nursing care, to
accomplish this purpose. (4) The formulation of a national policy on cemeteries
and burial benefits for veterans. (5) Continued priorities in employment, for
veterans, with special attention to the returning Viet Nam veteran.
TRANSPORTATION
A balanced, competitive transportation system in which each mode of
transportation - train, truck, barge, bus and aircraft - is efficiently
utilized must be maintained. The Johnson-Humphrey Administration's failure to
evolve a coordinated transportation policy has resulted in outrageous delays
at major airports and in glacial progress in developing high-speed train trans-
portation linking our major population centers.
The nation's air transport system performs excellently, but under in-
creasingly adverse conditions. Airways and airport congestion has become acute.
New and additional equipment, modern facilities including the use of computers,
and additional personnel must be provided without further delay.
A trust fund approach to transportation, similar to the fund developed
for the Eisenhower interstate highway system will be explored as a means of
speeding the development of modern mass transportation systems and additional
airports.
The Federal-aid highway program must be restructured to keep abreast
of the nation's transportation needs, and planning must be undertaken now to pro-
vide for necessary highway improvement after 1975.
CLEAN WATER
During the 91st Congress, we will seek to achieve the goals of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, enacted July 9, 1956 (PL- 84-660), as amended, and
supplemented in 1961, 1965, and 1966. Emphasis will be upon the efficient and
effective administration of existing programs and maximum funding of those programs,
rather than upon the continual promulgation of new legislation, which has been the
case since 1961.
The role of the States will be paramount, and the effective participation of
the States in exercising leadership and accomplishing their responsibility will be
emphasized. Restrictive action by Federal agencies, resulting in the hampering of
State programs, will be eliminated - if necessary, by legislation.
As the program becomes unmired from its present burdens of bureaucratic
vagary, caprice, and lethargy, its virtues and defects will be revealed. Based
upon these and upon the changing conditions of the nation, new legislation, when
and if needed, will be developed.
Recognizing the need for legislation in special areas, such as oil pollution,
the Republican program calls for sensible legislation designed to eliminate the
causes and to ameliorate the effects of water pollution without destroying indus-
tries or imposing onerous burdens on those who could in effect be scapegoats.
(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
10
Congressional Record
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
90ᵗʰ
CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
Vol. 113
WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1968
No. 209
House of Representatives
More Republicans Improved the 90th
cent of House Republicans supported this
Republicans are against the status quo
legislation.
in the handling of our Federal fiscal af-
Congress
Third. Comprehensive health legisla-
fairs. We are soldiers fighting the John-
tion: A partnership-for-health bill pro-
son administration's inflation and the
SPEECH
viding funds for the Federal Government
Johnson administration's high interest
OF
and the States to attack rats and other
rates. We believe the American people
HON. GERALD R. FORD
pests, narcotics addiction, and so forth.
deserve a better deal. Look at this dollar
Ninety-eight percent of Republicans sup-
bill. Since a Republican left the White
OF MICHIGAN
ported this legislation.
House about 7 years ago, the purchasing
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fourth. Clean meat inspection law:
power of this dollar bill has gone down
Friday, December 15, 1967
99½ percent of Republicans supported.
13 percent.
Fifth: A flammable products control
Just to give you another indication, the
Mr. GERALD R. FORD. Mr. Speaker,
bill to protect families and children from
cost of living in 1966 went up 3.3 percent.
this Congress has been a good Congress
deadly garments, toys, and home prod-
The cost of living this year will probably
because of more Republicans in both the
ucts: 100 percent Republican support.
be close to 4 percent, and next year it
House and Senate. President Johnson
Sixth. A law to clean up the air we
appears that the cost of living may even
admits it has been a productive Congress.
breathe: 100 percent Republican support.
be higher than that.
His majority leader in the Senate, Sen-
In the House of Representatives this
I think the American people deserve a
ator MANSFIELD, says the record of this
session-with Republicans reinforced
better break and we as Republicans are
Congress has been "good, decent, and re-
and on the march-we have passed many
fighting to do something about inflation,
spectable," and I agree, as I am sure
forward-looking and much-needed bills.
the higher and higher cost of living and
Senator DIRKSEN does.
Here are eight of them:
the high interest rates. Talking about
I recall vividly in the middle of the
First. A Law Enforcement and Crimi-
high interest rates, let me point out that
1965 session of the 89th Congress-the
nal Justice Assistance Act-modified to
just a week or so ago our Government,
last Congress-Senator MANSFIELD said
permit State and local agencies to play
Uncle Sam, sold Federal securities and
that the Congress had passed a lot of
their rightful role-99 percent Republi-
paid 6.4 percent interest, the highest in
major bills too hastily, with too many
can support.
100 years. Now this problem is created, I
loopholes and too many rough corners,
Second. Juvenile delinquency preven-
think, by the fact that the administra-
and particularly it had failed to make a
tion and control legislation-99½ per-
tion has failed to manage effectively and
proper assessment of the current and
cent Republican support.
responsibly our Federal taxes and our
ultimate cost of these vast programs.
Third. Federal antiriot legislation-
Federal expenditures.
But the 89th Congress did not listen
99 percent Republican support.
I have here in my hand a copy of the
to Senator MANSFIELD, while the Ameri-
Fourth. Adult education legislation-
Federal budget for 1968, that is this fiscal
can people did.
100 percent Republican support.
year. We think the mismanagement of
The 90th Congress in 1967 has been
Fifth. Law to stop desecration of the
this budget has precipitated high interest
rates and inflation.
productive and constructive, primarily
American flag-100 percent Republican
because the voters of the Nation in No-
support.
Let me point out the problem that we
face in the Congress. When the President
vember 1966 gave us a net gain of 47
Sixth. Equal benefits for Vietnam vet-
Republicans in the House and additional
submitted this budget to us in January
erans and their families-100 percent
he said the deficit would be $8.1 billion.
strength in the Senate. These new Re-
Republican support.
publicans came from 33 States-from the
In August he finally conceded that the
Seventh. Independent Maritime Ad-
deficit would be $29 billion and just a
length and breadth of America. They are
ministration legislation-opposed by the
attractive, articulate young men and
few weeks ago the President-I think
Johnson-Humphrey administration but
women who are responsive to their voters
quite irresponsibly-said the deficit
backed by 97 percent of House Republi-
might reach as high as $35 billion.
and who are fighting hard for construc-
cans to try to salvage the neglected U.S.
tive solutions to the Nation's problems
The trouble is we just cannot believe
merchant marine.
the mathematics that the Johnson ad-
at home and abroad.
Eighth. Curbs on excessive nondefense
This Congress, with 50 more Republi-
ministration submits to us every year in
spending-Federal spending in 1960 un-
cans, has produced this record:
January. With all the errors they have
der the last Republican administration
First. Spending limitations totaling
made in every budget, I often wonder
was $48.6 billion. Estimated nondefense
more than $4 billion from the President's
what would happen to a taxpayer if he
spending for fiscal 1968 is nearly double
made similar mistakes on his Federal
budget for fiscal 1968: This effort to curb
that figure-$95.6 billion. The cumula-
income tax return. I think any ordinary
runaway inflation and avoid another tax
tive Federal deficit since President John-
increase succeeded only because of vir-
taxpayer would really be in trouble.
son entered the White House is expected
tually solid Republican support.
Now when we come right down to it,
to exceed $60 billion. As a result, the
Second. Social security improvements:
the Republicans for the last 3 years have
U.S. dollar is in trouble abroad and buys
More benefits for senior citizens who
tried to make specific, constructive rec-
less and less at home.
have been hurt by Johnson-Humphrey
ommendations to attack inflation and
This is a good Congress and it is be-
inflation-without the additional pay-
high interest rates. The national Repub-
cause the American people made some
roll taxes on working citizens that Presi-
lican coordinating committee, of which
changes from the last one.
dent Johnson wanted. Ninety-nine per-
both Senator DIRKSEN and I are mem-
bers, recommended in 1965 a nine-point
House supported this crime remedy
next election the American people will
program to straighten out the fiscal
rather than the dangerous one that the
send at least 31 more to the House of
problems we face. The coordinating com-
President recommended.
Representatives, so we can continue try-
mittee in April 1966 made a 13-point rec-
We have talked about the good things
ing to straighten out some of our basic
ommendation to fight inflation and high
this Congress has done, primarily be-
problems, trying to get away from the
interest rates. We in the House of Repre-
cause of the increased numbers of Re-
status quo that we are in today.
sentatives have been trying to cut Fed-
publican Congressmen the American
This is not a rubberstamp Congress.
eral expenditures as Republicans also
people in 33 States sent us a year ago
The last Congress was President John-
have in the Senate. We have a better
to help us battle against the Johnson ad-
son's Congress, but this Congress is more
solution to the fiscal problems facing this
ministration's status quo. But the job
nearly representative of the American
Nation which result in such a severe loss
of this Congress is not yet completed.
people.
in purchasing power for every American
We think this Congress should write a
But, this is the Christmas season, and
family. We believe it is better to reduce
good record as a reform Congress. For
only minutes ago President Johnson
expenditures than to pass the President's
example, we believe that there should
turned the lights on the White House
tax increase. We believe in responsible,
be clean election legislation. We have
Christmas tree on on behalf of all
realistic Federal financing. Do you real-
been operating in this country for a num-
Americans.
ize that in the last 7 years since a Repub-
br of years with antiquated, inadequate,
We did not agree and frankly we did
lican left the White House, there have
and ineffective Federal election laws. In
not like the President's unfair assess-
been accumulated deficits in the Federal
the House of Representatives, the Re-
ment of the 90th Congress in 1967. But
Government of over $60 billion? This
publicans have really carried the ball to
now we have set the record straight,
can not go on much longer or our dollar
try and get meaningful, effective legis-
there is something far more important
will be worth even less than it is today.
lation to guarantee clean Federal elec-
I would like to say. As Republicans, we
Now let me point out the problem we
tions in the 1968 presidential race, in the
are not only proud of the work we have
face in crime. In the last 8 years our
upcoming Senate races, and in the House
done in the session just ending, we are
population has gone up 10 percent, but in
races. We believe that there should be
proud of the Congress itself. With in-
the last 8 years crime in this country has
strict disclosure as to funds received by
creased strength we have immensely im-
gone up 67 percent. The FBI reported
candidates and to the expenditures that
proved the quality of laws under which
just the other day that crime in this
are made on behalf of a candidate.
all Americans live, and we intend to con-
tinue to play our proper part in the con-
country went up 16 percent in the first 9
We strongly disagree with the Presi-
months of 1967. There have been 120 or
stitutional process of government. We
dent's proposal to finance elections out
more riots in our major metropolitan
hope the President and the judicial
of taxpayers' money from the Federal
areas in 1967, in which 118 people lost
branch will play theirs. We are proud of
Treasury. We think that is the wrong
their lives, some 4,000 have been injured
the way representative government
way to get the people interested in good
and $270 million in damage was done to
works, and we will keep on fighting to
government.
public and private property. Yes, we are
make it work. We are proud of America
One of the good ideas that our new
against this kind of a status quo. Repub-
and have faith in America, and with new
Republican Members pushed the hardest
licans are fighting to do something about
Republican leadership in the White
on-and I am proud of their efforts and
the crime problem.
House and Republican majorities in the
of the results-was to establish in the
The President early this year sent
Congress we pledge our countrymen that
House of Representatives a code of ethics
up a bill to involve the Federal Govern-
everyone can be really proud of being an
ment in the crime problem. The House of
for all Congressmen. They took the lead
American. Let us never forget that we are
Representatives under Republican lead-
in getting the House of Representatives
all Americans.
to establish a Committee on Standards of
ership threw out the President's crime
On that note, Merry Christmas to you,
bill and we passed a meaningful piece
Official Conduct. This committee has put
Mr. President, and Merry Christmas to
of legislation that denies the President's
together and is about to announce a code
everybody in this great, good, compas-
of ethics for Members of the House of
demand for what could become a Fed-
sionate and charitable land, which has
Representatives. We think this is long
been good to all of us.
eral police force under the control of the
Attorney General. Our bill, as the House
overdue, and I hope it will be effective.
passed it, gives to the States needed
This new group of Republicans is a
Federal funds and Federal guidance, pro-
very vigorous lot. They are articulate and
viding each State has a State plan co-
attractive and they work hard. They
(Excerpts from the comments of Repre-
ordinating the local and State law-en-
sometimes come up with ideas that
sentative GERALD R. FORD, Republican-
should have been thought of before and,
Michigan, House Republican Leader in re-
forcement organizations. We think the
Republican approach to crime is the con-
believe me, they are a very helpful group
ply to President Johnson over ABC, CBS,
structive one. I am proud to repeat that
when we challenge the status quo of the
and NBC television networks, December 15,
matters, on crime and law enforcement,
1967)
99 percent of the Republicans in the
and on other matters. I hope that in the
27 March 1968
000
U. S. HOUSE
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED CODE OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT
The House Republican Policy Committee urges the prompt consideration and enact-
ment of H. Res. 1099. This resolution establishes a permanent Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct, proposes a Code of Official Conduct and requires the filing of
certain financial data by Members and employees of the House of Representatives.
At the outset of the 90th Congress, the House Pepublican Policy Committee urged
that a select committee on Standards and Conduct he established. We also urged that
this Committee be empowered to formulate a code of ethics and recommend rules and
regulations to ensure proper standards of conduct by Members and by officials and em-
ployees of the House.
On April 13, 1967 by a vote of 400 to 0, the Fouse of Representatives established
a temporary bipartisan Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. This Committee has
held numerous hearings and conducted an exhaustive study into the matter of standards
of conduct and a code of ethics for elected officials. As a result of these hearings
and studies, it has submitted a detailed report and recommendations. These recommen-
dations have been placed in the form of a House Resolution and this resolution (H.Res.
1099) is presently pending before the Pules Committee.
The provisions of H.Res. 1099, if enacted into law would:
1. Establish the present Committee on Standards of Official Conduct as a per-
manent standing committee of the House with powers to issue subpoenas, hold hearings
and enforce standards of conduct.
2. Require Members, officers, principal assistants to Members and officers and
professional staff members to list the name and position of management held in any
company doing a substantial business with the Federal Government or subject to Federal
Regulatory agencies in which such person has an ownership in excess of $5,000 or from
which income of $1,000 or more was derived during the preceding calendar year. Also
requires a listing of any professional organization in which the person reporting or
his spouse is an officer, director or partner from which income of $1,000 or more was
derived during the preceding calendar year, the source of any income for services ren-
dered or any capital gain exceeding $5,000, and any reimbursement for expenditures
(over)
exceeding $1,000. This information shall be maintained by the Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct and shall be available for public inspection.
3. Require Members, officers and employees to list the fair market value and
the income derived from each item or source that has been listed in a report and filed
with the Committee. This information shall remain sealed unless the Committee deter-
mines that such information is essential in an official investigation. The Committee
may make public any portion of the information unsealed which it deems to be in the
public interest.
4. Establish the following Code of Official Conduct:
Members, Officers, and employees of the House of Representatives shall--
1. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the
House.
2. Adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Pules of the House and to the rules of
duly constituted committees thereof.
3. Receive no compensation nor permit any to accrue to their beneficial interest, the
receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted from their
positions in the Congress.
4. Accept no gifts of substantial value from any person, organization, or corporation
having a direct interest in legislation before the Congress.
5. Accept no honorarium for a speech, writing for publication, or other similar
activity, from any person, organization, or corporation in excess of the usual
and customary value for such gervices.
6. Keep campaign funds separate from personal funds. No campaign funds shall be con-
verted to personal use in excess of reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable
prior campaign expenditures.
7. Treat as campaign contributions all proceeds from testimonial or other fundraising
events if the sponsors of such affairs do not give clear notice in advance to the
donors or participants that the proceeds are intended for other purposes.
8. Retain no one from their clerk-hire allowance who does not perform duties commen-
surate with the compensation he receives.
The enactment of H.Res. 1099 is an important step in meeting the criticism that
has stemmed from the highly publicized allegations of misconduct against a few em-
ployees and Members of Congress. While it avoids undue restriction and provides
procedural safeguards, it would establish a well-organized and reasonable set of
standards of conduct for the Members and employees of Congress.
Public confidence in the legislative process and in the integrity of the Members,
officers and employees of Congress must be maintained and strengthened. We believe
that this can be aided through the adoption and implementation of the proposed Code
of Conduct. Such a code will play an important role in ensuring that those who are
elected and serve in positions of responsibility are in fact, as well as appearance,
men and women of personal integrity who regard public service as a public trust.
27 March 1968
11111
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED CODE OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT
The House Republican Policy Committee urges the prompt consideration and enact-
ment of H. Res. 1099. This resolution establishes a permanent Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct, proposes a Code of Official Conduct and requires the filing of
certain financial data by Members and employees of the House of Representatives.
At the outset of the 90th Congress, the House Republican Policy Committee urged
that a select committee on Standards and Conduct be established. We also urged that
this Committee be empowered to formulate a code of ethics and recommend rules and
regulations to ensure proper standards of conduct by Members and by officials and em-
ployees of the House.
On April 13, 1967 by a vote of 400 to 0, the Fouse of Representatives established
a temporary bipartisan Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. This Committee has
held numerous hearings and conducted an exhaustive study into the matter of standards
of conduct and a code of ethics for elected officials. As a result of these hearings
and studies, it has submitted a detailed report and recommendations. These recommen-
dations have been placed in the form of a House Resolution and this resolution (H.Res.
1099) is presently pending before the Pules Committee.
The provisions of H. Res. 1099, if enacted into law would:
1. Establish the present Committee on Standards of Official Conduct as a per-
manent standing committee of the House with powers to issue subpoenas, hold hearings
and enforce standards of conduct.
2. Require Members, officers, principal assistants to Members and officers and
professional staff members to list the name and position of management held in any
company doing a substantial business with the Federal Government or subject to Federal
Regulatory agencies in which such person has an ownership in excess of $5,000 or from
which income of $1,000 or more was derived during the preceding calendar year. Also
requires a listing of any professional organization in which the person reporting or
his spouse is an officer, director or partner from which income of $1,000 or more was
derived during the preceding calendar year, the source of any income for services ren-
dered or any capital gain exceeding $5,000, and any reimbursement for expenditures
(over)
exceeding $1,000. This information shall be maintained by the Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct and shall be available for public inspection.
3. Require Members, officers and employees to list the fair market value and
the income derived from each item or source that has been listed in a report and filed
with the Committee. This information shall remain sealed unless the Committee deter-
mines that such information is essential in an official investigation. The Committee
may make public any portion of the information unsealed which it deems to be in the
public interest.
4. Establish the following Code of Official Conduct:
Members, Officers, and employees of the House of Pepresentatives shall--
1. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the
House.
2. Adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Pules of the House and to the rules of
duly constituted committees thereof.
3. Receive no compensation nor permit any to accrue to their beneficial interest, the
receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted from their
positions in the Congress.
4. Accept no gifts of substantial value from any person, organization, or corporation
having a direct interest in legislation before the Congress.
5. Accept no honorarium for a speech, writing for publication, or other similar
activity, from any person, organization, or corporation in excess of the usual
and customary value for such gervices.
6. Keep campaign funds separate from personal funds. No campaign funds shall be con-
verted to personal use in excess of reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable
prior campaign expenditures.
7. Treat as campaign contributions all proceeds from testimonial or other fundraising
events if the sponsors of such affairs do not give clear notice in advance to the
donors or participants that the proceeds are intended for other purposes.
8. Retain no one from their clerk-hire allowance who does not perform duties commen-
surate with the compensation he receives.
The enactment of H.Res. 1099 is an important step in meeting the criticism that
has stemmed from the highly publicized allegations of misconduct against a few em-
ployees and Members of Congress. While it avoids undue restriction and provides
procedural safeguards, it would establish a well-organized and reasonable set of
standards of conduct for the Members and employees of Congress.
Public confidence in the legislative process and in the integrity of the Members,
officers and employees of Congress must be maintained and strengthened. We believe
that this can be aided through the adoption and implementation of the proposed Code
of Conduct. Such a code will play an important role in ensuring that those who are
elected and serve in positions of responsibility are in fact, as well as appearance,
men and women of personal integrity who regard public service as a public trust.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE IN FRIDAY P.M. 's--
April 12, 1968
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich.
The Congress closes up shop for Easter recess with a significant record of
legislative achievement behind it and prodigious tasks ahead of it.
These are times in which we are grappling with three great crises--Vietnam,
racial turmoil and the threat of fiscal chaos.
We in the Congress should unite behind the President in his current efforts
to gain an honorable peace in Vietnam and simultaneously should make sure our
fighting men in Vietnam receive all the weapons and equipment they need while the
war continues.
We are making progress in dealing with racial turmoil. Congress this week
enacted a landmark open housing bill. It was more than that. It also was far-
reaching legislation pointed at various aspects of racial strife.
The psychological impact of the open housing provision may help avert riots
this summer. However, this provision is not a magic key which will automatically
open the door to better housing for Negroes. Economic circumstances will continue
to be a dominant factor.
This means that Congress should turn its attention to the Percy-Widnall plan
to create a National Home Ownership Foundation aimed at helping low-income
families own a home and giving them the pride and dignity that go with home owner-
ship. This Republican proposal holds great promise for the future of America.
The depressed economic condition of millions of Americans also means that
Congress should enact the Republican Human Investment Act, the plan extending tax
credits to industry for providing the hard-core unemployed and the underemployed
with on-the-job training for good-paying jobs requiring special skills. This
kind of legislation has been endorsed by the National Advisory Commission on
Civil Disorders.
These are affirmative steps which Congress should take to build a better
America for all our citizens. We need to take these affirmative actions after
adopting the deterrents enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968--
provisions making it a federal crime to use interstate facilities to incite,
encourage or take part in a riot, or to transport or manufacture firearms or
explosives for use in a riot or to teach the use of such weapons in a riot, or to
interfere with any firemen or law enforcement officer engaged in performing his
(more)
-2-
duties during a riot. While these deterrents may not prevent riots, they are
needed and helpful in prosecuting those engaged in riot activity.
It is noteworthy that the basic incitement-to-riot provision is Republican-
sponsored legislation which was first passed by the House on July 19, 1967, with-
out Administration support and left to languish in the Senate until it was
incorporated in the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 was the most significant piece of legislation
passed by the House prior to Easter Recess. It passed only because of Republican
help. In the most real sense, all civil rights legislation is bipartisan.
The only other major legislation passed by the House was the Truth-In-
Lending Act, which enjoyed bipartisan support and contained the only important
anti-crime statute enacted by the House this year. This was the federal anti-
usury provision, which was aimed at loan sharks with crime syndicate stripes.
Loan-sharking is a major source of the funds which feed the crime syndicates. As
a result of Republican initiative, federal law enforcers now can help shut off
this source of crime syndicate income. Of course, the Truth-In-Lending Act was
basically consumer legislation--an excellent statute which reveals interest costs
in loan and credit transactions.
Unfortunately, we still have no Law Enforcement Assistance Act on the books,
and this is one of the great unfinished tasks of this Congress. The House passed
such legislation last year but the Senate has yet to act. I find it strange that
the President and the majority party are not acting with greater urgency in view
of the fact that the national crime rate has gone up 83 per cent since 1960.
The Congress and the Johnson-Humphrey Administration still must resolve, too,
the problems which add up to the greatest financial crisis to face this Nation
since the depression years. Inflation still steadily reduces the value of the
dollar. Johnson-Humphrey Administration spending threatens a $20 billion deficit
in fiscal 1969, following upon an estimated $20 billion deficit for fiscal 1968.
Doubts abroad about the dollar threaten an ultimate collapse of world trade, and
the two-price system for gold has only bought us time.
Congress must come to grips with runaway federal spending immediately upon
its return from Easter recess--and must take a hard look at the revenue side of
the ledger as well. Republicans will legislate in the best interests of the
Nation. Democrats must face up to the fact that they are the majority party and
have triggered the sharp spending upturn which has produced financial crisis.
The economic well-being of every American will turn on our actions.
It is a tremendous work load that will greet members of Congress after the
Easter recess. We must be equal to the challenge.
###
(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
10
Congressional Record
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS
AND
DEBATES
OF
THE
90ᵗʰ
CONGRESS,
SECOND
SESSION
Vol. 114
WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1968
No. 168
House of Representatives
A NATION IN CRISIS-THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE
"Republican Legislative programs and proposals for the
91st Congress that provide sound solutions to major problems."
Mr. RHODES of Arizona. Mr. Speaker,
basic improvements in present laws. The
dent is elected by ballot in the electoral
ours is a nation in crisis. The plight of
success of this effort can be measured by
college. Every State is represented by
the cities, the demands of the war in Viet-
the fact that in 28 cases the bill or
electors equal in number to the State's
nam, the paradox of unemployment and
amendment supported by the policy
representation in the House and Senate.
underemployment when good jobs go
committee was adopted by the House of
These electors are selected in the man-
unfilled, the need for better education
Representatives. And in the 34 cases
ner determined by the individual State
and better housing, and the growth of
where a rollcall vote was taken on the
legislatures. In addition, the District of
rioting and violence that have their roots
amendment or position supported by the
Columbia is granted three electors by op-
in permissiveness, frustration and de-
policy committee, 93.8 percent of the
eration of the 23d amendment. A candi-
spair are problems that must be met and
Republican Members voting, voted in
date for President must receive a major-
solved. Fortunately, this country is great
agreement with the policy committee.
ity of the 538 ballots cast, or 270 votes,
enough and it has the skill to meet these
Despite this record of legislative
to be elected. The electoral college never
challenges. But it will take the combined
achievement, the 90th Congress has been
assembles in one place, but rather meet
effort of all of our citizens-black and
primarily a testing and proving ground
separately in 51 separate jurisdictions.
white, young and old, city and rural-as
for the Republican leadership and Mem-
There is only one round of balloting. If
well as private industry and Government
bers in the Housè of Representatives.
no candidate receives a majority, then
to get this job done.
For, as the minority party, our role in
the House of Representatives elects the
In the 1966 elections the American
the legislative process has been severely
President and the Senate elects the Vice
voters dramatically expressed their dis-
limited. All too often, Republican meas-
President.
approval of the way things were going.
ures have been defeated or never sched-
The present electoral college system is
By electing 47 additional Republican
uled for floor or committee considera-
dangerously inadequate. For example:
Members of the House of Representatives
tion by the Democratic majority. Thus,
First. It has permitted a candidate
they clearly signaled that they had had
there is developed and now waiting to be
with fewer popular votes than another
enough of promises without perform-
considered a substantial list of legisla-
candidate to be elected President.
ance, that they were dissatisfied with
tive items. Should the American voters
Second. It has allowed electors to dis-
massive Federal programs that were
in the November election select a Re-
regard the mandate of their election in
slapped together in haste and then
publican majority for the House of Rep-
casting an electoral ballot.
steamrollered through the Congress.
resentatives, the following items will
Third. The winner of the plurality of
As John W. Gardner observed before
receive prime consideration in the prep-
the popular vote in a State wins all of the
he resigned as Secretary of Health, Edu-
aration of a Republican agendum for the
electoral votes in that State regardless
cation, and Welfare:
91st Congress. This list is not set forth
of the vote received by the other candi-
There is bitterness and anger toward our
in order of priority nor is it intended to
dates.
institutions that wells up when high hopes
include every subject that will be acted
Fourth. It has required the House of
turn sour. No observer of the modern scene
upon by the next Congress. The listed
Representatives to decide elections when
has failed to note the prevalent cynicism con-
subjects, however, have been considered
cerning all leaders, all officials, all social in-
no candidate received a majority of elec-
in great detail, and positive proposals and
stitutions. That cyanicism is continually fed
toral votes. In this process, each State,
and renewed by the rage of people who ex-
programs have been developed with re-
regardless of population, is given one
pected too much and got too little.
spect to them, by the House Republican
vote.
conference, policy committee and task
It is apparent that although billions
forces as well as the Republican coordi-
Fifth. Under the present system, the
and billions of dollars have been spent by
President and Vice President that are
nating committee and the 1968 Republi-
an ever-increasing Washington bureauc-
finally chosen can be from different po-
can platform.
racy, solutions have not been found to
litical parties.
Electoral college reform.
the many problems that face America.
Sixth. There is no provision made in
Clean elections legislation.
This dismal record has led Daniel P.
the present law for the selection of a
Congressional reform.
Moynihan, former Assistant Secretary of
successor in the event of the death of a
Creation of a new Hoover Commission.
Labor and now director of the Harvard-
presidential or vice presidential candi-
Block grants and revenue sharing.
MIT Joint Center for Urban Affairs, to
date prior to the counting of the elec-
Reform foreign aid.
state:
Revise military draft system.
toral votes by Congress on January 6.
We must abandon the notion that the na-
Improve social security.
There have been a number of plans
tion, especially the cities of the nation, can
National emergency strikes.
proposed to correct deficiencies in the
be run from agencies in Washington.
Fiscal reform.
present system. One plan retains the
During the 90th Congress, the Repub-
Reform and revise welfare programs.
electoral votes of the States, abolishes
lican Members of the House of Repre-
Revitalize the merchant marine.
the office of elector and automatically
sentatives have addressed themselves to
Provide farm policies and programs
awards the electoral votes of a State to
the problems and challenges that con-
that will bring fair prices and greater
the popular winner in that State. A sec-
front this country. In committee and on
opportunity to the American farmer.
ond, the "district" plan continues both
the House floor, legislative measures that
Law enforcement and criminal justice.
the office of elector and a State's elec-
update existing programs or establish a
Review and evaluate existing Federal
toral votes but provides that the elec-
new and sound approach to problem solv-
toral votes are to be spread among equi-
programs.
ing at the Federal level have been spon-
populous districts-equal in number to
Encourage the initiation and expansion
sored and supported.
the number of Representatives in the
of private industry job training programs
As Republicans, we are proud of our
House-plus two at-large districts. The
through enactment of Republican Hu-
reputation and achievements as good
winner of each district automatically re-
man Investment Act.
managers. Certainly, there is much to be
ceives its electoral vote. A third plan
Encourage State and local direction of
done in this area in view of the Federal
abolishes the office of elector but retains
educational programs and provide sys-
Government's mushrooming operations.
the State's electoral votes, which are
tem of tax credits for higher education
In this crisis, however, there is also a
divided among the candidates in pro-
costs.
growing need for innovation, new think-
portion to their shares of the total popu-
ing, new solutions.
Clean air, clean water.
lar vote within the state. And a fourth
In the 48 policy statements that the
Speed the development of modern mass
plan proposes that the President be elec-
House Republican Policy Committee has
transportation systems. Provide new and
ted by direct vote of the people. Under
issued during the 90th Congress, an in-
long-range highway planning and pro-
this plan, the present electoral college
tensive effort has been made to formulate
grams.
system is completely abolished.
and to articulate Republican legislative
Improve veterans' benefits.
One of the first things the next Con-
programs and proposals that provide
ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM
gress must do is solve this serious prob-
sound solutions to major problems or
lem and then, without further delay, pre-
Under our present system, the Presi-
sent to the American people a workable
ing, the opening of meetings to the pub-
eral Government relies for the bulk of its
plan.
lic and the filing of a report.
revenue, produces steadily increasing
CLEAN ELECTIONS LEGISLATION
Sixth. Authorize measures designed to
amounts.
The laws dealing with election cam-
assist Members of Congress in the per-
Under the Republican proposal, fed-
paigns must be revised and updated. The
formance of their congressional duties.
erally collected tax revenue will be re-
Federal Corrupt Practices Act was en-
Such measures would include enlarging
turned to the States with no strings at-
acted in 1925. The Hatch Act was passed
committee staffs, strengthening and im-
tached and with a minimum of Federal
28 years ago. Studies such as the 1962
proving the Legislative Reference Serv-
administrative oversight. With this
report of the President's Commission on
ice, and authorizing the committees to
money, the State and their political sub-
Campaign Costs reveal that present laws
employ experts as consultants on an in-
divisions will have an opportunity to
invite evasion and are filled with loop-
terim basis.
initiate and implement essential pro-
holes. Absent basic reform, public confi-
Seventh. Provide for the adjournment
grams which they determine have a high
dence in the election process may be
of Congress during the month of
priority in their particular State or local-
eroded. For 2 years the House Republican
August.
ity. These programs will be directed and
leadership, the policy committee, and the
Eighth. Implement fiscal controls and
controlled by State and local officials.
Republican members of the House Ad-
budgetary reforms that would include a
The deadening hand of Federal bureauc-
ministration Committee have worked for
greater utilization of the General Ac-
racy will not be permitted to follow the
the enactment of clean elections legisla-
counting Office, a multiple year finan-
Federal money and thereby control the
tion. Specific and detailed election re-
cial projection of programs, the updating
local program.
form legislation has been drafted and
of the budget on June 1 of each year, and
REFORM FOREIGN AID
introduced.
the testimony of responsible executive
Honest reporting of campaign contri-
department officials before the Appro-
In foreign as well as domestic affairs,
butions and expenditures and stream-
priations Committee of each House
the Johnson-Humphery administration
lined enforcement procedures would be
within 30 days after the budget is pre-
has attempted to solve problems by
insured through the enactment of the
sented to Congress.
simply applying large amounts of tax
following Republican election reform
dollars. They have lost sight of the fact
CREATION OF A NEW HOOVER COMMISSION
bill:
that the initial and basic theory of the
Waste, inefficiency and duplication of
First. A five-member bipartisan Fed-
point four program was its emphasis on
effort have been the natural and foresee-
eral Elections Commission is established
technical assistance. Then, as now, de-
able result of the bureaucratic explosion
to receive reports and statements re-
veloping countries are handicapped by
that has taken place within the Fed-
garding campaign contributions and ex-
a lack of administrative and technical
eral Government during the past 5 years.
skill.
penditures.
New agencies, bureaus and programs
Second. The Commission is given full
The foreign aid authorization should
have been created in unprecedented
and complete authority to enforce the
be limited to 1 year. There is a definite
numbers without a corresponding and
provisions of the act. It shall be the duty
need for new ideas and changes in the
much-needed review and reorganization
of the Commission to make reports and
aid program. The stagnation and deteri-
of the executive branch. As a result, a
statements available for public inspec-
oration of recent years must be reversed.
catalog of Federal Programs for Indi-
tion and to prepare and publish sum-
Investigations in depth must be con-
vidual and Community Improvement re-
maries and reports.
quires 414 pages. The Encyclopedia of
ducted. Outmoded and counter produc-
Third. Candidates for Federal office
U.S. Government Benefits covers 1,007
tive policies and projects must be identi-
and political committees supporting such
fied and corrected.
pages. There are more than 60 Federal
candidates that accept contributions or
programs that deal with urban prob-
Our aid must be positioned realistic-
make expenditures exceeding $1,000 in
lems while 37 offices in the executive
ally in the our national priorities. Only
any calendar year, are required to report
branch are concerned with the prob-
those nations which urgently require
contributions and expenditures.
lems of the aging. And there are 42 sep-
America's help and clearly evince a de-
Fourth. Donations by an individual of
arate Federal agencies involved in edu-
sire to help themselves will receive such
more than $5,000 to any candidate for
cational programs. Republican legisla-
assistance as can be diverted from our
Federal office or any committee support-
tion that would establish a new indepen-
own pressing needs. In providing aid,
ing such candidate in any calendar year
dent bipartisan commission patterned
more emphasis will be given to technical
are prohibited.
after the two distinguished Hoover Com-
assistance. Multilateral agencies will be
Fifth. Conventions, primaries, and
missions, to recommend essential reor-
encouraged SO that other nations will
party caucuses are placed under the re-
ganization and reform in the executive
help share the burden. The administra-
porting and disclosure provisions of the
branch of our Government must be en-
tion of all aid programs will be revised
bill.
acted.
and improved to prevent waste, ineffi-
Sixth. The disclosure of gifts or hon-
The two Hoover Commissions, which
ciency, and corruption. Maximum par-
orariums of more than $100 is required
were created and established by Repub-
ticipation by private enterprise will be
of candidates for the House and Senate
lican Congresses, contributed markedly
encouraged.
as well as incumbents.
to the ability of the Congress and the
Foreign aid activities will not be per-
Seventh. Members of the House and
agencies themselves to improve efficiency
mitted to range free of our foreign policy.
Senate are prohibited from using con-
and to eliminate duplication of Execu-
Nations hostile to this country will re-
tributions derived from a fundraising
tive functions. For example, the first
ceive no assistance from the United
event or activity for personal or family
Hoover Commission recommended the
States. We will not provide aid of any
purposes.
Reorganization Act of 1949. Other re-
kind to countries which aid and abet the
Eighth. Campaign contributions by
commendations led to the creation of the
war effort in North Vietnam.
political action committees financially
General Services Administration, the
REVISE MILITARY DRAFT SYSTEM
supported by a corporation, trade asso-
National Security Act Amendments of
The order of call for eligible regis-
ciation, or labor organization are regu-
1949 which formally established the De-
trants should be revised so that those in
lated.
partment of Defense, the Classification
the younger age group would be called
CONGRESSIONAL REFORM
Act of 1949, the reorganization of the
to active duty first. Under the present
The problems of today and the chal-
Post Office Department, and the passage
system of priorities for induction, the
lenges of tomorrow demand an efficient
of the Budget and Accounting Act of
oldest are selected from the age group
and effective Congress. A spittoon ap-
1950. On the basis of the recommenda-
of 26 years and under. This system has
proach to the problems of a computer-
tions of the second Commission, the De-
resulted in considerable uncertainty An
ized society is no longer adequate. Un-
partment of Defense was reorganized,
indiivdual classified as available at 18½
less new procedures and techniques are
the budget system was modernized furth-
remains subject to possible induction un-
developed, the historic role of Congress
er, research activities were coordinated,
til he reaches his 26th birth date. More-
as an essential check on the power of
the Federal career service improved, and
over, the degree of his exposure to in-
the Executive may be destroyed.
the National Library of Medicine created.
duction increases directly with his age
Republican congressional reform leg-
Without question, a new Commission
and reaches its maximum point on the
islation will be one of the first pieces of
would lead to reforms of similar scope
day before he reaches age 26. The
legislation to be brought to the House
and significance.
younger men, as a group, are more
floor next year. This legislation would:
BLOCK GRANTS AND REVENUE SHARING
adaptable to the routines of military
First. Establish a Joint Committee on
Block grants encourage maximum
training and there are fewer dependents'
Congressional Operations with continu-
State coordination and permit the States
problems at these ages. Also, a man who
ing authority to study the structure and
and localities to establish priorities and
is awaiting a draft call has greater diffi-
procedures of Congress, to recommend
run their own programs with a minimum
culty in finding and keeping suitable
additional reforms and changes and to
of Federal interference.
employment.
determine the feasibility of employing
The Comprehensive Health Act pro-
When miiltary manpower needs can be
data processing and information re-
vides one of the best examples of what
appreciably reduced, we will place the
trieval systems.
can be done under the block grant ap-
Selective Service System on standby and
Second. Establish an Office of Place-
proach. This Republican-sponsored and
substitute a voluntary force obtained
ment and Office Management to assist
supported act consolidated 16 separately
through adequate pay and career incen-
Members, committees and officers of the
administered public health programs and
tives.
Senate and House seeking competent
permitted the States to develop plans,
IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY
personnel and to furnish advice and in-
establish priorities, and coordinate local
The social security system will be
formation regarding office management
activities.
strengthened by providing automatic
procedures.
The recently passed Law Enforcement
Third. Protect the rights of the minor-
cost-of-living adjustments under social
and Criminal Justice Assistance Act as
ity by providing the right to appoint and
security and the Railroad Retirement
it was improved and perfected by Repub-
direct certain committee staff members,
lican amendments, also employs a block
Act. An increase in earnings permitted
the right to present minority views and
to social security recipients without loss
grant approach. It provides maximum
reports, the right to call witnesses during
of benefits, provision for post-age 65 con-
State and local control over law enforce-
committee hearings and the right to
tributions to social security with defer-
ment and minimum Federal interference.
ment of benefits, and an increase in
equal time on conference reports.
The Republican proposed revenue
Fourth. Permit the broadcasting, tele-
benefits to widows will also be provided.
sharing program provides a long range
The age for universal social security
casting and photographing of committee
solution to the serious fiscal problems of
coverage will be gradually reduced from
hearings that are open to the public.
State and local governments. Revenue
Fifth. Establish a bill of rights for com-
72 to 65 and the former 100 percent in-
and credit sources available to State and
come tax deduction will be restored for
mittees that would require announce-
local governments have not kept pace
ment of record votes and permit a ma-
medical and drug expenses for people
with demands and prices. On the other
jority to compel the calling of a meet-
over 65. Additionally, steps to help im-
hand, the income tax on which the Fed-
prove and extend private pension plans
will be taken.
are now 8 to 1 in Russia's favor.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY STRIKES
For reasons of security, as well as of
At the same time we will protect so-
Promises by the Johnson-Humphrey
economics, the decline of our merchant
ciety from unrehabilitative professional
administration to recommend legislation
marine must be reversed. A vigorous and
criminals by providing for realistic sen-
realistic ship replacement program to
tencing standards as to them.
dealing with crippling economic strikes
have never been honored. Instead, settle-
meet the changing pattern of our foreign
We will assist State and local law en-
ments forced or influenced by Govern-
commerce must be implemented. Indus-
forcement while preserving the primacy
ment and overriding the interests of the
try-Government maritime research and
of State responsibility in this area.
development, emphasizing nuclear pro-
We will increase public protection
parties and the public have shattered the
pulsion must be expanded. Construction
against racketeer infiltration of legiti-
administrations' own wage and price
guidelines and contributed to inflation.
and operating subsidy proceduers must
mate businesses.
Effective methods for dealing with
be simplified and revised.
We will revamp the Federal law en-
labor disputes involving the national in-
REVIEW AND EVALUATE EXISTING FEDERAL
forcement establishment, the Federal
terest must be developed. Permament,
PROGRAMS
corrections system, and the system of
criminal justice at large.
long-range solutions of the problems of
The Great Society programs adminis-
We will improve narcotics rehabilita-
national emergency disputes, public em-
tered by huge Federal bureaucracies have
tion.
ployee strikes and crippling work stop-
not delivered the goods. Waste, ineffi-
We will improve the bail reform law.
pages are imperative. These solutions
ciency, and few real results have been
Through the Joint Congressional
cannot be wisely formulated in the heat
the rule rather than the exception.
mittee on Crime we will exercise continu-
of emergency. The development of prac-
State and local governments are now
ous legislative oversight to insure that
tical, acceptable solutions that conform
buried under a mass of Federal grant-
the laws passed by Congress are utilized
fully to the public interest will be given
in-aid programs. There are today some
and enforced by the executive branch.
the highest priority.
1,271 separate aid programs that are ad-
Finally, we will explore the means to
REFORM AND REVISE WELFARE PROGRAMS
ministered by a total of 21 Federal de-
reintroduce reality into the process of
The rigid welfare requirements that
partments and agencies, 150 Washing-
determining the guilt or innocence of
stifle work motivation must be revised.
ton bureaus and 400 regional offices.
criminal defendants.
Locally operated children's day-care cen-
There are some 70 federally funded job
JOBS
ters that free the parents to accept work
training programs with some cities hav-
The most effective job trainer in the
will be supported.
ing as many as 30 operating side by side.
Nation is private enterprise. Employers
Burdensome administrative procedures
Many programs have outlived their
and employees working together have
will be simplified, and existing programs
original purpose; others actively com-
conceived and developed many sound
will be revised so that they encourage
pound the problems they were designed
training programs. Our rapidly advanc-
and protect strong family units.
to relieve; still others are loosely ad-
ing technology requires many additional
Recent studies indicate that many
ministered and very wasteful. In the next
programs of training and retraining. To
Americans suffer from malnutrition de-
Congress, we would seek to squeeze as
meet this need, business must expand its
spite six separate Federal food distribu-
much effectiveness as possible from the
formal as well as informal training capa-
tion programs. Fragmentation of Federal
ill-conceived and hastily enacted pro-
bility. Classes must be held during busi-
effort hinders accomplishment. Federal
grams-that are now on the books until
ness hours or after work in plants, offices,
food distribution programs must be uni-
such time as they can be revised, con-
and nearby classrooms. The skilled su-
fied. There must be active cooperation
solidated, transferred, or terminated.
pervisors and the acknowledged experts
with the States and private enterprise,
AGRICULTURE
employed by the various companies as
to help provide the hungry poor sufficient
Our legislative goal is farm policies and
well as full-time teachers must be utilized
food for a balanced diet.
programs that will enable producers to
to provide the required instruction if we
FISCAL REFORM
receive fair prices in relation to the prices
are to close the training gap. This can
The economic crisis triggered by the
they must pay for other products.
be done through the Republican Human
chaotic fiscal policies of the Johnson-
Proposals designed to encourage farm-
Investment Act.
Humphrey administration poses the
ers, especially small producers, to develop.
The Republican Human Investment
greatest single threat to the initiation
their bargaining position will be consid-
Act provides a thoughtful and effective
and implementation of the plans and the
ered.
method to meet the chronic unemploy-
programs that are desperately needed to
A two-way export-import policy which
ment and underemployment problem
meet and solve our pressing problems.
protects American agriculture from un-
that is posed by the uneducated, un-
The last balanced budget was in 1960.
fair foreign competition while increasing
skilled, untrained worker. It would
The deficits under the Kennedy-John-
our overseas commodity dollar sales to
stimulate the initiation and expansion of
son-Humphrey administration have to-
the rapidly expanding world population
job training and retraining programs by
taled $65.8 billion and the deficit in fiscal
will be provided.
private industry by providing a tax credit
1968 was a record $25.4 billion.
The management of the Commodity
for certain expenses of such programs.
Since the Johnson-Humphrey admin-
Credit Corporation's inventory opera-
CLEAN AIR
istration took office, the cost of living has
tions will be reorganized so that the Cor-
The Air Quality Act of 1967, Public
increased nearly 11.6 percent. Interest
poration will no longer compete with
Law 90-148, for the first time makes
rates have reached their highest point
the marketings of farmers.
meaningful and definite divisions of re-
since the Civil War. So unprecedented is
Programs for distribution of food and
sponsibility between States and the Fed-
the rate of increase, the standard books
milk to schools and low-income citi-
eral Government on the matters of com-
of tables for estimating mortgage pay-
zens will be improved.
bating air pollution. At the insistence of
ments must be rewritten. Three years ago
The program to export our food and
the Republican Members, it limited the
a home could have been purchased with
farm technology in keeping with the Re-
authority of the Department of Health,
a Government-backed mortgage of 5½
publican-initiated food-for-peace pro-
Education, and Welfare to three things:
percent. Today, the rate of interest is
gram will be strengthened.
First, determining the scientific criteria;
63/4 percent. This means that a home-
Farm cooperatives including rural
second, recommending abatement pro-
owner with a 20-year $20,000 loan will
electric and telephone cooperatives will
cedures; and, third, designating air
have to pay $5,154.40 more in interest
be assisted consistent with prudent de-
sheds.
charges.
velopment of our Nation's resources and
The States, singly or in concert, are
From the outset of the fiscal crisis,
rural needs.
authorized to meet the problems by
Republicans in Congress have demanded
Research for industrial uses of agricul-
first, determining how much of the vari-
the establishment of priorities, a reduc-
tural products, new markets, and new
ous pollutants can be emitted by indus-
tion in spending and the revision and
methods of cost cutting in production
tries and other installations, and, sec-
reform of existing programs. The Repub-
and marketing techniques will be em-
ond, creating machinery for enforce-
lican Members of the Appropriations
phasized.
ment.
Committee and the Ways and Means
Programs emphasizing vocational
Unfortunately, the tasks assigned to
Committee led the fight to make budget
training, economic incentives for indus-
the Federal Government are proceeding
cuts, recisions and limitations on budg-
trial development, and the development
very slowly. A Republican administration
etary authority an integral part of any
of human resources will be used to re-
and a Republican Congress would see to
tax increase. Largely at the insistence
vitalize rural America.
it that the Federal Government carried
of Republicans, the Revenue and Expen-
Credit programs designed to help fi-
diture Control Act of 1968, contained an
nance the heavy capital needs of mod-
out its assigned responsibilities diligently
so that State governments can protect
order to cut $6 billion in 1969 budget ex-
ern farming, will be improved.
their citizens from the dangers of in-
penditures, $10 billion in new obligation-
Finally, the American farmer will be
creasing air pollution.
al authority and $8 billion in unspent
given a more direct voice in shaping his
EDUCATION
authorizations.
own destiny.
In the 91st Congress, an even greater
Programs for preschool children must
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
effort will be made to establish priorities,
be improved and expanded. State, local
Republicans in the 90th Congress have
reduce spending and revise and reform
or private programs of teacher training
led the way toward the enactment of
existing programs. Unless our present fis-
will be encouraged. Better teaching
major legislation in the field of law en-
cal deterioration is averted, the very peo-
methods and modern instruction techni-
forcement and criminal justice.
ple that we now seek to help will be hurt
ques such as educational television and
the worst. Job training and educational
Republicans in the 91st Congress will
voluntary bilingual education will be
programs will be set back years. Social
continue to accord this subject top
supported.
priority.
programs will be curtailed and urban re-
States will be encouraged to present
newal and slum clearance will be crip-
We will sponsor and support measures
plans for Federal assistance which would
pled.
which prevent and deter crime as well
include State distribution of such aid to
as those which are concerned with crimes
nonpublic schoolchildren and include
REVITALIZE THE MERCHANT MARINE
that have been committed.
nonpublic school representatives in the
Our merchant marine has been al-
Chronic or repeat offenders, for ex-
planning process. Where State condi-
lowed to deteriorate. There are grave
ample, are a major cause of crime. We
tions prevent use of funds for nonpublic
doubts that it is capable of an adequate
will seek legislation to involve private
schoolchildren, a public agency should
response to emergency security needs.
industry in the rehabilitative process be-
be designated to administer Federal
The United States has drifted from
hind prison walls through the medium
funds.
first place to sixth place in the world in
of tax incentive. We will also explore the
Posthigh school technical institutes
the size of its merchant fleet. By con-
feasibility of a Federal bonding program
that will enable young people to acquire
trast, the Russian fleet has been rapidly
to encourage meaningful employment of
satisfactory skills for meaningful em-
expanding and will attain a dominant
ex-convicts who earnestly desire to "go
ployment will be expanded. For youths
position by 1970. Deliveries of new ships
straight."
unable to obtain such training, we pro-
pose an industry youth program, coupled
with a flexible approach to minimum
necessary, by legislation.
tion, similar to the fund developed for
wage laws for young entry-level workers
As the program becomes unmired from
the Eisenhower interstate highway sys-
during their training periods.
its present burdens of bureaucratic va-
tem, will be explored as a means of
The rapidly mounting enrollments
gary, caprice, and lethargy, its virtues
speeding the development of modern
and costs of colleges and universities de-
and defects will be revealed. Based upon
mass transportation systems and addi-
prive many qualified young people of the
these and upon the changing conditions
tional airports.
opportunity to obtain a quality college
of the Nation, new legislation, when and
The Federal-aid highway program
education. To help colleges and univer-
if needed, will be developed.
must be restructured to keep abreast of
sities provide this opportunity, we favor
Recognizing the need for legislation in
the Nation's transportation needs, and
grant and loan programs for expansion
special areas, such as oil pollution, the
planning must be undertaken now to
of their facilities. We support a flexible
Republican program calls for sensible
provide for necessary highway improve-
student aid program of grants, loans and
legislation designed to eliminate the
ment after 1975.
work opportunities, provided by Federal
causes and to ameliorate the effects of
IMPROVE VETERANS' BENEFITS
and State governments and private or-
water pollution without destroying indus-
ganizations. We favor tax credits for
tries or imposing onerous burdens on
A sound program of veterans' benefits
those burdened with the costs of higher
those who could, in effect, be scapegoats.
that will merit the approval of the Na-
education, and also tax deductions to
tion and its veterans must be perfected.
TRANSPORTATION
encourage savings for this purpose.
Such a program will include: First, com-
A balanced, competitive transporta-
pensation payments that are commen-
CLEAN WATER
tion system in which each mode of
surate with the cost of living for serv-
During the 91st Congress, we will seek
transportation-train, truck, barge, bus,
ice-connected disabled veterans and
to achieve the goals of the Federal Water
and aircraft-is efficiently utilized must
their survivors, particularly widows with
Pollution Control Act, enacted July 9,
be maintained. The Johnson-Humphrey
minor children; second, special consid-
1956-Public Law 84-660-as amended,
administration's failure to evolve a co-
eration for older veterans in determining
and supplemented in 1961, 1965, and
ordinated transportation policy has re-
eligibility for pension and hospitaliza-
1966. Emphasis will be upon the efficient
sulted in outrageous delays at major
tion; third, the continued operation of
and effective administration of existing
airports and in glacial progress in devel-
the Veterans' Administration hospital
programs and maximum funding of those
oping high-speed trains transportation
system dedicated to the care and treat-
programs, rather than upon the con-
linking our major population centers.
ment of veterans, with an adequate
tinual promulgation of new legislation,
The Nation's air transport system per-
number of beds, both medical and nurs-
which has been the case since 1961.
forms excellently, but under increasingly
ing care, to accomplish this purpose;
The role of the States will be para-
adverse conditions. Airways and airport
fourth, the formulation of a national pol-
mount, and the effective participation of
congestion has become acute. New and
icy on cemeteries and burial benefits for
the States in exercising leadership and
additional equipment, modern facilities
veterans; and fifth, continued priorities
acomplishing their responsibility will be
including the use of computers, and ad-
in employment, for veterans, with spe-
emphasized. Restrictive action by Federal
ditional personnel must be provided
cial attention to the returning Vietnam
agencies, resulting in the hampering of
without further delay.
veterans.
State programs, will be eliminated-if
A trust fund approach to transporta-
NEWS
from
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL NEWS BUREAU
312 CONGRESSIONAL HOTEL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003
LINCOLN 4-3010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 17, 1968
WASHINGTON With adjournment of the 90th Congress, Republican Congressional
leaders have stepped up the tempo of their drive to gain majority control of the U.S. House of
Representatives next year. A gain of 3I seats is needed.
"Every poll and public opinion survey shows that two out of three concerned Americans--
perhaps three out of four--demand a change in Washington," declared House Republican Leader
Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.)
Ford warned these voters to look beyond the Presidential contest at the top of the ticket
on November 5 when they go to the polls or face disappointment and dangerous confusion and
conflict during the next four years.
"Voters who want constructive change in the Federal government should go to the polls
determined to send Republican candidates to Congress as well as cleaning out the White House
and the executive establishment,' he stated. "The Democrats have been running Congress for 34
of the last 38 years and it's high time for new leadership and new ideas in the legislative branch
of our government. We can't afford any more Great Planned Society Congresses."
The House Republican Leader heads a team of GOP Congressional Leaders holding
briefings with Republican candidates in Texas, Florida, New York and New England in the closing
stretch of the 1968 campaign for control of the next House. The present line-up is 187 Republicans,
245 Democrats and 3 vacancies.
Since mid-September the House GOP leadership has conferred with more than 100
Republican challengers of Democratic incumbents in key Congressional districts in 24 States.
(more)
A SERVICE OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
-2-
The earlier meetings were held in Washington, Denver, Los Angeles, Greensboro (N.C.),
Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
Ford, House GOP Whip Leslie C. Arends (III.), Policy Committee Chairman John J.
Rhodes (Ariz.), Congressional Committee Chairman Bob Wilson (Calif.), and Conference Vice-
Chairman William Cramer (Fla.) will wind up the series.
Briefings will be held Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Executive Inn, Dallas, Tex.; Friday,
Oct. 18, at the Robert Meyer Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla.; Monday morning, Oct. 21, at the
Roosevelt Hotel, New York City, and Monday afternoon, Oct. 21, at the Rhode Island Yankee
Motor Inn, Providence, R.I.
Participating in previous briefings were Reps. Melvin R. Laird (Wis.), Conference
Chairman; Richard H. Poff (Va.), Conference Secretary and H. Allen Smith (Calif.), ranking
Republican member of the Rules Committee.
The sessions cover discussions of the responsibilities of a majority in the Congress, a
legislative agenda for a Republican 91st Congress, local and regional problems and issues, and
the seldom-used Constitutional role of the House of Representatives in choosing a President if no
candidate wins an electoral majority.
Ford said he now feels less concerned than at the outset of the 1968 campaign about the
likelihood of the Presidential contest being thrown into the House, but will still press for Republi-
can control of the 26 State delegations needed in that eventuality. He forecast a gain of 40 or
more House seats, noting Republicans gained 47 seats in 1966.
"All signs point to an overwhelming victory for Richard Nixon through the normal
Electoral College process," he said. "We are out to get the same kind of clear mandate from the
American electorate for Republican control of 'the People's House' in the 91st Congress. Then we
can move forward in teamwork to restore the unity of our people and rebuild the greatness of our
nation."
###
offece Capy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE FRIDAY AM's--
September 26, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., to be placed in the Congressional Record
of September 25, 1969
Mr. Speaker, if it is possible to be both amused and saddened simultaneously,
this best sums up my reaction to the dramatic by-play which has been diverting
some of my dear Democratic friends of the Majority side in recent weeks. The
theme of this mini-melodrama seems to have been "Are We a Do-Nothing Congress?"
And their resounding denials of such a horrid accusation were given added
dignity and stature in the September 17th Congressional Record by the distin-
guished Majority Leader, the gentleman from Oklahoma.
Mr. Albert appears to have been alarmed by what he terms "reports in the morning
press that Republican colleagues are hoping President Nixon will try to pin the
'do-nothing' label on Democratic members of the 91st Congress."
I cannot pretend to bespeak the secret hopes of all my Republican colleagues,
any more than my friend from Oklahoma can divine the designs of all his Demo-
cratic colleagues. But I wonder who first suggested a "Do-Nothing" description
for this 91st Congress. Was it President Nixon? Not that I know of. Certainly
I have never leveled any such charge against my friends across the aisle; on the
contrary, I have been generous in my praise, both public and private, for the
cooperation which you, Mr. Speaker, and the Majority Leadership of this Congress
has given on several outstanding occasions, such as the extension of the 10%
income tax surcharge. Nor do I think the late Senate Minority Leader was ever
party to a "Do-Nothing" accusation, although it is perhaps true that the other
body has dilly-dallied in this session a bit more than we have. In fact I know
of no leader of my party who has branded this a "Do-Nothing Congress" although
- 2 -
some allegations of "foot-dragging" and "stalling" have, not without justice,
been mady by Republican legislators.
So who started all this "Do-Nothing Congress" charge and countercharge? Why,
my friends, it was planted by no less an authority than the last Democratic
candidate for President, the Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey.
I would like to quote from the eminent national columnist, Marquis Childs, in
the Washington Post of September 17th, reporting on a closed-door session which
the former Vice President had with Senate Democrats before the Labor Day recess.
Mr. Childs quotes Mr. Humphrey as saying:
"In 1970 President Nixon can go to the country with the same battle
cry that President Truman used in 1948. He can talk about the
legislative failures of a Congress with solid Democratic majorities.
The President has put one program after another up to you and you
haven't acted. He can appeal for the election of Republicans to help
him get his programs through. And if the Republicans make substantial
gains in the Senate and the House the chances for a Democrat winning
in 1972 will be a lot worse than they are today. Unless the record of
Congress improves in the second session and unless the Democratic Party
gets behind its own legislative program, I can see Nixon aiming a
campaign at the '90-worst' Congress just as Truman went after the
'80-worst' Congress and won against all the odds."
So, the alarm having been sounded in the first place by their own Mr. Humphrey,
my friends on the other side have now indignantly and officially denied that
they are running a "Do-Nothing Congress." While I am loath to take sides in
fights among Democrats, I must point out for the record that this entertaining
side-show has been scripted solely by them. It is histrionics, not history. As
the Biblical Proverb puts it so well: "The wicked flee when no man pursueth."
My good friend Mr. Albert compared the number of Presidential messages sent up to
the 89th and 90th Congresses by Former President Johnson and to this Congress by
President Nixon. I do not think this numbers game is particularly relevant, but
I wonder why the distinguished Majority Leader limited himself to the first 3
months of each of these Congresses, during which he says President Johnson
- 3 -
submitted 25 messages in 1965, 23 in 1967, and President Nixon only 12 in 1969.
Is there extra merit in Administration plans that have only baked, or half-baked,
90 days or less? If the Democrats' researchers had brought the record up to date,
they would have logged 30 Presidential messages from President Nixon during his
first eight months in the White House. This compares with 31 and 28 messages,
respectively, for the first 8 months of 1965 and 1967 from President Johnson. In
President Nixon's 30 messages there are, of course, many more than 30 specific
legislative proposals, of which the Democrat-controlled 91st Congress has
completed action on only four.
But, Mr. Speaker, we all know that the workload of Congress cannot be measured so
easily. I have said before and I say again that I would like this 91st Congress
to be known as a Quality Congress rather than a Quantity Congress. My friend
from Oklahoma in his recent remarks laid great stress upon the Great Society
legislative proposals which were rubber-stamped into law in 1965 by the lopsided
89th Congress. That was the Congress with 295 Democrats to 140 Republicans in
the House and 68 Democrats to 32 Republicans in the Senate.
I believe the wise words of the distinguished Majority Leader of the other body,
Sen. Mansfield, about the legislative landslide of 1965 are still eminently worth
repeating:
"We have passed a lot of major bills at this session, some of them very
hastily, and they stand in extreme need of a going-over for loopholes,
rough corners, and particularly for an assessment of current and ultimate
cost in the framework of our capacity to meet it."
So I, for one, don't think there is any magic merit in sheer quantity of
Presidential messages or Public Laws enacted by any particular Congress. And I,
for one, intend to withhold judgment on the record of this session of the 91st
Congress until we are finished. If it turns out then that this has been a "Do-
Nothing Congress", I will have to agree with Former Vice President Humphrey that
the American people will know who was responsible and will know what to do about it.
----
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 6:30 P.M.
Saturday, October 11, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of
Representatives, in comment on the President's Message.
Sunday is Columbus Day, but it should be with no sense of discovery that
Congress receives President Nixon's Message detailing the tremendous amount of
work yet to be done by the 91st Congress.
It should, however, be with a sense of public-minded cooperation and a
spirit of deep determination that Congress considers the tasks remaining as spelled
out by the President.
I personally pledge that I will bend every ounce of my energies to the
goals enunciated by the President, and I fervently hope that the Democratic
Leadership of the Congress will do likewise in a spirit that eschews partisanship
in favor of what is best for the country.
I think the President has set a splendid example for the Congress by
displaying in his Message exactly the kind of nonpartisan spirit now needed to get
the Congress moving on the President's program and to get this country moving
ahead.
I agree with the President that "neither the Democratic Congress nor the
Republican Administration is without fault for the delay of vital legislation."
It is because I wished to proceed affirmatively and positively with the
Presdient's program that I have repeatedly refused to call the 91st Congress a
"do-nothing Congress" and have counseled waiting until the final scorecard is in
before we judge the 91st.
The 91st Congress is potentially a great Congress, and the President has
made clear how the 91st can achieve greatness.
The route to greatness for the 91st Congress is to enact President Nixon's
excellent reform proposals -- his proposals which would turn the country into New
Directions, away from centralism to a New Federalism and away from recognized
failures to new successes.
I have spoken of the Nixon Administration throughout the country as a
Reform Administration -- and that is what we must have at this juncture in our
history. But we cannot have those reforms unless the Congress implements the
President's program.
I therefore join with President Nixon in urging the 91st Congress to act on
the administration program -- and to act now.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
December 8, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
I join with House Majority Leader Carl Albert in inviting the American
people and the press to look at the record of the 91st Congress. Look at the
record and what do you see? The cupboard is almost bare of legislative achieve-
ment.
That is the record of the Democratic-controlled 91st Congress. That is
the record that Mr. Albert so proudly points to. It is the record of a Congress
that has been spinning its wheels and going nowhere.
As for the Nixon Administration, the President has sent the Congress more
than 40 substantive proposals ranging over a wide variety of problems including
welfare abuses, the breakdown in the courts, the violence of organized crime,
crime in the streets, narcotics traffic, chaos in the postal system, and a host
of other defects in our society.
President Nixon has laid a great program of domestic reforms before the
91st Congress, but the only reform on which there has been any final action is
the draft. In that case the legislation enacted was a one-sentence repealer. On
tax reform, the Democratic-controlled Senate is ranging so far afield from
President Nixon's recommendations and the House bill that final enactment of a
good meaningful reform bill has been placed in jeopardy.
I am amazed that Mr. Albert would invite attention to the record of this
Mark-Time 91st Congress. But to that invitation I say amen. The Democratic-
controlled 91st Congress to date has a do-little record. The Administration has
a record of which President Nixon may justly be proud.
###
Distribution: Full
Office
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
December 8, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
I join with House Majority Leader Carl Albert in inviting the American
people and the press to look at the record of the 91st Congress. Look at the
record and what do you see? The cupboard is almost bare of legislative achieve-
ment.
That is the record of the Democratic-controlled 91st Congress. That is
the record that Mr. Albert so proudly points to. It is the record of a Congress
that has been spinning its wheels and going nowhere.
As for the Nixon Administration, the President has sent the Congress more
than 40 substantive proposals ranging over a wide variety of problems including
welfare abuses, the breakdown in the courts, the violence of organized crime,
crime in the streets, narcotics traffic, chaos in the postal system, and a host
of other defects in our society.
President Nixon has laid a great program of domestic reforms before the
91st Congress, but the only reform on which there has been any final action is
the draft. In that case the legislation enacted was a one-sentence repealer. On
tax reform, the Democratic-controlled Senate is ranging so far afield from
President Nixon's recommendations and the House bill that final enactment of a
good meaningful reform bill has been placed in jeopardy.
I am amazed that Mr. Albert would invite attention to the record of this
Mark-Time 91st Congress. But to that invitation I say amen. The Democratic-
controlled 91st Congress to date has a do-little record. The Administration has
a record of which President Nixon may justly be proud.
###
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS
Presidential
Message or
Legislation
Statement (s)
Sent Up
Status*
1. Interest Equalization Tax
1/13
6/9
HSP (P.L.91-128)
2. Export Control
1/15
5/28
HS
3. Reorganization Authority
1/30
HSP (P.L.91-5)
4. D. C. Court Reorganization
1/31
7/11
S
5. Bail Reform
1/31
7/11
6. D. C. Criminal Procedure
1/31
9/9
7. D. C. Juvenile Procedures
1/31
9/26
8. D. C. Bail Agency
1/31
7/11
S
9. D. C. Public Defender
1/31
7/11
S
10. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
2/3
2/3
S (Ratified)
11. OEO Extension
2/19, 6/2
S
12. Electoral Reform
2/20, 9/30
(Const. Amend.)
H
13. Debt Increase
2/24
HSP (P.L.91-8)
14. Coal Mine Safety
3/3
3/3
HS
15. Military Procurement (ABM)
3/14
4/15
HSP (P.L.91-121)
16. Surtax Extension
3/21
HSP (P.L.91-53)
17. One Bank Holding Company
3/24
3/24
H
18. Equal Employment Opportunity Comm.
4/14
10/13
19. Social Security
4/14, 9/25
9/30
20. Tax Reform
4/21
1/30
H
21. Witness Immunity
4/23
5/12
22. Illegal Gambling
4/23
4/29
23. Organized Crime
4/23
5/8
24. Wagering Tax Amendment
4/23
1/3, 3/2U
25. Postal Rate
4/24
26. D. C. Government Commission
4/28
5/13
S
27. Non-Voting D. C. Delegate
4/28
5/13
S
28. Grant Consolidation
4/30
29. Obscenity
5/2
5/7
30. Food Stamps Authorization
5/6
6/6
HSP (P.L.91-116)
31. Draft Reform
5/13, 9/19
5/13, 9/19
HSP (P.L.91-124)
32. Burger Nomination
5/21
S (Confirmed 6/9)
33. Postal Reform
5/27
5/28
34. Foreign Aid Authorization
5/28
5/28
H
35. Airport-Airways
6/16
6/16
H
36. Unemployment Insurance
7/8
7/8
H
37. Drug Control
7/14
7/15
38. Population Growth
7/18
7/18
S
39. I.C.C. Reorganization
7/22
(Reorg. Plan)
(Effective 10/11)
40. Occupational Safety
8/6
8/6
41. Mass Transit
8/7
8/11
42. Welfare Reform
8/11
10/2
43. Manpower Training
8/12
8/12
44. Revenue Sharing
8/13
9/23
45. Haynsworth Nomination
8/18
(Rejected 11/21)
46. SST
9/23
47. Maritime Program
10/23
48. Consumer Affairs
10/30
49. Latin American Program
10/31
50. Trade Act
11/18
11/19
The following programs cannot be directly related to a Presidential message or statement,
but are represented by the White House as being in accordance with or consistent with
the policies of the Nixon Administration in whole or in part:
51. I.D.A.
HSP (P.L.91-14)
52. Older Americans
HSP (P.L.91-69)
53. Maritime Authorization
HSP (P.L.91-85)
54. Student Loans
HSP (P.L.91-95)
55. Water Pollution
1/16
HS
56. Hill-Burton Hosp.
4/1
H
57. Education
6/16
H
58. Voting Rights
6/30
59. Housing
7/12
HS
60. Vietnam Resolution
(Intro. 11/4)
H
* H - Passed by House
S - Passed by Senate
HS - Awaiting or in Conference
HSP - Signed by the President
December 8, 1969
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
Dec. 23, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
The 91st Congress will have to come on strong in the second half--the second session--
if it is to point to a respectable record of accomplishment.
Overall, this has been a do-little Congress in the first session. In terms of President
Nixon's reform proposals, this has been almost a mark-time Congress. Except for the tax
bill and draft reform, this has been a treading-water Congress, a stick-in-the-mud assembly.
Of 46 Administration bills, Congress has passed just 14. That is only a .300 average,
mighty poor in any league. My chief concern is lack of action on Nixon reforms and
initiatives: Anti-crime legislation, welfare reform, postal reform, Social Security
reform, consolidation of grants-in-aid, electoral reform, drug control, airport and
airways improvement, and a new mass transit program.
The Congress has been sitting on five major anti-crime bills affecting the Nation and
six anti-crime measures involving the District of Columbia.
Instead of joining hands with the President to legislate in the best interests of the
people, Democrats in the Congress have sought political advantage by turning tax reform
into tax relief.
On balance, the tax bill as finally enacted must be counted an achievement of sorts.
But it assumed respectable form only because President Nixon insisted that the tax bill
itself be reformed to more nearly conform to the House version or it would be vetoed.
Both on revenue matters and appropriations, Democrats flaunted the President's efforts
to fight inflation. With House Democrats not altogether faultless, Senate Democrats
dropped all pretense at responsible behavior and fattened spending bills in a manner
calculated to curry the greatest possible public favor.
I feel the President had no choice but to announce flatly that he would veto the
Labor-H.E.W. appropriations bill as passed by the Senate.
Apart from such merit as attaches to the tax bill, the only other Nixon-recommended
reform to which Congress responded was draft reform. And that was only a one-sentence
repealer making a luck-of-the-draw lottery system possible.
No other assessment can legitimately be made. Except for the tax bill and draft reform,
this Congress did little this session. In fact, it almost struck out.
#####
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS, 1st SESSION
office Capy
Presidential
Message or
Legislation
Statement
Sent Up
Status*
1. Interest Equalization Tax
1/13
6/9
HSP (P.L.91-128)
2. Export Control
1/15
5/28
HSP (P.L.91-184)
3. Reorganization Authority
1/30
HSP (P.L.91-5)
4. D. C. Court Reorganization
1/31
7/11
S
5. Bail Reform
1/31
7/11
6. D. C. Criminal Procedure
1/31
9/9
7. D. C. Juvenile Procedures
1/31
9/26
8. D. C. Bail Agency
1/31
7/11
S
9. D. C. Public Defender
1/31
7/11
S
10. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
2/3
2/3
S (Ratified)
11. OEO Extension
2/19, 6/2
HSP (P.L.91-177)
12. Electoral Reform
2/20, 9/30
(Const. Amend.)
H
13. Debt Increase
2/24
HSP (P.L.91-8)
14. Coal Mine Safety
3/3
3/3
HSP (P.L.91-173)
15. Military Procurement (ABM)
3/14
4/15
HSP (P.L.91-121)
16. Surtax Extension
3/21
HSP (P.L.91-53)
17. One Bank Holding Company
3/24
3/24
H
18. Equal Employment Opportunity Comm.
4/14
10/13
19. Social Security
4/14, 9/25
9/30
HSP(
(P.L.91-172)
20. Tax Reform
4/21
1/30
HSP(
21. Witness Immunity
4/23
5/12
22. Illegal Gambling
4/23
4/29
23. Organized Crime
4/23
5/8
24. Wagering Tax Amendment
4/23
1/3, 3/20
25. Postal Rates
4/24
26. D. C. Government Commission
4/28
5/13
S
27. Non-Voting D. C. Delegate
4/28
5/13
S
28. Grant Consolidation
4/30
29. Obscenity
5/2
5/7
30. Food Stamps Authorization
5/6
6/6
HSP (P.L.91-116)
31. Draft Reform
5/13, 9/19
5/13, 9/19
HSP (P.L.91-124)
32. Burger Nomination
5/21
S (Confirmed 6/9)
33. Postal Reform
5/27
5/28
34. Foreign Aid Authorization
5/28
5/28
HSP (P.L.91-175)
35. Airport-Airways
6/16
6/16
H
36. Unemployment Insurance
7/8
7/8
H
37. Drug Control
7/14
7/15
38. Population Growth
7/18
7/18
S
39. I.C.C. Reorganization
7/22
(Reorg. Plan)
(Effective 10/11)
40. Occupational Safety
8/6
8/6
41. Mass Transit
8/7
8/11
42. Welfare Reform
8/11
10/2
43. Manpower Training
8/12
8/12
44. Revenue Sharing
8/13
9/23
45. Haynsworth Nomination
8/18
(Rejected 11/21)
46. SST
9/23
HSP (P.L.91-168)
47. Maritime Program
10/23
12/22
48. Consumer Protection Act
10/30
11/20
49. Latin American Program
10/31
50. Trade Act
11/18
11/19
51. National Foundation on Arts & Human.
12/9
The following programs cannot be directly related to a Presidential message or statement,
but are represented by the White House as being in accordance with or consistent with
the policies of the Nixon Administration in whole or in part:
52. I.D.A.
HSP (P.L.91-14)
53. Older Americans
HSP (P.L.91-69)
54. Maritime Authorization
HSP (P.L.91-85)
55. Student Loans
HSP (P.L.91-95)
56. Water Pollution
1/16
HS
57. Hill-Burton Hosp.
4/1
H
58. Education
6/16
H
59. Voting Rights
6/30
H
60. Housing
7/12
HSP (P.L.91-152)
61. Vietnam Resolution
(Intro. 11/4)
H (House only)
62. White House, Embassies Protection
H
* H - Passed by House
S - Passed by Senate
HS - Awaiting or in Conference
HSP - Signed by the President
January 6, 1970
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS, 1st SESSION
Presidential
Message or
Legislation
Statement
Sent Up
Status*
1. Interest Equalization Tax
1/13
6/9
HSP (P.L.91-128)
2. Export Control
1/15
5/28
HSP (P.L.91-184)
3. Reorganization Authority
1/30
HSP (P.L.91-5)
4. D. C. Court Reorganization
1/31
7/11
S
5. Bail Reform
1/31
7/11
6. D. C. Criminal Procedure
1/31
9/9
7. D. C. Juvenile Procedures
1/31
9/26
8. D. C. Bail Agency
1/31
7/11
S
9. D. C. Public Defender
1/31
7/11
S
10. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
2/3
2/3
S (Ratified)
11. OEO Extension
2/19, 6/2
HSP (P.L.91-177)
12. Electoral Reform
2/20, 9/30
(Const. Amend.)
H
13. Debt Increase
2/24
HSP (P.L.91-8)
14. Coal Mine Safety
3/3
3/3
HSP (P.L.91-173)
15. Military Procurement (ABM)
3/14
4/15
HSP (P.L.91-121)
16. Surtax Extension
3/21
HSP (P.L.91-53)
17. One Bank Holding Company
3/24
3/24
H
18. Equal Employment Opportunity Comm.
4/14
10/13
19. Social Security
4/14, 9/25
9/30
HSP(
(P.L.91-172)
20. Tax Reform
4/21
1/30
HSP(
21. Witness Immunity
4/23
5/12
22. Illegal Gambling
4/23
4/29
23. Organized Crime
4/23
5/8
24. Wagering Tax Amendment
4/23
1/3, 3/20
25. Postal Rates
4/24
26. D. C. Government Commission
4/28
5/13
S
27. Non-Voting D. C. Delegate
4/28
5/13
S
28. Grant Consolidation
4/30
29. Obscenity
5/2
5/7
30. Food Stamps Authorization
5/6
6/6
HSP (P.L.91-116)
31. Draft Reform
5/13, 9/19
5/13, 9/19
HSP (P.L.91-124)
32. Burger Nomination
5/21
S (Confirmed 6/9)
33. Postal Reform
5/27
5/28
34. Foreign Aid Authorization
5/28
5/28
HSP (P.L.91-175)
35. Airport-Airways
6/16
6/16
H
36. Unemployment Insurance
7/8
7/8
H
37. Drug Control
7/14
7/15
38. Population Growth
7/18
7/18
S
39. I.C.C. Reorganization
7/22
(Reorg. Plan)
(Effective 10/11)
40. Occupational Safety
8/6
8/6
41. Mass Transit
8/7
8/11
42. Welfare Reform
8/11
10/2
43. Manpower Training
8/12
8/12
44. Revenue Sharing
8/13
9/23
45. Haynsworth Nomination
8/18
(Rejected 11/21)
46. SST
9/23
HSP (P.L.91-168)
47. Maritime Program
10/23
12/22
48. Consumer Protection Act
10/30
11/20
49. Latin American Program
10/31
50. Trade Act
11/18
11/19
51. National Foundation on Arts & Human.
12/9
The following programs cannot be directly related to a Presidential message or statement,
but are represented by the White House as being in accordance with or consistent with
the policies of the Nixon Administration in whole or in part:
52. I.D.A.
HSP (P.L.91-14)
53. Older Americans
HSP (P.L.91-69)
54. Maritime Authorization
HSP (P.L.91-85)
55. Student Loans
HSP (P.L.91-95)
56. Water Pollution
1/16
HS
57. Hill-Burton Hosp.
4/1
H
58. Education
6/16
H
59. Voting Rights
6/30
H
60. Housing
7/12
HSP (P.L.91-152)
61. Vietnam Resolution
(Intro. 11/4)
H (House only)
62. White House, Embassies Protection
H
* H - Passed by House
S - Passed by Senate
HS - Awaiting or in Conference
HSP - Signed by the President
January 6, 1970
Distribution Full
Q Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
Tuesday, March 17, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of Reps.
In the absence of Rep. Robert Taft, Jr., who has business in Ohio, I am
today announcing the formation of a House Republican Task Force on Seniority.
Authorized by the House Republican Leadership, this task force will study
alternative methods of selecting committee chairmen or ranking minority members.
The task force will operate under the House Republican Research Committee headed
by Mr. Taft and will be chaired by Rep. Barber Conable of New York.
Task force members will reexamine the seniority system. Changes in
procedure would come about by party action alone, since the Rules of the House
do not require that seniority be followed.
Following a thorough examination of the present and alternative methods
of selecting committee chairmen and ranking minority members, the Task Force
will report its recommendations to the Republican Leadership and the House
Republican Conference.
It is essential that this study be conducted at this time, so that the
Republican Party in the House can be prepared in January 1971 to make decisions
concerning committee leadership on the basis of a careful weighing of the
alternatives available.
Let me emphasize at this time that no judgments have been made on this
question. The task force and the Party are starting with a clean slate.
In addition to Rep. Conable, the task force members are: J. Glenn Beall,
Md., Edward G. Biester, Jr., Pa., Clarence J. Brown, Ohio, John W. Byrnes, Wis.,
James C. Cleveland, N.H., David W. Dennis, Ind., Jack Edwards, Ala., John N.
Erlenborn, Ill., Durward G. Hall, Mo., James Harvey, Mich., Thomas S. Kleppe,
N. Dak., Paul N. McCloskey, Calif., Albert H. Quie, Minn., John J. Rhodes, Ariz.,
William L. Springer, Ill., William A. Steiger, Wis., Burt L. Talcott, Calif.,
and Wendall Wyatt, Oreg.
###
Douse of Representatibes, U.S.
office
MEMORANDUM
The attached refers to a
subject in which you are in-
terested, and is, therefore,
referred for your information.
Yours very truly
Jerry Ford
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS
(CONGRESSIONAL ACTION COMPLETED)
Congressional action has been completed on the following legislation. It will not be in-
cluded in future updatings of this list so you may wish to save it for future reference.
Presidential
Legislation
Message(s) or
Legislation
Completed or
Statement(s)
Sent Up
Public Laws
1.
Interest Equalization Tax
1/13/69
6/9/69
P.L. 91-128
2.
Export Control
1/15/69
5/28/69
P.L. 91-184
3.
Reorganization Authority
1/30/69
P.L. 91-5
4.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
2/3/69
2/3/69
Ratified by Senate
5.
OEO Extension
2/19/69, 6/2/69
P.L. 91-177
6.
Debt Increase
2/24/69
P.L. 91-8
7.
Coal Mine Safety
3/3/69
3/3/69
P.L. 91-173
8.
Military Procurement (ABM)
3/14/69
4/15/69
P.L. 91-121
9.
Surtax Extension
3/21/69
P.L. 91-53
10.
Social Security
4/14/69, 9/25/69
9/30/69(
P.L. 91-172
11.
Tax Reform
4/21/69
1/30/69(
12.
Food Stamps Authorization
5/6/69
6/6/69
P.L. 91-116
13.
Draft Reform
5/13/69, 9/19/69
5/13/69,9/19/69
P.L. 91-124
14.
Burger Nomination
5/21/69
Confirmed by Senate
6/9/69
15.
Foreign Aid Authorization
5/28/69
5/28/69
P.L. 01-175
16.
Population Growth
7/18/69
7/18/69
P.L. 91-213
17.
I.C.C. Reorganization
7/22/69
(Reorg. Plan)
Effective 10/11/69
18.
Haynsworth Nomination
8/18/69
Rejected by Senate
11/21/69
19.
SST
9/23/69
P.L. 91-168
20.
Carswell Nomination
1/19/70
Rejected by Senate
4/8/70
21.
Rail Dispute
3/3/70
3/3/70
P.L. 91-226
22.
Postal & Other Pay Increases
4/3/70
P.L. 91-231
The following programs cannot be directly related to a Presidential message or statement,
but are represented by the White House as being in accordance with or consistent with the
policies of the Nixon Administration in whole or in part:
23.
I.D.A.
P.L. 91-14
24.
Older Americans
P.L. 91-69
25.
Maritime Authorization
P.L. 91-85
26.
Student Loans
P.L. 91-95
27.
Water Pollution
1/16/69
P.L. 91-224
28.
Education (ESEA)
6/16/69
P.L. 91-230
29.
Housing
7/12/69
P.L. 91-152
30.
Vietnam Resolution
(Intro. 11/4/69)
H (House only)
31.
HEW Amendments of 1969
P.L. 91-151
32.
Environmental Quality Act
P.L. 91-190
33.
White House, Embassies Protection
P.L. 91-217
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS
Presidential
Draft
Status
Message(s) or
Legislation
as of
Statement (8)
Sent Up
5/1/70 *
1.
D. C. Court Reorganization
1/31/69
7/11/69
HS
2.
Bail Reform
1/31/69
7/11/69
HS
3.
D. C. Criminal Procedure
1/31/69
9/9/69
HS
4.
D. C. Juvenile Procedures
1/31/69
9/26/69
HS
5.
D. C. Bail agency
1/31/69
7/11/69
HS
6.
D. C. Public Defender
1/31/69
7/11/69
HS
7.
Electoral Reform
2/20/69, 9/30/69
(Const. Amend.)
H
8.
One Bank Holding Company
3/24/69
3/24/69
H
9.
Equal Employment Opportunity Comm.
4/14/69
10/13/69
10.
Witness Immunity
4/23/69
5/12/69
S
11.
Illegal Gambling
4/23/69
4/29/69
S
12.
Organized Crime
4/23/69
5/8/69
S
13.
Wagering Tax Amendment
4/23/69
1/3/69, 3/20/69
14.
Postal Rates
4/24/69
15.
D. C. Government Commission
4/28/69
5/13/69
S
16.
Non-Voting D. C. Delegate
4/28/69
5/13/69
S
17.
Grant Consolidation
4/30/69
18.
Obscenity
5/2/69
5/7/69
19.
Prurient Advertising
5/2/69
5/7/69
20.
Postal Reform
5/27/69
5/28/69
21.
Airport-Airways
6/16/69
6/16/69
HS
22.
Unemployment Insurance
7/8/69
7/8/69
HS
23.
Drug Control
7/14/69
7/15/69
S
24.
Occupational Safety
8/6/69
8/6/69
25.
Mass Transit
8/7/69
8/11/69
S
26.
Welfare Reform
8/11/69
10/2/69
H
27.
Manpower Training
8/12/69
8/12/69
28.
Revenue Sharing
8/13/69
9/23/69
29.
Maritime Program
10/23/69
12/22/69
30.
Consumer Protection Act
10/30/69
11/20/69
31.
Consumer Representation Act
10/30/69
11/12/69
32.
Consumer Product Testing Act
10/30/69
12/20/69
33.
Latin American Program
10/31/69
1/28/70
34.
Trade Act
11/18/69
11/19/69
35.
National Foundation on Arts & Human.
12/9/69
2/19/70
36.
Solid Waste
2/10/70
2/10/70, 2/18/70
37.
Clean Air
2/10/70
2/10/70, 2/18/70
38.
Parklands
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
39.
Control Enforcement - WPCA
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
40.
Research & Training - WPCA
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
41.
Waste Treatment Facilities
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
42.
Environ. Financing Authority
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
43.
Convention on Genocide
2/19/70
44.
Asian Development Bank
2/25/70
3/4/70
45.
Emergency Public Interest Protection
2/27/70
2/28/70, 3/2/70
46.
Economy Act
2/27/70
2/28/70
47.
Public Broadcasting
3/3/70
3/5/70
48.
Education Institute
3/3/70
3/5/70
49.
Employee Benefits
3/13/70
3/13/70, 3/14/70
50.
SBA Extension
3/19/70
51.
Higher Education Opportunity Act
3/19/70
3/24/70
52.
Explosive Legislation
3/25/70
3/26/70
53.
Great Lakes Disposal
4/15/70
4/16/70
54.
Disaster Assistance
4/22/70
4/23/70
55.
Enlisted Pay Increase
4/23/70
4/23/70
56.
Emergency Home Finance Act
4/24/70
4/7/70
S
The following programs cannot be directly related to a Presidential message or statement
but are represented by the White House as being in accordance with or consistent with the
policies of the Nixon Administration in whole or in part:
57.
Hill-Burton Hosp.
4/1/69
HS
58.
Voting Rights
6/30/69
HS
59.
Foreign Military Sales
7/15/69, 2/10/70
H
60.
Rail Passenger Bill
8/6/69
61.
Military Procurement Authorization
2/2/70
62.
Housing & Urban Dev. Act
3/25/70
* H - Passed by House
S - Passed by Senate
HS - Awaiting or in Conference
PL - Public Law (Signed by the President)
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
May 12, 1970
Second Session
Statement Number 5
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
ON REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1970
The House Republican Policy Committee opposes the passage of H. Res. 960
to disapprove Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970.
It is essential that the President of the United States be authorized to
carry out those reorganizations in his own office which he has determined, after
careful and deliberate study, to be absolutely essential if he is to perform
effectively the functions vested in him by the Constitution and statutes enacted
by the Congress.
To perform his duties more intelligently and efficiently, the President
has requested authority to upgrade the management of the Bureau of the Budget (to
be renamed the Office of Management and Budget) in order that this structure might
better (1) devote increased attention to management systems and improved organi-
zation development, (2) evaluate programs more objectively and thoroughly, (3)
create a modern management information system, (4) resolve inter-agency disputes
and enhance coordination among governmental units, and (5) develop executive career
personnel programs.
In addition, the President seeks authority to establish a Domestic Council
within his office, made up of Cabinet heads and assisted by selected professional
staff, to enable him to: (1) assess national needs, collect information, and
(over)
-2-
develop forecasts in order to define national goals and objectives; (2) identify
alternative ways of achieving the above objectives and recommend consistent,
integrated sets of policy choices; (3) provide rapid response to needs for
policy advice on pressing domestic issues; (4) coordinate the establishment of
national priorities for the allocation of available resources; and (5) maintain
a continuous review of the conduct of ongoing programs from a policy standpoint
and propose reforms as needed.
Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970 is of major importance to the
functioning of modern government. The national interest requires it. The
House Republican Policy Committee urges that H. Res. 960 be defeated and that
the Congress allow the plan to become effective.
STATUS OF ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS - 91st CONGRESS
Presidential
Draft
Status
Message (s) or
Legislation
as of
Statement (s)
Sent Up
6/28/70*
1. D. C. Crime Bills
1/31/69
7/11/69, 9/26/69
HS
2. Electoral Reform
2/20/69, 9/30/69
(Const. Amend.)
H
3. One Bank Holding Company
3/24/69
3/24/69
H
4. Equal Employment Opportunity Comm.
4/14/69
10/13/69
5. Law Enforcement Assistance (LEAA)
4/14/69
3/3/70, 5/28/70
6. Witness Immunity
4/23/69
5/12/69
S
7. Illegal Gambling
4/23/69
4/29/69
S
8. Organized Crime
4/23/69
5/8/69
S
9. Wagering Tax Amendment
4/23/69
1/3/69, 3/20/69
10. D. C. Government Commission
4/28/69
5/13/69
S
11. Non-Voting D. C. Delegate
4/28/69
5/13/69
S
12. Voting Rights
4/29/69
6/30/69
P.L. 91-285
13. Grant Consolidation
4/30/69
5/1/69, 5/7/69
14. Obscenity
5/2/69
5/7/69
H
15. Prurient Advertising
5/2/69
5/7/69
H
16. Food Stamps
5/6/69
6/12/69, 6/17/69
S
17. Postal Reform
5/27/69
5/28/69
H
18. Airport-Airways
6/16/69
6/16/69
P.L. 91-258
19. Unemployment Insurance
7/8/69
7/8/69
HS
20. Drug Control
7/14/69
7/15/69
S
21. Family Planning
7/18/69
12/8/69, 12/9/69
22. Occupational Safety
8/6/69
8/6/69
23. Mass Transit
8/7/69
8/11/69
S
24. Welfare Reform
8/11/69
10/2/69
H
25. Manpower Training
8/12/69
8/12/69
26. Revenue Sharing
8/13/69
9/23/69
27. Social Security
9/25/69
9/30/69
H
28. Maritime Program
10/23/69
12/22/69
H
29. Consumer Protection Act
10/30/69
11/20/69
30. Consumer Representation Act
10/30/69
11/12/69
31. Consumer Product Testing Act
10/30/69
12/20/69
32. Latin American Program
10/31/69
1/28/70
33. Trade Act
11/18/69
11/19/69
34. National Foundation on Arts & Human.
12/9/69
2/19/70
S
35. Solid Waste
2/10/70
2/10/70, 2/18/70
H
36. Clean Air
2/10/70
2/10/70, 2/18/70
H
37. Parklands
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
38. Control Enforcement - WPCA
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
39. Research & Training - WPCA
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
40. Waste Treatment Facilities
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
41. Environ. Financing Authority
2/10/70
2/16/70, 2/18/70
42. Asian Development Bank
2/25/70
3/4/70
43. Emergency Public Interest Protection
2/27/70
2/28/70, 3/2/70
44. Economy Act
2/27/70
2/28/70
45. Public Broadcasting
3/3/70
3/5/70
S
46. Education Institute
3/3/70
3/5/70
47. Employee Benefits
3/13/70
3/13/70, 3/16/70
48. SBA Extension
3/19/70
3/24/70, 4/9/70
49. Higher Education Opportunity Act
3/19/70
3/24/70
50. Explosives Legislation
3/25/70
3/26/70
51. Estuarine Resources
4/13/70
11/18/69, 11/25/69
52. Highway User
4/14/70
12/4/69
53. Great Lakes Disposal
4/15/70
4/16/70
54. Disaster Assistance
4/22/70
4/23/70
55. Selective Service Amendments
4/23/70
4/23/70
56. Emergency Home Finance Act
4/24/70
4/7/70
HS
57. Radiotelephones
5/20/70
2/18/69, 2/28/69
H
58. Emergency School Aid Act
5/21/70
5/21/70
The following are represented by the White House as being generally in accordance with or
consistent with Administration policies.
59. Foreign Military Sales
7/15/69, 2/10/70
H
60. Rail Passenger Bill
8/6/69
S
61. Military Procurement Authorization
2/2/70
H
62. Housing & Urban Development Act
3/25/70
63. Fire Research & Safety
3/18/70, 4/27/70
* H - Passed by House
S - Passed by Senate
HS - Awaiting or in Conference
PL - Public Law (Signed by President)
mum
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
July 13, 1970
Second Session
Statement Number 9
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
ON CONGRESSIONAL REORGANIZATION
Republican Members of the House of Representatives have long urged the
revitalization of the rules of the House, the adoption of modern procedures and
techniques to better accommodate the Nation's accelerating and increasing
legislative demands.
In the 89th Congress a Republican Task Force, after diligent and
thorough study, issued its report, "We Propose: A Modern Congress", which
contained comprehensive proposals for modernizing the machinery and
strengthening the role of the Congress in the twentieth century.
The Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, established in
the 89th Congress by unanimous vote of both the House and Senate, made an
in-depth analysis of the organization of the Legislative Branch. Its report
setsforth numerous recommendations for improved structure and procedures of
the Congress.
In the 91st Congress the House Rules Committee has labored long
and hard, and has prepared legislation which skillfully addresses itself to
the problems of Congressional reorganization. H. R. 17654 is the enlightened
result of consolidation and compromise. It combines the suggestions of the
(more)
- 2 -
Republican Task Force on Congressional Reform and the Joint Committee on the
Organization of Congress. It reflects the dedicated efforts of the many
Members of both parties who have contributed so substantially to improving
the structure and procedures of the Congress. H. R. 17654 will enable a more
efficient and effective Congress to better respond to the public and to the
great issues and problems of modern America.
The House Republican Policy Committee urges that the House give
prompt consideration to H. R. 17654 and that this most important legislation
be sent to the Senate for action as rapidly as possible.
000
HIME
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
July 13, 1970
Second Session
Statement Number 9
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
ON CONGRESSIONAL REORGANIZATION
Republican Members of the House of Representatives have long urged the
revitalization of the rules of the House, the adoption of modern procedures and
techniques to better accommodate the Nation's accelerating and increasing
legislative demands.
In the 89th Congress a Republican Task Force, after diligent and
thorough study, issued its report, "We Propose: A Modern Congress", which
contained comprehensive proposals for modernizing the machinery and
strengthening the role of the Congress in the twentieth century.
The Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, established in
the 89th Congress by unanimous vote of both the House and Senate, made an
in-depth analysis of the organization of the Legislative Branch. Its report
setsforth numerous recommendations for improved structure and procedures of
the Congress.
In the 91st Congress the House Rules Committee has labored long
and hard, and has prepared legislation which skillfully addresses itself to
the problems of Congressional reorganization. H. R. 17654 is the enlightened
result of consolidation and compromise. It combines the suggestions of the
(more)
- 2 -
Republican Task Force on Congressional Reform and the Joint Committee on the
Organization of Congress. It reflects the dedicated efforts of the many
Members of both parties who have contributed so substantially to improving
the structure and procedures of the Congress. H. R. 17654 will enable a more
efficient and effective Congress to better respond to the public and to the
great issues and problems of modern America.
The House Republican Policy Committee urges that the House give
prompt consideration to H. R. 17654 and that this most important legislation
be sent to the Senate for action as rapidly as possible.
Fifth District News Medea only
a Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON FRIDAY--
July 24, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
I am and have been opposed to secrecy regarding a congressman's position on
major issues of the day.
I firmly believe that a congressman's votes both in committee and on the
Floor of the House should be a matter of public record.
For that reason I am supporting moves currently being made to place on
public record the votes cast by a member in committee and during teller votes on
the Floor of the House.
I also favor making all committee meetings open to the public except in
cases involving the national security or the markup of bills. Closing committee
meetings where the national security is involved requires no explanation. Meetings
at which bills are marked up must be closed because to open them would be to bring
lobbyists into such meetings. This would interfere with the proper conduct of
markup sessions.
Where committee meetings are closed, this action should be taken by majority
vote of the committee and only to protect the national security or to facilitate
proper conduct of the business of the committee.
I would add that I strongly favor opening committee meetings to radio,
television and news photographers.
I have long favored reform and modernization of the procedures of the House
of Representatives. Legislation to that end currently is being considered by the
House. I am supporting all constructive amendments.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON FRIDAY--
July 24, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
I am and have been opposed to secrecy regarding a congressman's position on
major issues of the day.
I firmly believe that a congressman's votes both in committee and on the
Floor of the House should be a matter of public record.
For that reason I am supporting moves currently being made to place on
public record the votes cast by a member in committee and during teller votes on
the Floor of the House.
I also favor making all committee meetings open to the public except in
cases involving the national security or the markup of bills. Closing committee
meetings where the national security is involved requires no explanation. Meetings
at which bills are marked up must be closed because to open them would be to bring
lobbyists into such meetings. This would interfere with the proper conduct of
markup sessions.
Where committee meetings are closed, this action should be taken by majority
vote of the committee and only to protect the national security or to facilitate
proper conduct of the business of the committee.
I would add that I strongly favor opening committee meetings to radio,
television and news photographers.
I have long favored reform and modernization of the procedures of the House
of Representatives. Legislation to that end currently is being considered by the
House. I am supporting all constructive amendments.
###
Full Distribution
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
September 15, 1970
A Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
Time is running out on the second session of the 91st Congress, and yet
the record of this Congress in the past 8 1/2 months can be described as little
better than a mixed bag.
I recently remarked that passage of the Postal Reform Act of 1970 would go
down as one of the 91st Congress' finest achievements. I meant every word of that
observation. Today I must sadly add that postal reform will stand as the single
outstanding achievement of the 91st Congress' second session unless the Congress
responds immediately to the President's Sept. 11 call for action.
The time is ripe for reform. We have fulfilled that promise to a degree
but much of the field remains unplowed. The soil is fertile and the President has
supplied the seed ideas. Let us in the Congress get about the business of
producing a crop of reforms which will make government truly effective in America.
Apart from basic reforms listed by the President, much legislative
business lies ahead of the 91st Congress. Let us accept and act quickly on the
President's challenge to strengthen our anti-crime laws, clean up the environment,
consolidate our manpower training programs and control drug abuse.
An election is coming up. But let every member of Congress remember that
the best politics is to legislate in the best interests of the American people.
Obstructionism has never paid off at the polls--and the people know who the
obstructionists are. Let us join hands to move America forward. So little time
remains in this session.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
September 15, 1970
A Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
Time is running out on the second session of the 91st Congress, and yet
the record of this Congress in the past 8 1/2 months can be described as little
better than a mixed bag.
I recently remarked that passage of the Postal Reform Act of 1970 would go
down as one of the 91st Congress' finest achievements. I meant every word of that
observation. Today I must sadly add that postal reform will stand as the single
outstanding achievement of the 91st Congress' second session unless the Congress
responds immediately to the President's Sept. 11 call for action.
The time is ripe for reform. We have fulfilled that promise to a degree
but much of the field remains unplowed. The soil is fertile and the President has
supplied the seed ideas. Let us in the Congress get about the business of
producing a crop of reforms which will make government truly effective in America.
Apart from basic reforms listed by the President, much legislative
business lies ahead of the 91st Congress. Let us accept and act quickly on the
President's challenge to strengthen our anti-crime laws, clean up the environment,
consolidate our manpower training programs and control drug abuse.
An election is coming up. But let every member of Congress remember that
the best politics is to legislate in the best interests of the American people.
Obstructionism has never paid off at the polls--and the people know who the
obstructionists are. Let us join hands to move America forward. So little time
remains in this session.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY--
September 18, 1970
Excerpts from a Speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S.
House of Representatives, at a fund-raising dinner for Republican Governor
candidate Albert Watson, at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, S.C.
It's wonderful to be here in the textile center of the world. And it is
great to be with Al Watson's kind of people because they are bound to be good
people, fine people.
I recently had the honor to present a plaque to Al Watson on behalf of the
Republican Leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was a tribute to
Al for his outstanding service in the Congress.
Let me tell you something about that service. Let me tell you first of all
that Al Watson is the best friend in Congress that a textile worker ever had. Al
Watson has been a most effective member of the Congress in working to offset the
impact of imports on the textile industry. He has fought to save the jobs of
textile workers. He has been waging this battle ever since he first came to Congress
And let me assure you that Congressman Watson has been working closely with President
Nixon on the problem of textile imports. The President has said that he is
four-square behind a textile quota bill--and Al Watson was standing next to him
when he said it.
Al Watson will work for you. Al Watson will fight for the domestic textile
industry. Al Watson will see to it that the textile industry stays healthy.
I look for Al Watson to become the first Republican governor of South
Carolina in a hundred years--and I'm here to tell you tonight that this is the
best thing that could happen to the great state of South Carolina.
You have a wonderful man in Al Watson. You have a leader. You have a man
of great courage.
I am very much aware of Al Watson's outstanding leadership qualities. That
is why I named him as the senior Republican on the House Select Committee on Crime.
I knew he would deliver on that committee--just as he will deliver when you elect
him governor of South Carolina. Al Watson is a man for the criminal to reckon with.
When Al Watson is elected governor, the racketeers operating in this state
had better pack their bags and skedaddle because Al Watson won't put up with them.
Your state will be secure from criminal elements. Al watson won't tolerate any
cop-killing. And he won't tolerate any violence on college campuses, either.
(more)
Al Watson is a no-nonsense man. He will clear the criminals out of South
Carolina.
Al Watson not only is courageous; he is far-seeing. As a member of the House
Internal Security Committee, he put the finger on the Students for a Democratic
Society as a Marxist-roiented organization back when most people thought SDS members
were just a bunch of idealistic college students. Al Watson is a man who won't be
fooled.
I can talk about Al Watson's leadership qualities because I have seen him at
work in the Congress. I know that he gets the job done.
At this point I must applaud Al Watson for the effort he is exerting to get
the busing issue decided once and for all by the U.S. Supreme Court. As you know
Al has filed a friend of the court brief in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school case
and is calling upon other members of Congress to join him in that brief. Here
again you have an example of Al Watson's fine leadership.
Al also exhibited his great leadership qualities when he followed up on his
House Select Crime Committee membership by initiating a drug education program for
the entire state of South Carolina. That took imagination. That took drive. That
took organizational ability. In Al Watson you find all of these traits.
The people of South Carolina are indeed fortunate--fortunate because they
have a wonderful leadership team in Al Watson and his running mate, Jim Henderson.
Postmaster General Winton Blount has told me what an outstanding man Jim Henderson
is-what a great job he has done in the Post Office Department. So you have a
great team in Al Watson and Jim Henderson.
The Watson-Henderson team is a team that spells progress, a team that spells
new plans for action in state government, genuine solutions for the problems that
have been plaguing South Carolina, realistic answers for the challenge of the
Seventies.
I ask the people of South Carolina to recognize that the team of Al Watson and
Jim Henderson is the team that will serve them best, the team that makes sense, the
team that believes every man is responsible for his own acts and for his own place in
society, the team that believes no man is above the law or beneath it, the team that
believes every man must work if he is to enjoy the benefits of our society, the team
that believes our individual and national prosperity flows from the free enterprise
system, the team that will fight to make that system function at its very best so
that South Carolina will be prosperous.
I believe in Al Watson and Jim Henderson--and that is why I am asking the
people of South Carolina to make them their leaders, to let them promote good
government, responsible government, government that truly serves the people.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
October 13, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives,
at a press conference, Oct. 13, 1970.
The Republican Leadership has considered the tentative resolution proposed
by the Republican Task Force on Seniority and strongly endorses the proposal. It
is the intention of the Leadership to submit the resolution to the Republican
Conference and to urge its adoption at the organizing meeting of the Party for
the 92nd Congress. Any action on it before that time would be only formality
because a Conference of one Congress cannot bind a Conference for a following
Congress.
I think the Task Force has developed an effective recommendation for
improving our system of selecting Republican chairmen or ranking members of
Committees. It is a compromise designed to include some of the better features
of various alternative proposals and to avoid their disadvantages. This plan
does not eliminate seniority as a criterion, but will provide a means for
considering other factors as well. I am sure that experience will remain an
important consideration in any of the decisions on committee leadership.
The recommendation of the Task Force includes the important principle of
selection. The Republican Committee on Committees will select the member it
believes should be the chairman or ranking member of each committee, and each
name will be submitted separately to the Republican Conference. There a secret
vote will be taken on the nomination. If a nominee is rejected by the Conference,
the Committee on Committees will be charged with submitting another name to the
Conference.
This plan appears to have broad support among the members of the Republican
Party in the House of Representatives. Speaking for the Leadership, I believe
the proposal is a positive and forward step which should be adopted.
# # #
Full Distribution
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
December 31, 1970
On the basis of its second session performance, the 91st Congress has to be
rated as having done half of its job, with most of the failures due to Senate
inaction.
It is true there have been some pluses--notably postal reform, draft reform,
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Unemployment Compensation Amendments
of 1970, the Organized Crime Control Act, and the Comprehensive Drug Control Act.
These were major legislative accomplishments and in some instances landmark
legislation.
But this Congress should have written a thoroughgoing record of reform, and
in this respect it fell short.
This Congress should have enacted welfare reform and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have enacted revenue sharing legislation and failed to
do SO.
This Congress should have enacted a Manpower Training Act which would have
carried out the President's objective of a broadly-based single program and
instead darted off in false directions.
This Congress should have enacted legislation to improve the handling of
national emergency disputes in transportation and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have enacted legislation laying down a clear-cut basis
for Federal-State-and-local cooperation in licking the problem of water pollution
and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have approved a constitutional amendment changing the
method of selecting our President and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have approved a constitutional amendment giving
18-year-olds the right to vote in state and local as well as national elections
but failed to do SO.
This Congress should have approved a Social Security increase and Social
Security reform and failed to do SO.
This Congress has too many failures written next to its name to be able to
point to its legislative record with pride.
Most strikingly, we found ourselves in a situation where the Senate of the
United States became little more than a debating society and a number of its
members were too busy launching their presidential candidacies to properly transact
the Nation's business.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
December 31, 1970
On the basis of its second session performance, the 91st Congress has to be
rated as having done half of its job, with most of the failures due to Senate
inaction.
It is true there have been some pluses--notably postal reform, draft reform,
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Unemployment Compensation Amendments
of 1970, the Organized Crime Control Act, and the Comprehensive Drug Control Act.
These were major legislative accomplishments and in some instances landmark
legislation.
But this Congress should have written a thoroughgoing record of reform, and
in this respect it fell short.
This Congress should have enacted welfare reform and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have enacted revenue sharing legislation and failed to
do SO.
This Congress should have enacted a Manpower Training Act which would have
carried out the President's objective of a broadly-based single program and
instead darted off in false directions.
This Congress should have enacted legislation to improve the handling of
national emergency disputes in transportation and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have enacted legislation laying down a clear-cut basis
for Federal-State-and-local cooperation in licking the problem of water pollution
and failed to do SO.
This Congress should have approved a constitutional amendment changing the
method of selecting our President and failed to do so.
This Congress should have approved a constitutional amendment giving
18-year-olds the right to vote in state and local as well as national elections
but failed to do SO.
This Congress should have approved a Social Security increase and Social
Security reform and failed to do SO.
This Congress has too many failures written next to its name to be able to
point to its legislative record with pride.
Most strikingly, we found ourselves in a situation where the Senate of the
United States became little more than a debating society and a number of its
members were too busy launching their presidential candidacies to properly transact
the Nation's business.
# # #