WASHINGTON — It has been one of the mainstays of congressional decorum since the early days of the republic: House members could not criticize the Senate or its members, by name, during floor debate.
But Tuesday, the muzzle came off.
On the first day of the 109th Congress, the Republican-led House revised its rules to allow lawmakers to finally say their piece about senators — a change seen by some as further eroding comity on Capitol Hill.
"The distance between 'Crossfire' and the House floor is shrinking all the time," said University of Pennsylvania political scientist Don Kettl, referring to the contentious CNN talk show.
...
The change was supported by a group of conservative Republicans who wrote in a memo that although the old rule stemmed from the "commendable goal of establishing courtesy and respect between the two chambers … the current gag rule silences and chills much needed and relevant debate regarding the Senate's role in accomplishing congressional business. Debate can be firm and enlightening while remaining civil."
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), who proposed the change, said it was only fair since there was no comparable gag rule for senators.
He also said it made no sense to him that he could criticize a senator on television talk shows but not on the House floor. And he noted that the rule prohibited him and his colleagues from saying nice things about senators, such as offering a "Happy Birthday" resolution.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-house5jan05,1,7477202.story?coll=la-news-politics-nationalFeeney knows more about fairness than T. Jefferson? I'm trying to wrap my mind around that one. Guess TJ didn't give "birthday resolutions" the weight they are due. :crazy:
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