GOP leaders opened the week with a surge of openness and transparency. Exhibit A: television cameras in the typically reclusive Rules Committee, which decides which amendments will be allowed on the floor for votes.
Not all members of the committee – known for its unpredictable, late night hours and tiny, press-unfriendly hearing room – welcomed the change. “There are people who came in here today that would not have been here but for the fact that we’re on TV,” said Rep. Alcee Hastings (D) of Florida. “I saw people come in here and play to the cameras, and I tell you that you will see that more and more.”
Cameras or not, Democrats were not pleased by the work that went on in the rules committee this week.
Despite Boehner's promises that there would be more opportunity to amend and debate legislation in this Congress, the rules committee decided to send the measure to repeal health-care reform to the floor with only one amendment and without any hearings – despite nearly 12 hours of back-and-forth and a crush of witnesses proposing amendments at the rules meeting.
“Not a single hearing has been held on this reform package,” said Rep. James McGovern (D) of Massachusetts, a member of the Rules Committee, during Thursday's hearing. “We’re rushing something to the floor, but not a single hearing has been held.”
Democrats allowed no open rules or amendments in their last two years in the majority. Boehner says the minority can expect more open rules in the future.
The floor debate on repeal of health-care reform will begin on Tuesday, with a vote no sooner than Wednesday. That fulfills a GOP pledge to allow members three days to study the text of a bill before having to vote on it. In recent years, members often saw massive bills just hours before having to vote on them. The health-care reform repeal bill is two pages.
