Sam Brownback

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a new Member, I am amazed that the House of Representatives has been taking money from the taxpayers to run Congress without keeping track of where that money goes. A comprehensive audit of this institution is long overdue. The days of treating the American taxpayer's money with an arrogant disregard for accountability must end now. Congress must understand that the money spent here is not ours--it is the peoples money--and they are entitled to know where every penny goes. Throughout my campaign, people told me they are fed up with scandals in Congress--the House bank scandal--the House Post Office scandal--the House restaurant. This reform, Mr. Speaker, instructs the House inspector general to use independent auditing firms to conduct a full scale audit of all the House's functions. This reform will restore openness and accountability to the way Congress does business. We must eliminate any ``waste, fraud, and abuse'' from this body as is called for in the contract with America. We want this audit to be as expansive as possible--to account for every asset--every dollar spent by this institution. My new colleagues and I were sent to Congress to reform the way the Federal Government works. But to do this, we must first clean up the Congress. Mr. Speaker, this is an opportunity to help restore America's faith and trust in Congress. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this act of genuine congressional reform. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas]. (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I would remind the speaker from the other side that he had 40 years to ask for this audit and did not do it. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Ehlers]. (Mr. EHLERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. Zeliff]. (Mr. ZELIFF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Boehner].

Mr. BROWNBACK. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Taylor]. (Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Klug].

Mr. BROWNBACK. I would point out, Mr. Speaker, a bipartisan group appointed the current Inspector General. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle]. (Mr. DOOLITTLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Camp]. (Mr. CAMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs].