JANUARY HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Tuesday (1-5-93) First Session, Elect Speaker, Approve Rules. Roll Calls 1-7. Noon to 7:21pm [CR #1]
2. Wednesday (1-6-93) Joint Session, Count the Electoral Vote. Noon to 3:15pm [CR #2]
3. Wednesday (1-20-93) Inauguration Session. 10am to 12:26pm [CR #4]
4. Thursday (1-21-93) Pro Forma Session. 11am to 1:40pm (Pro Forma is a session where no legislative business is before the
House. They meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order Speeches, to conduct non-controversial housekeeping
business, and to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of sessions per month.) [CR #5]
5. Monday (1-25-93) Pro Forma Session. Noon to 2:30pm [CR #7]
6. Tuesday (1-26-93) Authorization of four Select Committees for 103rd Congress--Defeated Narcotics... Authorization for other
3 postponed. Roll Calls 7-10. Noon to 3:40pm [CR #8]
7. Wednesday (1-27-93) Pro Forma Session due to postponement of Select Committee Authzat.Roll Call #11.Noon to 5:01pm [CR #9]
Number of Days In Session--7
Number of Hours In Session--25:29
Number of Roll Call Votes--11
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/7 sessions = $1,591 per Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/25.5 hours = $436.75 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/ 11 Votes = $1,012.46 per vote
FEBRUARY HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Tuesday (2-2-93) Pro Forma Session {House Session #8 (HS #8)}. Noon to 4:03pm (Pro Forma is a session where no legislative
business is before the House. They meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order Speeches, to conduct non-
controversial housekeeping business, and to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of sessions per month.)
[Congressional Record (CR) #12]
2. Wednesday (2-3-93 {HS #9}) First real legislative session. Under consideration was H.R. 1 The Family and Medical Leave Act,
a bill to allow workers in business' with 50 or more employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for either family or medical
reasons. Passed. Roll Calls 12-22. Noon to 12:31am [CR #13]
3. Thursday (2-4-93 {HS #10}) H.R. 2 National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Bill) and after a recess, considered Senate
version of Family and Medical Leave Act. Motor Voter Bill establishes a national voter registration law allowing registration
by mail and at various public locations. Passed. Roll Calls 23-26. Noon to 7:45 Recessed 7:45pm to 9:11pm Took up FML under
H.Res 71 from the Rules committee which included the Senate amendments to H.R.1 (H.Res 71 is considered a "self-executing"
rule because passage of the rule meant acceptance of the Senate amendment.) Roll Calls 27-29. 9:11pm to 11:54pm [CR #14]
4. Tuesday (2-16-93 {HS #11}) Suspension of Rules for two bills--H.Con.Res 34 Continued US opposition to commercial whaling;
& H.R. 750 Extension of the Export Administration Act of 1979. Both passed by wide margins. Roll Calls 30-31. Noon to 4:47pm
[CR #15]
5. Wednesday (2-17-93 {HS #12}) Scheduled to consider H.R. 670, Family Planning Amendments of 1993--a bill to amend chapter
10 of the public health law repealing the so-called gag rule regarding abortion counseling. Also scheduled was the Joint
session to hear President Clinton's State of the Union speech at 9pm. Delayed consideration of H.R. 670 due to controversy
over rule bringing it to the floor and time constraints associated with Clinton's speech--Secret Service needed to begin
"sweeping" the Hall at 6pm and debate hadn't even begun by 4:45pm. Roll Calls 32-34. 2pm to 6:03pm Recessed 6:03 to 8:43pm.
Joint Session on State of the Union. President Clinton spoke to members of the Senate, House of Representatives, Cabinet,
and Supreme Court for over an hour. 8:43 to 10:17pm [CR #16]
6. Thursday (2-18-93 {HS #13}) Postponed indefinitely consideration of H.R. 670 with indication that a more open rule might
be considered. Gephardt announced the program for next week and received Republican criticism for planning to bring the
repeal of the Hatch Act up under Suspension of the rules next Tuesday. Promised to review the plan. No further business until
next Monday. Roll Call #35. 11am to 4:03pm [CR #17]
7. Monday (2-22-93 {HS #14}) Pro Forma Session. Noon to 1:19pm [CR #18--Note: CR #18 and #19 published together]
8. Tuesday (2-23-93 {HS #15}) Suspension of Rules to consider repealing the Hatch Act, i.e. H.R. 20 which intends "to restore
to Federal civilian employees their right to participate voluntarily, as private citizens, in the political processes of
the Nation, (and) to protect such employees from improper political solicitations..." Actual vote delayed until Wednesday.
Roll Calls 36-37. Noon to 5:19pm; Recessed 5:19 to 5:54; 5:54 to 6:22pm [CR #19]
9. Wednesday (2-24-93 {HS #16}) H.R. 920 Extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation brought to the floor with a "Self-
Executing" rule. Bitter debate but bill passed. House then failed to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 20 (Federal Employees'
Political Activities Act of 1993) which would have repealed the Hatch Act. Debate on H.R. 20 had taken place the day before.
Roll Calls 38-42. Noon to 9:44pm [CR #20]
10. Thursday (2-25-93 {HS #17}) Pro Forma Session. Adjourned until Monday March 1. 11am to 12:31pm [CR #21]
February Information
Number of February Days In Session--10
Number of Actual Working Sessions--5
(including 2 Suspension of Rules days)
Number of February Hours In Session--59:54
Number of February Roll Call Votes--31
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/10 sessions = $1,113.70 per Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/59.9 hours = $185.93 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/31 votes = $359.26 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--17
Number of Total Hours In Session--85:23
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--42
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 2 months = $22,274
Pay Per Session: $22,274/17 sessions = $1,310.24 per Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $22,274/85.3 hours = $261.13 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $22,274/42 votes = $530.33 per vote
MARCH HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Monday (3-1-93) Pro Forma Session {House Session #18 (HS #18)}. Noon to 1:02pm (Pro Forma is a session where no legislative
business is before the House. They meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order Speeches, to conduct non-
controversial housekeeping business, and to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of sessions per month.)
[Congressional Record (CR) #22--Note: CR #22 and #23 published together]
2. Tuesday (3-2-93 {HS #19}) Suspension of the Rules Day--5 bills considered: H.R. 890 Deposit insurance claims, H.R. 904 The
establishment of an Airline industry commission, H.R. 868 Consumer telephone sales protection, H.R. 707 Improvement of the
allocation & assignment of the electromagnetic spectrum, & H.R. 617 The protection of investors in limited partnerships in
rollup transactions. All Passed easily. Roll Calls 43-48. Noon to 5:31pm [CR #23]
3. Wednesday (3-3-93 {HS #20}) Repeal of the Hatch Act--H.R. 20 (Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1993) which
intends "to restore to Federal civilian employees their right to participate voluntarily, as private citizens, in the
political processes of the Nation, (and) to protect such employees from improper political solicitations..." The bill came
to the floor under a "Closed" rule (H.Res 106) which did not allow Rep. Frank Wolf to offer his amendments. Passed. Roll
Calls 49-52. Noon to 5:23pm [CR #24]
4. Thursday (3-4-93 {HS #21}) Senate version of H.R. 920 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act with the non-germane amendment
to freeze Members' pay. Passed. Roll Calls 53-54. 11am to 3:20pm [CR #25]
5. Monday (3-8-93 {HS #22}) Pro Forma Session Noon to 12:19pm [CR #27--Note: CR #27 and #28 published together]
6. Tuesday (3-9-93 {HS #23}) Suspension of the Rules Day--H.R. 490 To provide a site for the construction of the National
Women's Health Resource Center. Passed. Roll Calls #55-56. Noon to 2:58pm [CR #28]
7. Wednesday (3-10-93 {HS #24}) H.R.4 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Reauthorization. Controversy over the "Closed" rule
(H. Res 119) and abortion related provisions of NIH. Final passage delayed until Thur. Roll Calls #57-62.1:00pm to 9:35pm
[CR #29]
8. Thursday (3-11-93 {HS #25}) H.R. 4 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Reauthorization. Passed. Subsequently, S. 1, a
similar Senate measure, was passed in place of H.R. 4 after being amended to contain the language of H.R. 4 as passed by the
House. H.R. 4 was then laid on the table. The House then insisted on its amendment to S. 1 (which is really the amended H.R.
4), and requested a conference with the Senate. The House did agree to the Bliley motion to instruct the House conferees to
agree to the provisions of the Senate bill relating to preventing admission to the U.S. of aliens infected with the HIV
virus. Roll Calls #63-70. 11:30 to 5:24pm [CR #30]
9. Monday (3-15-93 {HS #26}) Pro Forma Session Noon to 12:10pm [CR #31]
10. Tuesday (3-16-93 {HS #27}) Suspension of the Rules Day. 4 Bills were passed: H.R.965 Child Safety Protection, H.R. 1109
Amend the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to establish reemployment rights for certain merchant seamen, H.R. 1140 Aircraft
equipment settlement leases (S. 400, the Senate version was also passed and H.R. 1140 was laid on the table). Roll Calls
#71-72. Noon to 6:41pm [CR #32]
11. Wednesday (3-17-93 {HS #28}) Debate on Clinton's Budget (H. Con. Res. 64) and Clinton's Economic Stimulus package (H.R.
1335--Supplemental Appropriations for 1993). Four budgets were debated--Clinton's proposal, Republican John Kasich's
(deficit reduction without increased taxes) budget, Rep. Gerald Solomon's compromise, and the Black Caucus annual alt-
ernative budget. Amendments and votes were scheduled to occur Thursday. Roll Calls #73-74. 10:30am to 1:29am [CR #33]
12. Thursday (3-18-93 {HS #29}) Debate on Clinton's Budget (H. Con. Res. 64) and Clinton's Economic Stimulus package (H.R. 1335-
-Supplemental Appropriations for 1993). More controversy surrounded the additional Closed rules governing today's debate.
Clinton's Budget was the only one to pass. For more detail please see the description of the March 18 roll call votes. Roll
Calls #75-88. 11:00am to 12:45am [CR #34]
13. Tuesday (3-23-93 {HS #30}) Suspension of the Rules Day--H.R. 904 to amend the Airport and Airway Safety, Capacity, Noise
Improvement, and Intermodal Transportation Act of 1992 in order to establish a National Commission to Ensure a Strong
Competitive Airline Industry--cleared for the President's signature. Also passed: H.J.Res 102, H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105
providing for the appointment of Barber Conable, Wesley Williams, and Hanna Gray as a regents to the Smithsonian
Institution; H.Con.Res.41 Days of Holocaust Victims Rememb. permitting Capitol rotunda use. Noon to 1:33pm [CR #37]
14. Wednesday (3-24-93 {HS #31}) Family Planning Act (H.R. 670). Bitter, explosive debate over the closed rule (H.Res. 138). The
newspaper Roll Call ran a front page story in its March 29th edition quoting Mr. Solomon in its headline saying "You will
regret that as long as you live." as part of an exchange between Solomon and Rep. Louise Slaughter. It began with Rep Walker
reserving the right to object to Rep. Slaughter's unanimous consent request to be allowed to revise and extend her remarks.
Mr. Walker: "Mr. Speaker, do I understand correctly that during the debate on the rule (in the Rules Committee)...(it) was
said fairly clearly ...that they did not believe that the House should ever again be allowed to have an open rule and that
we should resolve all these things in committee and that the House floor should be a place that only ratifies action taken
by the committees?" Ms. Slaughter: "I am afraid the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Walker) is wrong again. No; that was
not the discussion"...Mr. Solomon: "I am a little disturbed by the answer that my good friend...from New York [Ms.
Slaughter] has just given because I just sent upstairs to try to get the transcript of what took place....I was outraged and
I said that some of those remarks were absolutely absurd that took place up there, because I was alarmed at what seems to be
a pattern now that is taking place...and that is what we are going to put a stop to in this House because we are not going
to let this continue." Mr. Walker: "Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object---" Ms. Slaughter: "Mr. Speaker,
could we have regular order, please?" Mr. Solomon: "What did you say? You are trying to shut me off?" Mr. Walker: "Reserving
the right to object..." Mr. Solomon: "You had better not do that, ma'am. You will regret that as long as you live. Who do
you think you are?" Ms. Slaughter: "Mr. Speaker..." Mr. Walker: "Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object..." Mr. Solomon:
"Don't you ever try to do that." Ms. Slaughter: "Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my unanimous consent request."...Mr. Walker: "Mr.
Speaker, we will continue this later." Mr. Solomon: "You had better not ever call me for regular order, I will tell you
that." Later Mr. Bliley: "...I was present when the discussion took place...as to whether amendments were considered in
committee and whether they should all be considered in committee or not...So there was a discussion, and I would invite
Members to look at the transcript...and to see for themselves"...Mr. Walker: "...I suggested that this was going to become a
part of a pattern here in a colloquy a few minutes ago, and I was told that no such thing was said in the Rules Committee
about this becoming a pattern. Now I am not allowed to quote from the transcript...but I can paraphrase it, and everything
that I said was absolutely true. (CR # 38 P. H1560-1561,1564-1566 plus the video tape and Roll Call #71 P. 40) Most of the
debate on the Family Planning Act centered on various aspects of the abortion issue--specifically removing the so-called
"gag rule".Roll Calls 89-99.Noon to 6:37pm [CR #38]
15. Thursday (3-25-93 {HS #32}) Continued the Family Planning Act debate (H.R. 670). Time taken up mostly with roll call votes
on amendments. Roll Calls #100-109. 10:00am to 3:43pm [CR #39]
16. Monday (3-29-93 {HS #33}) Suspension of the Rules Day. 7 bills considered: H.R. 175, FBI access to telephone records, H.R.
829, DNA Identification Act, S. 662, Technical corrections to the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, S. 252, Idaho Land
Exchanges, S. 164 Custer National Forest Land Exchange Authority, H.R. 239, Stock Raising Homestead Act, and H.Res. 118
Condemn the Government of Malta for Releasing Terrorist Mohammed Ali Rezaq. The first two were passed by roll call votes;
rest were put off until Tuesday. Roll Calls #110-113. 3:00pm to 7:47pm [CR #41]
17. Tuesday (3-30-93 {HS #34}) Finished voting on the bills brought up yesterday under Suspension of the Rules. Spent a
relatively short time on H. Res 107 which funds investigations and studies by certain committees. Rep Dunn offered a motion
to recommit which contained instructions to report back with a 25% cut in funding and a 33% allocation of funds for the
minority. Dunn's motion failed and the original resolution passed. Today's session was something like two gunfighters facing
each other, alternatingly threatening and trying to make peace. Republicans intentionally did not call all the roll call
votes they could in order to "send a signal" to the Democrat leadership that they were willing to talk. The Democrat
leadership did not support the motion to adjourn. But members on both sides threatened further action if the other side did
not begin to back down. Mr. Volkmer (D):"...this matter in regard to the special orders and the vote on the motion to
adjourn...did not happen until after ...procedural votes, what I call nuisance votes, et. cetera." Mr. Burton (R): "...the
genesis of the problem was that the Committee on Rules has continually brought to this floor over the minority's protests
closed rules, and they are gagging us so that we cannot express the wishes of our constituencies." Mr. Volkmer (D): "Well, I
have seen the time when...we had open rules and...I will say irresponsible amendments purely for the purposes of dilatory
tactics. Therefore, I think the leadership...is not at fault in what they have been able to do so far and are required to do
in order to prevent what has happened in the past." Mr. Dreier (R): "...But I am really very stunned that my friend would
want to stand here and defend the fact that 100% of the rules...this year...have been restricted...Now, my friend may
consider an amendment to be irresponsible, and I may consider it to be very responsible...We are simply asking that we
comply with the standard operating rules of this House." Mr. Kanjorski (D): "...there is an element on our side of the
aisle, too, that regardless of what our leadership asks us to do, at some point we are not going to follow them either. We
are going to either get some understanding here to have reasonableness in the House, or we are going to fight out to show
that both sides can be as unreasonable as possible and show the American people that their institution cannot work...what we
do not want to have is the abusiveness that has been carried on for the last week or two regardless of who is at fault, on
our side or your side...I am not going to sit here and come over from committee meetings and run back and forth all day
because the minority can play games all day and then want to have their rights preserved in the evening." Mr. Burton (R):
"...the genesis of the problem is that there have been no open rules, that the minority has been gagged from representing
our constituencies with amendments on the floor of the House and that the spirit of comity has been breached because of
that...this problem will end and end entirely when the Rules Committee gets the message that there ought to be a modicum of
fairness." Roll Calls # 114-122. Noon to 7:29pm [CR #42]
18. Wednesday (3-31-93 {HS #35}) Conference Report on the Budget. Republicans again expressed frustration at the process used by
the Democrat leadership in bringing up the Conference Report. First, they were upset that the leadership wanted to bring up
a rule on the same day it was reported from the Rules Committee without a 2/3 vote. Second they were angered at the prospect
of voting on the Conference Report without the required 3-day layover. Finally, Republicans were completely exasperated at
voting on a report that no Republican had any say in. Mr. Walker (R): "...were any Republicans included in the negotiations
on the final product of the budget?" Mr. Sabo (D): "...no, they were not heavily involved in final negotiations." Mr. Walker
(R): "...heavily involved? Were any of them involved at all?" Mr. Sabo (D): "...I have to be frank, not in the actual
negotiations." Regardless, the House voted to waive the 2/3rds requirement for considering a rule on the same day, ordered
the previous question on the rule, adopted the rule, and passed the Conference Report in relatively short order (about 5 &
1/2 hours). Special Orders were allowed to proceed pending some kind of agreement during the upcoming break. Roll Calls #
123-127. 2pm to 10:41pm [CR #43]
March Information
Number of March Days In Session--18 Number of Possible March Work Days--23
Number of Actual Working Sessions--10
(excluding 5 Suspension & 3 Pro Forma days)
Number of March Hours In Session--104:27 Number of Possible March Work Hours--184
Number of March Roll Call Votes--86
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/18 sessions = $618.72 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/10 = $1,113.70 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/104.5 hours = $106.57 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/86 votes = $129.50 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--35 Number of Possible Work Sessions--61
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--18 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., & 23 in Mar.)
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., & 10 in Mar.)
Number of Total Hours In Session--189:50 Number of Possible Work Hours--488
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--128 (152 in both Jan. & Feb. & 184 in Mar.)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 3 months = $33,411
Pay Per Session: $33,411/35 sessions = $954.60 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $33,411/18 = $1,856.17
Pay Per Hour In Session: $33,411/189.8 hours = $176.03 per hr Regular Pay Per Hour In Session = $68.47
Pay Per Vote: $33,411/128 votes = $261.02 per vote
APRIL HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Thursday (4-1-93) {House Session #36 (HS #36)}. Extend the Debt Limit Session. Very interesting debate. After a long
recess, Republicans continued their campaign against closed rules. Democrats said that all such Debt Extensions were brought
up under closed rules. Republicans lost any chance of defeating the rule and the debt limit extension when Charles Stenholm
supported both the rule and the bill. The vote on ordering the previous question and the rule were almost completely along
party lines. The following "debate" was a series of speeches each trying to top the other with a speaker that could draw the
loudest cheers from their side or the loudest cat-calls from the other side--each blaming the other for the debt size.
Democrats brought up the 1984 debt extension vote and reminded various Republican speakers about their support back then.
Democrats also said that it was necessary to raise the limit or the Government would go broke--people would not get their
checks. Without opposition from Stenholm, the Debt limit extension passed easily but without any Republican support. Roll
Calls 128-133. Noon to 1:30pm; Recessed from 1:30pm to 8:56pm; 8:56pm to 12:40am (Friday) [Congressional Record (CR) #44]
2. Friday (4-2-93 {HS #37}) A very strange session. The House was trying to finish business in order to go on a 2 week break.
But the Senate was in a filibuster over Clinton's economic stimulus package--Republicans all pledged not to vote for cloture
until they got some deal on ridding the package of some of the "pork" in it. That means the House must stick around and hold
a session every 3 days at least. Friday's schedule called for the consideration of a modified "Line Item Veto" bill.
Apparently this was worked out in a deal with Stenholm and other conservative Democrats in order to get their support for
the Debt limit extension. The modified Line Item Veto bill was brought up under a restricted rule after some confusion over
the number of one minute speeches that were supposed to be allowed. Solomon and Walker had been allowed to include their own
version of the Line Item Veto in the rule but no other amendments were allowed. After a particularly sharp exchange between
Walker and Stenholm (who was supporting this version of L.I.V. but was on record as opposing a true L.I.V.) a quorum call
was ordered by the Democrat leadership. Instead of the normal 15 minutes, this quorum call lasted 1 and 1/4 hours. The
Democrat leadership was deciding what to do. After the quorum call, the Democrat leadership withdrew the rule for
considering the L.I.V.--they apparently knew they did not have enough votes for the rule to pass--that would open up the
possibility of an open rule--something they did not want. Without any business they called a recess for another hour and 1/4
which actually ran 2.5 hours. After the recess they still didn't know anything regarding Senate action--the cloture vote
would not occur for another 45 minutes and it did not look like it would pass anyway. Therefore, the House adjourned until
Monday with the possibility of more sessions next week. Roll Calls 134-135. Noon to 2:21pm; Recessed from 2:21pm to 4:25pm;
4:25pm to 4:30pm [CR #45]
3. Monday (4-5-93 {HS #38}) Pro Forma Session (Pro Forma is a session where no legislative business is before the House. They
meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order Speeches, to conduct non-controversial housekeeping business, and
to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of sessions per month.). Noon to 12:06pm [CR #47]
4. Wednesday (4-7-93 {HS #39}) Pro Forma Session The Senate voted not to invoke cloture and decided to recess for the 2 week
period. The House could therefore also adjourn until Monday April 19, 1993. 2pm to 2:48pm [CR #48]
5. Monday (4-19-93 {HS #40}) Pro Forma Session Noon to 1:08 pm [CR #49]
6. Tuesday (4-20-93 {HS #41}) Suspension of the Rules Day. The House voted to suspend the rules and pass: H.R. 63 The Spring
Mountain Recreation Area, S. 328 The Gateway National Recreation Area rehabilitation and S. 326 The Washington Birthplace
National Monument.Roll Calls #136-138. Noon to 3:36pm [CR #50]
7. Wednesday (4-21-93 {HS #42}) The House finished suspending the Rules and passed H.R. 328, the Taos Land Conveyance Act, and
H.R. 38, the Jemez National Recreation Area. Although counted as a legislative work day, no other business came before the
House. The Leadership indicated that it was waiting for the Senate's reduced Stimulus Package (which now includes only the
emergency unemployment compensation extension). During a Special Order speech on Closed Rules, Solomon and Goss included the
publication "The Decline of Deliberative Democracy in the People's House" Roll Calls #139-141 2:00pm to 7:44pm [CR #51]
8. Thursday (4-22-93 {HS #43}) The House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1335, making emergency supplemental
appropriations for the current fiscal year. The only thing left in this supplemental is the extension of unemployment
compensation benefits. Roll Call #142. 1:00pm to 3:46pm [CR #52]
9. Monday (4-26-93 {HS #44}) Pro Forma Session Noon to 1:05 pm [CR #54]
10. Tuesday (4-27-93 {HS #45}) Suspension of the Rules Day. The House voted to Suspend the Rules and pass H.R. 798, the
Disability Compensation For Veterans, and H.R. 1032 the Discrimination Within Department of Veterans Affairs. Noon to 1:46pm
[CR #55]
11. Wednesday (4-28-93 {HS #46}) The House began debate on the Line-Item Veto or Enhanced (Expedited) Rescission. Significant
debate occurred regarding the closed rule under which this bill was brought to the floor (See Roll Call vote #144). Once the
rule was adopted, most of the debate centered around whether or not this bill was any form of a line-item veto. Democrats
argued that the current bill was similar to bills sponsored or supported by Republicans in the past. Republicans countered
that in the past Democrats had opposed all forms of line-item veto bills so Republicans were forced to try and pass
compromise legislation. However, this year, a true line-item veto had a better chance of passing both Houses and becoming
law. Republicans also argued that Democrats were only trying to fool the public with this legislation. To support this
argument, they frequently quoted that morning's Wall Street Journal editorial "Line Item Voodoo" "As with term limits, the
American people by overwhelming margins endorse the line-item veto as a tool of political reform in the United States...now
congressional barons are offering...a poor substitute that they hope will placate the public while it does little to curb
government's instinct to spending...The modest cuts (the President) could suggest would stick only if both houses decided by
majority vote to concur...The push to replace the line-item veto with a sham substitute is typical of how Congress is
dealing with reform in this session. It is faking it...The leadership adopted new House rules ostensibly to expedite
legislation, but they'll have the practical effect of limiting real debate. The more Members of Congress avoid changing
their arrogant ways, the more the public will continue to clamor for the only real reform it knows will stick: term limits."
Roll Calls #143-144 2:00pm to 9:37pm [CR #56]
12. Thursday (4-29-93 {HS #47}) There was relatively little "debate" today because much of the time was taken up with votes on
amendments and substitutes. The Michel amendment did pass but because it could only be offered to the Castle-Solomon
substitute it was another example of the "sham" perpetuated by the Democrat leadership. Roll Calls #145-150. 11:00am to
5:20pm [CR #57]
April Information
Number of April Days In Session--12 Number of Possible April Work Days--22
Number of Actual Working Sessions--6
(excluding 2 Suspension & 4 Pro Forma days)
Number of April Hours In Session--39:36 Number of Possible April Work Hours--176
Number of April Roll Call Votes--22
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/12 sessions = $928.08 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/6 = $1,856.17 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/39.6 hours = $281.24 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/22 votes = $506.23 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--47 Number of Possible Work Sessions--83
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--24 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., & 22 in Apr.)
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar. & 6 in Apr.)
Number of Total Hours In Session--229:26 Number of Possible Work Hours--664
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--150 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar. & 176 in Apr.)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 4 months = $44,548
Pay Per Session: $44,548/47 sessions = $947.83 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $44,548/24 = $1,856.17
Pay Per Hour In Session: $44,548/229.5 hours = $194.11 per hr Regular Pay Per Hour In Session = $67.09
Pay Per Vote: $44,548/150 votes = $296.99 per vote
MAY HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Monday (5-3-93) {House Session #48 (HS #48)}. Pro Forma Session (Pro Forma is a session where no legislative business is
before the House. They meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order Speeches, to conduct non-controversial
housekeeping business, and to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of sessions per month.). Noon to 1:30pm
[Cong.Record (CR) #59]
2. Tuesday (5-4-93 {HS #49}) Suspension of the Rules Day. The House voted to suspend the rules and pass: H.R. 995, Veterans
benefits, H.R. 578, Regulations For Investment Advisers, H.R. 616, The National Securities Exchanges Transactions amendments
to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, H. Con. Res. 71, The National Peace Officer's Memorial Service, H. Con. Res. 82, The
Washington Soap Box Derby, H.Con. Res. 81, The Special Olympics Torch Relay, H.R. 1345 designation of the Robert F. Peckham
Courthouse and Federal Building, H.R. 1346 the redesignation of the Almeric L. Christian Federal Building, H.R. 791 naming
the James L. Foreman Courthouse, H.R. 1513, designating the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Courthouse, H.R. 1303 designating the
Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building and Courthouse, H.R. 682 The World War II memorial. Noon to 4:20pm [CR #60]
3. Wednesday (5-5-93 {HS #50}) Conference Report on the Motor Voter Bill and initial debate on the National Competitiveness Act
of 1993. Began the session by swearing in the new Republican member, Portman from Ohio who was elected yesterday to fill the
vacant seat of Republican W. Gradison. After 34 one-minute speeches, the House took up H.Res 163, the rule for the
Conference Report on H.R. 2, the so-called Motor Voter Bill. Most of the debate on this rule actually concerned the
substance of H.R. 2. The rule waived all points of order against the inclusion in the Conference Report of a provision not
in either the House or Senate Version. The rule was adopted and the House proceeded to "debate" the Conference Report with
much the same arguments as originally used when H.R. 2 first came to the House. Democrats generally argued the need to
increase registration, while Republicans argued against further mandating action on the part of State and Local government
without paying for that mandate. Representative Bob Livingston (R) offered a motion to recommit the bill with instructions
to allow states to require verification of citizenship before allowing a person to register. The motion to recommit was
defeated on party lines. The Conference Report was then passed with few party defections. Surprisingly, the Democrat
leadership brought up H.Res. 164, an open rule for H.R. 820, the National Competitiveness Act of 1993. Republicans rejoiced
over the open rule with some reservations regarding certain provisions of the rule--the waiver of the 3-day layover, and the
self-execution provision that removed a section of the Committee's substitute. Solomon stated that it has been 237 days
since the last open rule (9-10-92). Minority leader Michel also praised the open rule. Porter Goss stated that the point is
not to win votes but to fully debate and craft the best legislation possible. Astonishingly, this rule was passed by voice
vote without any dissent. Chairman Tim Valentine was somewhat abrasive in comments about the Republicans praising the open
rule. Roll Calls #151-154. 1pm to 7:42pm [CR #61]
4. Thursday (5-6-93 {HS #51}) After 28 one-minute speeches, the House continued debate on H.R. 820, the National
competitiveness Act of 1993. In Committee of the Whole, the bill was opened to amendment by title. Title one had some
technical amendments but nothing controversial. The first controversial amendment was Dana Rohrabacher's amendment to title
2 which attempted to return the bill to its original concept that includes a sunset provision (6 years) for the Technology
Centers. Rohrabacher's amendment failed but attracted 32 Democrat votes and came close to passing. Bartlett then offered an
amendment to remove the provision relating to Manufacturing Centers from the bill. His amendment also failed but by a wide
margin. Other amendments were approved by voice vote. Consideration of the bill will be continued next Wednesday. The House
adjourned until Monday without any Special Orders. Roll Calls #155-157. Noon to 3:37pm [CR #62]
5. Monday (5-10-93 {HS #52}) Pro Forma Session Noon to 12:45 pm [CR #64]
6. Tuesday (5-11-93 {HS #53}) Suspension of the Rules Day. 33 one-minute speeches (Republicans frequently criticized the
Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee for closing the session last week and for holding private sessions without even
Republicans this week). The House voted to suspend the Rules and pass H.R. 1308 the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of
1993, H.R. 236, H.R.698 Caves Protection Act, H.R.843 Cave Creek Canyon Protection Act, H.R. 240 Broudy Bowl Protection Act
of 1993, H.R. 1040 Reserve Officers Management Act (ROMA) and H.R. 1378, all by voice vote. H.R. 873 The Gallatin National
Forest Range Protection Act of 1993 was also brought up for passage under a suspension of the rules motion but various
Republicans voiced opposition largely because the bill involved some $20 million outlay. There may have been some reaction
to the perception that valid Republican concerns on this bill had been ignored. Dan Burton asked for a roll call vote on
this bill and after all the other suspension business had been completed, H.R. 873 failed to get the 2/3 vote necessary for
passage under a Suspension of the Rules. It fell only a few votes short so if the leadership wishes to see this measure
passed, it can be returned to the floor under a normal calendar and probably will get significantly more than a simple
majority vote. Finally, Special Order speeches today probably sealed the fate of NAFTA. A group of bipartisan House women
Members returned from a fact-finding trip to Mexico united in their opposition to NAFTA in its current form. Generally they
were appalled at conditions in Mexico and felt that we were attempting to push through in 3 years what it has taken the
European countries 15 years to accomplish.Roll Call #158.Noon to 4:28pm [CR#65]
7. Wednesday (5-12-93 {HS #54}) 40 one-minute speeches (Republicans again frequently criticized the Democrats on the Ways and
Means Committee for closing the session last week and for holding private sessions without even Republicans this week).
Debate continued on H.R. 820, the National Competitiveness Act of 1993. Various amendments were considered from Walker,
Calvert, Cox, Meyers, and Shepherd. During debate on one of Walker's amendments, Xavier Becerra referred to it as "mean
spirited". Walker asked that his words be "taken down" (a form of rebuke). Becerra was immediately counseled to withdraw
those words and did so. Walkers amendment was subsequently agreed to by voice vote. Only three amendments required a roll
call vote. Special Orders consumed more than an hour of the total session. Roll Calls #159-161 2:00pm to 7:08pm [CR #66]
8. Thursday (5-13-93 {HS #55}) 28 one-minute speeches. Democrats frequently praised Clinton's announcement yesterday concerning
the establishment of a "Trust Fund" for all taxes raised to reduce the deficit. Republicans basically called the proposal
ridiculous. Martin Hoke went further calling it a complete "sham" and questioned the President's understanding of budget
matters if he made this proposal with serious intent. Debate continued on H.R. 820, the National Competitiveness Act of
1993. Walker opened with an amendment that provoked significant exchanges. Valentine referred to this as a "demeaning,
demeaning" amendment. Walker then asked for the "words to be taken down". The words were taken down, reported back out of
the Committee of the Whole to the House, and the Speaker ruled that the words were not of place. Walker's amendment did get
19 Democrat votes but was defeated. After the Hoke En Bloc amendments were defeated, the Committee of the Whole rose and
reported back to the full House. Suddenly, the legislative business for today was completed and the House adjourned until
Monday. Roll Call #162-163. 10:00am to 1:25pm [CR #67]
9. Monday (5-17-93 {HS #56}) Pro Forma Session 5 one-minute (all Rep.) and 1 Special Order speeches. Noon to 12:19pm [CR #69]
10. Tuesday (5-18-93 {HS #57}) Suspension of the Rules Day. 39 one-minute and 1 Special Order speeches. The House voted to
suspend the Rules and pass H.R. 2034, the Veterans Health Program Act, H.R. 1313, the National Cooperative Research Act of
1994, H.R. 1934, the Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 1994, and H.R. 1189 the Armored Car Act of 1993. No
Roll Calls Noon to 2:10pm [CR #70]
11. Wednesday (5-19-93 {HS #58}) After 23 one-minute speeches, the House concluded debate and passed H.R. 820, the National
Competitiveness Act of 1993. There were numerous amendments and votes with some spirited debate. At least 2 votes were
significant because of the potential involvement in the Court case regarding delegate voting. Debate on various amendments
revealed clear differences between the two parties as to the role of government in relationship to businesses and the
economy. Roll Calls #164-173 Noon to 11:29pm [CR #71]
12. Thursday (5-20-93 {HS #59}) 36 one-minute speeches and a number of special order speeches. Began debate on S. J. Res. 45,
Authorizing U.S. Troops in Somalia. Debate proceeded for about 1 hour in the Committee of the Whole but no votes occurred.
The Committee rose and reported back to the full House. The House then took up H.Res. 171, the rule to consider H.R. 873,
the Gallatin National Forest Act of 1993. After some strange debate, the bill passed with more than a 2/3rds vote.
Opposition continued to revolve around the potential cost of this bill. Roll Calls #174-175. 10:00am to 4:49pm [CR #72]
13. Monday (5-24-93) {HS #60} 15 one-minute speeches. The House voted to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 996, The Veterans
Certification and Outreach Program, H.R. 1723, The CIA Voluntary Separation Pay Act of 1993, H.R. 1779, designation of the
Jerry L. Litton Post Office Building (former Congressman from MO who died with his family in a 1976 plane crash), H.R. 588,
designation of the Abe Murdock Post Office Building, and H.R. 1159, the Passenger Vessel Safety Regulations Act. Roll Calls
# 176-177. 3pm to 7:20pm [CR # 74]
14. Tuesday (5-25-93) {HS #61} 47 one-minute speeches. Republicans continued to attack Clinton's plan for not enough spending
cuts and too many tax increases. Kopetski was the only Democrat to attempt to defend the tax increases. After about 1 hour
of debate, the House passed the Conference Report on S. 1, the NIH Reauthorization Act of 1993. Opposition centered around
Fetal Tissue Research. The House then resumed debate on S.J. Res. 45, Authorization for troops in Somalia. Afterward, the
House voted to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2128, Refugee resettlement, H.R. 826, Government performance, S. 564 GPO
electronic information access. The House then agreed to H.Res. 182 dismissing the election contest against Jay Dickey and
then passed S. J. Res 43 Lyme Disease Awareness Week, H.J.Res. 135 Trauma Awareness Month, H.J. Res 78 Emergency Medical
Services Week. Roll Calls # 178-183. Noon to 11:19pm [CR #75]
15. Wednesday (5-26-93) {HS #62} 28 one-minute & a number of special-order speeches. This session was primarily devoted to the
two Supplemental Appropriations bills, H. R. 2118 and H.R. 2244. The session ran an unusually long time because the House
was waiting for the Democrat Leadership to conclude negotiations on the rule for Clinton's reconciliation budget. While
waiting, Republicans took advantage of the time to discuss the problem of restricted and closed rules and read from some
editorials (Page H2921) and the situation on the inability of the Democrat leadership to effectively govern without
resorting to force. 11am to 3:47am (Thursday). Roll Calls #178-193. [CR # 76]
16. Thursday (5-27-93) {HS #63} 98 one-minute & 7 special-order speeches. Today was the first big test for the President's
budget reconciliation. 95 of the one-minute speeches were before "debate" on the bill and were at least double the maximum
number usually granted. 11am to 10:20pm. Roll Calls #194-199. [CR # 77-78]
May Information
Number of May Days In Session--16 Number of Possible May Work Days--20
Number of Actual Working Sessions--9
(excluding 4 Suspension & 3 Pro Forma days)
Number of May Hours In Session--92:13 Number of Possible May Work Hours--160
Number of May Roll Call Votes--49
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/16 sessions = $696.06 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/9 = $1,237.44 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/92.25 hours = $120.73 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/49 votes = $227.29 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--63 Number of Possible Work Sessions--103
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--33 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr. &
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr.& 9 in May) 20 in May)
Number of Total Hours In Session--321:39 Number of Possible Work Hours--824
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--199 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar. & 160 in May)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 5 months = $55,685
Pay Per Session: $55,685/63 sessions = $883.89 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $55,685/33 = $1,687.42
Pay Per Hour In Session: $55,685/321.67 hours = $173.11 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $67.58
Pay Per Vote: $55,685/199 votes = $279.82 per vote
JUNE HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Tuesday (6-8-93) {House Session #64 (HS #64)}. 24 one-minute and many special order speeches. Although technically not
a pro forma session, the only "legislative business" was a single suspension of the rules in order to pass H.Res. 167.
Democrat Dan Glickman (KS) led off by criticizing Ross Perot and Rush Limbaugh for their opinions about the President.
Several Republican speakers mentioned the possibility of the Democrat Caucus Wednesday morning punishing the 11 Sub-
Committee Chairmen who voted against Clinton's Reconciliation bill at the end of May. After an hour-long recess, the
postponed vote on approval of the Journal brought members to the floor for the swearing in of Peter Barca (D WI). Roll
Call# 200. Noon to 12:45pm; Recessed from 12:45pm to 1:50pm; 1:50pm to 4:35pm [Congressional Record (CR) #80]
2. Wednesday (6-9-93 {HS #65}) 36 one-minute speeches and many special order speeches. The real news of this session came
in the one-minute speeches with Speaker Tom Foley taking the floor (for nearly 2 « minutes) to answer Terry Everett's
assertions that the Democrat leadership was considering punishing the 11 Sub-Committee Chairman who voted against
Clinton's reconciliation package. Foley denied that any action would be taken against a member or that any such action
had ever occurred. Newt Gingrinch, minority whip, followed (with a speech just under 1 minute) by reminding everyone
about the treatment of Phil Graham when he was a House Member and lost a committee assignment for lack of party loyalty.
Terry Everett: "As the Democrats decide how to best punish those who voted against history's largest tax increase,
Republicans have decided to support and encourage those who oppose tax-and-spend policies. This is just one more example
of the clear difference between many Democrats in this House and Republicans. We believe that when party loyalty
supersedes loyalty to the American People as a whole, then party loyalty must be abandoned. That was clearly the case
for those who opposed President Clinton's tax plan last week. 11 Democrat subcommittee chairmen voted against the
President's tax increases, and now some of the more diehard taxers in the Democrat caucus want to punish those Chairmen
for not exhibiting enough loyalty to the Democratic Party. I have questions for those tax raisers. What about loyalty to
the American taxpayer? Don't they deserve some loyalty too? Don't they already pay enough taxes to a government that
knows only how to spend? If these Chairmen and others in the Democratic Party feel too much heat from the tax raisers
they should come to the Republican Party. We never oppose those who place loyalty to the American people above their
party." Speaker Foley then took the floor: "I take the well because, unfortunately though understandably, the gentleman
from Alabama who has just left it is rumarkably uninformed about the Democratic caucus and its policies, as well as
about its attitudes toward its members and its responsibility to the country. We have just a Democratic caucus in which
the overwhelming decision was to take no action against any member of the caucus, subcommittee chairmen or other, for
any vote that he or she casts on the floor of the House. This action is a clear reflection of its belief that Members of
this House on the Democratic side particularly are the agents of their constituents, of the people who sent them here,
of the people who entrust to them the great responsibility and honor of representing them in their districts and in the
Halls of this Chamber. Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity as a member of the caucus to be instrumental in the
removal from the caucus rules of the Democratic party rule R7 which presumed to say that by two-thirds vote the
Democratic caucus could direct the vote of Members on the floor. I take pride in the fact that the antique provision was
removed by overwhelming majority 20 tears ago. From that time to this day no Democrat has ever been asked to vote on any
matter before this House under threat of retribution, retaliation, or punishment. It remains true, however, that in many
State legislatures, there is a daily caucus to decide how members are to vote on the floor. Every member who has served
in a Republican legislature knows that. It is also true of Democrats in State legislatures. The Democratic Party in the
House of Representatives, however, is the freest party in this country in terms of voting one's conscience and judgment
on matters of public concern. So let us end this false suggestion that Democrats are being asked to vote under threat of
penality or anything but their judgment and conscience in the service of their constituents. We get a majority the old-
fashioned way. We prevail upon the conscience and judgment of Members to vote for the legislation, and we do not punish
those who have other opinions." Mr. Gingrich responded: "I want to thank the distinguished Speaker for a cheerful and
wonderful version of reality which has little resemblance to the truth as we know it here on the floor. I would suggest
to him that if we would bring back our good friend, Senator Phil Gramm, a former colleague, and have him come and visit
and explain to us what it was like to have his committee position stripped from him, that he would be glad to talk. I
would suggest to him that there are other former Democrats that we could bring in that would be glad to talk. But, of
course, it is in the spirit, of comity and last night's picnic to enjoy life, to say things in broad and baroque
fashion. For anyone who believes that no arms were twisted, no threats were made, it is an interesting fantasy, but one
I fear does not resemble the brute reality of the House or the legislative process here. I would suggest that any Member
or citizen who doubts me to call Senator Phil Gramm and ask him what it was like." Deborah Pryce (R) continued the
discussion: "It is outrageous that the party founded by Thomas Jefferson would stoop to strong-arm tactics that are more
properly identified with the old Soviet Union, where party leaders really knew how to deal with uncooperative members."
Democrat James Traficant, one of the 11 subcommittee chairmen who voted against Clinton's reconciliation bill,
concluded: "When a Member of Congress would have to look over their shoulder when they cast a vote, our great democracy
will certainly be in danger. In fact, when any American walks into a jury room or a ballot box, no one shall either try
to influence, intimidate, or coerce that vote. I happen to be a subcommittee chariman who voted 'no' on that tax bill,
because I believed it was bad for the country. Our first loyalty in Congress should be to our country, and in my
opinion, if the bill was bad for America, none of us would help our young President by casting a vote for it. Let me
remind the Members of Congress: If you do not have the guts and courage to vote 'no' when it is necessary, your 'yes'
votes means nothing, and that is what is wrong with our country...When it is a choice between the Democrat Party and
what is good for my constituents and the country, the party is going to lose every damn time." Roll Calls 201-202. Noon
to 4:23pm; Recessed from 4:23pm to 9:37pm; 9:37pm to 9:40pm [CR #81]
3. Thursday (6-10-93 {HS #66}) 16 one-minute speeches and many special order speeches. Today's session was one of the longest
so far and had more votes (15) than any other. The decision by the Democrat leadership to bring the Legislative
Appropriations bill to the floor under a restricted rule for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives
was the reason Republicans called so many votes. After animated and very vigorous objections by Republicans over this
historic restricted rule, Democrat Tim Penney closed debate on the rule with a short thoughtful, poignant statement of his
opposition to closed rules as undemocratic and against the principles of the Democrat party. [Mr. Penny: "I am troubled by
this rule, because we were given assurances not too long ago by our own party leadership that we would end the practice of
closed rules or limited rules as much as possible for the duration of this session. Yet today we see ourselves continuing in
that vein...I do not know why in this Congress we are afraid of more open rules. I do not say they all have to be open, but
they do not have to be as limited as this. We seem to be determined to manipulate the outcome by limiting the options. This
in not democratic. This is not consistent with the principles of the Democratic Party to which I belong."] However his
speech was to a largely empty chamber and the rule was approved with little Democrat defection. Only 6 amendments were
allowed to be offered and there was little controversy about any of them. That did not stop both sides from fully "debating"
each amendment with Republicans pleading for deeper cuts in the appropriations and Democrats trying to justify the amount
brought forward in the bill. Without the freedom to offer meaningful amendments, there was little doubt about the outcome.
Surprisingly, the vote on recommittal for a 5% across the board cut came very close to passing (See Roll Call # 216) and the
Speaker Pro Tempore provided little time for anyone to change their mind after the required 15 minutes. Passage was largely
along party lines. Roll Calls 203-217. 10am to 9:03pm; [CR #82]
4. Monday (6-14-93 {HS #67}) 13 one-minute speeches. Normally a pro forma day, the Democrat leadership wants to push through a
lot of legislation this week, so today became a suspension of the rules day. The House voted to suspend the rules and pass
H.R. 2343, which amends the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief of 1990, H.Res. 189, Honoring the Cultural
Achievements of the Voice of America, H.R. 2201,2,4,& 2205, bills to amend the Public Health Services Act. In addition the
House, under an open rule, began work on H.R. 2200, the NASA Appropriations Act of 1993. Roll Calls #218-219. Noon to 6:45pm
[CR #83]
5. Tuesday (6-15-93 {HS #68}) 22 one-minute speeches, many of which delt with today's business--the Striker Replacement Act of
1993. This bill was brought up under a restricted rule but generated little heat over the restrictions. Only 2 amendments
were allowed and neither of those amendments had any chance of passing. Debate on this bill was sometimes heated with
hyperboly on both sides. Essentially those in favor argued the necessity of correcting a loop-hole for managment while those
opposed maintained that the current law had worked well for 50 years and did not need to be changed. In addition, they
claimed that businesses would simply pack up and move to another country if the Congress continued to pile regulation upon
regulation. But the debate indicated a forgone conclusion even though 32 Democrats (including Charles Stenholm) voted
against the bill. If the 17 Republicans who voted for the bill had joined the rest of their party, the vote would have been
quite close (222-207) but the result would not have changed. Normally, once the House completes one piece of legislative
business, it concludes its work for that day. However, the Democrat leadership has had an unusually heavy schedule for this
week. Therefore, the House began debate on the Foreign Aid bill. In a highly unusual proceedure, the Rules Committee,
listening to Republican objections, split the bill into two parts similar to how this appropriations measure has been
handled in the past. The original bill, H.R. 2333 will continue to contain funding for the State Department and related
agencies while a new bill, H.R. 2404 contains the rest of the Foreigh Aid appropriations. The rule that split the original
appropriations bill only defined the general debate time. Both parts will recieve another rule defining the amendments
process Wednesday. Today was another very long session. 11am to 9:00pm. Roll Calls #220-224. [CR #84].
6. Wednesday (6-16-93 {HS #69}) 15 one-minute speeches on a variety of topics. The last vacancy in the House was filled
today with the swearing in of Sam Farr, newly elected representative from the 17th district of California. The House quickly
moved into consideration of H.Res. 197, the rule for H.R. 2333 the State Department and related agencies Appropriations for
FY 94. Solomon stated the situation on the rule: "...this is a very complex and structured rule, but it is what I would call
a modified open rule because it does make in order a total of 27 amendments to the two bills involved. This is roughly half
of the 53 amendments submitted to the Committee on Rules, so obviously everybody will not be completely pleased with the
rule, but I want to state up front that I think this was handled in a very fair and bipartisan manner, both by the Committee
on Foreign Affairs and by the Committee on Rules." Surprisingly after such a statement by the Republican side of the Rules
Committee there was angry opposition to the rule but this time from a Democrat who was not allowed his amendment. Rep.
Torricelli: "...in my time in this House, I do not recall ever rising in opposition to a rule. Indeed, perhaps as it turns
out foolishly, I have always believed that rules were the prerogatives of the leadership in structuring the debate. But in
my time in this House, I have never been more dishonorably dealt with than I have on the question of this rule and the
legislation before this House." Regardless, the rule passed easily and the House went on to approve H.R.2404 FY94
appropriations. The House then began consideration of the other part of the original bill H.R. 2333. Several amendments were
considered but condiseration was carried over to Thursday on this Foreign Aid Bill. 10:00am to 7:53pm Roll Calls #225-232.
[CR #85]
7. Thursday (6-17-93 {HS #70}) 20 one-minute speeches. The House took up H.R. 2295 Foreign Operations Appropriations for FY94.
This is the second of the appropriations bills and the second brought to the floor under a restricted rule. Restricted rules
on appropriations bill are new and brought out intense opposition from Republicans. Solomon summed up their position: "I
oppose this rule because it severely limits the right of House Members to offer amendments to this foreign operations
appropriations bill...We have strongly protested restrictive rules on appropriations bills before because they take away the
most fundamental constitutional perrogative of this House, and that is the power of the purse. Under this rule, Members will
not be allowed to offer the usual amendments to reduce or strike amounts appropriated by this bill. That is a travesty on
the rights of this House, its Members and the people we represent who want us to cut spending...Those Members, Republicans
and Democrats alike, and the people they represent, are being disenfranchised by this rule." Regardless of the objections,
the restricted rule was adopted and the House debated H.R.2295 the Foreign Operations Appropriations for FY 94. Most of the
time was taken up considering the few amendments granted by the Rules committee. The closest vote came on Roll Call #238, an
amendment offered by John Kasich (R). 10:00am to 6:56pm. Roll Calls #233-240. [CR #86]
8. Friday (6-18-93 {HS #71}) 20 one-minute speeches. Treasury Department and Post Office Appropiations Bill. 10am to 5:05pm.
Roll Calls #241-246. [CR # 87]
9. Monday (6-21-93 {HS #72}) 5 one-minute speeches. Suspension of the rules day. The House voted to suspend the rules and pass
a number of non-controversial measures. Votes were susposed to be postponed until Tuesday but all bills passed by voice
vote. Noon to 1:27pm [CR # 88].
10. Tuesday (6-22-93 {HS #73}) 30 one-minute speeches most of which delt with the President's budget. The House first took up
H.R. 1876 which places GATT on the fast track. After passage of H.R. 1876, the House resumed deliberations on H.R. 2333, the
State Department Authorization. The first amendment by Solomon would require random drug testing of State Department
Workers. Solomon's amendment was defeated but Kanjorski's amendment which eliminated NED was approved. A noteworthy event
occured with one of the roll call votes (#251) when Rep. Bill Natcher recorded his 18,000 consecutative vote. Several
members paid tribute to his record of never missing a vote. Anouncement was later made of the death of Mrs. Pat Nixon. After
passage of H.R.2333 the State Department Authorization, the House went back into the Committee of the Whole to finish work
on H.R. 2403 the Treasury Department and Post Office Authorization. There were more amendments and numerous votes but
eventually the House passed this authorization also. Roll Calls #247-260. Noon to 8:46pm [CR #89]
11. Wednesday (6-23-93 {HS #74}) One minute speeches have been reduced somewhat due to the increased schedule of business. James
Tramicanti (D-OH) had one of his best. The House quickly passed H.R. 2446, the Military Construction Appropriations Bill for
FY 94 and then resumed work on H.R. 2200, the NASA Appropriations Act for FY 94. After quickly approving the Hall of TX
amendment, the Committee of the Whole began a 3 hour debate on eliminating the Space Station Freedom. Roll Calls #261-263.
10:00am to 7:30pm [CR # 90]
12. Thursday (6-24-93 {HS #75}) The Speaker announced a limited number of one-minute speeches would be allowed. After the
speeched which again revolved around Clinton's budget, the House continued debate on H.R. 2445, the Energy and Water
Appropriations Act for FY 94. General debate had been concluded Wednesday so the bill was opened to amendments. The major
amendment concerning the SSC was held until all other amendments were delt with. Under the current economic climite, Members
were in a mood to cut spending for a number of research programs or programs that had generated opposition in years past.
The first to fall was the Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor program followed quickly by the SP100, Space Based Reactor. Both of
these programs went down to a bipartisan group opposed to nuclear power and questionable government spending. But the
biggest program to go down to defeat was the Superconductor Super Collider (SSC). The vote was not even close with a
majority of both parties voting against the SSC. 9:30am to 6:34pm Recessed 6:34pm to 6:40pm 6:40pm to 6:42pm Roll Calls #
264-273. [CR # 90]
13. Monday (6-28-93 {HS #76}) Once again the need to speed up the work of the House pushed the Democrat Leadership to use Monday
as a normal legislative work day. Few one-minute speeches were given and the House quickly began work on H.Res. 208 the rule
for H.R. 2491, the VA and HUD FY 94 Appropriations. The real interest came in the consideration of some of the amendments.
Solomon's amendment seeking to reinstate money for the Selective Service generated considerable debate and at the very end
of the debate some sharp personal criticism from Democrat William Ford. The Democrat leadership apparently determined to
keep the house in session as long as it took to finish work on this bill today. After going through some fasinating
legislative maneuvers which apparently were necessary to keep legislative authorizations out of this appropriations bill,
the Chair ruled in favor of a point of order against an amendment dealing with water purity on the Mexican/US border. After
working through a number of amendments and associated roll call votes, the House took up the main amendment dealing with
another attempt to eliminate the Space Station. Following at least 2 hours of debate, the House turned back the efford to
end the Space Station. But it was after 11pm when the Space Station vote occurred and there remained several other
controversial amendments. One of those amendments was passed by voice vote simply to avoid another roll call vote. Finally
the leadership called a halt asking for unanimous consent to put off until Tuesday all the rest of the votes dealing with
H.R. 2491. At that point, near midnight, the House chamber nearly emptied but the House continued with several suspension of
the rules motions. Noon to 1am (Tuesday 6-29-93). Roll Calls #274-284. [CR # 91]
14. Tuesday (6-29-93 {HS #77}) This began as a very strange session. Speaker Foley, after the prayer and pledge, announced that
he would not take any one-minute speeches but then recognized a Member who proceeded to inform the House of the birth of
Peter Blute's (R) first child. Following this announcement, the House immediately began considering H.R. 2491 the VA & HUD
FY 94 Appropiations. Since the last session ran past midnight, the Democrat leadership decided to postpone all second votes
on amendments (i.e. votes taken on amendments adopted during consideration in the Committee of the Wholw) as well as any
motion to recomit and final passage vote until the beginning of Tuesday's session. To add to the uniqueness of the session,
this amendment which had obviously passed in the C/W, was soundly rejected this morning. Apparently some arrangement had
been worked out and no vote was supposed to occur (see Roll Call #284). The House then added to this schizophrenic session
by defeating the second amendment (the Grams amendment--see Roll Call #285) it had passed yesterday. It got back on track by
passing the next two amendments and then proceeded to vote down the motion to recommit and finally pass the bill. The House
then began consideration of H.R. 2493 the FY 94 Appropriations for Agriculture. Once again a point of order was raised
against a part of this bill but this time the objection came from a Republican, Pat Roberts. Yesterday, the Democrats raised
an objection against an amendment because it was legislation in an an appropriations bill and the objection was upheld.
Today the same objection was raised but the objection was overruled because it did not legislate too much. The strangest
element in this most unique session began with the amendment by Republican Armey to kill the Market Promotion Program.
Democrat Schumer immediately offered a substitute amendment cutting the program by $57 million but not killing it. Democrat
Chairman Durban immediately followed with his own substitute amendment to Schumer's cutting the program by only $20 million.
In essence there was an amendment in the nature of a substitute to an amendment in the nature of a substitute to an
amendment. The debate and debaters were as confused as the procedure. In the end, the program was cut by $20 million. Just
before passage of the bill, Republicans Upton and Zinger put on a show with a legislative manuever that allowed them about 5
minutes. They used a play on words to criticize the Bee and Honey subsidy program. Chairman DeLa Garza received uproarious
applause for telling them that it was sweet of them to come up with such a honey of an idea but to buzz off. After turning
back a motion to recommit, the bill was passed and the session should have been nearly over. However the Democrat leadership
brought up the DC FY 94 Appropriation and began the work on that measure. Finally, they moved into Special Orders and
increadably there were about 3 hours of such speeches. 11am to 1am (Wednesday). 19 Roll Call votes. Roll Calls # 284-302.
[CR # 92]
15. Wednesday (6-30-93 {HS #78}) Today, the House got back to some normality. They opened as always with the prayer, pledge, and
one-minute speeches. After the late session there were few Members who wanted to speak. The House then moved into
consideration of the Labor and Health & Human Services (HHS) Appropiations for FY 94. Almost immediately the issue of
abortion was raised since this bill provides for public funding of abortions under certain conditions. The bill provides
$256 billion for Labor and HHS--the biggest appropiations bill yet. The central debate was over the Hyde amendment which
would eliminate public funding of abortions. Debate at times was personal and extremely heated. The network news shows used
clips of this debate. To the surprise of many, the Hyde amendment easily passed. The news shows were already over when the
second surprise of the night occurred. The House repealed a District of Columbia law called the Domestic Partners Act.
Debate over this issue was also streneous and emotional. However, as with the Hyde amendment, the Istook amendment passed
easily. The House concluded business on both appropriations bills in the third straight 12+ hour session. The rush is to
finish all appropriations before adjourning Thursday for the "July 4th District Work Period". 10am to 1am Thursday. Roll
Calls # 303-317. [CR # 93]
June Information
Number of June Days In Session--15 Number of Possible June Work Days--22
Number of Actual Working Sessions--13
(excluding 2 Suspension days)
Number of June Hours In Session--132:52 Number of Possible June Work Hours--176
Number of June Roll Call Votes--118
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/15 sessions = $742.47 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/13 = $856.69 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/132.9 hours = $83.80 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/118 votes = $94.38 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--78 Number of Possible Work Sessions--125
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--46 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr. &
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr.,9 in May,13 in June)20 in May, 22 in June)
Number of Total Hours In Session--454:31 Number of Possible Work Hours--1000
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--317 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar., 176 in Apr.,
160 in May, 176 in June)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 6 months = $66,822
Pay Per Session: $66,822/78 sessions = $856.69 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $66,822/46 = $1,452.65
Pay Per Hour In Session: $66,822/454.5 hours = $147.02 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $66.82
Pay Per Vote: $66,822/317 votes = $210.79 per vote
JULY HOUSE SESSIONS
1. Thursday (7-1-93) {House Session #79 (HS #79)}. 1 one-minute and 10 special-order speeches, both coming after the
legislative business. This was a very disorganized session. The bills brought up today were clearly rushed to the floor
and not really ready for floor action. The first appropiation bill brought up today began with a number of Members
visibly upset over illegal immigration and the lack of additional funds for Border Patrol agents. Negotiations, speakers
and points of order against various parts of the bill became ludicrous. So many sections of the bill were thrown out
because they were "legislation in an appropriations bill" that eventually the subcommittee chairman asked for the
Committee to rise before the bill was fully considered. After some confusion, the House took up the Conference report on
supplemtal appropriations which was to cover the expenses of the Somilia mission. Republicans became concerned about
other things that were include in the bill and decided to try and defeat the rule. On nearly party line votes, the House
decided to continue work on H.R. 2118 the supplemental appropriations. The supplemental Appropriations bill was finally
approved and the House was finally able to adjourn for the "July 4th District Work Period" or until noon on July 13,
1993. 10am to 7:46pm. Legislation 10:05am to 4:49pm (6 hrs. 44 min.) Roll Calls # 318-321 . [CR # 95]
2. Tuesday (7-13-93) {HS #80}. 44 one-minute & 3 special-order speeches. Suspension of the Rules. The following measures
were passed: H.R. 2561, the Transfer of vessels to foreign countries; H.R. 1916, Marine biotechnology investment; H.R.
927, Designation of Pittsburgh Aviary; H.R. 1522, Panama Canal Commission. The House then completed general debate on
H.R. 2010, the National Service Trust Act. Amendments will be considered later. Noon to 7:20 pm. Legislation 1:05pm to
5:55pm (4 hrs. 50 min.) Roll Call # 322. [CR # 96]
3. Wednesday (7-14-93) {HS #81}. 34 one-minute & 7 special-order speeches. 10am to 10:30pm. Legislation 10:50am to 7:50pm
(9 hrs. 0 min.) Roll Calls # 323-329. [CR # 97]
4. Thursday (7-15-93) {HS #82}. 22 one-minute & 6 special-order speeches. 10am to 8:21pm. Legislation 10:30am to 6:10pm (7
hrs. 40 min.) Roll Calls # 330-339. [CR # 98]
5. Monday (7-19-93) {HS #83}. 5 one-minute & 1 special-order speeches. Noon to 1pm. Legislation 12:05pm to 12:50pm (0
hrs. 45 min.) [CR # 100]
6. Tuesday (7-20-93) {HS #84} 42 one-minute & 7 special-order speeches. Noon to 10:02 pm. Legislation 1:00pm to 7:10pm (6
hrs. 10 min.) Roll Calls # 340-346. [CR # 101]
7. Wednesday (7-21-93) {HS #85} 36 one-minute & 5 special-order speeches. Today was another busy day with an early start.
After a long list of one-minute speeches, the House moved to consideration of H.J.Res. 210 which would have denied Most
Favored Nation status to China. Debate crossed party lines with majorities in both parties favoring the continued MFN policy
10 am to 10:49pm. Legislation 10:50am to 5:30pm (6 hrs. 40 min.) Roll Calls # 347-352. [CR #102]
8. Thursday (7-22-93) {HS #86} 22 one-minute & 0 special-order speeches. 10 am to 5:26pm. Legislation 10:53am to 5:26pm (6
hrs. 33 min.) Roll Calls # 353-358 [CR #103]
9. Friday (7-23-93) {HS #87} 34 one-minute & 0 special-order speeches. 10 am to 3:15pm. Legislation 11:14am to 3:15pm (4 hrs.
1 min.) Roll Calls # 359-364 [CR #104]
10. Monday (7-26-93) {HS #88} 28 one-minute & 1 special-order speeches. Suspension of the Rules. The following measures were
passed: H.R. 2683, the Migrant Student Record Transfer System (MSRTS) extension, H.J.Res. 110, the acknowledgment of Fon du
Lac, Wisconsin as the national capitol of aerobatics, H.R. 1727, which establishes grants for Arson Research; H.R. 1757
which facilitates the development of high speed/performance computing and networks; H.R. 63 which creats the Sprint Mountain
National Recreation Area; & H.Res. 188 which would express the will of the House that the 2000 Olympics should NOT be held
in China. Noon to 3:30pm. Legislation 11:42pm to 3:15pm (3 hrs. 33 min.) Roll Calls # 365-366. [CR #105]
11. Tuesday (7-27-93) {HS #89} 34 one-minute & 4 special-order speeches. Today's session was devoted to the flood assistance
bill H.R. 2667. Much of the legislative time was devoted to parliamentary inquireries, points of order, debate on rules, and
even arcain discussions about precidents. The end result was that the Democrat parliamentarian ruled against the Republican
objections to the self-executing Waters amendment that was part of H.Res. 226, the rule issued by the Rules Committee in
order to consider H.R. 2667. The only difference between H.Res. 226 and H.Res. 220 the previous rule last Thursday, was the
addition of 30 minutes debate. In spite of a very reasoned, well prepared point of order by Solomon (R), the Speaker Pro
Tempore ruled against the objection and refused throughout the day to indicate when if ever a point of order could be
legitamitly raised against such self-executing provisions. The Speaker Pro Tempore referred back to a ruling on February 24,
1993 which seemed to indicat that no point of order could ever be raised against such a self-executing provision. Finally,
in an exchange with Walker, the Speaker Pro Tempore stated that he knew of no such time that an objection could be raised.
The exchanges today were very important in terms of establishing the Democrats position regarding the Speaker's ability
through the Rules Committee to include any legislation the majority wanted and have that legislation protected against
points of order even before the adoption of a rule that waived all points of order. In essence Democrats have added a weapon
to their overwhelming arsnal which virtually assurs them of legislative success even if they do not have a majority
supporting the actual legislation. After all legislative arguments were out of the way, the bill was passed with only 27
members voting against it. Noon to 8:38. Legislation 12:50pm to 6:00pm (5 hrs. 10 min.) Roll Calls #367-370 [CR #106].
12. Wednesday (7-28-93) {HS #90} 39 one-minute & 5 special-order speeches. The House went back to H.R. 2010 the National Service
Act. With William Ford managing the bill there was certain to be some difficulity. It began with an amendment by Walker (R)
that Ford did not like and therefore brought up a point of order on the basis of germaneness. Walker's argument was clear
and convincing but the Chair (Democrat parliamentarian) ruled against him on the basis that even though he had proved the
germaneness, his amendment on its own would have been referred to a different committee than the committee that brought up
this bill. Ford then raised a point of order against Porter's amendment and lost. Republicans then began a number of
amendments even though some Democrats stated that they were simply using delaying tactics. Ford then changed tactics and
began accepting most of the amendments either because he did not mind them or knew he could vote them down when they came
back before the House after consideration in the Committee of the Whole. By accepting the amendments he either reduced or
eliminated the need for debate and apparently was trying to speed up the consderation of this bill. 10am to 10:10pm.
Legislation 11:23am to 7:00pm (7 hrs. 37 min.) Roll Calls #371-379. [CR # 107]
13. Thursday (7-29-93) {HS #91} 33 one-minute & 11 special-order speeches. 10am to 7:58pm. Legislation 10:45am to 3:34pm (4
hrs. 49 min.) Roll Calls #380-386. [CR # 108]
14. Friday (7-30-93) {HS #92} 37 one-minute & 2 special-order speeches. 10am to 12:38pm. Legislation 10:50am to 12:25pm ( 1 hr.
35 min.) Roll Call #387. [CR # 109]
July Information
Number of July Days In Session--14 Number of Possible July Work Days--21
Number of Actual Working Sessions--11
(excluding 3 Suspension days)
Number of July Hours In Session--113:23 Number of Possible July Work Hours--168
Number of July Roll Call Votes--70
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/14 sessions = $795.50 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/11 = $1,012.45 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/113.38 hours = $98.23 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/70 votes = $159.10 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--92 Number of Possible Work Sessions--146
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--57 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr.,
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr., 20 in May, 22 in June, 21 in July)
9 in May, 13 in June, 11 in July)
Number of Total Hours In Session--567:54 Number of Possible Work Hours--1168
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--387 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar., 176 in Apr.,
160 in May, 176 in June, 168 in July)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 7 months = $77,959
Pay Per Session: $77,959/92 sessions = $847.38 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $77,959/57 = $1,367.70
Pay Per Hour In Session: $77,959/567.9 hours = $137.28 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $66.75
Pay Per Vote: $77,959/387 votes = $201.44 per vote
August 1993
1. Monday (8-2-93) {HS #93} 11 one-minute & 5 special-order speeches. Noon to 6:40pm. Legislation 12:17pm to 4:54pm (4hrs. 37
min.) Roll Calls #388-389. [CR # 110]
2. Tuesday (8-3-93) {HS #94} 28 one-minute & 8 special-order speeches. 1pm to 8:45pm. Legislation 1:42pm to 6:18pm (4 hrs. 36
min.) Roll Calls #390-391. [CR # 111]
3. Wednesday (8-4-93) {HS #95} 45 one-minute & 8 special-order speeches. 10am to 12:39am. Legislation 11:21am to 9:25pm; (10
hrs. 4 min.) Roll Calls #392-401. [CR # 112]
4. Thursday (8-5-93) {HS #96} 50 one-minute & 5 special-order speeches. 10am to 12:17am. Legislation 11:31am to 10:31pm
(11hrs. 0 min.) Roll Calls #402-406. [CR # 113]
5. Friday (8-6-93) {HS #97} 29 one-minute & 9 special-order speeches. 10am to 10:36pm. Recess 6:38pm to 10:35pm; Legislation
10:41am to 5pm (6hrs. 19 min.) Roll Calls #407-410. [CR # 114]
August Information
Number of August Days In Session--5 Number of Possible August Work Days--22
Number of Actual Working Sessions--4
(excluding 1 Suspension days)
Number of August Hours In Session--52:00 Number of Possible August Work Hours--176
Number of August Roll Call Votes--23
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/5 sessions = $2,227.40 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/4 = $2,784.25 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/52 hours = $214.17 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/23 votes = $484.22 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--97 Number of Possible Work Sessions--168
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--61 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr.,
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr., 20 in May, 22 in June, 21 in July, 22 in Aug)
9 in May, 13 in June, 11 in July, 4 in Aug.)
Number of Total Hours In Session--619:54 Number of Possible Work Hours--1344
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--410 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar., 176 in Apr.,
160 in May, 176 in June, 168 in July, 176 in
Aug.)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 8 months = $89,096
Pay Per Session: $89,096/97 sessions = $918.52 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $89,096/61 = $1,460.59
Pay Per Hour In Session: $89,096/619.9 hours = $143.73 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $66.29
Pay Per Vote: $89,096/410 votes = $217.31 per vote
September 1993
1. Wednesday (9-8-93) {HS #98} 41 one-minute & special-order speeches. The House returned from a month-long "district work
period" to face a heavy schedule of important legislation. However, perhaps the most important news came just a few minutes
after the session began. Congressman Jim Inhofe, in a partial one-minute speech, announced that Discharge Petition #2 had
received the required number of 218 signatures. This Discharge Petition was the focus on significant attention during the
recess with the names of members who had not signed printed in the Wall Street Journal. Inhofe's original legislation, which
was bottled up in the Rules Committee, would allow Discharge Petition Signatures to be made public. Since the Democrat
leadership has used the secrecy to protect members who claimed support for a measure but were really opposed, they worked
vigorously to keep Inhofe's legislation from coming to a vote. Under House rules, once a Discharge Petition receives the
necessary 218 signatures, the original legislation's committee is "discharged" from further responsibility for the
legislation and the legislation can be brought directly to the House floor after another wait of 7 days. Therefore, sometime
next week, Inhofe's legislation should come before the House for a vote and members will go on record regarding the issue of
Discharge Petition Secrecy. After one-minute speeches, the House took up the rule for H.R. 2401, the National Defense
Authorization Act for FY 94. This rule, the second on H.R. 2401, was another closed or restricted rule controlling the
number of amendments, the amount of debate time, and points of order against the bill. This rule was a very detailed rule--
more than normal even in restricted rules but the rule was adopted and the House went into the Committee of the Whole to
consider H.R. 2401. H.R. 2401's funding is $600 million less than the administration had originally requested and is $10
billion less than the FY 93 spending level. After an hour of general "debate" on the full bill, the Committee of the Whole
began considering the first of 4 parts which the Rules Committee did open to certain amendments. The first part delt with
the so-called "star wars" (SDI now called BDM for ballistic defense missile program) defense. The first amendment attempted
to eliminate virtually all funding for this ballistic missile defense. Subsequent amendments delt with either increasing or
decreasing SDI funding from the level approved by the committee. After finishing the first of the 4 parts, the Committee of
the Whole arose and reported back to the House that it had not finished its work on this legislation. The leadership
apparently decided that enough time had been spent today and the rest of the session was devoted to special-order speeches.
Noon to 7:07pm. Legislation 1:02pm to 6:20pm (5 hrs. 18 min.) Roll Calls #411-414. [CR # 116]
2. Thursday (9-9-93) {HS #99} 28 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to 7:44pm .Legislation 1:02pm to 6:05pm (5 hrs. 3
min.) Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
3. Monday (9-13-93) {HS #100} 3 one-minute & special-order speeches. Noon to 8:56pm. Recessed from 1:19 to 3:03pm; Recessed
again from 3:22pm to 4:03pm. Legislation 12:08pm to 1:19pm; 3:03pm to 3:22pm; 4:03pm to 6:48pm (4 hrs. 15 min.) Roll Calls
#371-380. [CR # 106]
4. Tuesday (9-14-93) {HS #101} 17 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
5. Wednesday (9-15-93) {HS #102} 5 one-minute & special-order speeches. 2pm to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
6. Tuesday (9-21-93) {HS #103} 21 one-minute & special-order speeches. Noon to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
7. Wednesday (9-22-93) {HS #104} 23 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs.
min.) Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
8. Thursday (9-23-93) {HS #105} 29 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
9. Monday (9-27-93) {HS #106} 10 one-minute & special-order speeches. 1pm to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
10. Tuesday (9-28-93) {HS #107} 30 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
11. Wednesday (9-29-93) {HS #108} 37 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs.
min.) Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
12. Thursday (9-30-93) {HS #109} 37 one-minute & special-order speeches. 10am to .Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.)
Roll Calls #371-380. [CR # 106]
September Information
Number of September Days In Session--12 Number of Possible September Work Days--21
Number of Actual Working Sessions--10
(excluding 1 Pro Forma & 1 Suspension days)
Number of September Hours In Session--95:23 Number of Possible September Work Hours--168
Number of September Roll Call Votes--71
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/12 sessions = $928.08 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/10 = $1,113.70 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/95.4 hours = $116.74 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/71 votes = $156.86 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--109 Number of Possible Work Sessions--189
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--71 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr.,
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr., 20 in May, 22 in June, 21 in July, 22 in Aug, 21 in
Sep)
9 in May, 13 in June, 11 in July, 4 in Aug.,10 in Sep)
Number of Total Hours In Session--715:17 Number of Possible Work Hours--1512
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--481 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar., 176 in Apr.,
160 in May, 176 in June, 168 in July, 176 in
Aug., 168 in Sep)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 9 months = $100,233
Pay Per Session: $100,233/109 sessions = $919.57 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $100,233/71 = $1,411.73
Pay Per Hour In Session: $100,233/715.3 hours = $140.13 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $66.29
Pay Per Vote: $100,233/481 votes = $208.39 per vote
October 1993
October Information
Number of October Days In Session--16 Number of Possible October Work Days--21
Number of Actual Working Sessions--10
(excluding 1 Pro Forma & 1 Suspension days)
Number of October Hours In Session--95:23 Number of Possible October Work Hours--168
Number of October Roll Call Votes--71
Pay Per Month: $133,644/12 months = $11,137 per Month
Pay Per Session: $11,137/12 sessions = $928.08 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $11,137/10 = $1,113.70 per Working Session
Pay Per Hour In Session: $11,137/95.4 hours = $116.74 per hr
Pay Per Vote: $11,137/71 votes = $156.86 per vote
103rd Congress Totals
Number of Total Days In Session--125 Number of Possible Work Sessions--210
Number of Total Actual Work Sessions--71 (19 in Jan., 19 in Feb., 23 in Mar., 22 in Apr.,
(3 in Jan., 5 in Feb., 10 in Mar., 6 in Apr., 20 in May, 22 in June, 21 in July, 22 in Aug, 21 in
Sep)
9 in May, 13 in June, 11 in July, 4 in Aug.,10 in Sep)
Number of Total Hours In Session--715:17 Number of Possible Work Hours--1512
Number of Total Roll Call Votes--481 (152 in both Jan. & Feb., 184 in Mar., 176 in Apr.,
160 in May, 176 in June, 168 in July, 176 in
Aug., 168 in Sep)
Total Pay This Year: $11,137 X 9 months = $100,233
Pay Per Session: $100,233/109 sessions = $919.57 per Session
Pay Per Working Session: $100,233/71 = $1,411.73
Pay Per Hour In Session: $100,233/715.3 hours = $140.13 per hr Regular Pay Per Possible Work Hour = $66.29
Pay Per Vote: $100,233/481 votes = $208.39 per vote
November 1993
1. Monday (11-1-93) {House Session (HS) #126} 3 one-minute & 1 special-order speeches. Pro Forma Session (Pro Forma is a
session where no legislative business is before the House. They meet to allow members to give one minute and Special Order
Speeches, to conduct non-controversial housekeeping business, and to adhere to House Rules requiring a certain number of
sessions per month.). Noon to 1:30pm [Cong.Record (CR) #150].
2. Tuesday (11-2-93 {HS #127}) 3 one-minute & special-order speeches. Suspension of the Rules Day. 14 bills set to be passed
under suspension but due to the various elections, most of the bills were postponed until Wed. The House voted to suspend
the rules and pass: Recess 12:40pm to 3:30pm; Noon to 4:00pm [CR #151]
3. Wednesday (11-3-93) {HS #128} one-minute & special-order speeches. Continuation of Suspension of the Rules--dealing with
Crime legislation. Debate included some sharp exchanges between Gingrich and Schuman and ended with Hunter asking that
Schuman's words be taken down as insulting the character of Gingrich. Schuman eventually withdrew the offending words. All
recorded votes were postponed until debate had ended. The House then took up H.Res. 289 a rule for the Maritime Security and
Competitiveness Act H.R. 2151. Noon to . Legislation 11:22am to pm ( hrs. min.) Roll Calls #371-380. [CR #152]
Note 1: According to House Rules, the schedule is completely controlled by the Democrat Leadership. Republicans are
informed about the legislative schedule but not consulted. The number of sessions each committee or sub-
committee has and the length of such sessions varies widely and is controlled by the Democrat Chairman of each
committee. Although many believe that the "real" work of Congress is done in committee, public records of
attendance at committee and subcommittee meetings are not readily available. Further, under House Rules, proxy
voting is allowed in committee, i.e., a member may be recorded as voting while actually somewhere else.
Note 2: CR #__ is the Congressional Record Number for that Session. Numbers are not necessarily consecutive due to
Senate Sessions on days the House does not meet.
Note 3: Number of Possible Work Days and Hours is based on normal 5 day/week, 8 hours/day excluding National Holidays.
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Copyright December 1993
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