Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after all eight Democrats on the House Rules Committee blocked his amendment to H.Res. 430 that would have prohibited the Office of General Counsel from hiring lawyers or consultants who lobby Congress to represent the U.S. House of Representatives in litigation. 

“In the midst of this unprecedented Rules Committee spectacle, I am disappointed – but not surprised – that each of the eight Democrat on the committee voted to block my amendment that would restore transparency to the Office of General Counsel. American taxpayers should not be on the hook for partisan interference in our nation’s litigation. It’s unfortunate that my friends on the other side of the dais disagree. Time and again, the Democrats on this committee have proven that they prioritize their partisan games over commonsense policy. Just because this hearing is about President Trump does not mean that we should all lose our grip on reality.”

Today the Rules Committee is holding an original jurisdiction hearing on H.Res. 430, unprecedented legislation which would authorize the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas and for other purposes. Before this afternoon, never before had the House moved to sue without first exercising all of its options to get the information it desires, including voting to hold an individual in contempt.