—Considering the naming of post offices and other federal buildings only one day each month.
—Setting aside specific time each day or week for committees to meet without interruption from floor activities.
"There has to be a better way to operate this place," said Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who is heading a 22-member GOP transition team that will make recommendations on the legislative and administrative operations of the party and the House.
[Read more about unemployment.]
Like Cantor, Walden said there is a need to look into minimizing committee disruptions that leave hearing witnesses sitting for hours while lawmakers run to the floor for votes.
Walden said it was "not our focus" to eliminate jobs on Capitol Hill as part of Republican cost-savings measures, but added that "we have to find savings and we have to do it in a responsible manner." Some 30,000 people work in the Capitol Hill complex, according to the office of the Architect of the Capitol.
Similarly, Walden said that while there were no plans to reverse House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's efforts to make the Capitol more energy-efficient, "let's see what the balance of trade-offs are."
- Check out our editorial cartoons on the 2010 campaigns.
- See who is donating to your member of Congress.
- Become a political insider: Subscribe to U.S. News Weekly, our digital magazine.
Reader Comments Read all comments (1)
DeeToo of SC 4:18PM November 05, 2010