\ \1W NAM! AND lXI'.WDlI) AITHORITY FOR THE COMMIT!'! I 



731 



designate one staff member, and the other to prevent the committee 

 chairman from heading more than one subcommittee and authorizing 

 subcommittee chairmen to handle legislation in the House which 

 emerged from their subcommittees. 



REPUBLICANS ATTACK SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 's POWER 



Fulton immediately attacked the resolutions. He contended 

 that this would make the subcommittee chairman so powerful that 

 it would destroy staff unity and coordination. He said that this was 

 totally different from the concept of a minority staff which would be 

 working for the entire committee, whereas the proposal would enable 

 a staff member to work for only one person. 



Frey and Wydler joined in to oppose the amendments. With some 

 sarcasm, Frey wanted to know if this was the same type of reform 

 which "you helped us out on our staffing" — referring to the action 

 of the House in 1970 which had been reversed by the Democratic 

 Caucus in 1971. "I accept the needle with grace," Hechler responded. 

 Wydler joined the battle with zest. Turning to Hechler he said: 



You talk about the caucus as if we are a part of it. This is a foreign group as far 

 as I am concerned, and I don't feel bound in any way. 



Now Miller brought out his biggest artillery. He rapped the 

 gavel sharply and stated: 



The Chairman of the Democratic caucus wants to make a comment, who happens 

 to be the ranking member of this committee. Mr. Teague. 



Teague put it straight: 



I was also on the Hansen Committee and I was outvoted by 6 to 1 by subcom- 

 mittee chairmen on this particular (amendment) that Ken has here. 



Like a lawyer who knew precisely what this witness would answer, 

 Fulton then asked: 



Does the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, might I ask, favor the amendment 

 of the gentleman from West Virginia? 



Teague answered: "The Chairman of the Democratic Caucus does not." 

 The meeting then got a little wild, and went along like this: 



Mr. Wydler. I raise the point of order whether it is proper to adopt these rules 

 of the committee, a committee of the House of Representatives, rules that refer to the 

 powers of the Democratic caucus. 



Mr. Hechler. May I be heard on that point of 



The Chairman. You may not. Rollcall has started 



Mr Hechler. May I be heard for five minutes? 



The Chairman. You may not be heard. You have been heard twice on that 

 All right. Proceed with the rollcall. I vote no. 



