Majority of House members getting paid to do nothing

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., Thursday, January 26, 2006) – Rep. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) on the floor today announced that he is returning his “per diem” daily payment for serving in the legislature until the proposed ethics bill reaches the House floor for discussion.

“We’re getting paid to do nothing,” Kelsey said. “This is the heart of ethics reform. Are we doing the people’s business or are we lining our own pockets?”

The House of Representatives has yet to take up the proposed ethics bill as a collective body even though it has been meeting since January 10. The bill is currently winding its way through its fifth consecutive committee or subcommittee before coming to the House floor for discussion. Meanwhile, House members continue to collect their “per diem” for a full day’s work by registering their attendance in a fifteen-minute session each morning. Those not on the specific committee discussing the bill that day are then free to go home. The Senate, in contrast, is discussing the proposed ethics bill as a committee of the whole, in which all members participate.