Minutes - Council - 04/01/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OBERSTAR MEETING AT GREENHAVEN April 1, 1975 The meeting was called to order at 7:~5 p.m. by Mr. Oberstar. The discussions in Congress are on energy policy, the East and Far East, and other bills. This is the most productive congress in 30 years. Since they have been in session they have passed more bills than in the past 30 years in the same length o£ time. In 1963 the House had taken l0 recorded vote in the House. In 1973 the House had taken 27 recorded votes. So far this session there have been 68 recorded votes in the House. They have passed over 100 measures including 30 pieces of legislation. The reasons are reforms and the opening up of the legislative process. The early organiza- tional work in December allowed the committees to get organized, and made it possible for hearings to start. By March of 1973, there hadn't been a committee session held and no votes on measures of major legislation. There are 535 people in Congress. They have passed 30 major bills 'and another 66 bills are either through com- mittees or ready to go to the House. Committees have been meeting morning and afternoon five days a week and the House has been in session 5 days a week. They used to have Tuesday and Thursday meet- ings and then go back to their own business. That is no way to run a business. There are 75 Democrats and 15 representatives that came with a sense of purpose and application. The country has to get going. He has never seen so many people on the House floor during legislation as this year. The average age of the newer elected Congressmen is ~l. Only three elected in November who were over 55. They come from a broad background. Ron Jerich: What does he think of the rebate bill Congress passed? Oberstar: He thinks the bill will have a very beneficial effect on the economy. He wanted something more direct like public works programs that puts the assistance where it is needed by most. He would like to see public buildings built and people put to work. By stimulting the economy, it sends the shock waves all down the line. We need permanent lasting employment. Hearings will start April 15th on a $5,000,000 local program. Tax rebate is $16,O00,000,000 back to the economy. We should he building community facilities. It takes many different programs to stimulate the economy. We need to create jobs and put people back to work. A guest asked if he didn't think we had a lot of beaurocracy in our government. He said he called them paper shufflers 12 years ago. He says now they don't shuffle them, they massage them. There are 2,500,000 people working for the federal government, which makes the government the largest employer in the world ex- cept in the communist world. In the 93rd Congress, the Congress reforms included investigative staffs. They are now going to go after them with committees from Congress breathing down their necks. Congress now has control over the budget process. $10,000,000,000 is now being spent that cannot be deferred or rescinded. Lucille Lehn: Asked questions about the Social Security Program.