Above Their Own Laws

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Realizing the weakness of such arguments, Illinois Congresswoman Lynn Martin last week introduced legislation that would place congressional employees, as well as workers of the federal judiciary, under federal civil rights and employment laws. She says that if her proposal had been law, the Pappas tragedy "could have been avoided."

Another bill, expanding the Ethics in Government Law, has passed the Senate but is facing stiff opposition in the House. It would impose the same one-year lobbying restrictions that apply to people leaving the Executive Branch on * those who leave the Legislative Branch. Some of the most effective opposition has been mounted by staffers who see their future careers hindered. Persuading Congress to whittle away any of its exemptions will be difficult. Hyde notes that the tradition of a double standard runs deep in Washington and Congress has never shown much enthusiasm for curbing its own privileges. Introducing legislation that reminds Congress of its hypocrisy, says Texas Congressman Steve Bartlett, "is a little like bringing a skunk to a garden party."