(Washington, DC) -

Parliamentary Inquiry  from the House Floor

By Rep. Cynthia McKinney

Rep. McKinney: "I have a parliamentary inquiry.  I don't want to take away your time."

Speaker Pro Tempore: "The gentlewoman will state her inquiry."

Rep. McKinney: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I would like to know if indeed it is a fact that the Vice President of the United States receives a salary in the form of deferred compensation from Halliburton, which in turn received a no-bid contract to do the cleanup work for Katrina.  Are we prevented from saying that on the floor of the House?"

Speaker Pro Tempore:  "Well, I don't, I fail to see the parliamentary inquiry in your statement. You're seeming to reporting a fact."

Rep. McKinney: "Thank you.  That means we can speak about these kinds of things."

Speaker Pro Tempore:  "As long as you do not refer to pecuniary gain of any individual, whether it is the President or the Vice President, that is improper under the rules of the House."