GOP transition chief:

Republicans may re-examine 'rude' hearing schedule

By Michael O'Brien - 11/13/10 09:28 AM ET

The head of House Republicans' transition team said this weekend that the new GOP majority would re-examine the "rude" system of congressional hearings still in place.

Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), the Republican tapped by incoming Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to audit and re-examine the day-to-day operations of the House, expressed frustration at the lengthy hearings that often involve some level of public spectacle.

"I think it's absolutely rude and nearly reprehensible that we invite very talented people to testify before our committees and let them sit there for a couple of hours while we give opening statements," Walden said on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program, which is set to air on Sunday. "They're just political posturing statements. And then we get called away for votes to name post offices on the floor of the House, and they're still sitting there three hours later."

The drawn-out congressional hearing is somewhat of an informal institution on Capitol Hill, especially in instances where high-profile witnesses are called to testify. Those hearings can feature hours of lawmakers who sit on a committee giving opening statements on national television.

"Let's structure this so that you get the input you want, and make the hearings process valuable for members and the witnesses," Walden said.

There have been some hearings of great import and infamy in the last two years. The testimony of AIG's top executive before a House committee drew wide interest, as did Senate confirmation hearings for a variety of President Obama's nominees -- especially his two picks to join the Supreme Court.

But hearings have also meant some major flubs. Rep. Joe Barton (Texas), the top GOP member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, drew widespread criticism for apologizing to BP's CEO at a hearing on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Democrats were also panned for inviting humorist Stephen Colbert to testify on migrant workers' rights, a hearing which turned into a public spectacle.

Walden said that Republicans were examining a number of options to make the House more efficient in its use of time. Different work schedules to balance lawmakers' time in Washington versus the time they spend in their district has been one of the items under consideration.

"I don't know of a rank and file member who's satisfied with the existing House schedule. Not in terms of their personal quality of life, but just in terms of how absurd it operates," he said. "You never have certainty. So I think one of our principles has to be to get certainty."