PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH - A LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Senator Grassley was the author of the Congressional Accountability Ac t of 1995. This Act required Congress to abide by many of the labor an d civil rights laos governing the country. In this Essay, the author c hronicles his struggle in the 1990s to make Congress pass such legisla tion. In 1994, the Congressional Accountability Act became a tenet of the Republican ''Contract with America'' and was the first law enacted by the 104th Congress in January 1995. In 1996, Congress enacted the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act, thereby making t wo of the three branches of government ''accountable.'' In conclusion, the author notes the continuing battles not only to implement the Con gressional Accountability Act, but also to create similar legislation for the Judicial Branch.