NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE REPUBLICAN ALLIANCE

PRESS RELEASE:
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2005
Contact: Representative Mike Biundo
Phone: 603-540-2572
Fax: 603-889-5413
E-mail: mbiundo@yourmeridian.com


HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR UNITY
GOP organization addresses party status in NH House

Concord, NH-"It's time to remember why we were elected." That was the message the NH House Republican Alliance was delivering today at a press conference in Concord. Addressing recent criticism over roll call vote requests and a division in the Republican side of the House, Representative Bob Giuda (Warren-R) told reporters, "Roll call votes are requested by Republicans and Democrats for various reasons each session, this is not something new and it is a vital part of our voting system in the legislature. We found it very important this past week, in the current atmosphere of the Republican house membership, to ask our fellow party members to stand by their votes."

During the past few weeks, House Leadership has criticized members of the NHHRA for requesting what they consider too many roll calls, citing extra costs for doing so. "We can argue over what the true extra cost of a roll call vote is, but that is not the point," stated Giuda. "The point here is that the roll call vote is used to promote truth and transparency in government, something all elected officials should defend. Roll call votes are a public service and create a permanent voting record. This criticism and this need for the uses of roll calls are actually just examples of the bigger issue at hand- the current division between republican members of our NH House of Representatives."

Giuda referenced recent media and reports and discussions over what has been considered a growing concern between House Leadership and the conservative members of the NHHRA. "We know we have an issue here, let's use the publicity of it over the past few weeks to try to come together for the good of the party and all we were elected to represent. It is time to remember why we were elected and focus on supporting those beliefs that got us here."

The NHHRA is comprised of members of the NH House of Representatives striving for legislative support for bills representing the NH and U.S. Constitutions and NH Republican party platform. For more information, please log onto http://www.nhhouserepublicanalliance.org.

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