Pelosi To House: Butt Out!

By: Allison Davis O'Keefe
Topics: Field Notes

(AP)

Capitol Hill producer Allison Davis spends alot of her time in the halls of Congress. And today, she can breathe easy.

What's that smell? Well, if you were to ask House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, it's the smell of progress. Yesterday, the halls of Congress in the vicinity of the floor of the House of Representatives might have a strong cigarette and cigar odor. But today, visitors, congressmen and all those who pack the nation's Capitol can breathe easy as the nation's first female Speaker has instituted a ban on smoking in the formal sitting area adjacent to the floor of the House, known as the Speaker's Lobby.

In a statement released this morning, Speaker Pelosi proclaimed, "The days of smoke-filled rooms in the United States Capitol are over," insisting Congress set an example for the rest of the nation.

For those of us who cover Congress on a daily basis, this is somewhat of a big deal and certainly a change in historical precedent. The Speaker's Lobby is essentially an extension of the House floor. Ornately decorated with large leather arm chairs, layered chandeliers, tables covered with newspapers, and a number of fancy, yet-to-be removed, stand-up ash trays, the Speaker's Lobby is reminiscent of a men's club lounge. The Speaker's Lobby sports a fantastic view of our nation's Capitol, facing west towards the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

When stepping in the room, you can feel the history and imagine the deals, conversations, and arguments members have had over a smoke for over 100 years. Only members, staff, pages, and reporters are allowed in the room. Men must be in coat and tie while women are prohibited to wear jeans or show body parts (apparently the "body part" rule started when a member of the press walked into the room wearing a shirt that exposed her belly button.)

Specific House rules of protocol, for example the fact that members' spouses are not allowed on the House floor, are not necessarily written down in some formal rules book. Smoking in the Speaker's Lobby falls into that category. It is just one of those things that no one questioned or attempted to change since it originated in this branch of government.

One of the House's most notable smokers, Minority Leader John Boehner, had few words on the topic. When asked repeatedly at a press conference this morning about the newly instituted rules, Boehner demurred, "That's fine."

Perhaps Boehner is at ease with the new restrictions because the Republican Leader will still be allowed to smoke within the confines of his Congressional office, as well as the outside balcony, just off the Speaker's Lobby. Not to mention, Senate smokers have lived under a no-smoking policy for years. In his two years in the Senate, admitted Senate smoker Barack Obama, despite attempts to quit, has managed - among others - to work around the indoor smoking ban.

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by romanempress January 11, 2007 9:15 PM EST: I don't understand why the Congress would waste time on something trivial like this when there's a freaking war going on!; Reply to this comment


by loof_1irpa January 11, 2007 5:08 PM EST: Glad to hear it, and I hope the no-smoking policy spreads like cancer throughout the nation. I've been stuck in fog-thick-smoky U.S. Navy ship compartments and other workplace areas that used to allow smoking and, to my utter dismay, I had no say in the matters.

Someone mentioned liquor in comparison to smoking. A poor correlation. If you smoke, I smoke in the same room with you even if my eyes aren't crossed and my cheeks aren't caved in like with you, the smoker. If you drink, booze does not automatically cascade down my throat.

"People don't smoke. Cigarettes do. Those who puff away are merely the suckers."; Reply to this comment


by January 11, 2007 4:58 PM EST: This is long overdue. Smokers have no right to annoy others with their polluting smoke. Nancy is literally a breath of fresh air.; Reply to this comment


by geoffrey1986 January 11, 2007 3:47 PM EST: This was interesting... I'd like to see a list of everyone in Congress who smokes.; Reply to this comment


by uceslady January 11, 2007 7:08 AM EST: Well, we've have that settled. When are we going to move on to the real killer, LIQUOR. Wonder how many divorces, battered wives and children, families neglected, nights spent in jail, drunk drivers, innocent victims killed, and not being able to work due to hangovers are caused by cigarettes? Come on Nancy girl,let's go for the big one. If you are going to flex some muscles, let's see what you have got. We can't smoke in the halls of justice but we can go around the corner and get us a drink. (But you had better not light up a cigarette) Word to the wise....today it is my personal freedom but tomorrow it may be yours. Cigarettes do not alter the mind...alcohol does. What kind of brain cells do our lawmakers have? YOU GO GIRL!!!; Reply to this comment


by goldesprit January 11, 2007 2:15 AM EST: My mother smoked like a stack -- until she died early from emphazema--like her father before her.

This ban is obviously a good thing--our leaders should consider all the ways they are leading us--and be responsible.; Reply to this comment


by jcorbin1958 January 11, 2007 1:24 AM EST: Don't like the woman, but I will give her credit for stopping the smoking in the halls of congress.; Reply to this comment