No House phones

Opinion: January 7, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

No House phones

Los Angeles Times: A new rule proposed by the incoming Republican majority in the House will allow members to use BlackBerrys, iPhones, iPads and other electronic devices on the floor as long as such activity doesn’t “impair decorum.” At the risk of being called Luddites, we believe this is a dubious advance.

Granted, we would be pleased if members inspired by Rep. Joe “You Lie” Wilson could text their sentiments to President Obama rather than shouting out their opinions during an address to a joint session of Congress. And some representatives no doubt will use their legalized gizmos to brush up on the details of legislation being debated.

As a general proposition, however, admitting smartphones and other devices to the chamber is a recipe for distraction. Brendan Buck, a spokesman for the Republicans, says that the new rule is not “a free license to Skype or pay bills online.” But how will the House enforce that edict?

The current ban on electronic devices requires members, as long as they are on the floor, to follow the debate. Even in an electronic age, members should be minding the people’s business, not their own.