AS a much younger man, I served as senator for two consecutive terms. In my second term, I chaired the Committee on Rules and became Senate majority leader to six Senate presidents. As such, I was an ex-officio member of all standing committees, entitled to sit in any committee hearing on any issue. Then, as now, these were called inquiries "in aid of legislation," pursuant to Section 21, Article VI of the Constitution, which provides that the Senate or the House or any of its respective committees "may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure."
Provided, "persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected."
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