State Rep. Angel Cruz, announced on Wednesday he will introduce a resolution providing for the enforcement of the House rules in standing committee business by the Speaker.

“Though the rules of the House do currently apply in standing committees, they are rarely enforced and the disrespect we saw in last week’s State Government Committee hearing by Chairman Daryl Metcalfe shows that lack of enforcement,” Cruz said. “Business in committee hearings is supposed to be conducted in a civil, orderly and respectful manner, and last week’s outburst showed zero civility or respect.”

On Sept. 21 during a House hearing on the so called “English only” bill Rep. Leslie Acosta, the only Latina lawmaker on the state level, was shut down mid-sentence by Rep. Metcalfe, and called Acosta “out of order” for not “making a point" after two minutes of speaking.

“This resolution would provide for the ability to censor, sanction or levy other punishment by the Speaker upon a chairman or minority chairman who is uncivil towards another member of the committee,” Cruz said. “It is important that legislators are held to the same high standard in committees that we are held to on the House floor. The people of Pennsylvania deserve that from those they elect to represent them.”