When House members giving speeches late Wednesday addressed "madam speaker," they were talking to Rep. Enid Waldholtz, R-Utah.
She acted as speaker pro tempore, presiding over the House after it ended official votes and debate of the day but when members may take the floor to give long speeches on whatever topics they like."They break the new people in gently," she said. "I can't remember any horrific debate during special orders."
House Speaker Newt Gingrich asked her to oversee the 2.5-hour session - which is seen as an honor in the House, where normally only senior and loyal people are allowed to preside.
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In the Senate, however, presiding is seen as a boring chore given mostly to freshmen to teach them parliamentary procedures.