The Public Record
Ted Stevens was a prominent U.S. Senator from Alaska, serving from 1968 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he was known for his influential role in shaping federal policies related to aviation, telecommunications, and infrastructure. Stevens was a key advocate for modernizing the air traffic control system, emphasizing the need for quick action to prevent aviation gridlock. His tenure was marked by significant contributions to Alaska's development and federal funding for various projects in the state. Stevens was the longest-serving senator in Alaska's history and held several leadership positions, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman.
I really believe the current rule has a limitation that makes it really less--have less impact on employees and their spouses and children and the spouse and children of Members than the bill that is before us now. The proposed amendment…
I ask the Senator whether the sponsors of this bill received any input from spouses regarding the application of these complicated rules to them. There are several who are very much involved in the private sector here in Washington and I…
I applaud the effort. But I am afraid the problem is that some future Ethics Committee chairman is going to say that there is a difference in these exceptions, and that being a lobbyist is a barrier. And I agree with the Senator from…
So if one of my young staff has a baby and someone, a lobbyist wants to give them a present, it is all right if they are a friend but it is not all right if they are not a friend?
My memory is that the Ethics Committee has the right to waive some of the restrictions under the current rules. Does that waiver still pertain to the Senator's amendment? I am particularly reminded, as I told the Senate the other day, of…
I thank my friend for that. As I speak here, I remember my friend Harry Byrd. I hope he is listening, because the original exemption for State products came because Harry Byrd used to share with us those wonderful apples he grew over in…
let me say I regret that we include our spouses and our dependent children in legislation like this. I know the current rule. But, times have changed. People keep telling us times have changed. Our spouses have a right to their own lives…
There is a dollar limit under law currently which is $250. Are you changing that?
I can go out to dinner with my personal friend who is a lobbyist, but the Senator cannot go out to dinner with my friend who is a lobbyist but who is not a personal friend of my friend. Is that right?
There are exceptions under the Senator's amendment, a series of exceptions. For instance, a personal friendship. What if that personal friend happens to be a lobbyist, too?
What about the spouse? Mr. President, I think this type of limited restriction on individuals outside of the Senate raises constitutional issues. Each of these people who live with me are individuals in their own right, and I am not sure…
I am just exploring that because I do not want to embarrass her, and when I get home, she is going to be embarrassed. She has been going to a series of bat mitzvahs in the Washington area these last 3 or 4 weeks where they give gifts to…