Trent Lott: “Then while the Senator from Connecticut talks to his colleagues and determines how we can work on that issue, I will…”

“Then while the Senator from Connecticut talks to his colleagues and determines how we can work on that issue, I will make a few brief remarks. I want to say, again, to Senator Santorum how much I appreciate the work he has done. He didn't just try to find a way to give this issue a hit and miss; he got into great detail. I had a lot of questions as we went along on different aspects of his proposal. He was always able to give me thoughtful answers. I appreciate that very much. He worked in the Rules Committee, offered some amendments that were accepted. And in this case, he agreed to make it bipartisan, once again, by joining Senator Dodd on the meals question. I emphasize how much I appreciate what he has done. Frankly, I have no problem, personally, with banning lobbyists from paying for meals. Fine. Anybody around here who knows me at all knows that I probably do less of that than just about anybody. I have breakfast with my family: my kids, when they were still living at home before they went off to college, and my wife now. When the Sun goes down, I am ready to go home because I believe there is something called a life, family life. The Senate is not my only life. I think more of my wife than I do the Senate. I go home every night and eat with my wife. I recommend a lot of other people doing it instead of going to all these blame dinners. I am a little offended at the whole concept that you can be bought by a meal. I don't get it. That is where I do get upset.…”