Chris Dodd: “The Rules Committee bill deals with those issues governing conduct of Members, as per our jurisdiction. The bill…”

“The Rules Committee bill deals with those issues governing conduct of Members, as per our jurisdiction. The bill includes reform of the gift rule to prohibit gifts from lobbyists. The Rules Committee- reported bill exempts meals from this prohibition, but does require that members and staff disclose any meals paid for by lobbyists, according to existing dollar limits. This provision does not go far enough, in my opinion. While I recognize that much business is transacted over meals, members and staff can afford to pay for their meals at such meetings. If we are taking the step of banning coffee cups and candy from lobbyists, we should also ban the coffee and desserts. Finally, let me say a few things about what I think is the elephant in the room on reform efforts. And that is the need to enact comprehensive reforms of the way we organize and finance campaigns in this country. As I have said, gift and lobby reforms do matter, and are important. But while it is clear serious reform of the way some in Congress and their lobbying allies do business is needed, these changes alone won't address the core problem: the need for campaign finance reform which breaks once and for all the link between legislative favor-seekers and the free flow of inadequately regulated, special interest private money. This is a much more significant issue than lobbying, gift and travel rules, or procedural reforms on earmarks and conference procedures and reports.…”