Cliff Stearns: “I rise today to draw my colleagues' attention to what President Clinton promised would be the most ethical…”

“I rise today to draw my colleagues' attention to what President Clinton promised would be the most ethical administration in the history of our Nation. The Washington Times lead story today details how special envoy to the President, Richard Holbrooke, in the middle of critical negotiations with Yugoslav President Milosevic in 1998, broke off those talks to deliver two speeches in which he was paid $40,000. Now, there is a pesky Federal ethics rule that says for government employees, including unpaid presidential appointees, they are barred from accepting side compensation that relates to the employee's official duties. Quote, just as his talks reached what Mr. Holbrooke said was a dangerous moment, he flew to Athens to give a speech about Kosovo, picking up $16,000 in payment. A few months later, Mr. Holbrooke did the same thing, abandoning diplomatic efforts in the middle of an air-strike deadline to deliver a speech in New York for $24,000. Mr. President, honestly, based upon past comments, he would be the perfect candidate to be Ambassador to the United Nations.”