Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Maryland in support of S. 1202, a bill to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Office of Government Ethics through fiscal year 2006. OGE's mission is not only to prevent and resolve conflicts of interest and to foster high ethical standards for Federal employees, but also to strengthen the public's confidence so that the government's business is conducted with impartiality and integrity. OGE does this by, one, reviewing and certifying the financial disclosure forms filed by Presidential nominees requiring Senate confirmation; two, serving as the primary source of advice in counseling on conduct and financial disclosure issues; and, three, by providing information on promoting understanding of ethical standards in executive agencies. OGE and its staff are well regarded by the Federal agencies with whom they do business. OGE has played an essential and significant role in fostering the public's trust in the integrity of government. Mr. Speaker, there is no component of government more important than that of assuring the public's trust. OGE helps to build and maintain that kind of trust that is essential for an orderly, ethical, and respectable conduct of the Nation's business.”