Political Quotes

“I wonder if I might ask the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bryant] a question or two. It is my belief that the gentleman's amendment on coverage, optional coverage of Congress, eliminates, of course, the mandatory coverage but also provides a weaker standard. Under the existing law or, rather, the law that we seek to reincarnate, it says, ``Preliminary investigation with respect to persons not listed.'' Then, of course, that would be Congressmen. The Attorney General determines that an investigation or prosecution of the person with respect to the information received by the Attorney General or other officer of the Department of Justice may result in a ``personal, financial or political conflict of interest.'' When that happens, then the independent counsel is triggered. Under the amendment of the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bryant], he eliminates ``financial, personal or political conflict of interest,'' and he puts in ``in the public interest.'' It seems to me there could be a financial conflict of interest. There could be a political conflict of interest. There could be a personal conflict of interest, but the AG will not find it in the public interest to appoint an independent counsel. Why did the gentleman change the standard? Why did he not go with the tried and true, proven phrase, ``personal, financial, or political conflict of interest''?”