Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues Senators Menendez, Lautenberg and Durbin in introducing the State Ethics Law Protection Act. This legislation would ensure that States are allowed to pass meaningful ethics reform laws without being penalized by the Federal government. Current law allows the Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, to withhold Federal highway funds from States that ban pay-to-play contracting. At least 9 States and 60 cities have enacted anti pay-to- play laws. These laws vary widely, but they generally limit political contributions from entities doing business with the state. The FHWA claims that these laws could reduce the number of potential bidders, thus violating an unrestricted bidding requirement set forth in Federal law. FHWA has selectively threatened to withhold money to certain States. In my home State of Illinois, the State legislature was forced to change its pay-to-play law just days after our former governor was indicted for allegedly engaging in numerous pay-to-play schemes. Illinois was forced to create a giant loophole in the ethics law so as not to lose out on millions in Federal transportation funds. States have the right to ensure their contracting processes adhere to the highest ethical standards and offer the best protection to the taxpayers. Selected Federal intervention is an unwarranted and unhelpful power grab by Federal regulators. Pay-to-play laws are designed to enhance, not undermine, competitive bidding.…”