Mike Pence: “after months of scandal and years of deficit spending, millions of Americans fear that this Congress is fiscally and…”

“after months of scandal and years of deficit spending, millions of Americans fear that this Congress is fiscally and ethically bankrupt. This week, thanks to the bold leadership of Speaker Dennis Hastert, Congress will consider historic lobbying reform legislation that will bring new transparency to the relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers, and I applaud it. But as important as these changes are, we must also change the way we spend the people's money here on the floor of this Chamber. And this legislation also includes commonsense reforms in earmark spending that will end an era of unaccountable pork-barrel spending in Congress. It is said that righteousness exalts a nation, and meaningful lobbying reform and earmark reform will lift the spirits of the American people demoralized by years of disappointment from Washington, D.C. I urge my colleagues to come together in the spirit of that high standard and this privileged service and support lobbying reform legislation. ____________________”