Political Quotes

“we are about to vote on final passage of S. 1935, a bill which would dramatically tighten the congressional gift rules. If we pass this measure--as I am confident we will--this will be a truly historic vote. This bill, if enacted, would ban gifts of meals, tickets to sporting events, so-called recreational travel, and virtually anything else a special interest might offer to a Member of Congress. It would also prohibit all privately funded travel not related to official business and establish strict new disclosure requirements for those travel reimbursements that may be accepted. These are the toughest gift rules ever approved by either House of Congress. If adopted, they will send a message that business as usual is no longer acceptable in this town. Mr. President, the Senate is a highly ethical body. The problem is that the public does not appear to see it that way--and apparently will not see it that way until we adopt new rules that rid us of any appearances of favoritism or unequal access. That appearance, as unfair as it may be, is poison for public confidence in government. It is not good for the Congress and it is not good for the country. It is my hope that, with this bill, we can take a significant step toward bolstering public confidence in this institution.”