Political Quotes

“First, Mr. President, let me say that I concur with the Senator from Louisiana on at least one thing--that it is important that our colleagues read these bills and understand them. The Governmental Affairs Committee has come up with a substitute, which is the principal substitute before us. It is true gift reform. It will end the current situation, where we are being taken out by lobbyists for meals, where lobbyists are giving us tickets to the Redskins games, where we are flying off to what are called ``charitable events,'' many of which turn out to be more for the recreation of Members than for charity, in terms of the division of the proceeds. It is important that each of us read these bills, because indeed the atmosphere around here will change if we adopt the Governmental Affairs substitute. But I think we have to change that atmosphere. I think it is important that we change what both exists in this town, where--if you can believe it--we have restaurants who are saying that if lobbyists cannot take Members out to lunch and dinner, the restaurants are going to close.”