Haley Stevens: “I want to clarify why I am objecting to the passage of H.R. 1254, the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act, in its…”

“I want to clarify why I am objecting to the passage of H.R. 1254, the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act, in its current form. In the past, I supported a bill very similar to this. I have always supported transparency in these matters. My concern is in the fairness of passing this legislation today. When this legislation was introduced at the very beginning of this administration's tenure, I supported it because it would have provided sufficient notice to the new administration of a change in reporting requirements. However, this administration's final term is near an end, and I do not believe it is fair to change the rules on them. This administration has complied with the existing procedures. Changing them now would put a greater burden on them than any other past administration which already finished collecting the majority of donations for their libraries. Enacting this bill to apply only to future administrations would solve this problem, and put them on notice of the new reporting requirements and procedures. I have an amendment to this bill so that it will be enacted only to apply to administrations serving on or after January 21, 2009. If this amendment is accepted, I will be happy to support the legislation.”