Max Baucus: “the resolution I am submitting aims to ensure that charities under the control of Senators can be viewed in the most…”

“the resolution I am submitting aims to ensure that charities under the control of Senators can be viewed in the most ethical terms. Mahatma Gandhi once said: ``Men say that I am a saint losing myself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my hardest to be a saint.'' That sums up the purpose of my resolution. We in the Senate run for office to do good. We try to make the country better. We try to serve. We strive to do the right thing. As much as we try, however, even innocent gestures can be perceived as self-serving, or at worst, unethical. Some of us have started charities that we believe help to serve our country and important public needs. Senators may innocently employ staff who they trust at the charity. Senators may use lawyers who they are familiar with to ensure that requirements are met. Senators may accept contributions from corporations because the funds will be spent on a worthy cause. The activities that I have listed may betray nothing more than an innocent effort to carry out charitable works. But the public has a right to be skeptical. The public has a right to know what companies-- that may or may not have business before the Senate--are donating to charities controlled by Senators. My resolution would not ban Senators from starting charities. But it would address the healthy skepticism that the public has expressed about the rules governing charities controlled by Members of Congress.…”