Ted Stevens: “I really believe the current rule has a limitation that makes it really less--have less impact on employees and their…”

“I really believe the current rule has a limitation that makes it really less--have less impact on employees and their spouses and children and the spouse and children of Members than the bill that is before us now. The proposed amendment seems more burdensome and complicated. I seriously question our right, constitutionally, to put these limits on our spouses, who have their own right to their own employment and their own lives, and our children similarly. But I really question the impact on employees, the policemen, who are out here to protect us, and their spouses and their children. Should they be covered by the same concept that we are? I know the answer is going to be the current rule covers them, but the current rule has such a high maximum it was not as big a problem. I was about to support the amendment of the Senator from Arkansas, but the more I think about it, the more I think we ought to go back to $250 and stop the $20 nonsense.”