Jon S. Corzine: “today, along with Senator Feingold, I am submitting a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that in establishing…”

“today, along with Senator Feingold, I am submitting a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that in establishing rules governing access to the Capitol or congressional offices for those who have official business before the Congress, lobbyists should not be granted special privileges that are not available to other American citizens. A fundamental principle of American democracy is that all citizens are created equal and all should have access to government leaders. Unfortunately, there is a perception among many Americans that special interests and their lobbyists have access to decision-makers that ordinary citizens lack. This contributes to the widespread belief that middle class citizens, and those of more modest means, are treated unfairly in the political process. In my view, it is critically important that we do everything reasonably practicable to give Americans confidence that Congress will treat all citizens equitably, regardless of whether they are represented by professional lobbyists.”