Political Quotes

“I believe I have an obligation to say a few things about the amendments offered by Senators Coburn and Boxer regarding the investigation of the Coconut Road controversy. As most of my colleagues know, there are reports that a Member of the House of Representatives arranged to have the text of the 2005 highway bill changed during the enrolling process, which is quite unusual. This was after the bill had passed both Houses. Serious allegations have been made about the motives of this Member for doing this. The facts are not certain, but some say they are clear. The junior Senator from Oklahoma has done an important service by shining public attention on this matter. The facts are not yet all known, as I have just said, but if these allegations--or some of them-- are true, this is one more example of the corruption that permeated the Congress in recent years. We have two Members of Congress who have gone to prison. We have staff members who are in prison. Some are on probation and have pled guilty. So it is fair to say there was a lot of corruption in recent years. Just last year, the new Democratic Congress passed S. 1, the most sweeping lobbying reform effort in the history of our country, in an effort to restore public trust in Congress. These reforms are already changing the way business is done in Washington. Lobbyists have less influence, and there is more transparency in the legislative process.”