George Voinovich: “I will clarify again for my colleagues the fact that the Ethics Committee genuinely tried to accommodate the concerns of…”

“I will clarify again for my colleagues the fact that the Ethics Committee genuinely tried to accommodate the concerns of the Senator from Oklahoma. We, as I say, worked hard to do it. But the fact is, the rule is clear on its face, and we are being asked to reinterpret what the Senate rules mean or to endorse a change in those rules for Senator Coburn. I think the specific language and legislative history of the rules and the Federal law prevent us from reinterpreting the rules. I believe, as I mentioned when I started my remarks earlier, this matter should not be here being debated on the floor of the Senate but, rather, as Senator Dodd suggested, Senator Coburn should go before the Rules Committee. And if Senator Ensign is unhappy that he cannot practice veterinary medicine, perhaps he should go before the Rules Committee and have a hearing and discuss this matter, and do it according to the procedures of the Senate. If this were to pass today, I think it would set a very dangerous precedent that would encourage people--rather than going through the process of the rules and procedures we have here in the Senate, it would cause them to come to the floor. I do not think that is good for the institution. I ask my colleagues to not support this resolution. Mr. President, at this time I raise a point of order that the Coburn amendment is not germane to the underlying bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.”