Sherrod Brown: “Legal Times this week reports how Bob Dole has gone to great lengths to avoid having to register as a lobbyist or file…”

“Legal Times this week reports how Bob Dole has gone to great lengths to avoid having to register as a lobbyist or file as a foreign agent. The fact is Senator Dole is clearly working on behalf of Chilean interests against United States salmon farmers in a trade dispute. He has visited salmon farmers in Chile, met with the President in Chile, and met with the Foreign Minister of Chile. At the same time, he is taking sides in the fast-track debate, writing op-ed pieces for the New York Times and speaking outside on the issue. Legal Times illustrates how former Senator Dole is taking great care not to cross the line into lobbying or working as a foreign agent. One possible reason is that if Mr. Dole were to cross that line, he would not be able to make his loan to bail out the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich]. If Dole were a lobbyist or a foreign agent, the loan to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich] would be a violation of the gift ban. Mr. Speaker, Senator Dole should explain his involvement with Chile to the American people.”