David Boren: “The amendment which I proposed, along with my colleague from Arizona, Senator McCain, is an amendment to the gift ban…”

“The amendment which I proposed, along with my colleague from Arizona, Senator McCain, is an amendment to the gift ban legislation that will help close the revolving door of influence peddling in our Government. We have dealt with a variety of issues that will reform the process by which our elected officials are lobbied by outside parties. The issues which include increased disclosure in the form of gift and travel policies are important, but they are only part of the problem which has caused Americans to lose faith in their Government. We must address the problem of the revolving door by prohibiting elected officials and their staffs from enriching themselves by trading on the contacts and special knowledge that they gain while in office. The prevalence of this situation tarnishes the idea of public service, and it decreases the public's faith in the integrity of the political process. This amendment, which is based upon S. 420, which Senator McCain and I introduced earlier, and on which hearings have been held in the Governmental Affairs Committee, the Ethics in Government Reform Act, would bring the revolving door to an abrupt halt.”