On the recordFebruary 9, 2012
I thank the gentleman from Michigan, Ranking Member Conyers. Madam Speaker, this is a very important bill, and I appreciate the efforts put in it by Ms. Slaughter and Mr. Walz, who have championed this for over many, many, many years, and I appreciate the Republicans for coming in with a bipartisan effort. The bill has, indeed, been improved by the Senate; and it was improved through the honest services statute that was added to it, which our committee debated and passed, I believe, in good fashion. I don't know if it was unanimous or not, but that was one of the most important aspects, in my opinion, of this bill. There are public officials throughout this country who have abused their position of trust, and using their position for personal gain has hurt all of government. The honest services statute used to be a vehicle by which U.S. attorneys could go after them. The Supreme Court ruled that there was a defect in that law. That has been corrected in this bill, which means we have more effective ways to clean up folks who are using public service for their own benefit, and are able to restore public trust in public officials, from the courthouse to Congress. Further, it makes clear that nobody can use their inside information here to be making money in the stock market or in other places, all of which destroys the public trust which we hold. This Congress is so, so, so, so much better than the ratings the public gives it.…
