Jack Brooks: “it is with some regret that I rise to oppose the legislation now being considered by the House. I realize the good…”

“it is with some regret that I rise to oppose the legislation now being considered by the House. I realize the good intentions and the motivations that lie beyond trying to craft a legislative solution to the perceived problem surrounding certain lobbying activities and gifts to Members of Congress. I know John Bryant, chairman of the great Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations is one, in my judgment, of the brightest and most dedicated Members we have in this body. He is from Texas, and I am very proud of him. He is an outstanding and able Member. But I think in this instance, in a vast majority of the situations, the problem is a perceived problem and not an actual problem. And the legislation does raise some disturbing questions about the rights of every American to redress their grievances before the Government and to inform and educate decision makers who, after all, are just their elected representatives. Who else are they going to talk to? Teachers, doctors, restaurant owners, pipefitters, oil workers, refineries, chemical plants, every segment of our society, every segment of our economy, all of those great groups are entitled to pursue their rights and make their views known to their representatives. We do not have to do what they say, but they are entitled to be able to come and make a pitch.”