John Hope Bryant: “It is clear it does apply. The gentleman should not come forward and try to obfuscate this issue. Mr. Speaker, I reclaim…”

“It is clear it does apply. The gentleman should not come forward and try to obfuscate this issue. Mr. Speaker, I reclaim my time. I also heard the gentleman from Florida get up a moment ago and make reference to criminal penalties. There are no criminal penalties in this bill at all. Where have you been for the last several months, I ask the gentleman from Florida? Why would you stand up and say there are criminal penalties in this bill? The gentleman made reference to the Department of Justice. This bill does not relate to the Department of Justice, it relates to an agency called the Office of Lobbying Registration. Another Republican Member complained about some amendments he had not seen until last night. These are the Republicans' amendments you asked for. We added them because you asked for them. That is why they are here. What is at stake here today is very simply this: Do you folks want to join us in making it against the law for lobbyists to buy a free meal for a Member of Congress or not? Do you want to join with us in making it against the law for a lobbyist to pay for golf and entertainment for Members of Congress or not? Do you want to join with us in making it against the law for lobbyists to pay for travel with us or not? That is what is at stake here.”