Russ Feingold: “Now I will move on to talking about a very major vote coming up in the Senate later today. This evening the Senate will…”

“Now I will move on to talking about a very major vote coming up in the Senate later today. This evening the Senate will cast a very important vote. The result will go a long way toward deciding whether the gift rule changes before us meet the high standards for reform set by the American people in the most recent elections in November. I am referring to the motion to invoke cloture on Reid amendment No. 4, which contains very important provisions imposing and strengthening restrictions on gifts, travel, and corporate jets. I take a few minutes to explain why I believe the Reid amendment is so crucial. In 1995, after another watershed election, the Senate adopted major rule changes, which came to be known as 'the gift ban.' Prior to that time, there were virtually no limits on the gifts or trips that Senators could accept. Scandalous tabloid TV exposes showed some of the most egregious vacation extravaganzas that some Senators enjoyed at the expense of others, and after an election in which numerous incumbents were defeated and majority control of both Houses shifted, the Senate finally, in 1995, took action.”