Alan Simpson: “I am pleased we were able to arrive at this unanimous-consent agreement. I think that will certainly generate a swifter…”

“I am pleased we were able to arrive at this unanimous-consent agreement. I think that will certainly generate a swifter solution here. The McConnell-Johnston substitute provides some tough penalties for those who violate the rules. It substantially reduces gift limits without discarding the type of activities which benefit charities. It is a reasonable approach and I wholeheartedly support it. I am proud to say that I do give speeches for honoraria. Senator Ted Kennedy and I still do a program called 'Face Off.' The entire receipts of 'Face Off' go to various charities in his State and mine and throughout the country. We receive and keep nothing from 'Face Off.' I receive and keep nothing from the honoraria speeches. I think it is very important that those should be allowed to continue. From every report I receive, charities are presently facing a serious decline in contributions. What is wrong with directing money to charity? Mine are all listed. Anyone can find out who sponsored the speech and how much was contributed to charity. There is not a thing I do which I do not expect to be seen by a lot of sets of eyeballs. That might be a real novel idea to ponder! There are no locks on any drawers in my office. I gave back $93,000 in my salary over the past 5 years, from 1987 on. I take on outfits like the AARP, and some of the veterans groups and others. It would be something if all of us would take a lick there at a few 'sacred cows' out there.”