[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           THE GIFTS BAN BILL

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise to discuss why I voted for S. 1935, 
the gifts ban bill.
  The debate on this bill was long and somewhat contentious. It is 
difficult for an institution of 100 people to put its own ethics under 
a microscope. However, it seems to me that we face the challenge of 
convincing a doubting public that the Senate is worthy of its respect 
and trust--no matter what the talk show hosts say.
  I believe that the gifts ban bill rises to this challenge. Let me 
briefly discuss the essence of the bill that the Senate passed.
  S. 1935 would ban virtually all gifts of any value to Senators and 
their staffers. This is an improvement even over the version that I 
supported in the Governmental Affairs Committee, which would have 
permitted gifts of less than $20 in value from non-lobbyists.
  I supported this change because I think we are better off just 
deciding that there should be no gifts allowed. That's why I voted for 
the amendment by Senator Bumpers, which would ban even these gifts of 
minimal value. With even small gifts banned, Senators and staffers 
would not have to worry about whether a gift is worth $19.95 or $20.05, 
and whether the gift can be accepted. We simply would look the gift 
horse--whether a lobbyist, a constituent, or a foreign dignitary--in 
the mouth and explain that Senate rules prohibit gifts.
  There are some necessary exceptions. I still would be able to receive 
presents from my family and friends for my birthday, for instance. But 
this bill embodies the principle that Senators should not take 
advantage of their position to receive gifts. Members of the public 
note, understandably, that nobody offers them free opera tickets, 
baskets of fruit, box seats at football games, or free weekends at golf 
and tennis resorts. Senators should not be different from the public in 
this respect.
  I am not certain that this gift ban will reduce the public's cynicism 
toward Congress very much. I sometimes think that the public never will 
approve of Congress as an institution. But I know that we must try to 
improve our ethical standards. The gifts ban bill is a step forward, 
and I am pleased to have voted for it.

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