[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       STOP SUBSIDIZING LOBBYISTS

  (Mr. WICKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WICKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today as an advocate for the 
taxpayer whose hard-earned dollars are going to subsidize Washington 
lobbyists. The lobbyists I speak of directly benefit from the Federal 
grant system, designed to help people and charities, not line the 
pockets of inside-the-beltway lobbyists.
  When I tell my constituents that the Federal Government gives away 
over $39 billion per year in grant money with little or no strings 
attached, they tell me to stop this business-as-usual attitude in 
Washington.
  If these groups were not spending money on political and partisan 
activities, they would have much more money for the services they are 
intended to perform and they would not have to take as much--or any--
money from hard-working Americans.
  The Istook-McIntosh-Ehrlich amendment to the Treasury-Postal 
conference report would require Federal grantees to open their books 
and be accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. Sunshine, Madam 
Speaker. Let us show the taxpayers how their money is being spent. It 
is only fair and the right thing to do.
  As President of the freshman class, I can tell you that this is the 
kind of reform we promised the American people last November--let us 
deliver in the 104th Congress.

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