[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

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                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, it appears that once again the President has 
broken his promise to the American people. As you may recall, President 
Clinton once promised us the most ethical administration in history. 
When He signed the Lobbying Disclosure Act during the last Congress, 
the President also spoke of a renewed tradition in Washington that 
would mirror President Jackson's famous words, ``Equal opportunity for 
all; special privileges for none.'' Further, he said that he would 
abide by the law and uphold section 21(b) of this Act. As you know, 
section 21(b) forbids anyone who had ever represented another country 
in trade negotiations with the United States to serve as the U.S. Trade 
Representative or Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.
  Well, yesterday the House was faced with its first test of section 
21(b) as we considered the President's request for a waiver of the 
section for Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky--someone who has represented 
Canada in trade negotiations with our country in the past--as the 
United States Trade Representative. This Chamber followed the Senate in 
approving the waiver. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to 
oppose this measure at the time. Here are the President's own words on 
his so-called commitment to section 21(b) of the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act:

       Because as a policy matter I agree with the goal of 
     ensuring the undivided loyalty of our representatives in 
     trade negotiations, I intend, as a matter of practice, to act 
     in accordance with this provision.

  While I do not question Ambassador Barshefsky's ability to serve as 
the U.S. Trade Representative, and I understand her to be very capable 
and well-suited for this position, this matter is not about that. The 
President's appointment of Ambassador Barshefsky shows that he has 
chosen yet again not to uphold his promise to the American people. Mr. 
Speaker, waiving the law when it is convenient for him is certainly not 
the way for the President to win the American people's trust or to 
build a tradition of ``no special privileges.'' Once again, the 
President's actions do not match his rhetoric.

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