[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ETHICAL STANDARDS IN POLITICAL FUND-RAISING

  (Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Democrats' 
call for national standards in education reflects their high regard for 
high ethical standards when it comes to raising money for their 
political campaigns?
  I have no doubt that the other side, so proud of what they did during 
the 1996 elections, have learned a few lessons from the most ethical 
administration in history. Selling the Lincoln bedroom to the highest 
bidder; White House coffees with the most impressive rogues gallery of 
drug smugglers, arms dealers and con artists ever assembled.
  I wonder if the national standards they have in mind will help with 
the little ``I do not recall problem'' that seems to afflict the 
majority from the White House who are asked to come to Capitol Hill to 
testify about campaign finance law breaking.
  I wonder if the national standards they have in mind will do anything 
about shaking down impoverished Indian tribes for money, using the 
power of the IRS to target America's most vulnerable citizens, or 
invading the privacy of ordinary citizens by illegally obtaining their 
FBI files.
  I wonder, Mr. Speaker. I wonder.

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