[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HOUSE GIFT RULE AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
opposition to the weakening of the Gift Ban in the House of 
Representatives.
  For the past several years, the American people have become 
increasingly concerned about the power of special interests in 
Washington. They believe, sometimes correctly, that the day-to-day 
relationship between lobbyists and Members of Congress is simply too 
cozy. This has caused many Americans to wonder whose agenda is being 
pursued in Washington, the public's interest or the special interests?
  For this reason, in October of 1995, I voluntarily instituted a Zero 
Tolerance Gift Ban on my office. Under this policy, my office no longer 
accepts any gifts from either constituents or special interests. All 
gifts that I or members of my staff receive have been returned or 
donated to a local charity. Meals paid by lobbyists are outlawed under 
my policy as well, and so are free tickets to sporting or 
commercialized cultural events. In addition to these restrictions, no 
junkets are allowed. A remarkable number of special interest groups 
still offer all-expense-paid trips for members of Congress and their 
staff. In my office, these invitations are rejected.
  After voluntarily imposing my own Gift Ban, I supported legislation 
to institute a Gift Ban that applied to all House Members and their 
staff. This new House-wide policy went into effect on January 1, 1996. 
I was proud to support this much needed reform in the House of 
Representatives. However today, I am saddened to learn that House 
leadership has chosen to take steps backward in our reform efforts. The 
legislation quickly passed on the House floor today, without the 
opportunity for opposition from Members, begins to unravel the policy 
we enacted two years ago. Weakening the reforms we previously supported 
undermines our previous efforts and gives the American people reason to 
question our motives. Had I been given the opportunity to vote on this 
motion Mr. Speaker, I would have voted against diluting the House Gift 
Ban.

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