[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RULES OF THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before you today to speak 
in support of the rules changes proposed by our new Speaker, Ms. 
Pelosi, that will bring enhanced ethics, transparency, and 
accountability to the House of Representatives. These measures are long 
overdue, and I applaud our leadership team for making this the first 
order of business in the 110th Congress.
  It has become clear to all Americans that the ethical safeguards here 
in our Nation's Capital are broken. Rogue lobbyists such as Jack 
Abramoff were allowed to run amok for years, leaving behind a vast web 
of corruption in their wake. Wayward Members of Congress were swayed by 
the offers of expensive gifts, travel, and campaign contibutions that 
came their way. The maintenance of power became more important than 
responsible government, as we now see in the spiraling budget deficits, 
tax breaks for specific companies and industries, and legislation 
inserted into bills in the dark of night.
  With our vote here today, we in the people's house say enough is 
enough. Today we begin to set our ship right and rebuild the trust of 
the American people.
  Today we will prevent lobbyists from buying access and favor from 
lawmakers. While they will retain their constitutional right to 
petition government and share valuable information, they will no longer 
be allowed to buy meals, give gifts, or provide lavish trips. Corporate 
officials will no longer be able to buy exclusive access by offering 
the service of their private corporate jets. The powerful Washington 
elite will now be placed back on a more equal footing with other 
citizens who cannot afford such luxuries.
  Additionally, all House employees will be required to attend annual 
ethics training to ensure that all members and staff know the rules and 
agree to follow them.
  These changes, along with additional reporting requirements that will 
be enacted through subsequent legislation and more vigorous oversight 
by the Ethics Committee, will assure the American public that their 
elected officials are working for them and not for the special 
interests.
  While some degree of corruption inevitably will always accompany 
power, these first steps are both valuable and necessary. I sincerely 
believe in the integrity of this great institution and its ability to 
live up to the highest expectations of its founding fathers. Those of 
us in this chamber have been given a tremendous opportunity to do good, 
and with that comes great responsibility.
  It is my great hope that we all may move beyond the transgressions of 
the past with our sense of duty and our determination restored, and 
that the American people will once again believe in us. As a nation 
defined by its democracy, we must accept nothing less.

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