[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                STATE ETHICS LAW PROTECTION ACT OF 2010

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                               speech of

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3427, 
the State Ethics Law Protection Act of 2009. This simple bill goes a 
long way in closing a loophole that discourages states from enacting 
tough pay-to-play reforms.
  Under current policy, states like Illinois that take a stand against 
corrupt practices by prohibiting the awarding of highway contracts to 
campaign contributors may jeopardize a share of their highway funding. 
In 2008, when a tough pay-to-play law was being considered in Illinois, 
the Federal Highway Administration intervened and threatened to 
withhold Federal dollars if the law was enacted.
  The shameful and unethical string of crimes perpetrated by public 
officials in the State of Illinois is by now well known, but the FHWA's 
intervention led the General Assembly to water down what would have 
been a tough and effective anti-corruption law. What's more, the FHWA's 
application of this policy has been occasional and uneven. Of the eight 
states that have enacted pay-to-play legislation, only New Jersey and 
Illinois have been singled out.
  H.R. 3427 will untie the hands of state legislatures that seek to 
take bold action to combat pay-to-play practices and restore the 
public's faith in government. It will also help ensure that federal 
dollars will not be wasted on contracts doled out to political cronies.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill, which will help 
state legislatures hold the line against corruption.

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