[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22092]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       UNETHICAL REPUBLICAN HOUSE

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is now clear that the Republican 
leadership in the House of Representatives condones the direct linkage 
of political donations to legislation. It is clear the Republican 
leadership will not hesitate to use political donations to influence 
Members of their own caucus who plan to vote against them on 
legislation.
  This weekend, former Republican Congressman Tom Coburn admitted on 
national television that Republican leaders had essentially offered him 
a bribe. Coburn said, ``I don't believe that is the kind of government 
we want. That is what we are seeing in Congress now with some of the 
ethical problems that are there.''
  Mr. Coburn, I could not agree with you more. Unfortunately, even the 
Speaker excused such actions yesterday when he said he was ``profoundly 
disappointed'' by those who do not think bribes, threats and payoffs 
are acceptable behavior. An ethical cloud is indeed hanging over this 
House, and it will not be removed until a Democratic House is installed 
this November.

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