The Time For Ethics Reform Is Now

January 13, 2006, Ethical problems with elected officials have become all too familiar to Middle Tennesseans and Americans everywhere. Bribery scandals in Tennessee’s legislature and corruption charges in the United States Congress are an embarrassment to our state and our nation. They are especially embarrassing to those of us who are elected and sworn to uphold the public trust. Enough is enough. We can and must do better.

Just last year in Washington, one House member resigned in a lobbyist bribery scandal and the House majority leader found himself under indictment. To make matters worse, the prosecution of lobbyist Jack Abramoff may implicate even more people in wrongdoing.

Although most of us in public service are trying to do the right thing, there is clearly a need for change. Strong ethical standards are an essential part of rebuilding the public’s trust in our governmental institutions. I hope that public outrage at these scandals will lead to tough ethics legislation.

I am joining a coalition of lawmakers who are introducing legislation that would enact 14 points of reform necessary to bring integrity back to the U.S. Congress. This bill takes important steps to strengthen the House Ethics Code, curb abuses of power and limit the influence of lobbyists.

The legislation would put congressional travel off limits to lobbyists, ensure that members of Congress have adequate time to review legislation before voting on it and end the practice of holding votes open for hours while arms are twisted.

Last year, I fought to restore the ethical values of the House of Representatives after the majority shamefully lowered standards so that members of Congress could stay in leadership positions even if they were under indictment. Lowering these standards was unacceptable, and the original standards were restored after a few months.

The American people are tired of special interest politics and big money campaigns. That’s why I have supported campaign finance reform and ethics reform legislation. I will continue to fight to restore trust to our political system, reduce the influence of money in our elections and make it easier for average citizens to run for public office.