MEMO: Ted Stevens on EthicsMEMORANDUM TO: Reporters; interested parties Given the recent discussions of ethics in the Alaska Senate race, Ted Stevens voting record as a Senator should be considered along side any debate on government ethics. Below is Ted Stevens voting record on ethics.
Stevens Twice Voted Against Establishing Office Of Public Integrity. In January 2007, Stevens voted against a proposal to create an independent Office of Public Integrity to investigate alleged ethics rules violations by members of Congress. The office would also be charged with presenting its findings to the Senate Ethics Committee. The proposal was defeated 27-71. Sununu voted against a similar proposal in 2006. [Vote 18, 1/18/07; Vote 77, 3/28/06]
Stevens Voted to Keep Donors and Members of Lobbying Organizations Secret. In January 2007, Stevens voted for an amendment to the ethics reform bill that deleted a requirement that all lobbying groups satisfy the disclosure requirements applied to lobbyists. This amendment would have forced the groups to reveal the names, supporters and sources of money behind these groups formed to push special interest legislation. The provisions were opposed by interest groups as diverse as the Traditional Values Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union. The amendment to strike the disclosure requirements passed 55-43. [Vote 17, 1/18/07; CQ Weekly, 1/19/07]
Stevens Voted Along Party Lines In Favor Of Sham Ethics/Lobbying Reform. In January 2007, Stevens voted for an amendment to the ethics reform bill that permitted 501(c)(3) grassroots lobbying organizations to pay for travel for members of Congress. The amendment passed 51-46. [Vote 14, 1/17/07; CQ Today, 1/18/07]
Stevens Voted In Favor Of Watered Down Ethics Bill. In March 2006, Stevens voted for an ethics reform bill that was far less sweeping than some had proposed in the wake of Jack Abramoff’s indictment. The bill forced the disclosure for the first time of indirect lobbying, such as grass-roots activities, and prevented registered lobbyists from paying for lawmakers’ meals or giving them gifts. The Senate bill would also extend from one to two years the time during which former members of Congress would be barred from lobbying their ex-colleagues. “It’s extremely weak,” said Sen. John McCain of the final package. [Vote 82, 3/29/06, Washington Post, 3/30/06]
Stevens Voted Against Limiting Gifts Not Just From Lobbyists, But Also From Their Employees. During debate on the 2006 ethics reform package, Stevens voted to kill Senator Russ Feingold’s amendment that would have included the staff of lobbyists in the definition of “lobbyist” under the law. By killing the amendment, Stevens ensured that there was, according to Feingold a “huge loophole” that would allow lawmakers to dine with a lobbyist while another member of the firm pays the bill. [Vote 80, 3/29/06; USA Today, 3/30/06]
Stevens Voted Against Lobbying Regulations for Former Homeland Security Officials. In 2003, Stevens voted against making senior Homeland Security officials who leave their post subject to the same lobbying restrictions as Senators and senior Senate staff. In sponsoring the amendment, Sen. Byrd explained, “The administration has pinned the hopes of the American public on this new department being able to protect them from another terrorist attack, and even the appearance of a conflict of interest undermines the department’s mission.” [Vote 305, 7/24/03; Congressional Record, 7/24/03]
Stevens Voted To Raise The Maximum Value of Gifts. In July 1995, Stevens voted to raise the maximum total value of gifts that can be accepted from a single source in one year from $50 to $100. [Vote 340, 07/28/95]
Stevens Voted Against Barring Members of Congress From Accepting Gifts From Lobbyists. In January 1995, Stevens voted to kill an amendment that would bar members of Congress from accepting meals, gifts, and entertainment from lobbyists. The amendment was killed on a vote of 52-39. [Vote 2, 01/05/95]
# # # |
see the connections |
 |
 |