Does Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., think ethics reform is funny? Post-Abramoff, it isn’t. But Lott, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, recently joked of changes that would include barring lawmakers from accepting meals or gifts from lobbyists: “We would give up any pay, any outside food. We would live in the Russell compound. We would have no conjugal visits. And for 15 minutes a day we would go out into the courtyard, which we would use to confess our sins and flagellate ourselves.” This week, as the Senate prepared to work on the bill, Lott cautioned, “This is an intricate dance we’re in.” If Lott’s trying not to get ethics reformers’ hopes too high, he’s doing a fine job.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Follow us
