The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“CORPORATE WELFARE DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR LOBBYING REFORM” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H5366 on June 29, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CORPORATE WELFARE DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR LOBBYING REFORM
(Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, oil topped at $60 a barrel, and yet the House energy bill contains more than $8 billion in taxpayer funded giveaways to oil companies.
American taxpayers are being asked to subsidize big oil to do one thing: execute their business plan. So we pay twice, once at the gas pump and once on April 15. That is just business as usual here in Washington.
As USA Today points out today, corporate donors have given more than
$120 million to Republicans during the last election, and now they are receiving their reward for loyalty.
Tobacco companies gave more than $40 million to Republicans, and they got a sweetheart deal from the Justice Department.
Pharmaceutical companies gave over $100 million to the Republican party and got a prescription drug bill resulting in $138 billion in additional profits.
To those industries, it is just good business: Invest a little now for a bigger return from Congress.
Special interests have attached themselves to Congress, and this is a parasitic relationship that is having a corrosive effect on the People's House. Congress has told corporate America to clean up their act. We have told professional sports to clean up their act, but when it comes to the People's House, things are squeaky clean.
The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) and I have introduced lobbying reform legislation.
Mr. Speaker, when the gavel comes down, it should mark the opening of the People's House, not the auction house.
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