By Sun This Week – June 2, 2022
To the editor:
We are proud of the recent bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Prior Lake, to limit lobbying by members of Congress once they leave office and to reduce perks taken by some in Congress that are out-of-line with current business practice. Craig’s bills are needed to discourage conflicts of interest, thereby helping assure that Congress works on behalf of the public interest rather than big monied interests. This legislation sends the right message and protects the taxpayer by containing excess costs.
A recent letter writer (Letter: Bill attempts are virtue signaling, May 26) suggested that Craig’s bills were simply “virtue signaling” with proposals that will never be enacted. This is misguided thinking. We need to start somewhere to make needed ethical reforms. And taking parting shots at Craig, that she should just adopt these rules for herself, simply deflects the message from the needed changes.
In fact, Craig’s proposed legislation has bipartisan support by both liberal and conservative representatives in Congress. For example, both conservative Ted Cruz and liberal Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are considering similar legislation. Cruz even stated: “here is something I don’t say often: on this point I agree with AOC. Indeed, I have long called for a lifetime ban on former members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation.”
Note that Craig has been praised for her bipartisan leadership, being in the top 15% of bipartisan leaders in Congress.
I can’t wait to vote for Angie Craig in this coming election! Please join me in helping her win her second term.
Sheryl Casey
Eagan