U.S. Senate passes ethics 'reform'

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold is again taking the lead in Congress but many of his own Democratic colleagues are unwilling to follow him on this one either. The Kansas City Star has a good article with an opening paragraph that really says it all:

The Senate passed a stripped-down lobbying reform bill Wednesday after almost comical discussions about why members who earn $165,000 a year couldn’t pay for their own burger at McDonald’s.

Senator Trent Lott seems to think someone has to buy him a meal for him to listen to his constituents.

Sen. Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican, said that an extended ban on free meals would have made it harder for him to help constituents.

“I’m a big fan of Domino’s Pizza and McDonald’s,” Lott said. “Would I not be able to go to lunch with a longtime friend who owns those McDonald’s? Not only did I miss an opportunity to be with a friend, but I did not have the opportunity to hear the challenges and difficulties in running a small business in these towns.”

Feingold had a quick response for him that I think most Americans would agree with since it's what they do everyday - pay for your own meal. Feingold questioned why the lack of a free meal would keep Lott from his job.

“It’s really very simple: Just to pay your own way,” Feingold said. “I just don’t understand what the problem is.”

But, Feingold's amendment was rejected by the Senate 68-30. Can you say loophole?