Serving in the United States Congress is a privilege, not a right. Many Members of Congress deserve credit for working diligently to restore the faith the American people should have in the institutions of civil government. In 1995, when I first arrived in Congress, I voted for a strong House rules package that put strict limits on the gifts a Member or an employee of the House may receive. This "gift ban" is essential to help preserve the integrity of the House of Representatives.

At the beginning of the 108th Congress, the House passed a new rules package that addressed a technicality in the "gift ban" while preserving the strict nature of the rule. To help avoid confusion, the House made their gift rule identical to that of the Senate so that it would be uniform for all of Congress. My staff and I are dedicated to upholding the integrity and the honor of the office of the 3rd District of Tennessee.