--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Members of Congress, we should not be…" description: "\"As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.\" — Sheila Jackson Lee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png" --- # As Members of Congress, we should not be using public… ![“As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.” quote by Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png) > “As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.” [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public officials must avoid using their positions for personal profit, preserving trust in government. **In simple terms:** Don't use office for personal gain. Key Takeaway Maintain ethical standards. Themes ethics public service corruption Mood concerned serious Type ethical political When to use this quote - legislative work - campaign finance reform - government oversight Key Concepts conflict of interest public trust Questions to Reflect On - How do we enforce ethical behavior? - What safeguards are most effective? A Different Perspective Power can be misused despite rules. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Congress Using](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress-using-4108821/) [Gains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gains/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Members Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members-congress-267329/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Office Private](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office-private-613675/) [Private Gain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-gain-955631/) [Public office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-office/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [The new political gospel: public office is private graft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-new-political-gospel-public-office-is-private-graft/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [People have realised that for want of anything substantial, the Congress is using Rafale to question the government. But people are not responding or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-sitharaman/people-have-realised-that-for-want-of-anything-substantial-the/) [Nirmala Sitharaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-sitharaman/) > [Members of Congress are incredibly blessed and fortune to have the jobs that we have. Nobody makes us run. Every two years we offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/members-of-congress-are-incredibly-blessed-and-fortune-to-have-the/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [“Another activity that isn’t celebrated as charity is what Robin has called “marginal charity.”65 Here the idea is to nudge our personal decisions just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-simler/another-activity-that-isn-t-celebrated-as-charity-is-what-robin-has/) [Kevin Simler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-simler/) > [Television news is a delicate balance of serving public good and private gain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-savitch/television-news-is-a-delicate-balance-of-serving-public-good-and/) [Jessica Savitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-savitch/) > [We continually make decisions in private which affect the commonweal, as the ecologists (to take but one example) have shown us. 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Government nurtures private capital accumulation through a process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/in-almost-every-enterprise-government-has-provided-business-with/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [“The most important political office is that of private citizen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-brandeis/the-most-important-political-office-is-that-of-private-citizen/) [Louis Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-brandeis/) > [The most important political office is that of the private citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/the-most-important-political-office-is-that-of-the-private-citizen/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/the-most-important-office-and-the-one-which-all-of-us-can-and-should/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [“What I have desired to do is to make the people of Boston realize that the most important office, and the one which all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-brandeis/what-i-have-desired-to-do-is-to-make-the-people-of-boston-realize-2/) [Louis Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-brandeis/) > [What I have desired to do is to make the people of Boston realize that the most important office, and the one which all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/what-i-have-desired-to-do-is-to-make-the-people-of-boston-realize/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [I definitely think people think celebrities have it easy. I think they have it twice as hard as someone going to a nine-to-five sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-mckenna/i-definitely-think-people-think-celebrities-have-it-easy-i-think-they/) [Megan McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-mckenna/) > [The most important office... that of private citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/the-most-important-office-that-of-private-citizen/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/about-one-half-of-the-members-of-congress-are-seekers-for-office-at/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) ## More by Sheila Jackson Lee > [Maybe the word welfare should be changed to something of, 'a transitional living fund.' For that is what it is - for people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/maybe-the-word-welfare-should-be-changed-to-something-of-a/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [I took and received campaign donations under the existing laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/i-took-and-received-campaign-donations-under-the-existing-laws/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [I disagree that our border is in devastating condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/i-disagree-that-our-border-is-in-devastating-condition/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [People have been turned away from hospitals simply because they have no insurance. People have been put out of hospitals because they have reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/people-have-been-turned-away-from-hospitals-simply-because-they-have/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [All those who wore sheets a long time ago have now lifted them off and started wearing, uh, clothing, uh, with a name, say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/all-those-who-wore-sheets-a-long-time-ago-have-now-lifted-them-off/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [I happen to represent Enron here in Houston. We have many good corporate citizens here in Houston. Enron happened to have been one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/i-happen-to-represent-enron-here-in-houston-we-have-many-good/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [I am about the people of the United States of America and the people of Houston, Texas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/i-am-about-the-people-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-people/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [The greatness of Americans is that we are mosaic - we are diverse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/the-greatness-of-americans-is-that-we-are-mosaic-we-are-diverse/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [Marching with over a million women in support of our reproductive rights was one of the most empowering things I have done, both as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/marching-with-over-a-million-women-in-support-of-our-reproductive/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [Anything my staff does in my office is pursuant to congressional rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/anything-my-staff-does-in-my-office-is-pursuant-to-congressional-rules/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [By virtually any measure, the record of the Republican Majority is an appalling failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/by-virtually-any-measure-the-record-of-the-republican-majority-is-an/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [My town hall meetings are with friends and neighbors, fellow Americans. We engage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/my-town-hall-meetings-are-with-friends-and-neighbors-fellow-americans/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [Those who used to wear sheets are now being able to walk down the aisle and speak as a patriot because you will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/those-who-used-to-wear-sheets-are-now-being-able-to-walk-down-the/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [Entitlements is not sic the issue. And if so, cool heads can sit down and engage the American people and tell us how many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/entitlements-is-not-sic-the-issue-and-if-so-cool-heads-can-sit-down/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) > [Don't condemn the gangbangers, they've got guns that are trafficked, that are not enforced, that are straw purchased and they come into places even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/don-t-condemn-the-gangbangers-they-ve-got-guns-that-are-trafficked/) [Sheila Jackson Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) [Explore all 30 Sheila Jackson Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/) ## More Congress quotes > [Well, my wife, Cathy Gillespie, worked for Joe Barton, who was running for Congress in 1984.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gillespie/well-my-wife-cathy-gillespie-worked-for-joe-barton-who-was-running/) [Ed Gillespie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gillespie/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. 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But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [So our focus has to be on the things that we can control, which is to take the necessary measures working with Congress to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/so-our-focus-has-to-be-on-the-things-that-we-can-control-which-is-to/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [It's disgraceful that year after year, Congress has bowed to the tobacco lobby and refused to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/it-s-disgraceful-that-year-after-year-congress-has-bowed-to-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) [Joe Pitts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pitts/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/united-states-congress/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or/) [United States Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/united-states-congress/) > [As the longest serving Independent in the history of the United States Congress, as somebody who came into office by defeating an incumbent Democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/as-the-longest-serving-independent-in-the-history-of-the-united/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [As the first Member of Congress from western Washington to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in over 50 years, I am proud to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-larsen/as-the-first-member-of-congress-from-western-washington-to-serve-on/) [Rick Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-larsen/) > [About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/about-one-half-of-the-members-of-congress-are-seekers-for-office-at/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [My younger self could not imagine standing on the floor of Congress as a member of Congress voting on legislation that, if enacted, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-torres/my-younger-self-could-not-imagine-standing-on-the-floor-of-congress/) [Ritchie Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-torres/) > [Rahul Gandhi cannot be a prime minister because he is a citizen of Britain, and his Indian citizenship will be cancelled; he won't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subramanian-swamy/rahul-gandhi-cannot-be-a-prime-minister-because-he-is-a-citizen-of/) [Subramanian Swamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subramanian-swamy/) > [We need less travelling by jet plaes from congress to congress... but more kneeling and praying and pleading to God to have mercy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/we-need-less-travelling-by-jet-plaes-from-congress-to-congress-but/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) [Browse all 3,400 Congress quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sheila Jackson Lee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be-using-public-office-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Congress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be-using-public-office-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/sheila-jackson-lee-20597_congress_as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be_3078517.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.” — Sheila Jackson Lee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sheila Jackson Lee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jackson-lee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As Members of Congress, we should...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be-using-public-office-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jackson-lee/as-members-of-congress-we-should-not-be-using-public-office-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```