Thread: Congress Backs Tighter Rules on Lobbying

Congress Backs Tighter Rules on Lobbying http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/washi ... ref=slogin



By JEFF ZELENY and CARL HULSE
Published: August 3, 2007
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 —


The Senate gave final approval Thursday to a far-reaching package of new ethics and lobbying rules, with an overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats agreeing to improve policing of the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists.

Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times
Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, in Washington on Tuesday, is involved in a corruption inquiry. On Thursday, he voted for ethics changes.

Overhauling Congressional Ethics If President Bush signs the bill into law, members of Congress would face a battery of new restrictions. The legislation, approved by the Senate on a vote of 83 to 14, calls for bans on gifts, meals and travel paid for by lobbyists and makes it more difficult for lawmakers to capitalize quickly on their connections when joining the private sector.

The measure, which grew out of scandals that have tarnished the image of Congress, represents a cultural shift in the traditions of Capitol Hill. While proponents hailed the measure as the most significant reform since Watergate, open questions remained on how some provisions would be enforced and whether the measure would change lawmakers’ ability to secure pet projects known as earmarks.

Still, the legislation does require greater disclosure about how the projects are chosen, with an effort to shed light on backroom dealing at the root of scandals that landed four lawmakers in jail and contributed to Republicans losing control of Congress last year. The bill also requires lawmakers to disclose the names of lobbyists who raise $15,000 in contributions in a six-month period through the bundling of donations.

The measure also abolishes the practice of discounted rides on private planes, requiring senators as well as candidates for the Senate or the White House to pay full charter rates for trips. House members would be barred from accepting free trips on private planes.

“Regardless of how reforms might impact us, our priority must be to convince our constituents that we are here to advocate their best interests, not those of well-connected lobbyists,â€

[quote]“Regardless of how reforms might impact us, our priority must be to convince our constituents that we are here to advocate their best interests, not those of well-connected lobbyists,â€

This is one of the better bills to come out for a long time. Reform is what we need. However, do you really think these creeps are going to point fingers at each other? Heck no. Today the came out and said that according to the Consitution of the United States they violated the rights of William Jefferson when they searched his offic.

Federal Court Rules FBI Raid on Rep. William Jefferson's Office Unconstitutional

Since when did our government start enforcing the Constitution? Oh, I forgot. Stupid me. Only when it concerns them do they follow the Constitution.