Opposing views on the lobby reform bill
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Tue May 22, 2007 at 03:43:23 PM EST
USA Today's opinion section today ran an editorial blasting House Demcorats for the weak lobby reform legislation pending, and also a countering op-ed by Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) defending the reforms they're presenting.
USA Today rightly says:
Cashing in on public service is one of the Capitol's most insidious problems. The more easily lawmakers slip from representing the public to representing private interests, the more likely they'll blur that distinction while still in office.
They present a staggering figure from research done by Public Citizen - 43% of lawmakers since 1998 became lobbyists upon leaving office! A few decades ago, lobbying after Congressional service was seen as "somewhat disreputable" - but no more; now, Congressional service is largely seen as a "stepping stone" to a more lucrative paycheck. And what about Democrats' promise to break the link between lobbyists and legislators?
If Democrats -- who wrested control of Congress from Republicans last November -- were as serious about cleaning up Capitol Hill as they claimed during last fall's campaign, they'd slow the quick transition from the Capitol to K Street. Instead, the House Democratic leadership caved in to opponents of new restrictions.
The Senate passed a stronger reform package in January - but the House is balking at following suit.
Not everyone would agree, however. For example, Rep. Marty Meehan, as mentioned above, holds just the opposite - House Democrats are keeping their promise to the American public, he says. Follow me after the jump for his argument.
Rep. Meehan's take:
This week, Democrats will make good on the second part of that promise by passing a strong reform bill. When adopted, it would provide unprecedented transparency to the practice of lobbying. Instead of semiannual paper reports, lobbyists would be required to file electronic reports quarterly.
And lobbyists will be forced to disclose contributions to PACs, 527s, and foundations. And they'll have to state their compliance with gift and travel bans. And there will be increased penalties for violations. And there's going to be disclosure of "bundling". And -
Wait...what was that last thing? Don't get ahead of yourself, Congressman. The bundling provision has been separated out and is being offered as an amendment - it's far from a guaranteed part of the final bill.
So there we are. Yes, the House bill will contain some long-overdue lobby reforms. But there is a lot it's leaving out, and the members responsible for that (I have no knowledge if Rep. Meehan is one of them) need to take responsibility for the result and realize that the public may not be forgiving come the 2008 elections.
Tags: Ethics in Government, lobbying, lobby reform, USA Today (all tags)
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