Policy Update

Senate to Strengthen Lobbying/Ethics Bill

1/01/2007

Source: Independent Sector

Senate to Strengthen Lobbying/Ethics Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced his support yesterday for tighter lobbying and ethics rules, and is working with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Barack Obama (D-IL) to draft a substitute amendment to strengthen (S. 1), the lobbying/ethics reform bill introduced yesterday in the Senate that is based upon legislation (S. 2349) that senators passed last spring. 

Among other provisions, the substitute amendment is expected to prohibit lawmakers from accepting gifts, meals, and travel from lobbyists as well as organizations that employ lobbyists.  The American Society of Association Executives sent a letter to senators yesterday warning lawmakers not to impose too harsh of restrictions that would prevent organizations that retain lobbyists from inviting members of Congress to “give a speech, participate in a panel or otherwise attend a legitimate association meeting or conference.” 

Although a failed initiative last year, Democratic lawmakers are also expected to introduce an amendment to establish a publish office of integrity.  Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, are expected to sponsor amendments to place increased restrictions on earmarks and provide the President with line-item veto authority. 

Majority Leader Reid has said he hopes to complete the ethics legislation next week, however, media outlets predict debate will take much longer.  Source: Congress Daily PM, Congress Daily AM, CQ Today, The Hill, and Roll Call

GOP Senators Call for Restoration of Line-Item Veto

Yesterday, GOP Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) revealed their intentions to offer an amendment to the Senate’s lobbying/ethics bill that would attempt to reinstate presidential line-item veto authority.  The senators seek to restore the line-item veto as part of an effort to clamp down on earmarks. 

The proposed amendment is expected to be similar to a measure the House passed last year (H.R. 4890).  Last week, President Bush again called upon Congress to renew the line-item veto; however, a prior Supreme Court ruling against the provision has made the push for reenactment an uphill battle.  Source: The Hill and CQ Today