Abramoff Scandal
Republicans, Democrats seek lobbying reforms


Republican leaders outlined a series of lobbying reforms on Tuesday as Democrats prepared to announced their own proposals today.

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) and House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-California) proposed a ban on privately funded travel, more disclosure by lobbyists and third parties and a stronger ban on gifts. They said the House will vote February 1 to bar former members of Congress from stepping on the House floor or going to the congressional gym.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) joined Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, as a co-sponsor of McCain's lobbying reform bill. Among other provisions, it would bar ex-Interior Department employees who represent tribes from lobbying their former bosses for one year.

Democrats today will release their own reforms, named after Jack Abramoff, Grover Norquist and Tony Rudy, a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) who represented tribes with Jack Abramoff.

Get the Story:
Press Release: Hastert, Dreier Outline Key Principles for Potential Lobbying Reforms (Dreier 1/17)
GOP unveils reforms (The Hill 1/18)
Republicans Propose Restrictions On Lobbying (The Washington Post 1/18)
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Loophole in Lobbying Bill Leaves Wiggle Room (The Washington Post 1/18)
2 Parties Rush to Offer Curbs for Lobbying (The New York Times 1/18)
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Push to Control Lobbying Produces Unexpected Shifts and Alliances (The New York Times 1/18)

Lobbying Reform Bills:
S.2128 | S.1312

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