Politics
House approves lobbying reform legislation


The House voted 217-213 on Wednesday to approve its version of lobbying reform.

The bill requires more disclosure by lobbyists. Reports must be filed quarterly instead of twice a year. Other limits are placed on Congressional travel and fundraising by nonprofit political groups.

The bill requires disclosure of earmarks in appropriations bills. The member of Congress seeking the money must include his or her name. The Senate is considering earmark reform as well.

The House and Senate versions of the bill are different. Both were watered down despite pledges by top Republicans to change the way Washington works in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Get the Story:
House Lobbying Rules Call for More Disclosure (The Washington Post 5/4)
pwpwd
Lobbying Bill Passes Narrowly in House (The New York Times 5/4)
pwnyt
House Vote Stiffens Rules on Lobbyists (The Los Angeles Times 5/4)
pwday
To Earmarking Senators, Veto Seems to Spell Vote (The Washington Post 5/4)
Major Provisions of the Lobbying Bill (AP 5/3)

House Reform Bill:
Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R.4975)

Senate Lobbying Reform Bill:
Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2006 (S.2349) | Section-by-Section Summary

Other Lobbying Reform Bills:
Sen. McCain: Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005 (S.2128) | Sen. McCain: Reducing Conflicts of Interests in the Representation of Indian Tribes Act of 2005 (S.1312)

Related Stories:
House narrowly revives lobbying reform bill (4/28)
Republicans don't see lobbying reform as priority (4/27)
Editorial: Anyone remember lobbying reform? (4/25)
Editorial: Lobbying reform doesn't go far enough (03/31)
Senate approves lobbying reform legislation (3/30)
Lobbying proposals target tribes, Native corporations (3/24)
Editorial: Lobbying reform shell game in Washington (3/22)
Lobbyists already figuring out reform loopholes (3/20)
House Republicans to introduce lobbying reform bill (3/15)
Watch out for pet projects in lobbying reform bill (3/7)
Tribal provisions removed from lobbying reform bill (3/1)
Lobbying reform bill to include tribal provisions (2/28)
Sen. Thune helps railroad, a former lobbying client (2/28)
NCAI meets in Washington for winter session (2/27)
Column: Daddy, aren't you one of those lobbyists? (02/22)
FEC official targets tribes and political donations (2/16)
Panel debates tribes and election campaign act (02/09)
FEC clarifies tribal political donation limits (2/9)
Lobbying reform no longer on fast track in Congress (2/9)
Listening Lounge: Hearing on tribes and campaign act (2/8)
Tom Cole on the 'warpath' for political donations (2/6)
Human Events: Closing the tribal donation 'loophole' (2/6)
Campbell says Abramoff shouldn't stop lobbying (2/3)
Tex Hall worried Abramoff scandal may hurt tribes (2/3)
Tribal political donation 'loophole' on the radar (2/2)
House Republicans challenge broad lobbying reforms (2/2)
Tribal political donations at issue in Washington (1/31)
Republicans seek to close tribal donation 'loophole' (1/31)
Pombo has accepted more than $500K from tribes (1/30)
Bush won't release photos he took with Abramoff (1/27)
McCain testifies on lobbying reform proposals (1/26)
Tim Johnson: Don't tar tribes with Abramoff scandal (1/24)
McCain: A 'bipartisan' scandal in Washington (1/23)
Column: Don't expect lobbying reform to lead to reform (1/23)
Reform, gaming on agenda for members of Congress (1/20)
NIGA shies from Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal (1/19)
Bush mum on Abramoff contacts with White House (1/18)
Abramoff scandal claims another casualty (1/16)
Abramoff scandal a hot topic at gaming conference (1/13)
Abramoff pleads guilty in Washington lobbying scandal (01/04)
Burns to return $150K in Abramoff donations (12/16)
Bush discusses Abramoff tribal lobbying scandal (12/15)
McCain set to introduce lobbying reforms (12/15)
Coushatta Tribe made $330K in donations on same day (12/7)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments over Abramoff (12/5)
Changes in tribal lobbying tactics discussed (12/5)
Dorgan vows to continue Abramoff lobbying probe (11/29)
Another Texas tribe involved in lobbying scandal (11/28)
Inside the BIA, according to Jack Abramoff (11/24)
Plea deal raises more questions about scandal (11/24)
Plea deal raises more questions about scandal (11/22)
Scanlon free to cooperate in lobbying probe (11/22)
Scanlon pleads guilty in lobbying probe (11/21)
Abramoff lobbying inquiry far from over (11/18)
Jack Abramoff lobbying probe touches DOI (10/26)
Pombo has received $90K from tribes this year (10/20)
Pombo collected $40K from tribes so far this year (04/25)
FEC ruling separates tribes from their businesses (03/14)
Pombo took $5K from tribe with bill before committee (07/19)
Pombo accepts money from tribes, tribal lobbyists (06/22)