Politics
Lobbying reform legislation stalls in Congress


In the wake of Jack Abramoff's guilty pleas, Republicans in Congress promised to reform the way lobbyists do business in Washington, D.C.

Six months later, legislation proposed by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) has fallen flat. Rank-and-file Republicans no longer support the measure, which had been watered down considerably amid concerns that it went too far.

Even Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), one of the initial proponents of lobbying reform, has given up. He voted against a Senate bill after it was scaled back, and the Abramoff report released by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee least week recommended no major changes in lobbying or other laws.

Get the Story:
Call for Lobbying Changes Is A Fading Cry, Lawmakers Say (The Washington Post 6/26)
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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)

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