Editorial: Political and ethical reform in Washington

Wednesday, May 30, 2007  

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week had to drag Democrats who were kicking and screaming behind the scenes to vote for new requirements on lobbyists. She prevailed and then was joined by smirking House Republicans who helped pass a tighter measure that also covered political action committees. This is all about raising money to stay in office and build enough support to hang onto power. Abramoff was a product of a long Republican reign. Give the Democrats time to get in trouble themselves.

The new rules primarily focus on disclosure, and they go to the fundamental tool of the political craft, money. Federal law already limits individual campaign contributions to $2,300 per election. Lobbyists could earn the gratitude of lawmakers by gathering together lots of individual donations. These bundles of money could be huge, and they were efficient.

Lobbyists will now have to report their bundling activities. They will also have to do quarterly reports on gift-giving and wining and dining of officials. Penalties for failing to report got stiffer. Bundling worked well for both Rs and Ds, and the reform-spouting Democrats did not have their heart in these changes.

The GOP got in their own little jab by requiring political action committees to meet the same rules. Democrats could hardly object."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Jack flipped this House (The Seattle Times 5/30)

Lobbying Reform Bills:
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (H.R.2316) | Lobbying Transparency Act (H.R.2317)

Related Stories:
House Democrats ease lobbying reform bill (5/18)
Editorial: Democrats not safe on lobbying reform (5/16)
Column: Lobbying against lobbying reform bill (3/6)
Editorial: Old habits die hard as Congress still for sale (2/27)
Column: 'Lobbyist' now a dirty word in Washington (02/21)
Senate kills measure to limit tribal political donations (1/11)
Sen. Vitter targets tribal campaign contributions (1/4)
Tribal contributions drop after Abramoff scandal (11/02)
Politicians mum on reasons for taking Indian money (10/23)
FEC official targets tribes and political donations (2/16)
Choctaw chief accused of hiding political spending (2/15)
Oneida Nation opposes efforts to restrict tribes (2/13)
Jodi Rave: Tribal political donations debated (2/9)
Panel debates tribes and election campaign act (2/9)
Opinion: Making tribes play by the rules -- What rules? (2/9)
FEC clarifies tribal political donation limits (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)
Prosecutor targets DeLay trip funded by Choctaws (02/02)
Tribal political donations at issue in Washington (1/31)
Republicans seek to close tribal donation 'loophole' (1/31)
Three Abramoff tribes among top givers in 2004 (01/31)
Pombo has accepted more than $500K from tribes (1/30)
Bush won't release photos he took with Abramoff (1/27)
Tim Johnson: Don't tar tribes with Abramoff scandal (1/24)
McCain: A 'bipartisan' scandal in Washington (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)
Texas prosecutor subpoenas Choctaws, Barona Band (01/06)
Abramoff pleads guilty in Washington lobbying scandal (01/04)
Mississippi Choctaws gave $250K to 'Family' group (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)
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)
Were Choctaws behind $500K donation to RNC? (10/03)
Choctaws were Abramoff's first tribal client (08/22)
Lobbying Report: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (6/27)
Choctaws hire three ex-Abramoff lobbyists (6/27)
Senate committee plans to issue lobbying report (6/24)
Under scrutiny, Choctaw tribe goes into hiding (6/24)
Choctaws hire lobbyist accused in Abramoff fraud (6/24)
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)