U.S. PIRG is the federation of state PIRGs. CoPIRG can be contacted for more information on this news release.
U.S.
PIRG applauds today’s House vote on lobby and ethics reform. The bill
represents a momentous step toward reining in the special access and
influence exerted by powerful interests in Washington. It is without
question the most significant change to the rules in a generation.
The
legislation pulls back the curtain on previously secretive practices in
Congress that benefit narrow special interests. For the first time,
legislators will have to disclose the names of lobbyists who bundle
campaign contributions. There is meaningful and effective disclosure
and accountability in the earmarking process. There are stronger
conflict of interest and disclosure rules for when members are
negotiating for private sector jobs and an extension of the revolving
door rules for when members leave Congress. This landmark legislation
challenges the culture in Washington.
Speaker
Pelosi and Reps. Chris Van Hollen and Rahm Emanuel deserve special
recognition for their leadership and tireless efforts to ensure that
the bill retained strong, meaningful reform.
U.S.
PIRG now calls on the Senate to adopt the bill without any changes. The
bill that returns to the Senate is stronger in several areas than the
one they already passed with strong bipartisan support. Efforts to
derail the bill at this juncture cannot be done in the name of
protecting the public. We must not lose this historic opportunity for
change to partisan infighting.
