President Bush has said he
is considering a veto of the historic changes to the lobbying and ethics rules passed
by Congress in the final week before the August recess. CoPIRG and Reps.
Udall, DeGette and Permutter call upon the President to sign the landmark
legislation.
The bill, The Honest
Leadership and Open Government Act, bans gifts, meals and travel paid for by
lobbyists, requires full disclosure of the fundraising that lobbyists do on
behalf of federal candidates and, for the first time, establishes transparency
and accountability for earmarks. The bill also prohibits lobbyists from
paying for lavish parties at political conventions, increases disclosure of
lobbyists’ activities, and closes loopholes that allowed those leaving public
service to use their position to perform favors for future employers.
“This is historic
legislation,” said Rep. Mark Udall. “It is a direct and appropriate
response to the problems that came to light in the previous Congress.
Open and transparent government is a hallmark of our democracy and that
is what is at the heart of this bill. I strongly urge the president to sign
this important legislation.”
"The Democratic
Congress has restored honesty and integrity to the People's House by slowing
the revolving door between Congress and lobbyist influence," said Rep.
Diana DeGette (D-CO). "The Republican-controlled Congress abused the trust
the American people gave them. I strongly urge the President to make right the
wrongs of the past and sign this important legislation."
"Americans spoke
clearly last November that it was time to change the way we do business in this
country. This legislation holds faith with the voters,” said Rep. Ed
Perlmutter, “and changes the culture of corruption that plagued previous
Congresses. I urge the President to sign this legislation."
“The bill contains sweeping
changes to the rules and challenges the pay-to-play culture in Washington,”
said Rex Wilmouth, State Director of CoPIRG, “One has to go back to the
Watergate era to find the last time Congress made this significant a
change.”
Scandals last year ended
with two Congressmen in jail. This year, at least four congressmen and
one senator are under investigation for possible corruption charges. Voters in
the last election told exit pollsters that corruption was the top issue driving
their vote and polls continue to reflect the public’s distrust of Congress and
the President.
The bill passed House on
July 31 and the Senate on August 2 with very strong bipartisan support.
The vote in the House was 411 to 8; in the Senate 83 to 14. To avoid a pocket
veto, Congress will not send the bill to the President until they return in
September. If the President should veto the bill, Congress will be
in session to attempt an override.
