Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Democratic Reform Proposal: Honest Leadership, Open Government
Today House and Senate Democrats unveiled a lobbying reform package promoting honest leadership and open government.
The Democratic proposal would ban gifts and travel for lawmakers WITHOUT the loophole in the Republican "reform" proposal released yesterday that would permit travel if the lobbyist providing the travel also provided a campaign contribution at the time of the travel. (See previousl post.) It also would require increased disclosure of campaign contributions and disclosure by lawmakers when they are negotiating for private sector jobs.
The Democrats also proposed non-lobbying-related reforms, including a requirement that anyone appointed to a position involving public safety actually be qualified -- unlike FEMA head Mike Brown, who before taking over FEMA was a Republican contributor and an executive at a horsebreeder association.
Republicans in the House want to ram through their measure as soon as they get back to work next month. The Senate may take a bit more time.
The Democratic proposal would ban gifts and travel for lawmakers WITHOUT the loophole in the Republican "reform" proposal released yesterday that would permit travel if the lobbyist providing the travel also provided a campaign contribution at the time of the travel. (See previousl post.) It also would require increased disclosure of campaign contributions and disclosure by lawmakers when they are negotiating for private sector jobs.
The Democrats also proposed non-lobbying-related reforms, including a requirement that anyone appointed to a position involving public safety actually be qualified -- unlike FEMA head Mike Brown, who before taking over FEMA was a Republican contributor and an executive at a horsebreeder association.
Republicans in the House want to ram through their measure as soon as they get back to work next month. The Senate may take a bit more time.
