Thursday, April 27, 2006
House Repubs No Longer Pushing Lobby Reform
On their two-week Easter vacation, House Republican leaders say they didn't hear much back home about the Republican lobbying scandals -- Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, three DeLay staffers pleading guilty, Bob Ney, Duke Cunningham -- so they feel confident they can drop the serious stuff from their already weak "reform" package and pass a weak bill.
The weak bill they likely will pass will let them declare victory -- "We're cracking down on lobbyists" -- without really changing the way some lobbyist and Members interact.
I think this weak measure actually will help Democrats in races against House Republicans. Democratic candidates can point out how weak the Republican majority measure is and how it will not stop the culture of corruption in Washington.
Of course, if Tom DeLay or Bob Ney are indicted, House Republican leaders may hear from voters back home and may re-visit this weak bill, fearing the consequences of having to find a new job.
The weak bill they likely will pass will let them declare victory -- "We're cracking down on lobbyists" -- without really changing the way some lobbyist and Members interact.
I think this weak measure actually will help Democrats in races against House Republicans. Democratic candidates can point out how weak the Republican majority measure is and how it will not stop the culture of corruption in Washington.
Of course, if Tom DeLay or Bob Ney are indicted, House Republican leaders may hear from voters back home and may re-visit this weak bill, fearing the consequences of having to find a new job.
