April 26 (Bloomberg) -- Republican lawmakers plan a House vote as early as tomorrow on a measure to ban privately funded trips like those arranged by lobbyist Jack Abramoff until after they face voters in the November mid-term elections.
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Critics dismiss it as damage control. ``This is just to try to keep the Republicans out of hot water until after the elections,'' said Craig Holman, a campaign finance lobbyist with Public Citizen, a Washington-based advocacy group that supports tougher lobbying laws. ``It's one of the most cynical things I've seen in the legislative process.''
The proposal would require lawmakers and staff members to use taxpayer money or campaign funds to pay for their travel until the current congressional session ends in January.
The temporary limit would allow time for the House ethics committee to write new rules for future travel, said House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, a California Republican and chief sponsor of the proposal.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aUZ0IaY9BhNU&refer=usPubbies are saying that while the public is watching with their vote in hand, they will stop accepting lobby freebies. But once their seat is safe let the lobby free-for-all begin again.
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