Dems put a face on each "The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act" pt

[papau]

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act:


"The Tony Rudy Reform": Close the Revolving Door. Close the revolving door between the Congress and lobbying firms by doubling (from one year to two) the cooling-off period during which lawmakers, senior Congressional staff, and Executive Branch officials are prohibited from lobbying their former offices. Eliminate floor privileges for former Members of Congress and officers of the Senate and House who return to lobby."
"The Ralph Reed Reform":Toughen Public Disclosure of Lobbyist Activity. Significantly expand the information lobbyists must disclose including campaign contributions and client fees. Require them to file disclosure reports electronically, and increase the frequency of those filings. Require lobbyists to certify that they did not violate the rules, and make them subject to criminal penalties for false certifications."
"The Jack Abramoff Reform":Ban Lobbyist Gifts and Travel. Prohibit the receipt of gifts, including gifts of meals, entertainment and travel, from lobbyists."
"The Grover Norquist Reform": Shut Down Pay-to-Play Schemes Like the 'K Street Project.' End efforts like the 'K Street Project,' which Republicans created to tell corporations and lobbying firms whom they should hire in exchange for political access."
"The Frist and Hastert Reform": Prohibit 'Dead of Night' Special Interest Provisions. Require that all conference committee meetings be open to the public and that members of the conference committee have a public opportunity to vote on all amendments. Make copies of conference reports available to Members, and post them publicly on the Internet, 24 hours before consideration (unless waived by a supermajority vote)."

I ASSUME THE DEMS WILL CLOSE THE LOOPHOLE IN THE GOP PROPOSED BILL THAT LETS LOBYISTS DO ANYTHING AT A "FUNDRAISER".

[papau]

1. "the hill" notes Dem put a face on it approach to ethics bill

http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/011806/news1.html

The so-called “Abramoff reform” would prohibit lawmakers from receiving gifts from lobbyists. The “Grover Norquist reform,” named for the conservative head of Americans for Tax Reform, aims to shut down the K Street Project, a Republican initiative to install Republicans in key lobbying positions. The “Tony Rudy reform” draws attention to a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) who later worked for Abramoff as a lobbyist. It would double the one-year cooling-off period during with former lawmakers and congressional staffers may not lobby their old offices.

Democrats will also seek to address some of their longtime grievances about how Republican leaders conduct the House’s business. The “Frist and Hastert reform” would require that conference meetings be open to the public and that members hold a public vote on all potential amendments. It would also mandate that conference reports be publicly available at least 24 hours before consideration, unless waived by a supermajority vote of the House.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the Republican plan “a Band-Aid on a gaping wound,” noting that Hastert and Dreier’s effort does not increase enforcement of lobbying rules and would leave intact the GOP’s “K Street Project” pressure campaign.

[papau]

2. Wash Times comments plus other links

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060118-121120-9430r_page2.htm

Republicans vow to curb lobbyists
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published January 18, 2006

<snip>He and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California will counter with their own reform proposal today, and a congressional Democratic aide said each plank will underscore a Republican scandal.
The "Jack Abramoff reform" will ban receipt of meals, entertainment or travel from lobbyists, and the "Frist and Hastert reform," will require conference committees to vote on all amendments and require that members have 24 hours before having to vote on the final conference report.
Democrats also will propose more disclosure and filing for lobbyists, including certifying they did not violate any rules, which they name the "Ralph Reed reform" after a major Republican lobbyist, and will demand that Republicans end the "K Street project," a strategy that encourages businesses and trade associations to hire Republicans to do their lobbying and promote their message. <snip>

OTHER LINKS:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/politics/18congress.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/17/AR2006011700478_pf.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-lobby18jan18,0,7668912.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/politics/18lobby.html

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/18/gop_backs_new_curbs_on_lobbyists_influence/

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/01/18/MNG9IGP0IF1.DTL