Did the House pass the ethics - lobbying bill?

[usregimechange]

If so, where the hell is the news coverage of it? Anyone know of a news source which covered it?

[RB TexLa]

1. Have they had hearings on it yet? n/t

[Sydnie]

2. They passed the resolution that they were debating

All were parts of HR 6 I think. They even got some republics (yes, I'm calling them that because they spent the majority of their debate time call us the democrat party! ) to vote with them on the earmark portion. Earmarks (that add additional spending to the budget) must be SIGNED by the member bringing them forward and they must also add a REASON that the money is needed as well.

They made K Street illegal, kicked the lobbyists out of the gym, and made taking a dinner or a trip a violation of the rule as well. This is merely a rule and not a statute. A statute would require WH approval and since they thought that was not possible at this time, they settled for a rule instead.

It was briefly discussed in the news, but mostly in the context of the republic whining about these rules being sent to the floor without their input.

Funny, when the shoe is on the other foot, they don't like limping either.

[usregimechange]

3. Still, I can't find one link for it...

[ellisonz]

4. Yes. They were rules changes to the organizing resolution and no an actual "bill" was passed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070105/pl_nm/usa_congress_dc
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/05/PELOSIETHICS.TMP&feed=rss.news