Congress Moves Forward on Ethics Reform

Jan. 19, 2007 — -- It happens every time Congress decides to reform itself. Skeptics immediately wonder what the lawmakers decided not to reform.

Both the House and Senate have now passed ethics packages that will result in real changes.

First, the House passed internal reforms limiting the influence of lobbyists. Those rules apply only to the House. But Thursday night the Senate passed similar legislation, which affects all lobbying on Capitol Hill.

The House is expected to pass a broad measure next month. Then a House-Senate conference committee would try to work out a compromise.

Majority Leader Harry Reid today told the National Press Club that the Senate passed "perhaps the most sweeping ethics reform legislation in history."

Note the word "perhaps."

Thursday night, Reid stated flatly that "this is the toughest reform bill in the history of this body as relates to ethics and lobbying." Reid did not explain today why overnight he decided to become a little more tentative in praising the reforms.

Whether it is the most sweeping reform or not, it is definitely sweeping. In a 96-2 vote, Senate members agreed to refuse gifts and free travel from lobbyists and to pay full charter rates when they use corporate jets instead of the past custom of getting a bargain ticket.

This will put a serious crimp in the plans of senators who have enjoyed "studying legislative issues" while improving their golf game at luxury resorts. They can still work on their putting, but now they will have to pay for it themselves.

The Senate package also requires former members to wait two years before they can start lobbying their old pals on Capitol Hill. In the past, they had to wait only one year after leaving Congress.

Lobbyists will find that not only are they limited in handing out goodies to Congress, they must also provide more information in writing about their activities.

Spouses of sitting members will no longer be permitted to lobby the Senate.