Ethics Moment March 2008

Honest Leadership and Open Government

“Today I signed into law S. 1, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. This bill represents some progress towards ethics, lobbying, and earmark reform, all of which I strongly support. Strengthening the ethical standards that govern lobbying activities and beginning to address meaningful earmark reform are necessary steps to provide the public with a more transparent lawmaking process. The essence of successful ethics reform is not laws and restrictions, but full disclosure. The legislation includes minimal improvements in the area of disclosure, both for lobbying and earmarks. But there is still more to be done -- and I will work with the Congress to improve upon this legislation.” -- George H. Bush, President

Has a new day arrived in Washington? Ask former Republican Senator Trent Lott whose surprise resignation on November 26, 2007, if his decision was prompted by slowing the revolving door. As of January 1, 2008, a Senator must wait two years rather than one year before lobbying Congress. Also revoked are floor, gym and parking privileges for senators turned lobbyists.

Disclosure measures include quarterly electronic filing of lobbying reports on the Internet, reporting contributions bundled by a lobbyist that exceed $15,000 to the Federal Election Commission, identifying earmarks in Senate bills with the information posted on the Internet at least 48 hours before consideration by a committee, and requiring lobbyists to file semiannual reports of contributions made to a member, federal candidate, leadership PAC or political party.

And, if a member of the House or Senate is convicted of crimes committed during Congressional service that is related to official duties, he/she loses their right to a Congressional pension. Does the name Dan Rostenkowski, former Democratic Congressman from Chicago, come to mind?

Sources: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070914-5.html, the Campaign Legal Center http://www.camlc.org/, New York Times, September 15, 2007, A14.