Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Abramoff Scandal
Republicans, Democrats seek lobbying reforms


Republican leaders outlined a series of lobbying reforms on Tuesday as Democrats prepared to announced their own proposals today.

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) and House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-California) proposed a ban on privately funded travel, more disclosure by lobbyists and third parties and a stronger ban on gifts. They said the House will vote February 1 to bar former members of Congress from stepping on the House floor or going to the congressional gym.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) joined Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, as a co-sponsor of McCain's lobbying reform bill. Among other provisions, it would bar ex-Interior Department employees who represent tribes from lobbying their former bosses for one year.

Democrats today will release their own reforms, named after Jack Abramoff, Grover Norquist and Tony Rudy, a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) who represented tribes with Jack Abramoff.

Get the Story:
Press Release: Hastert, Dreier Outline Key Principles for Potential Lobbying Reforms (Dreier 1/17)
GOP unveils reforms (The Hill 1/18)
Republicans Propose Restrictions On Lobbying (The Washington Post 1/18)
pwpwd
Loophole in Lobbying Bill Leaves Wiggle Room (The Washington Post 1/18)
2 Parties Rush to Offer Curbs for Lobbying (The New York Times 1/18)
pwnyt
Push to Control Lobbying Produces Unexpected Shifts and Alliances (The New York Times 1/18)

Lobbying Reform Bills:
S.2128 | S.1312

Related Stories:
McCain bill to serve as basis for lobbying reforms (01/12)
GOP leader promises action on lobbying reforms (1/9)
Lieberman signs onto McCain's lobbying reform bill (1/6)
Opinion: Lobbying reforms won't reform lobbying (1/6)
Lobbying reforms sought due to Abramoff scandal (12/19)
McCain set to introduce lobbying reforms (12/15)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Changes in tribal lobbying tactics discussed (12/2)
Dorgan vows to continue Abramoff lobbying probe (11/29)
Another Texas tribe involved in lobbying scandal (11/28)
Inside the BIA, according to Jack Abramoff (11/24)
Plea deal raises more questions about scandal (11/24)
Plea deal raises more questions about scandal (11/22)
Scanlon free to cooperate in lobbying probe (11/22)
Scanlon pleads guilty in lobbying probe (11/21)
Abramoff lobbying inquiry far from over (11/18)
Senate panel approves 14 bills at business meeting (06/30)
McCain seeks to close 'revolving door' in Washington (06/28)
Lobbying Report: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (6/27)Lobbying Report: The revolving door in Washington (06/06)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Who's lobbying who in DC: An Indian law firm (5/23)
Lobbying Report: National Indian Gaming Association (05/09)
Lobbying scandal prompts new look at tribal rules (05/09)