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Abramoff Scandal
McCain testifies on lobbying reform proposals


The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held the first Senate hearing on lobbying reforms, with Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) calling for an end to the system of legislative earmarks.

McCain, the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said corruption in Washington won't go away until earmarks, riders or "pork barrel" projects are eliminated from the legislative process. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), also a member of Indian Affairs, supported the proposal.

Other lawmakers floated their own reforms but representatives of the lobbying industry indicated resistance. They are trying to paint Jack Abramoff as an isolated case.

Get the Story:
McCain Calls to Reform Pork Barrel Politics (The Washington Post 1/25)
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Senators Say Ethics Beyond Lobbying Reform (AP 1/25)
Washington Sketch: For Would-Be Lobbying Reformers, Money Habit Is Hard to Kick (The Washington Post 1/26)
K Street Confidential: GOP Freezes Jobs List, a Vestige of the K Street Project (The Washington Post 1/26)
Lobbyists Oppose Efforts to Impose New Restrictions (The New York Times 1/26)
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Lobbying Reform Bills:
S.2128 | S.1312

Related Stories:
Column: Don't expect lobbying reform to lead to reform (1/23)
Reform, gaming on agenda for members of Congress (1/20)
Editorial: Lobbyists not only ones in need of reform (1/20)
Republicans, Democrats seek lobbying reforms (1/18)
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)