Posted on 03/15/2006 2:51:43 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers would have to give up one of the perks of office -- free trips -- for the rest of the year under a proposed ethics overhaul prompted by a lobbying scandal that has roiled the Republican-led Congress.
Drafted largely in response to the wide-ranging investigation involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the proposed ban drew quick fire on Wednesday both on and off Capitol Hill.
A public watchdog group accused Republican leaders of merely seeking to get past the November election without any more reports of congressional junkets arranged by lobbyists seeking to influence legislation and paid for by corporations, unions or nonprofits.
And some Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives complained that the moratorium proposed for them would restrict their ability to attend educational conferences and give university commencement addresses.
Leaders were questioned at a closed-door meeting on Wednesday about the proposal, and others expected to be put in draft legislation later this week.
"Muddled and confused," Rep. Ray LaHood (news, bio, voting record), an Illinois Republican, said of the session. "A lot more work has to be done."
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, another Illinois Republican, said the proposals that would also require greater disclosure by lobbyists could still be changed. They must go through more committees before being sent to the full House for a vote.
"What we're going to do is move with our members," said Hastert, who described the proposals as designed to protect "the integrity of this Congress."
While lawmakers in both parties have said they are committed to sweeping reform, Public Citizen and other public advocacy groups complain they are not going far enough.
Craig Holman of Public Citizen called the proposed temporary travel ban "a facade."
"They are trying to defer the issue until after the elections, and then hope it goes away," Holman said.
Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges in January and is cooperating with prosecutors in a corruption probe that could reach a number of lawmakers.
In his plea, Abramoff admitted he showered golf trips, meals, sports tickets and other gifts on lawmakers in return for actions that would help his clients. Lobbyists are prohibited from funding trips by members of Congress, but can help arrange those financed by outside groups.
Under the proposed ban, House members would be unable to accept trips funded by outside groups for the rest of the year. The House ethics committee also would make recommendations on possible travel and gift restrictions by December 15.
They should receive their paycheck from the Feds and everything else they receive from ANYONE is taxable. They should be audited yearly and beset by stings from the party of opposition.
Lobbying is legal bribery that oozes among both sides of the aisle.
I totally agree. I'd like to see a list of which people in government have criminal records as well... Never been able to find that...
term limits
Gee! I wonder if Democratic-led Congress was the phrase they used during the Jim Wright years?
Well, actually it's closer to cow....
One less teat for the congresscritters......Waaaaaaaaaah
Ab-so-damn-lutely. Legislators shouldn't get comfortable in their positions. Some even seem to think that they are "careers". It should be temporary duty for citizens, nothing more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.