Posted on 09/15/2007 6:16:52 AM PDT by Calpernia
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.
For example, the bill holds members of the Senate and Executive Branch employees to a much higher standard of conduct than members of the House. The specific bill language is confusing, and I believe these increased restrictions would have a negative impact on recruitment and retention of federal employees. I urge the Congress to make these standards more uniform and less confusing and to do so in a way that will not discourage public service.
In addition, this bill would have the effect of unreasonably burdening sitting President's and Vice President's reelection campaigns. I look forward to working with Congress to amend these provisions to provide a reasonable process for allocating the cost of Presidential and Vice Presidential campaign travel that is consistent with security needs.
I am pleased that the Congress has begun to make progress in bringing greater transparency to the earmarking process. However, this bill falls far short of the reform that American taxpayers deserve. I am concerned that there are potential loopholes in some of the earmark reforms included in this bill that would allow earmarks to escape sufficient scrutiny. This legislation also does not address other earmark reforms I have called on Congress to implement, such as ending the practice of putting earmarks in report language.
I thank Members of both parties who worked on this legislation, and look forward to working with the Congress to further advance ethics, lobbying, and earmark reform.
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I totally agree.
He should have vetoed the bill and sent it back to Congress saying it doesn’t go nearly far enough.
Is this that "We promise to do our jobs and this time we really mean it" thing from a few weeks ago?
If this is the one you are thinking about, this is the open government transparency project:
http://www.govtrack.us/action/openhousepledge.xpd
Pledge Your Vote for Transparency
The Open House Project
Wow, I’m bookmarking that. That was put together nice!
Since we have only three and a half months left in 2007 I hope someone is working on the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2008." Where will they find people to serve in government who are honest and open? Not by legislation.
Well he has helped cover up the fact that this legislation, according to Senator Coburn who really looks at these things, is not real ethics reform. Saying there needs to be more done is a huge understatement. This doesn’t do anything substantial yet praise is heaped on them. Same old game they play and the public loses yet again. The whole bunch who voted for it should be replaced. Wishful thinking I know.
Bush is telling us politicians won't lie to us any more?
Yep, and this time they really mean it. "Honest"
He doesn’t need line Item veto. That would just be a bigger mess when he knocked out only his political enemy pork. He needs to just stop signing every spending bill that comes along. Congress would soon get the hint.
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