Dreier Introduces Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

March 16 , 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas,CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, today introduced H.R. 4975, the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, legislation to reform the lobbying and ethics rules of the House of Representatives. Among the original co-sponsors of the bill are Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), other members of the GOP elected leadership and several committee chairmen. The legislation is expected to be referred to the Committees on the Judiciary, Government Reform, Rules, Ethics, and House Administration. Dreier said he looks forward to the bill moving through the committee process, allowing members on both sides of the aisle to debate and amend it.

"I am proud to introduce this legislation today," Dreier said. "This is not the final product, but it is the beginning of a process. I have had many conversations with members on both sides of the aisle, and countless outside experts, and this bill is the result of those discussions. Many of the items included in this bill mirror proposals offered by Republicans and Democrats. I expect there will be good debate in the committees and in the House as the bill moves forward. It’s my sincere hope that at the end of the day, this package will enjoy strong, bipartisan support. This debate is maintaining the high ethical standards of the House of Representatives, and every member has a stake in that."

Highlights of Dreier’s legislation are below:

LOBBYING DISCLOSURE

Increases lobbying reporting requirement from twice a year to four times a year.

Increases amount of information required for filing, including campaign contributions and gifts.

REVOLVING DOOR

Requires new notification by Clerk of the House on start and end date of post-employment ban.

Requires Members to inform the Ethics Committee when commencing compensation negotiation for future employment.

TRAVEL AND GIFT RULES

Suspends privately-funded travel through the 109th Congress.

Directs Ethics Committee to review travel and gift rules and report recommendations to House Rules Committee by end of 2006.

ENFORCEMENT

Provides new authority to House Inspector General to do random spot audits of lobbying disclosure forms and to refer violations by lobbyists to the Department of Justice.

Requires mandatory ethics training for all staff.

OTHER

527 reform

Earmark reform