Rules Committee Listens to Members on H.R. 4975

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas,CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, opened the third lobbying reform hearing, this one focusing on member feedback and suggestions on H.R. 4975, the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. Chairman Dreier’s opening statement is below.

"Many hours of Rules Committee hearings and weeks of consultation with members, constituents and outside experts have resulted in H.R. 4975, the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

"At the very beginning of this process, I said that we would look at every idea from any member; that we would forge a bipartisan solution to this bipartisan problem; and that we would increase accountability and transparency with bold reform. We have achieved these goals. This is a comprehensive bill that represents input and compromise from both parties. H.R. 4975 enhances disclosure, it focuses on bright lines of right and wrong, and it lays down clear consequences for crossing those lines.

"I want to thank Speaker Hastert for his leadership on this issue and his involvement in drafting this legislation, along with Leader Boehner, and other members of leadership. I also greatly appreciate the feedback from so many members on both sides of the aisle.

"We are in the final stretch of what has been a lengthy, bipartisan and open legislative process. As promised, the bill is moving through regular order. Five committees will be marking up the bill, including the Rules Committee.

"While I fully support the bill in its current form, I've been in Congress long enough to know that refinements will still be made. But at the end of the day, I am confident the final legislation will receive strong bipartisan support. On an issue as important as lobbying and ethics reform, we will show the American people that we can cut through the rhetoric and work together for a Congress beyond reproach.

"In this, the third Rules Committee hearing on lobbying reform, we have invited members to share their comments and suggestions on H.R. 4975. Thank you for appearing before the Committee and we look forward to your testimony.

"Before we begin, let me just say that with this bill, we have taken the approach of "the more information the better" with every provision, from lobbyist disclosures to the revolving door. And in addition to transparency, we have enhanced accountability and toughened the penalties for non-compliance.

"I'll briefly touch on a few highlights. "H.R. 4975 fundamentally changes the process for earmarks. The bill requires the sponsor of an earmark to be named and allows points of order against individual earmarks on the floor.

"Bringing earmarks into the light of day will promote fiscal responsibility and more effective government spending. This reform will build on the excellent work already being done by the Appropriations Committee and Chairman Lewis, where a new system for earmarks is showing results. Earmark requests are down 40 percent from last year.

"This legislation takes a tough line on privately funded travel by banning it for the remainder of the 109th Congress. While getting out from under the Capitol dome is critical to our jobs, the current system is ripe for abuse and clearly needs to be tightened. With an immediate ban, we are taking the issue off the table so that the Ethics Committee has time to study alternatives and offer recommendations. As with this entire legislative package, we are erring on the side of integrity.

"Finally, members convicted of crimes related to their public service forfeit the government's contributions to their Congressional pensions. Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the retirement of convicted members. "H.R. 4975 is legislation every member can be proud of - both because of the process used to write it and the substance of its provisions. This bill covers a lot of ground, it makes bold changes and it upholds the traditions and integrity of Congress."