FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 01, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi and More Than 160 House Democrats Cosponsor Real Lobby Reform

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was joined by more than 160 House Democrats to introduce their Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and protect the public trust. 

The bill enacts sweeping reforms that focus on four key areas: banning travel and gifts from lobbyists and organizations that employ or retain lobbyists; reducing the unprecedented political access Republicans have given to corporations and lobbying firms; ending the “dead of night” special interest provisions and requiring disclosure of earmarks; and stopping the revolving door between government and lobbyist by extending the lobbying ban to two years.

“Democrats are leading the effort to turn the most closed, corrupt Congress in history into the most open and honest Congress in history,” Pelosi said.  “The American people have been paying the cost for the Republican culture of corruption with a confusing, special-interest Medicare prescription drug program, higher gas prices at the pump, and skyrocketing home heating bills.  Democrats will restore truth and trust to our government, and put the priorities of the American people first.”

On the House floor today, Republicans are debating minor reforms that fail to address the corruption in Washington, D.C.  The narrow Republican bill bans former Members who are lobbyists from going on the House floor or to the House gym.

“Republicans’ so-called lobby reform does almost nothing to address the ethical cloud that hangs over the Capitol,” Pelosi said.  “Republicans don’t want real reform, because for more than 10 years they have benefited from their culture of corruption.  Instead of seizing the opportunity today to enact real reform, Republicans once again put the special interests first, leaving the American people to pay for the Republican culture of corruption.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi