Washington, D.C. - Rep. Berman today joined more than 150 of his Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring their “Honest Leadership, Open Government” Act, an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and protect the public trust.

 

”Republican-controlled Washington has become infected with a Culture of Corruption, and the American people are paying the price,” said Rep. Berman.  “While Republicans reward the wealthy and special interests, the priorities of the American people go unaddressed. That is why Democrats are offering real reforms to clean up Washington.”

 

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act will focus sweeping government reforms on four key areas:

 

• Banning travel and gifts from lobbyists, and those who employ them, and requiring lobbyists to disclose campaign contributions, so that the Jack Abramoffs of the world cannot buy influence in Congress;

 

• Reducing the unprecedented political access Republicans have given to corporations and lobbying firms by ending the K Street project and prohibiting Members from giving legislative favors to lobbying firms in exchange for hiring Members of their same party;

 

• Ending the “dead of night” special interest provisions and requiring disclosure of earmarks, so that the public to see exactly what their elected representatives are doing in Washington; and

 

• Stopping the revolving door between government and lobbyists by extending the lobbying ban to two years.

 

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