WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) released the following statement on the Justice Department’s investigation of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

            “Today’s report that the Justice Department has entered a new phase in its Abramoff investigation, ‘focused on at least a half dozen members of Congress,’ is deeply troubling and underscores the need for the lobby reform legislation we have introduced.  For too long, the cozy relationships between lobbyists and certain members of Congress have been hidden from public view.  It’s now all too clear that Congress needs to pass legislation with enhanced disclosure requirements and improved safeguards against improper or unethical conduct.  The Abramoff scandal is not going away.  Congress needs to face this problem directly and immediately.”