March 16, 2006

Pryce Applauds Stricter Lobbying,
Ethics Rules for Congress

Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Ac t to be Distributed to Public Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C . – Today, Congresswoman Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) welcomed the completion of a comprehensive package of lobbying restrictions and ethics standards tailored to strengthen public confidence in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“In 1994, Republicans led the way on reform,” said Pryce. “Lest anyone forget, after 40 years of Democrat control, it was the newly elected Republican leadership that made Congress more accountable, more effective, and restored public faith in an institution replete with scandal and corruption.”

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to reforming this body. We have unveiled our lobbying reform package that will further increase transparency in disclosure requirements, and set-up a process by which we can fully review the interactions between members and outside groups. This effort will protect the integrity of this institution and uphold the values and principles of its members.”

“Public perception of this body is widely based on the conduct of its most wayward Member. The package we have unveiled today will help expose misconduct, force strict compliance, and restore the public’s faith in its elected leaders.”

Among other things, the lobbying overhaul measure will:

  • Ban privately funded travel through the 109 th Congress;
  • Institute more stringent disclosure requirements on gifts;
  • Better regulate and document the activities of registered lobbyists;
  • Apply Federal Elections Commission regulations to 527 political advocacy groups;
  • And provide new authority to House Inspector General to do random spot audits of lobbying disclosure forms.
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