Etheridge Votes to Enact Meaningful Lobbying Reform

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

May 4, 2006

Contact: Joanne Peters
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Votes to Enact
Meaningful Lobbying Reform
Congressman calls watered-down GOP bill "a fig leaf of reform"

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) voted Wednesday for legislation that would address recent scandals in Washington and restore integrity to Congress. Etheridge voted against H.R. 4975, a bare-bones approach to lobbying reform, and instead voted for a substitute bill that would enact meaningful lobbying reform. The House passed H.R. 4975 by a vote of 217-213.

"I have always believed that public office is a public trust. The recent Republican corruption scandals anger me because they threaten the bonds between the American people and their elected leaders," said Etheridge. "It had been my hope that the House would act to erase the dishonor that has befallen this institution. Instead the Republican leadership brought to the floor a sham bill that insults the intelligence of the American people."

H.R. 4975 provides only modest changes to the current rules governing lobbying activities. It would temporarily suspend privately funded travel through the end of the year and would allow Members to continue flying on corporate jets. It would require disclosure of gifts from lobbyists but would not ban them, and would fail to expand the revolving door restriction. The bill fails to end the "K Street Project" and would not address "dead of night" special interest provisions.

Etheridge voted for a motion that would have brought a bill offered by the Democrats to the floor. The bill would:

Require full lobbying disclosure.
Double the period in which former Members are prohibited from lobbying their former colleagues from one to two years.
Permanently ban travel, gifts and meals from registered lobbyists.
Prohibit members from using corporate jets for officially connected travel
Shut down the K Street project.
Allow members more time to review bills, require earmark reform and mandate open conference committee meetings.

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