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| Wilson Cosponsors McCain Lobbying Reform Bill |
February 01, 2006 |
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House Passes Bill Banning Lobbyist Access to House Floor during Votes
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced she is cosponsoring the Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005 (HR 4575), and welcomed today’s House passage of limits to lobbyist access to members on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We’ve had individual members in both parties and lobbyists who have broken the rules. They should be investigated and punished no matter what party they are in. Changes have to be made to our lobbying laws to prevent problems in the future, and make it easier to investigate and expose corruption,” Wilson said.
In an action Wilson believes is a good first step, the House today voted 379-50 for House Resolution 648, which includes former members of Congress in the ban on lobbyists on the House floor during votes.
The Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005, cosponsored by Wilson in the House, is companion legislation to S. 2128, introduced by Senator John McCain (R-AZ). It would provide more transparency and improve accountability.
“There are other things we need to do, like change rules on privately funded travel and improve enforcement. In my house, if a privilege is abused, then you lose it,” Wilson said.
Highlights of the Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act
Bans former members of Congress and staff from active lobbying for two years, an expansion from the current one-year requirement.
Requires members of Congress and staff to pay fair market value for travel on private airplanes, as well as the fair market value for any sporting or entertainment tickets.
Requires disclosure of any contributions of more than $10,000 to coalitions or associations.
Requires more frequent and electronic filings of disclosure reports, and makes these available in a public database.
“After 1994, Congress closed the House bank and post office, passed the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and put gift limits in place. Those institutional problems were fixed. Now we need to improve enforcement and close the exceptions that some members and lobbyists took advantage of.”
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