Today’s
vote in the U.S. Senate was a terrific win for the American people. Following
the House action earlier this week, the landmark bill now heads to the
President’s desk where we expect he will sign the
bill.
The
reforms passed this week represent the most sweeping changes to the rules in a
generation. Congress has never operated in the way we learn about in high
school civics but the workings of Washington have become poisoned by the common
practices that all too often put lobbyists and the powerful interests they
represent ahead of constituents and the American
people.
The
changes take our democracy out of the darkness and open up the process with
meaningful disclosure and new, tougher rules on the actions of lobbyists and
their dealings with legislators.
For the
first time, lobbyists will have to disclose the contributions they not only give
to candidates but also those they raise. If the public is to truly understand
who is building access through campaign fundraising, knowing about an
individual’s personal $2,000 contribution is helpful, but knowing about the tens
and hundreds of thousands they bundle for candidates is
critical.
The
bill also:
- strikes at the “clubby” environment in
which lobbyists buy members gifts, pay for meals and take them to sporting
events and on lavish trips to gain access that is not afforded to the rest of
us;
- requires sponsors to disclose the earmarks
lawmakers insert in bills and adds a new layer of accountability to the process;
- slows the “revolving door” by which
lawmakers can leave public service and immediately return as high paid lobbyists
for special interests with special access.
We
thank and applaud Senators Harry Reid (NV), Russ Feingold (WI), Barak Obama (IL), Diane Feinstein (CA), and Joe Lieberman (CT) for their leadership and
persistence in pushing this historic reform.
