May 24, 2007
Prodded by Democratic leaders and by freshmen elected partly on promises to clean up Washington, the House approved new ethics legislation yesterday that would penalize lawmakers who receive a wide range of favors from special interests, and would require lobbyists to disclose the campaign contributions they collect and deliver to lawmakers.Party leaders and new lawmakers worked until the day before the vote to sway some longtime members who had balked at the proposals. It took weeks of persuasion by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other key lawmakers to convince recalcitrant Democrats -- among them some members of the speaker's inner circle.
The new proposals, which in the end passed overwhelmingly, would expand the information available about how business is done on Capitol Hill and make it available online. They would provide expanded, more frequent and Internet-accessible reporting of lobbyist-paid contributions and sponsorships, and would for the first time impose prison terms for criminal rule-breakers. They would also require strict new disclosure of "bundled" campaign contributions that lobbyists collect and pass on to lawmakers' campaigns. Yesterday's legislation passed 396 to 22.
"It is absolutely imperative that we break this circle of deceit that exists, that has existed, between lobbyists, their wealthy clients and this legislature," said Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio), who helped rally support for the rules. In November, Space won the seat vacated by Republican Robert W. Ney, who had pleaded guilty to corruption charges.
The House in January passed rules banning gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists. The rules also require sponsors of pet spending projects, known as earmarks, to identify themselves and certify that they have no financial interest in them.
The vote to let Murtha skate, followed by his admission of guilt, makes it clear that this is nothing but window-dressing from the Democrats.
Posted by: Greg at
10:09 PM
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and the dems have- uh, ?-Jefferson?
Ney, Abramoff, the dukester, Jerry Lewis, Safavian, Doan, Foley, can't forget that Paragon of Virtue (tm), Tom deLay.
hmmmm, who else, THIS WEEK??????????????????
and all this, uncovered, with your Republi-SCUM- dominated D.O.J.m and most while you controlled both houses of Congress!
Posted by: David O. at Fri May 25 02:28:56 2007 (9KnQH)
It is disappointing that Democrats gave Murtha a pass on this. I suppose this is evidence that Democrats will ignore behavior on their side of the aisle even though they'd attack a Republican who exhibited this very same behavior.
Unfortunately, this double standard isn't limited to the Democrats. Too often, Republicans do the very same thing. Imagine if Nancy Pelosi ignored creepy e-mails from a male Democratic House member to young male House pages. Republicans would unanimously denounce Pelosi's inaction. When this happened to Republican Speaker Hastert, though, many Republicans defended the indefensible. (In defense of the GOP, there were a large number of Republicans who were outraged at Hastert's inaction.)
Likewise, if a Democratic House member received a $100,000+ bribe, Republicans would be outraged to a person. But when Tom DeLay receives a $100,000+ bribe, again, too many Republicans defend him. (And again, unlike the Democrats, a large number of Republicans did hold DeLay accountable for his actions.)
As an anti-corruption Republican, it is in line with my principles to criticize the actions of Murtha, Jefferson, Hastert and DeLay. I look at the behaviors and actions, not the political affiliation. What is your guiding principle, Greg?
Anti Corruption Republican
f.k.a. Greg in TX22
Posted by: Anti Corruption Republican at Fri May 25 02:35:36 2007 (/M7gI)
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