Obey Leads The Way in Lobbyist Crackdown

The Associated Press reports that my old boss/mentor Rep. David Obey (D-WI) today unveiled a package of proposed reforms that would crackdown on lobbying abuses.

Here's what the plan would do:

- The House could not join the Senate in a conference committee on a spending bill unless the Senate clearly identified its changes. This would make it easier to spot any buried special interest provision, especially in a bill that might total hundreds of pages.

- The House could not consider legislation unless printed copies were made available at least 24 hours before the vote. The rule only could be waived by a two-thirds majority.

- It would be a violation of House ethics rules if a lawmaker advocates a special spending provision, called an "earmark," without disclosing that he or she has a financial interest or any control over the entity being funded.

- Lawmakers could not accept travel or lodging without obtaining assurances from the trip sponsor that lobbyists were not financing the travel or having influence over it.

These reforms go right at the heart of the Abramoff scandal. They are a bold step - let's hope Congress gets behind Obey in making these reforms a reality.

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