AP: House Passes Lobbyist Disclosure Bill

[flpoljunkie]

Kudos to the Democratic leaders who twisted arms to get this bundling of lobbyists' contributions passed!

House Passes Lobbyist Disclosure Bill
By CHARLES BABINGTON

The Associated Press
Thursday, May 24, 2007; 2:54 PM

WASHINGTON -- Under strong urging by Democratic leaders, the House on Thursday approved mandatory disclosure by lobbyists who round up campaign donations from others and "bundle" them together for lawmakers.

The 382-37 vote was a partial step toward fulfilling the Democrats' pledge to run a more ethical and open Congress. It was seen a prelude to passage of a second ethics-related bill that would, among other things, require lawmakers to identify themselves when seeking "earmarks," or special spending items in bills.

Democratic leaders had to squelch a rebellion among colleagues who said the lobbying changes were going too far and might threaten their ability to raise campaign funds and land well-paid lobbying jobs when they leave Congress.

The most contentious issue involved requiring lobbyists to disclose so-called bundling practices, in which they solicit and collect campaign donations from several sources and deliver them to a favored lawmaker in one package. The long-employed practice is popular with many lawmakers, who find it easier than raising money check-by-check. It also is favored by lobbyists who find it helps them ingratiate themselves to lawmakers without having to divulge the role they play.

[Heath Hatcher]

1. Hey got a question

I watching the House today like I do every day there in session but why did they vote on a motion to recommit regarding the ethics bill because this is the first time I seen a recommit bill get passed, what was that all about.

[flpoljunkie]

3. It is confusing. House passed two separate bills--HRes 438 and HR2317.

Here is a link to the votes. Nancy Pelosi said she would combine the bills, if Lobbying Disclosure passed, when she sends the bill to the Senate.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/index.asp

[flpoljunkie]

4. When the motion to recommit passed, Conyers immediately added changes to the bill and they passed

by voice vote, as I recall.

[flpoljunkie]

6. Here's your answer on recommit vote. The R's forced House to broaden disclosure requirement.

Democrats who campaigned successfully last year against a "culture of corruption" in the Republican-controlled Congress found themselves one-upped today when more than 30 of their own members voted for a GOP motion to strengthen the package.

By 228-192, the House adopted a motion by Lamar Smith, R-Texas, to recommit the first of two lobbying bills -- a measure requiring quarterly disclosure by lobbyists of bundled contributions to candidates and party units -- to broaden the disclosure requirement to cover bundled donations to other PACs as well.

Here's the rollcall vote. Thirty-three Democrats voted with the Republicans to strengthen the lobbyist disclosure requirements. Kudos to them!

http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2007&rollnumber=419

[atreides1]

2. At Least Some of them have their Priorities in Place

I'm touched by their concern for their own self preservation. Too bad they don't have the same concern for the troops who will continue to die!!!!!


"Democratic leaders had to squelch a rebellion among colleagues who said the lobbying changes were going too far and might threaten their ability to raise campaign funds and land well-paid lobbying jobs when they leave Congress."

[flpoljunkie]

5. Some would've prefered that the public not know how much fundraising help lobbyists provide

But in the end, the Democratic leadership prevailed and not one Democrat voted against the lobbyist disclosure bill.