Common Cause is encouraged by the US Senate's overwhelming vote for stronger ethics and lobbying reforms. Last night, the Senate voted 96-2 to approve a bill that will bring the toughest changes in those areas since the Watergate scandals of the 1970s. These reforms will help Congress leave behind some of the corruption that has tainted Capitol Hill.<\/p>
\"In recent years, far too many members have been investigated, convicted or resigned under a cloud of scandal,\" said Common Cause President Chellie Pingree, on the same day that former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) was sentenced to 30 months in jail for his involvement in a federal bribery scandal. \"Corruption in Congress was one of the biggest reasons Americans voted for change last fall. We welcome the Senate in its decision to move away from corruption and toward open, ethical government.\"<\/p>
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas na inaprubahan ng Senado, hindi na maaaring bigyan ng mga lobbyist ang mga senador ng libreng pagkain, regalo at paglalakbay. Magbabayad din ang mga senador ng mga charter rate para sa paglalakbay sa mga corporate jet, sa halip na ang mas mababang pamasahe na binabayaran nila ngayon. At ang mga senador ay kailangang maghintay ng dalawang taon, sa halip na isa, bago nila ma-lobby ang kanilang mga dating kasamahan.<\/p>
Aalisin din ng panukalang batas ang mga pensiyon mula sa mga miyembrong nahatulan ng ilang krimen at nag-aatas sa mga senador na mag-alok ng higit pang pagsisiwalat para sa mga earmark na inilagay nila sa mga panukalang batas para pondohan ang kanilang mga alagang proyekto.<\/p>
Lobbyists must also disclose when they \"bundle\" campaign contributions from their clients, cannot hire members' spouses or pay for the parties that take place at the presidential nominating conventions every four years.<\/p>
The bill could go further. It did not create an outside independent ethics office or commission to investigate ethics complaints or abuses. And the Senate cut out stronger disclosure requirements for grassroots organizations, which was intended to identify special-interest groups that organized fake citizens' campaigns. <\/p>
\"We like the strong reforms the Senate approved,\" Pingree said. \"But reforms are not enough. To completely get away from the corruption we've seen, Congress must police itself more seriously. The best way to do that is through an independent ethics body within Congress and through public financing of congressional elections. We will continue to push for Congress to adopt these reforms and become the honest and transparent institution Americans deserve.\"<\/p>"}}]},"yoast_head":"\n