Ethics

Aug. 1, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today to the House Task Force on Ethics Enforcement, Public Citizen called upon lawmakers to propose fundamental reforms commensurate with the new lobbying and ethics law expected to pass Congress this week, rather than merely tinker with the existing failed system of ethics enforcement.    » read more »

Le Mars, IA | August 06, 2007 -- LE MARS, IA -- Democratic candidate for president Barack Obama told Iowans today that he'd work with Senator Tom Harkin on the Farm Bill and stand up to the corporate mega-farm lobbyists who have long had too much influence over rural and agriculture policies that have hurt family farmers in Iowa and across America.    » read more »

Challenges Democratic Party to Lead the Way in Not Accepting Washington Lobbyist Money From This Day Forward

Aug 4, 2007 -- Chicago, Illinois – Speaking today at the YearlyKos Presidential Leadership Forum, Senator John Edwards issued a bold challenge for all candidates for federal public office to join him in not accepting campaign donations from federal lobbyists from this day forward.    » read more »

August 02, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate regarding the ethics and lobbying reform bill. The remarks as prepared for delivery are below.    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the Honest Government and Leadership Act. This legislation would provide increased transparency and accountability, reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests, and bring about the concrete changes we need in Washington. In January, Obama joined with Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to introduce Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act, which set a standard for strong ethics legislation this Congress.    » read more »

Kerry's "Duke Cunningham Act" Included in Sweeping Legislation

08/02/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry applauded the passage of historic, sweeping ethics legislation reforms today, which will fundamentally change the way business is done in Washington. The law makes good on a promise Democrats made when they regained the majority in the House and Senate, which was to force much-needed reforms in the way Congress operates.    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today, with the support of Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, voted to enact sweeping ethics reforms that significantly tighten the rules related to earmarks and congressional lobbying. Already known among her colleagues as a fiscal conservative and a critic of the secretive earmark process, McCaskill spoke on Senate floor in favor of the overall package, suggesting there was still room for additional progress.    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today approved a comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform bill, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, by a vote of 83-14.

Among its many provisions, the bill will slow the revolving door between Congress and the lobbying world, require disclosure of lobbyists who bundle campaign contributions, and increase transparency in the legislative process by requiring earmark transparency and preventing new earmarks from being added in the dead of night. (A summary of the bill can be found at the end of this press release.)    » read more »

Other bills crack down on sexual predators and help keep teen drivers safe

Salem, July 31, 2007 - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed ethics reform legislation and bills that increases accountability in the inititiave system, crack down on Internet predators and help keep teen drivers safe.

Highlights of legislation signed by the Governor include:

Ethics Reform:

HB 2595: This bill sets a 60-day deadline for Government Standards and Practices Commission (GSPC) to respond to requests for Commission advisory opinions.    » read more »

Lobbying and Ethics Reform Bill Stalled Again by Parliamentary Maneuvers

July 11, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) should release his hold on groundbreaking lobbying and ethics reform legislation, Public Citizen said in a letter sent to DeMint today. In a second stalling tactic by Republicans in as many weeks, DeMint has placed a hold on appointing Senate conferees to iron out the differences with the House of Representatives and complete the lobbying and ethics reform bill. Right before the July 4 recess, Sen.    » read more »

July 9, 2007, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed House Bill 109 into law at the Alaska Public Offices Commission in Anchorage. The legislation improves Alaska’s ethics and disclosure laws.

“It was so gratifying to be a part of a bipartisan effort, where the focus was on doing the right thing for the people of Alaska,” said Governor Palin. “Comprehensive ethics reform was a priority of mine. House Bill 109 is a good first step toward changing the culture of politics as usual.”

• House Bill 109 improves laws affecting lobbyists by:    » read more »

McConnell Refuses to Allow Reform Bills to Proceed to Conference

June 29, 2007 -- Statement of Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen    » read more »

June 28, 2007 -- Washington, DC— Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid again tried to move ethics and lobbying reform legislation forward but for the second time this week, Senate Republicans blocked the effort.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- June 27, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama, who proposed the most sweeping ethics reform in history last week, released the following statement about reports today that ethics and lobbying reform has stalled in Congress.

"These cynical partisan maneuverings on ethics reform are exactly what allows the lobbyists and special interests to stand in the way of progress on the issues that matter to the American people.    » read more »

Architects of Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill Urge Senate Leaders to Maintain Provisions That Will Lead to Real Change in Way Washington Works

June 21, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Barack Obama (D-IL) are pushing for Congress to produce the strongest ethics and lobby reform bill possible.    » read more »