Monday, January 09, 2006
Editorial: Congress needs real lobbying reform
The Abramoff scandal shows the depth of corruption. But the real scandal is not the laws he broke, but how many actions were legal.
From the RoundTable blog
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Congressional Democrats and Republicans will be tripping all over themselves trying to out-reform one another in the wake of the growing lobbying scandal.
As plea agreements by lobbyists Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon shed light on the "pay-to-play" system that has overtaken Congress, both parties will be jockeying to play Mr. Clean this election year.
But true lobbying reform will have to be stricter than the window dressing likely to be offered.
Here are a few suggestions for reforms that might actually remove some of the corruption that now taints nearly everything Congress does:
n Eliminate all free trips for members of Congress, no matter who is footing the bill. If "educational trips" are really necessary for members of Congress, let the federal government pick up the tab, not special interests. And make every member of Congress justify every dime spent on every trip.
n Eliminate even reimbursed travel on private corporate jets. For the price of a first-class ticket, members of Congress fly around the country on private jets -- almost always accompanied by the hosts' lobbyists.
n Eliminate all gifts of any value to members of Congress and their staffs. This includes meals, drinks, sports tickets, etc. Leave no loophole to exploit.
n Bar all members of Congress from voting on any legislation related to industries or interests that employ their family members.
n Close the revolving door -- and then weld it shut. Strip former members of Congress who become lobbyists of their floor privileges. Bar former members of Congress or staff members from lobbying former colleagues for at least five years. Enforce this ban better than the current one-year moratorium, which is routinely ignored.
n Ban "earmarks." No single member of Congress should be able to direct tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in spending. This practice is corrupting -- and budget-busting.
Finally, and most important, a better method of enforcing ethics rules and investigating lapses must be found. The ethics committees in both houses of Congress are broken. A true watchdog -- perhaps a commission composed of former members and staffers -- is needed.
Plenty of reform packages will be introduced this year. But real reform will have to close the loopholes that allow lobbyists to shower politicians and staff members with travel, meals, drinks and the promise of future lucrative employment.
