PRESS STATEMENT

Contact: Brian Gumm, (202) 234-8494, bgumm@ombwatch.org

OMB Watch Urges Senate to "Get It Done" on Lobbying and Ethics Reform

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2007—OMB Watch today urged the Senate to follow the House's lead and ensure that lobbying and ethics reform legislation, known as S. 1, is passed before Congress's August recess.

The reform package, which overwhelmingly passed the House on July 31 by a 411-8 margin, strengthens the Lobbying Disclosure Act and includes important earmark disclosure provisions that, for the first time ever, will allow the public to view the sponsors of congressional earmarks on the Internet. The legislation also requires the disclosure of coalitions that control lobbying efforts but protects the identity of donors and members.

S. 1 marks the most significant lobbying and ethics reform in a decade. However, reform is not a static process, and it is our hope Congress doesn't take another ten years or more to make additional changes to the law. Such future improvements include more straightforward and accessible disclosure of bundled contributions from lobbyists and a decrease in the threshold for disclosure; expanding the revolving door rules in the House that require a "cooling off" period before former representatives and staff can lobby; and crafting a workable grassroots lobbying disclosure requirement. By revisiting these and other issues, Congress can continue the work of restoring and retaining the public's trust by continually increasing access to information, accountability and transparency.

In the 2006 midterm elections, the American people demanded an end to the culture of corruption in Washington. It is well past time for the Senate to take an important first step in doing just that. Senators should vote to approve S. 1 without further delay and send the bill to the president for his signature.

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