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Advocacy Blog
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Dreier Working on House Republican Lobby Reform Plan
Republican leaders worked on on a lobby reform bill over the weekend will reportedly discuss the issue at their weekly leadership meeting today.
It is unclear what the lobby reform package will entail or which committees would be assigned the legislation. Speaker Dennis Hastert and Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier unveiled a lobbying package in January was not accepted by some House Republicans.
The previous package included new disclosure requirements for lobbyists, a ban on privately funded member travel, doubling the two-year lobbying moratorium on former members and revoking pensions for members convicted of felonies related to their official duties. GOP leaders also expressed interest in curbing earmarks and new restrictions on so-called 527 groups.
House Majority Leader John Boehner said last week he expoects the House to take up lobbying overhaul before the April recess.
In the Senate, it is unlikely that they will take up lobby reform this week. Senate Majority Leader Frist outlined the week's floor schedule Monday, and lobby reform was not mention lobbying overhaul. This week the Senate is working on the FY07 budget resolution and increasing the debt limit, before adjourning for the St. Patrick's Day recess. Reportedly, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is still committed to a vote on the Schumer amendment. It is unlikely Frist will bring the bill to the floor unless he has the votes necessary to invoke cloture.
Posted by Jennifer Lowe
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