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Advocacy Blog
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Campaign Finance Reformers Advocate Quick Action
A bipartisan group of campaign finance reformers joined together yesterday at a press conference announcing their commitment to lobbying and ethics reform. BNA Money and Politics reports; "Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and other lawmakers said at a press conference that they are working together on a strategy that will permit identical bills to be introduced in the House and Senate. McCain said he and other lawmakers will push for passage of a reform bill in the first two months of the 110th Congress." In addition, Senator Feingold stated plans of proposing restrictions on 527 groups. USA Today also reported on this press conference. Democratic consensus will prove to be difficult, particularly over such matters as banning privately funded travel. CQ Today (subscription required) outlines this highly debatable issue of banning travel paid for by organizations that employ lobbyists.
One of the reasons a travel ban is unlikely is heavy pressure from pro-Israel groups, among them the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has a long history of paying for congressional visits to Israel. As an alternative to banning all privately financed trips, Democrats might require preapproval of trips by each chamber’s ethics committee and continue the prohibition on lobbyist-funded travel. That could allow a wide range of educational and non-profit groups to continue to pay for lawmakers to travel the globe.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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