Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Earmark Dispute Delays Lobbying and Ethics Legislation

Congress has now returned from the July 4th recess and efforts to send lobbying and ethics legislation into conference committee were once again blocked. These events are a repeat of what occurred right before the recess. The Politico reports on the struggle Democratic leaders will face, especially from Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) who is insisting that the earmark disclosure provision is not altered during conference. However, Democrats simply see this as a means to block the ethics reform bill. DeMint says he supports the lobbying reform package, but he will not change his mind unless Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promises that the Senate rules on earmarks will not be deleted or changed in the final bill. DeMint argues that a change in the Senate rules should not be included in any conference committee with the House.

The potential impasse could delay action further and threaten passage of one of the Democrats' most important campaign promises. Behind the scenes, it's clear many senators are unhappy with a separate proposed requirement that lobbyists disclose how much money they bundle in campaign donations for incumbents and candidates. Some lobbyists privately warn that they may limit their fundraising roles under such scrutiny.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) objected to a unanimous consent request by DeMint to add the earmark language that passed in January as an amendment to the lobbying and ethics bill. DeMint's request also moved to send the lobbying bill to conference with the House. Senate Democratic leaders said they could not guarantee that DeMint's earmark language would survive negotiations.