Jul 10, 2006 -- Statement In Support of S. Res. 525 to Immediately Enact Senate Changes to Senate Ethics Rules by Meredith McGehee, Policy Director of the Campaign Legal Center

The Campaign Legal Center applauds Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Barack Obama (D-IL) for their effort to push for immediate changes in ethics rules by passing a Senate-only resolution. S. Res. 525, "The Senate Legislative Transparency and Accountability Resolution of 2006," incorporates the seven changes to the Senate Rules included in the lobbying reform bill that passed the Senate on March 29. Both Senators voted against the lobby reform bill because they did not believe it was strong enough. In S. Res. 525, they have selected needed changes in Senate Rules that were included in the lobby reform bill while acknowledging that more should be done.

We share their disappointment with the weak Senate bill, and with the even weaker House lobbying reform bill. In the weeks that have followed passage of these measures, it has become clear that even these inadequate proposals are likely to be watered down further in Conference, if the House leadership can resolve disputes over earmark and 527 reform legislation in time to appoint conferees.

Given these facts, there is no reason the Senate should hold off on incorporating into the rules of the Senate the basic changes governing the behavior of Senators and their staffs approved by the Senate when it passed the Lobbying Reform bill. Neither the House nor the President need take any action in order for these changes to take effect immediately in the Senate.

The proposed rules changes in S. Res. 525 are modest. In our view, stronger changes, especially governing privately financed travel and an independent ethics monitoring body, are needed. But by taking these issues included in S. Res. 525 off the table, the 109th Congress can and should try again to produce more meaningful lobbying reform laws and additional improvements in Senate ethics rules before it recesses. We urge the Senate to pass immediately S. Res. 525.

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