May 24, 2007 -- Lobbying Reform Bill: Statement of Meredith McGehee, Campaign Legal Center Policy Dir

We are pleased to see that after getting bogged down in the swamp that is Washington both the lobbying reform bill and the bundling disclosure bill are moving forward. The question now is what will emerge from the House-Senate conference. It is still possible that real reform could result if conferees incorporate the best elements of both bills. But it is increasing clear that it will be an uphill struggle. It is also clear, that without a strong bundling disclosure provision Democratic leaders will be hard-pressed to make the case that they have made any real headway in "draining the swamp."

As the House bill was put together it was clear that Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) had a tiger by the tail - a caucus that had a significant number of members who had no intention of living up to the promises the congressional Democrats rode back to majority status in the 2006 election. Speaker Pelosi and Representatives Emanuel (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Meehan (D-MA) deserve credit for pushing hard to pass significant reforms. Unfortunately many in their caucus pushed back. That pushback and the refusal of so many Members to reform the pay-to-play status quo in Washington shows without a doubt that the old habits that make up the "culture of corruption" die hard regardless of which party is in charge.

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