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May 29, 2007 -- Legal Center Weekly Report: May 25, 2007
With the passage of the lobby and ethics reform bill yesterday in the House, Campaign Legal Center Policy Director Meredith McGehee stated , "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."
McGehee credited Speaker Pelosi and Representatives Emanuel (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Meehan (D-MA) for their leadership in shepherding the legislation through to passage but cautioned that there is still much to be done to bring real reform out of the House-Senate conference on the bills. "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.'"
Reform Groups Urge House Members to Vote for Van Hollen-Meehan Bundling Disclosure Bill
Reform groups sent a letter on May 23rd urging House members "to vote for the legislation sponsored by Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) to require lobbyists to disclose the amount of bundled contributions they provide for Members and others." The letter continued, "We strongly urge you to vote for public disclosure and for your constituents' interests by voting for the Van Hollen-Meehan bundling disclosure legislation."
The reform groups signing the letter include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public
Citizen and U.S. PIRG.
Reform Groups and CED Urge House Members to Vote for Rule on Lobbying Reform Bill
On May 22nd, reform groups and the Committee for Economic Development sent a letter to House members urging them to "to vote for the rule on lobbying disclosure reform legislation and for the amendment to the legislation to be offered by Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) to require lobbyists to disclose the amount of bundled contributions they provide for Members and others."
The letter states, "A vote against the rule on lobbying reform would be a vote by you to kill lobbying reform and a refusal by you to address the Abramoff lobbying scandals. It would also be a vote by you to preserve secrecy for lobbyists who bundle contributions for Members at the expense of the interests of the American people."
Legal Center Associate Legal Counsel Speaks at Heartland Ethics Conference in Kansas City
The Legal Center's Associate Legal Counsel Paul S. Ryan addressed the annual Heartland Conference on governmental ethics in Kansas City this week. Mr. Ryan spoke on the topic of "Recent Developments in Campaign Finance Across the Nation," discussing recent campaign finance court decisions, pending litigation and legislation.
Legal Center Executive Director Presents Redistricting Resolution at ABA Meeting
Campaign Legal Center Executive Director and Director of Litigation, J. Gerald Hebert, made a presentation to the American Bar Association's (ABA) Administrative Law Section meeting this week regarding redistricting reform and offered a resolution on such reform for consideration by the ABA. The Administrative Law Section meeting was held May 18-19, 2007 in Austin, Texas.
To read a variety of this week's editorials and articles on a variety of Campaign Legal Center issues, please click here. |
