Aug 3, 2007 -- Veto Threat to Lobbying and Ethics Reforms: Statement of Meredith McGehee, Campaign Legal Center Policy Director

A presidential veto of the lobbying and ethics reforms passed by Congress this week would be a slap in the face to the American people. Last November, voters made abundantly clear their disgust with the status quo in Washington.

The lobbying and ethics reform legislation begins to deliver on the promises to clean up Washington that both political parties have been making since the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal erupted. The sad and steady string of congressional scandals that followed further tarnished the public credibility of the House and Senate. The lobbying and ethics reforms in S. 1 are a solid first step in restoring the public's confidence in the legislative branch.

To suggest a presidential veto of this legislation based on supposed concerns about earmark language is a phony excuse to scuttle these reform measures. To hide behind such a smokescreen would only increase the public's cynicism about Washington and about the willingness of their elected officials to be held accountable.

I sincerely hope that the misguided misgivings about the legislation voiced by White House press office personnel do not reflect an intention by the President to ignore the mandate delivered by voters at the polls last November.

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