House Republicans Unveil New Ethics Plan (they are party of reform)-

Hasturd just announced that at a press conf. on cspan.

House Republicans Unveil New Ethics Plan

By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago

House Republicans moved to seize the initiative for ethics reform Tuesday with a comprehensive package of changes, including a ban on privately sponsored travel like the trips arranged by lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

"I know that fact-finding trips are important, but private travel has been abused by some," Speaker Dennis Hastert said at a news conference.

Hastert, an Illinois Republican, responded aggressively after months of inaction and unfavorable headlines about lawmakers' ties to Abramoff, who showered donations, expensive meals, travel and skybox seats on members of Congress. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is cooperating with prosecutors.

The GOP proposal also includes a virtual ban on gifts, except for small items such as baseball caps........


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060117/ap_on_go_co/congress_ethics&printer=1;_ylt=AsuzeBA68S6LZyfiB3puP52MwfIE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

The blatent hypocrisy of the pukes aside, there is no good reason we weren't out with a plan first to bash over their heads.

The GOP proposal also includes a virtual ban on gifts, except for small items such as baseball caps.

Devil will be in the details. We do not know the extent of the lobby reform they will be recommending, buy if lobbyists are continued to be allowed to raise money for members leadership PACS, lobby reform will be in name only.

bullshit from lobbiest friends in bills that has nothing to do the with the bill in the first place.

you think for a minute that they're going to stop sucking off that succulent all-you-can-eat money trough that is Big Lobbying?

No way. Not unless someone forces them to stop. All they'll do is change the playing field.

It's all they know how to do.

Betcha there won't be a ban of $100 bills in them their caps :evilgrin:

Like a Cleveland Clear Channel puking head afternoon drive guy contradicted himself with.

Said that Bob Taft was nuts, saying that, if a guy worked for you for four years and did a horrible job, then came back to you and said "Give me four more years, I'll fix all that I messed up", would you hire him back? No.

But then, of course, he went on to endorse George W. Bush . . .

Current Democratic leadership is a complete failure at political strategy, as usual. Look at 2000, 2002, 2004, and here comes 2006.

Until the current Dem leadership is gone, we're screwed.

Well, this will help alot, I'm sure.

Republicans Propose Restrictions On Lobbying
Some Object to Banning Privately Funded Trips
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 18, 2006; Page A01


Republican leaders proposed broad new restrictions yesterday on the lobbying of Congress, including a ban on privately funded travel for members, tight curbs on meals and other gifts from lobbyists, and an end to access to the House and Senate floors and congressional gyms for former lawmakers who register as lobbyists.

The House and Senate proposals are the latest GOP effort to try to respond to a growing bribery and corruption scandal spawned by the activities of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Many of the proposals tackle practices so prevalent that they hardly raise an eyebrow, such as the trips to Jamaica and Hawaii that House members from both parties embarked on just last week.

Indeed, measures that would have had little chance of approval a year ago are on the fast track to passage. House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) said the House will vote Feb. 1 -- the first day of the chamber's session -- on ending former lawmakers' congressional access. The broader package of rule changes could be ready for a full House vote by mid-March....

***

Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (Pa.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) met with reporters to discuss a far-ranging plan that they are putting together for action in February or March.

But Republicans are far from unified on how to proceed, with some even defending lobbyist-financed travel. Some lawmakers say GOP leaders are blaming lobbyists rather than examining the legislative processes that have invited corruption, such as the proliferation of home-district pork-barrel projects that have become prime ways to reward campaign supporters....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/17/AR2006011700478.html

for 06 and ready for people to vote for them.

heard McCain say that in 1994 there were only 4000 earmarks attached to legislation today there are 15000 earmarks tucked in.

in anti-snake rules proposed by the very snakes in charge? Doesn't anyone in government recognize the dichotomy, here?
"Now that i have really fucked it up, but good, naturally I'm the the guy to fix it all!"
Whyinhell haven't these idiots been laughed back to the stinky swamps that spawned them? How do they keep getting a free pass to keep shitting in the public pool?
For that matter, how can the king of crass, the slimy Nimble Newt keep hanging around the seat of power, producing nothing of value and sucking up precious resources, stealing money and providing right wing lies?

My "dunce ray" theory seems to be in no danger.

Santorum reaps money from lobbyists
Friday, January 13, 2006

By Maeve Reston, Post-Gazette National Bureau

WAYNE, Pa. -- Sen. Rick Santorum, who has been tapped by fellow Senate Republican leaders to draft legislation tightening restrictions on lobbyists, has received more money from lobbyists than any other congressional candidate so far in the 2006 election cycle.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06013/637267.stm


http://santorumcybergate.blogspot.com/

So who dya think's going to write the final language of this 'reform' legislation?

Some lobbyist


I'll bet.

Nice.

Can you spell P-R-A-V-D-A?

How about

T-A-S-S.

Crikey, Let's just cite Fox "news." It's at least honest in deception.

Didn't anyone note that McCain had the gaul to step out like that after the last time he was in the scandal?

because that's where they belong.