WASHINGTON, D.C. – Third District Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) today announced that he will introduce two pieces of legislation to help reform ethics and lobbying rules in the House of Representatives. Jones will formally introduce the legislation when the House reconvenes at the end of January.

“While the two specific reforms I am suggesting will not fix all of the ethics and lobbying problems here in Washington, I strongly believe that, once enacted, these common-sense reforms will serve as an important step toward restoring the public’s trust in our legislative system,” Congressman Jones said today.

The first reform would make travel disclosure forms for members of Congress and their staff publicly available online within 48 hours of receipt by the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

“The public has a right to know when outside groups pay for members of Congress or their staff to participate in fact-finding trips or other travel,” Jones said. “Travel disclosure forms are currently available for public inspection here in Washington, D.C., but there is no reason the public shouldn't be able to view those forms online from anywhere in the country. Increased public scrutiny will help eliminate the unnecessary travel that our constituents are so justifiably upset about.”

The second reform would suspend House floor privileges for former members of Congress who are registered as lobbyists.

“Special interests – whether represented by a former member of Congress or any other lobbyist – should not be given access to members on the House floor, period. Doing otherwise leaves the impression that our democracy is controlled by special interests, not the people. If a former member is a registered lobbyist, their floor privileges should be suspended entirely so that the public is completely assured that no special interests are given special access to members on the floor.”

This legislation will be the most recent addition to Congressman Jones’ track record of support for lobbying reform. While a member of the North Carolina State Legislature, Jones saw the successful enactment of legislation he authored to curb unethical lobbying and political practices.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.