Hastert, Dreier Outline Key Principles for Potential Lobbying Reforms

January 17, 2006

WASHINGTON , DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, joined Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) today to outline their key principles for a lobbying reform package. The issues discussed today have emerged in conversations Dreier has had with members of Congress, former members, and experts in lobbying and reform. The outline below does not represent the final package and does not exclude any other issues from being addressed in the future.

Among the reforms being considered are:

A ban on privately-funded travel;

A significantly stronger gift ban, preventing members and staff from personally benefitting from gifts from lobbyists;

The elimination of floor and gym access for former members who are registered lobbyists;

Expanding the post-employment lobbying ban to two years for members and senior staff;

The forfeiture of a Congressional pension for any member convicted of a felony related to their official duties;

Stronger and more frequent disclosure on the part of lobbyists and third parties; and,

Make the ethics committee more user-friendly and require training for all members and staff.

Dreier said the discussions he’s had with Republicans and Democrats, current and former members and Senators, lobbyists and academics and outside experts on lobbying have yielded many strong ideas for reform. "I am extremely encouraged by the conversations I’ve had and with the direction the Speaker has given to this important effort. He has called for bold action, and I am confident we will deliver on that directive. As the process moves forward, I anticipate talking to many more members, and working on the specifics of how to put these reforms into place so that they are efficient, effective, and provide the American people with more information about their representatives’ interactions with lobbyists."