Platts Advocates Tougher Lobbying and Ethics Reforms

Washington, DC – U.S. Representatives Christopher Shays, Michael Castle, Todd Platts, Jim Gerlach and Jim Ramstad wrote today to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to allow amendments to H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, to double the “revolving door” ban on Member and senior staff lobbying and to strengthen the House ethics process.

“These are two critical areas of reform that, to their credit, the Democrats included in their substitute last year,” stated Shays.  “It would be a serious mistake to backslide from that bill, especially in these two key areas.”

“This bill is long over-due but still falls short of necessary changes to law and House rules,” said Castle.  “The Majority should allow a floor debate on strengthening amendments such as revolving door and establishment of an outside investigatory body if they are serious about enacting meaningful reform.”

“The revolving door ban and strengthening of the House ethics process were key reforms in the Democratic proposal last session,” stated Platts.  “Denying an opportunity to vote on these matters now that there is a new majority would certainly not be consistent with the principles of good government.”

“We need strong ethics reform with teeth that puts an end to the culture of corruption in Washington,” said Ramstad.

On Thursday, the House is scheduled to vote on the rules of debate for H.R. 2316, which will limit what amendments can be offered to the base bill.  In the House Judiciary Committee last week, Chairman John Conyers stripped out a provision in the bill that would extend the prohibition on members of Congress and senior staff lobbying from one to two years.
 
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The full text of the letter to Speaker Pelosi follows:

May 23, 2007

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
H-232 Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

We are writing to urge you to make in order amendments under the rule for consideration of H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, that would allow members to vote up-or-down on doubling the revolving door for members and senior staff lobbying and strengthening the House ethics oversight, which we all can agree is broken.

Last year, we voted for your motion to recommit on H.R. 4975, which included provisions to double the revolving door ban from one to two years and to establish an Office of Public Integrity.  We applauded the inclusion of both provisions in your motion to recommit, and believe both should have been included in H.R. 2316.

Today, the Rules Committee will consider amendments to H.R. 2316 to double the revolving door restriction from one to two years and to establish independent bodies that would assist the House Ethics Committee and strengthen ethics review and oversight.

We share your commitment to lobbying and ethical reforms, but we would find it difficult to support a rule that did not allow members an up-or-down vote on these critical issues, just as your motion to recommit to H.R. 4975 did last year.  While we are not advocating a specific amendment, we believe failure to consider these two issues, at a minimum, would be a step back for reform efforts.

 
We appreciate your consideration of our views and hope you won’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Christopher Shays                                        Michael N. Castle
Member of Congress                                   Member of Congress

Todd Russell Platts                                      Jim Gerlach
Member of Congress                                   Member of Congress

Jim Ramstad
Member of Congress