Democratic-Led House Votes Tougher Ethics rules

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

Democratic-led House votes tougher ethics rules
By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led House of Representatives, which took power last year amid a spate of mostly Republican scandals, overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday to toughen congressional ethics and lobbying laws.

Key provisions in the bill would require greater disclosure of pet projects slipped into massive spending measures, prohibit congressional pensions to lawmakers convicted of bribery and require disclosure of campaign donations lobbyists collect for members of Congress.

On a vote of 411-8, the House passed the measure and sent it to the Senate for anticipated final approval. A number of Senate Republicans, whose party controlled Congress much of the past decade, have complained the measure does not go far enough, but a Senate aide said most Republicans appeared to support it. Advocacy groups have urged its passage. If the Senate gives it final congressional approval, President George W. Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law.

"Today is a proud day for this body, and a dramatic example of how the Congress that was elected last November pledging to clean up the 'culture of corruption' is making good on its promise," declared House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070731/pl_nm/usa_congress_ethics_dc

[Faux pas]

1. I want to know who the '8' were. You'd think that being that small of

a minority, they would have spared themselves some embarrassment and gone with the flow.

Hope the measure is as good as it sounds. We know how tricky those politicians can be. :)

[sybylla]

2. Ah, but the hypocrits vote against it claiming it doesn't go far enough

Disembling bastards! When they had control of both houses and the Whitehouse, they never lifted a finger to even consider ethics bills unless they were shamed into it.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

4. Tom Delay actually tossed out existing rules...

... especially those dealing with lobbyists. No lobbyist got past his receptionist unless they either made a donation to one of his pet PACs or catered lunch to his congressional office, which itself was a reversal of prior "understandings" to say the least.

[Faux pas]

5. Yeah, but we're not supposed to remember any of that. We do

'the others' don't. When are they going to figure out that 20 something percent is not the majority? Funny, in a sick and sad way.

[mzmolly]

3. A step forward.

thanks HS. :hi: