McCain plans to attack ethics bill (what a swan song!)

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccain-plans-to-attack-ethics-bill-2007-08-02.html

McCain plans to attack ethics bill
By Susan Crabtree
August 02, 2007

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans to take a break from the campaign trail to speak out against the Democratic lobbying reform package Thursday before it hits the floor at the end of the week, according to one of the bill’s chief opponents, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)

DeMint held up final negotiations on the bill for weeks, arguing that earmark provisions that purport to provide more transparency do nothing but maintain the status quo. For instance, he said, the majority leader has the right to certify what constitutes an earmark instead of a nonpartisan Senate officer such as the parliamentarian.

The junior senator from South Carolina said McCain shares those views and plans to participate in a press conference Thursday morning, along with other opponents of the ethics measure. He could even vote against the entire bill, DeMint said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” he noted.

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