Pelosi: Sham Lobby Reform Bill Does Nothing to Reform Republican Culture of Corruption

Pelosi: Sham Lobby Reform Bill Does Nothing to Reform Republican Culture of Corruption

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Republicans' so-called lobby reform bill that passed in the House late this afternoon and will do nothing to end the Republican culture of corruption:

"The House has passed a sham bill that does nothing to reform the Republican culture of corruption. In true Orwellian fashion, the Republicans called their bill the ‘Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act,' but it holds no one accountable and provides little transparency to the activities of lobbyists or anyone else. No wonder newspapers across the country called it a ‘ruse,' a ‘joke,' and a ‘con.' For the American people, it is truly a shame.

"When the energy companies write the energy bill, we have gasoline that costs $3 a gallon; when pharmaceutical companies write the Medicare prescription drug bill, we have a bill full of giveaways to cronies, but nothing for America's seniors; when lobbyists write the lobbying reform bill, we end up with a ruse that winks at reform and does nothing to curtail the culture of corruption.

"Democrats offered real reform legislation: banning gifts and travel from lobbyists and organizations that retain or employ them; banning official travel on corporate jets; shutting down the K Street project; subjecting earmarks to the full light of day; closing the revolving door between government officials and lobbying firms; and bringing back fair, open, and honest procedures to the House floor. Republicans voted that legislation down.

"Republicans don't want to end the culture of corruption because they continue to benefit from it. It's time for a new direction."

http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=1546