Congressman Cuellar Co-Sponsors Ethics Reform Package In Washington

CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR CO-SPONSORS ETHICS REFORM PACKAGE IN WASHINGTON

Today, Congress passed an aggressive ethics reform package aimed at eliminating corruption in Washington D.C. Under this plan, which was co-sponsored by Congressman Henry Cuellar, lawmakers will reestablish a sense of trust between Congress and the American public.

"We owe it to all Americans to provide fair and just laws that ensure a better quality of life. Honest and hard-working Americans carry the burden of corruption on their backs," said Congressman Cuellar.

These new regulations will block lobbyists and interest groups in their efforts to persuade lawmakers to vote on certain legislation that favors their firms and interests. In the past, lobbying firms have swayed members of Congress and their staff with expensive meals, trips, and tickets to concerts and sporting events.

In order to strengthen ethical standards, these regulations ban gifts from lobbyists, as well as lobbyist travel either for both the members of Congress and their staff. They also shut down Pay-to-Play schemes like the "K Street Project", in which members influenced corporations and lobbying firms whom they should hire in exchange for political access.

"I am proud that my first vote in the 110th Congress will help create a more ethical and principled Congress. The needs of hard-working American families must always come first, and I will fight to ensure that lobbyists and interest groups don't interfere with the needs of the public," noted Congressman Cuellar.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx28_cuellar/ethicsreformjan07.html