Walz Casts First Votes in Favor of Sweeping Ethics Reform

WALZ CASTS FIRST VOTES IN FAVOR OF SWEEPING ETHICS REFORM

Hours after taking the oath of office, freshman Representative Tim Walz cast his first votes in Congress in favor of an aggressive ethics reform package. The measure, aimed at restoring public trust in open and honest government, reverses over a decade of Republican excesses and abuses. The Honest Leadership and Open Government package passed the House of Representatives on a series of votes Thursday night and Friday morning.

"Waste, fraud, and abuse by members of Congress during the last few years cost American taxpayers billions of dollars," Rep. Walz said. "Until today, the price of doing business in Washington was too high for the people of Minnesota to pay. That is why I'm so proud that my first several votes in Congress were for sweeping new measures that will make the 110th Congress the most transparent, open, and ethical in history," he added of his vote.

"This bill not only curbs the influence of moneyed lobbyists," said Walz, "it curbs the ability of members of Congress to pressure their colleagues into voting against their conscience and district by banning the practice of holding votes open in order to affect the outcome of the vote."

"The people of southern Minnesota should know that there is no longer a cost for them to do business in Washington. They elected me to do their business and I'm humbled and honored to be entrusted with this congressional seat," added Walz.

The Honest Leadership and Open Government bill includes:

A Minnesota-Style Ban on Gifts from Lobbyists: House Democrats acted to ban gifts and meals from lobbyists and organizations that employ them. Members of the Minnesota Legislature are already prohibited from accepting gifts from lobbyists. This bill extends that prohibition to Congress.

A Ban on Lobbyist-Sponsored Travel: House Democrats voted to ban lobbyists and organizations that employ them from planning, organizing, requesting, financing, arranging, or participating in travel for members of Congress or their staff and further prohibits the use of official, personal, or campaign funds to pay for the use of non-commercial, corporate jets.

An End to the Revolving Door Between Congress and K Street: Congressional Democrats voted to end pay-to-play schemes, in which Congressional Republicans directed corporations and lobbying firms on who to hire in exchange for political access.

A Ban on Arm Twisting for Votes: House Democrats acted to end the practice of holding votes open for undue amounts of time for the sole purpose of twisting arms and affecting the outcome of the vote.

http://walz.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55780