The Introduction of the Bundling Disclosure Act

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BUNDLING DISCLOSURE ACT

* Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce The Bundling Disclosure Act. While we have already made tremendous strides in the 110th Congress by passing many ethics reform measures, in the first 100 hours, our work is not done. We must continue to move forward to ensure that the proper relationship is maintained between Members of Congress and lobbyists who advance their clients, legislative interests before Congress. This bill is an important step in the direction of adding some sunlight to the activities of lobbyists who have business before the Congress while at the same time providing campaign contributions, co-hosting events or collecting and transmitting the contributions of others.

* While lobbyists are subject to the same legal limitations as any other individual regarding the amount of a contribution they can make to a Member's campaign, some lobbyists also solicit, gather and transmit the contributions of others to Members. This ``bundling' practice enables lobbyists to enhance their significance to a Member of Congress and consequently, this practice should be transparent to the public

* This disclosure to the American people is essential in order to provide the accountability that so many voters demanded as a result of the abuses that took place in the recent past. We need to create transparency around the campaign finance practices of registered lobbyists. As Justice Brandeis has said, ``sunlight is the best disinfectant.'

* Last year, I amended the Lobbying Disclosure Act, in the Judiciary Committee, to require lobbyists to disclose their bundling of funds. This amendment was adopted on a bipartisan vote of 28 to 4 and was the subject of a Washington Post editorial on April 13, 2005 entitled, ``Real Lobbying Reform, A House Committee Tackles the Nexus Between Campaign Cash and Legislative Influence'. Unfortunately, a funny thing happened on the way to the Rules Committee. This bundling disclosure provision was mysteriously stripped from the bill without a vote or comment. Any effort to add the provision back into the bill in the Rules Committee or on the House floor was blocked.

* Therefore, I was pleased to see that Senators FEINGOLD and OBAMA drafted a similar provision in the 110th Congress. The Senate's bundling disclosure requirement was included in the Senate Ethics bill that passed by a vote of 96 to 2. This bill that I am introducing today with Congressman MEEHAN contains the same provision.

* The American people spoke loud and clear during the last election. They want reform. They want this Congress to correct the abuses of the past. This bill will shed much needed light on the murky intersection of fundraising and the legislative process. I urge you to support this bill so that we can restore the American people's faith in Congress and put the public interest before the special interests.

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