Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 2317, Lobbying Transparency Act Of 2007 And Providing For Consideration of H.R. 2316, Honest Leadership And ...

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2317, LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2007 AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2316, HONEST LEADERSHIP AND OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 11, 2007)

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the Honest Leadership Open Government Act and congratulate Speaker PELOSI for taking this important step in changing the way business is done in Washington.

* H.R. 2316 will bring real transparency to lobbyists' activities in order to break the corrupting influence that has been present over the last decade in Congress. This bill requires disclosure of lobbyists' contributions to members, doubles the frequency of lobbyists' reporting, and establishes a searchable public database of this disclosure information. It also increases criminal and civil penalties for those who violate the Lobby Disclosure Act and bans the K street project.

* The Honest Leadership Open Government Act includes new requirements for Members of Congress, including required disclosure of job negotiations for post-Congressional employment, and establishes a public database for Members' travel and financial disclosure information.

* This legislation is the second step in fulfilling the Democrats' promise to clean up Washington. In the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress we passed new House Rules imposing the toughest ethics standards ever. These rules banned gifts, meals and trips paid for by lobbyists. The House has also voted to deny pension benefits to Members of Congress convicted of corruption.

* The House of Representatives is the People's House. In order to ensure that we are truly responsive to and representative of the people, it is critical that lobbyists' do not have undue access to Members or influence over the legislative process. H.R. 2316 shines a bright light on lobbyists' activities in order to end the illegal practices that waste taxpayer dollars and bring disgrace to this institution.

* Under Democratic leadership, this Congress is moving America in a New Direction. Our priorities put the interests of American families ahead of special interests. I am proud to support this legislation today and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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