Honest Leadership Open Government Act of 2007

Floor Speech

HONEST LEADERSHIP OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 04, 2007)

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Honest Leadership Open Government Act and commend Speaker PELOSI and Chairman CONYERS for their work to take this important step to restore accountability to Washington and implement this much-needed reform.

* S. 1 puts the priorities of American families before special interests, bringing real transparency to lobbyists' activities by doubling the frequency of lobbyists' reporting and establishing a searchable public database of this disclosure information. It also requires Members of Congress to disclose job negotiations for post-Congressional employment and creates a public database online of Member travel and financial disclosure forms. Further, the Honest Leadership Open Government Act prohibits Members convicted of certain felonies from receiving a congressional pension.

* 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. Today, the House takes the next step in voting on this final House-Senate agreement on ethics and lobby reform.

* S. 1 has the support of a wide range of organizations working to increase openness and honesty in government. I would like to include for the RECORD a letter from several major groups including Common Cause, League of Women Voters, and Public Citizen, expressing their support for this bill.

* These important reforms cannot be delayed any longer. The Democratic Congress will send this tough lobbying reform bill to the President's desk. I urge him to listen to the American public and sign this bill into law.

Source