Congressional leaders of both parties are staging a fire sale on promises to clean up the lobbying and influence-peddling abuses rampant on Capitol Hill. Many are long overdue, notably a ban on the gratis meals and gifts and junkets that have made Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay symbols of Washington's easy-money subculture.
But an egregious loophole already gapes in the first wave of promised crackdowns: the very gifts and golf and beach adventures to be banned under lobbying reform would still be permitted under the separate campaign finance law. Yes, so long as boondoggles, whether on distant slopes or at nearby watering holes, are formally characterized as campaign events and include a handover of campaign checks, they exempt lobbyists from restrictions.
1.19.2006
Still at the trough...
This is what the Republicans in the House call 'reform':
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3 comments:
Jef,
If you would have done your homework you would know that the Democrats came out with a reform proposal virtually the same as the Republicans. This issue is not party specific! The boondoggles are taken from both side of the aisle, and Jack Abramhoff(sp) didnt just give Republicans money. Nice Try!!
Jack Straw
As a follow up, Today Harry Reid apologized for his report that came outof his office blasting republicans on reform. After saying "putting the Gop in charge of reform is like putting Gotti in charge of reforming the mafia", he has backed down with an apology to specific republicans. this from the guy who recieved $69,000 from Abramhoff.
I notice you havent responded to this yet Jef????
Jack Straw
You are twisting the facts. Abramoff made personal contributions to Republicans only (and a lot of them).
What has gone to some Democtrats, that has been returned, were contributions from Abramoff clients. However, even when you go these several steps back, the contributions were overwhelmingly to Republicans.
But, the crook's personal giving, and that of his wife, were 100% Republican.
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