The conference committee negotiating differences between House and Senate versions of ethics reform legislation have reached agreement, and the unified bill will be presented to both houses for a final vote, before being sent to the president for signature and passage into law. Negotiators reportedly worked late into the night of 27 July in order to resolve disagreement over language limiting contributions from lobbyists.

One of the stickiest issues, in part because of a general lack of sympathy from any sector of the public, was "bundled" contributions from lobbyists. Officially recognized lobbying firms are permitted to collect and donate sums of money not representing a single individual, for which reason they can provide sums far exceeding the cap for individual contributions. Many feel this gives them undue influence over legislators and an unconstitutional upper-hand in formulating or suggesting legislation.

The new language permits contributions up to $15,000 without regular release of itemized donor information. Twice-yearly reports will be required disclosing the make-up of so-called bundled contributions in excess of $15,000. The original House measure had required quarterly reporting for any bundled amounts in excess of $5,000.

The legislation should be voted up or down in both houses this week, though there are rumors some senators may use procedural maneuvers to prevent passage. The Washington Post reports, however, that "Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has vowed to prevent senators from beginning their month-long recess, scheduled to start next weekend, until the bill passes."

The last congress was plagued by investigations and allegations of corruption. The leaders of both houses resigned or left politics, and both faced corruption probes. Tom DeLay, the House majority leader until last year, was convicted in his corruption case. And, apart from those two unique cases, the Jack Abramoff "superlobbyist" cash for access scandal is said to have ties to at least 60 lawmakers. Other prominent cases were Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) and Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.), both accused of taking bribes and neither of whom remains in Congress at present.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus, told the press: "Lobbying laws and rules have been collecting particles and dirt for 30 years, and this is the most comprehensive scrub they've gotten". Other measures passed the Senate earlier this year, but failed to become law amid concerns over increased scrutiny of fundraising.

Democrats took control of Congress in January with a "mandate" for ethics reform, amid widespread outrage over corruption scandals and apparent quid-pro-quo relationships between lobbyists and members of Congress. Now, Democrats will be tested in their valuing of high ethical standards above greater liberty for collecting campaign cash. [s]

• Washington Post: "Lawmakers Agree on New Ethics Rules"

BACKGROUND:
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BOB NEY PLEADS GUILTY TO BRIBERY, CONSPIRACY IN PROBE LINKED TO ABRAMOFF
NEY MAY NOW FACE MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN PRISON, FINES UP TO $60,000
16 October 2006

On 13 October, Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican from Ohio, admitted he gave political favors in exchange for bribes, pleading guilty on several counts. He will now face sentencing and is expected to resign his seat in Congress, though he has not given a date. Ney is the latest political casualty of a massive corruption investigation involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, anti-tax hawk Grover Norquist, disgraced Texan congressman Tom DeLay, and dozens of other influential Washington figures. [Full Story]

A VAST LEFT-WING CONSPIRACY, SAYS DeLAY
3 October 2005

Under indictment for conspiracy in an alleged scheme to raise illegal campaign cash and conceal it through manipulation of his Political Action Committee, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), stepped aside earlier this week as House Majority Leader. Congressional rules require that he leave his post while facing indictment. He has been reprimanded by Congress three times already for "objectionable behavior". Dissatisfied Republicans are looking for new leadership. [Full Story]

ALLEGED CORRUPTION ON HOUSE FLOOR
8 December 2003

Serious questions have arisen as to the methods used by Republican leaders in the House of Representatives to persuade members of their party to vote in favor of the Medicare prescription drug bill. Conservative columnist Robert Novak broke the story, in which Rep. Nick Smith of Michigan, a Republican who voted against the bill, charged that various colleagues and business interests offered large amounts of money to his son's congressional campaign in exchange for a yes vote. [Full Story]

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Carrington
"If once they [the people] become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, judges and governors shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions..."