House Takes up Lobbying Reform Bill

HOUSE TAKES UP LOBBYING REFORM BILL

02/01/06

Bill includes elements of an initiative first proposed by Congressman Jones which would restrict former members of Congress who are lobbyists from access to the House floor.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the House of Representatives will take up legislation on lobbying reform that includes elements of a provision Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) proposed earlier this month. Jones' legislation, H. Res. 646, would suspend House floor privileges for former members of Congress who are registered as lobbyists. Today, the House will take up similar legislation which would also prohibit former members who are registered as lobbyists from accessing the House Gym. In a letter yesterday to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, Congressman Jones expressed his appreciation for their work in quickly bringing the reform proposal to a vote.

"The American people know that special interests - whether represented by a former member of Congress or any other lobbyist - should not be given access to members on the House floor," Congressman Jones wrote. "I appreciate your leadership and look forward to working with you on other proposals to help restore the American public's faith in our legislative process."

"I strongly believe that, once enacted, these commonsense reforms will serve as an important step toward restoring the public's trust in our legislative system," Congressman Jones said today.

http://jones.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=388