Clean Up Washington

Clean Up Washington

Absolute power corrupts, they say - and today, the Republicans have complete control of the federal government. It's one of the reasons you see so much scandal, so much influence-peddling and so much greed. Too many of them are driven by their next election and lining their own pockets.

I'm a former US Attorney and Attorney General. From the looks of it, having another prosecutor in Washington doesn't look like a bad idea right now. From Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, House Majority Leader Tom Delay and super lobbyist Jack Abramoff, we are witnessing a level of corruption we haven't seen in a long, long time.

We can and must do better. We have to minimize the influence of the special interests and their 36,000 lobbyists in Washington.
And we need to make it harder for our elected officials who violate the laws.

As a former prosecutor, a reformer, and firm believer in upholding the integrity of our government, I have drafted a plan to reform the rules governing federal lobbyists, which include the following cornerstones:

1. Real Time Reporting of Meetings Legislators Have With Lobbyists - Since we elect members of the House and Senate to protect the interests we share in our states and districts, it only makes sense that we should know, in real time, when they are meeting with special interest lobbyists. My plan would require members of Congress and Senators to release their schedules showing all meetings with lobbyists that occurred that day, as well as the subjects discussed. This information should be made available to everyone at the office of the Secretary of the Senate, as well as online.
2. Close the Political Revolving Door - I believe that the cooling off period - dictating how long members of Congress, their senior staff and Executive Branch officials have to wait before becoming a registered lobbyist - should be extended by at least two years (for a total waiting period of up to five years). Former members of Congress or former staff members, who are registered lobbyists would no longer have access to the floor of the House or Senate.
3. Ban Lobbyists From Providing Gifts to Members and Staff - Today, lobbyists can provide Members of Congress with expensive meals, trips, promises of employment and other gifts. Under my plan, members of Congress and their staff would not be allowed to receive any rewards, meals, tickets or gifts from lobbyists.
4. Establish an Independent Ethics Commission - In the House and Senate today, the leaders of the majority party dictate what ethics violations are investigated. My plan for ethics reform would create an independent commission with full investigative authority, led by statesmen such as Jimmy Carter and John Danforth.
5. Ultimately, Criminal Penalties for Deliberate Violators - I believe that deliberate violators should face criminal penalties for their actions.

But the problem in Washington isn't just the way so many are helping themselves. The problem is also how little gets done to help anyone else. I grew up believing in public service. I believe the job of a public servant is to solve the people's problems, not line your own pocket. There is real work to be done.

http://www.whitehouseforsenate.com/?page_id=72