Abercrombie Votes Against Bill That Fails to Curb Lobbying Abuses

Abercrombie Votes Against Bill That Fails to Curb Lobbying Abuses

Congressman Neil Abercrombie voted today against a Republican bill (H.R. 4975) that fails to make meaningful improvements to lobbying rules and does little to provide a comprehensive, permanent solution to problems exemplified by the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Abercrombie said, "The bill is only pretend reform, and it's not very convincing. It falls far short of establishing real accountability and transparency. The structural problems exposed by the Abramoff scandals remain unremedied. This kind of exercise is what breeds cynicism and undermines the public trust that is essential to a healthy democracy."

Abercrombie supported a Democratic substitute bill which permanently bans travel financed by nongovernmental organizations that employ or retain lobbyists; bans all gifts and meals offered by registered lobbyists; shuts down the K Street Project, an effort to make lobbying firms an arm of the Republican congressional leadership; and doubles, from one to two years, the period in which former Members are prohibited from lobbying their former colleagues.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/hi01_abercrombie/Gov_house_lobbyreformo6a.html