http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070118/a_lobbying18.art.htm
Senate Democrats fight proposal to ban relatives lobbying
Some back it only if family members are grandfathered
By Fredreka Schouten
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — As the Senate works on sweeping new ethics rules this week, Majority Leader Harry Reid and other leading Democrats are resisting changes that strike close to home.
A proposal by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., that would ban senators' spouses from lobbying the chamber has triggered intense debate with key senators such as Reid and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., promising to oppose it if it affects senators already married to lobbyists.
Reid, D-Nev., would support the ban "as along as it's not retroactive," his spokesman Jim Manley said Wednesday. Feinstein, who oversees the committee that governs Senate rules, also backs a provision that would exempt current senator-lobbyist couples.
SNIP
Vitter said that if Democrats move to more broadly exempt current lobbyists and senators from his proposal, it would send a "cynical" message: "Yeah, we're going to get serious about ethics as long as it doesn't affect our friends."
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The GOP proposals go further than the current ethics package proposed by Senate Democrats, which would require lawmakers to publicly disclose the projects they insert in bills, now often done in secret.
Democrats Protect Lobbying Relatives
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by carpro, Jan 18, 2007.
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
Reid, D-Nev., would support the ban "as along as it's not retroactive," his spokesman Jim Manley said Wednesday. Feinstein, who oversees the committee that governs Senate rules, also backs a provision that would exempt current senator-lobbyist couples.
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Reports are that Reid is the king of nepotism in the Senate.
It's hard to believe how hypocritical politicians are. "Grandfathered" :rolleyes:
Protect your influence and protect your income is what it's really about.
Do you really believe democrats are serious about doing something about ethics...
or are they just making noise?:BangHead: -
Thoughtful, calculated, logical, appealing, "noise" designed to do two things.
Demonstrate to America, the Democrats noble desire for ethical reform.
Leave the impression that "they tried" as it drifts off into oblivion. -
This sounds reasonable to me.
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Oh, yes, Democrats are the height of "reform."
Yep, I remember Tom Daschle's little wife. Well, he finally got voted out.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0201.mencimer.html
Like I have been saying for years, they're all crooks & liars. Both Parties. None of them care about the American people, only lining their own pockets in whatever way they can. -
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Heh.
This is the party of Tammanay Hall. :thumbs: -
(GOP comes up with stricter lobbying guidelines after voter kick them out)
Funny how popular reform is when you aren't in power any more. Sad how unpopular it becomes when you are in power.
The democrats will enact reforms, but not enough of them and they won't be as strict as they should be. There will be a net decrease in corruption, compared to the previous pack of clowns. Whoopee.
Be happy for small improvements; it's been a long time since we had any.