Statement of Gary Kalman, Democracy Advocate
Today’s vote in the
U.S. Senate was a terrific win for the American people. Following the
House action earlier this week, the landmark bill now heads to the President’s
desk where we expect he will sign the bill.
The reforms passed
this week represent the most sweeping changes to the rules in a
generation. Congress has never operated in the way we learn about in high
school civics but the workings of Washington have become poisoned by the common
practices that all too often put lobbyists and the powerful interests they
represent ahead of constituents and the American people.
These changes take our democracy out of the darkness and
open up the process with meaningful disclosure and new, tougher rules on the
actions of lobbyists and their dealings with legislators.
For the first time,
lobbyists will have to disclose the contributions they not only give to
candidates but also those they raise. If the public is to truly
understand who is building access through campaign fundraising, knowing about
an individual’s personal $2,000 contribution is helpful, but knowing about the
tens and hundreds of thousands they bundle for candidates is critical.
The bill also:
- strikes at the “clubby” environment in
which lobbyists buy members gifts, pay for meals and take them to sporting
events and on lavish trips to gain access that is not afforded to the rest
of us;
- requires sponsors to disclose the
earmarks lawmakers insert in bills and adds a new layer of accountability
to the process;
- slows the “revolving door” by which
lawmakers can leave public service and immediately return as high paid
lobbyists for special interests with special access.
We thank and
applaud Senators Harry Reid (NV), Russ Feingold (WI), Barack Obama (IL), Diane
Feinstein (CA), and Joe Lieberman (CT) for their leadership and persistence in
pushing this historic reform.
