Feingold Introduces Lobbying and Ethics Reform Bill Legislation Improves Lobby Disclosure Requirements and Targets Privately Funded Trips and Lobbyist Gifts to Members and Staff July 14, 2005 Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today introduced lobbying and ethics reform legislation aimed at strengthening lobbying disclosure requirements, slowing the revolving door between Congress and the lobbying industry, and curbing the excesses in privately funded trips and gifts for Members of Congress and their staffs. Similar legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Representatives Marty Meehan (D-MA) and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). A fact sheet outlining the provisions in the Feingold legislation is attached. "For too long, lobbyists and special interests have had too much power in Washington, and much of that power is hidden from public view," Feingold said. "Recent campaign finance reforms are helping, but with reports of members of Congress taking corporate jets with lobbyists on board to fly to fundraisers and going on lobbyist-funded golf junkets, it is clear that more work needs to be done. Our laws should reflect the will of the American people, not the desires of the highest bidder." The lobbying industry is growing at a startling rate and current laws have proven inadequate to keep up with this evolving industry and to give the public the information it needs to understand the influence that is brought to bear on executive branch policy and legislation. Recent stories detailing the cozy relationships between lobbyists and certain Members of Congress are only the tip of the iceberg -- they are merely symptoms of deeper problems with lobbying regulation and oversight. In addition, the congressional gift rules passed a decade ago, while an important step forward, do not have the force of law and contain a number of provisions that lobbyists have exploited, including exceptions for gifts below $50 and for certain privately funded travel. "I commend and thank Senator Feingold for introducing the Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act of 2005," Emanuel said. "Just as Senator Feingold's campaign finance reform legislation put distance between donors and members of Congress, the Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act will do the same with special interest lobbyists and members of Congress. We've taken action to clean up corporate boardrooms and professional sports - it's high time we clean up our own act. We must return the People's House to the American people." Feingold has been successful in the past in getting campaign finance reform, the 1995 congressional gift ban, and other reforms through Congress, and the legislation he introduces today is part of that continued reform effort. ### FACT SHEET: The Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act Senator Russ Feingold Improving Lobbying Disclosure -- · Requires lobbying disclosure reports to be filed quarterly rather than semi-annually. · Requires disclosure in the quarterly lobbying reports of oral communications (phone calls or in person meetings) with Members of Congress. The dates of such contacts must be disclosed, not their substance, although each contact must be listed under the issue or bill to which the contact relates. · Requires disclosure of grassroots lobbying expenditures. · Requires disclosure of members of lobbying coalitions. · Improves public accessibility of lobbying disclosure by requiring electronic filing and internet searchable databases. Curbing Excesses in Privately Funded Travel and Lobbyist Gifts -- · Requires a private entity paying for a trip to certify that the trip was not planned, organized, or financed by a lobbyist and the entity must also certify that no registered lobbyist will attend or participate in the trip. · Prohibits lobbyists from giving gifts to Members or staff. Includes exceptions for family members and personal friends, campaign contributions, information materials, etc. Provides for a civil penalty (fine of up to $50,000) for breaking this law. · Requires Members and campaigns to reimburse for the use of corporate jets at the charter rate rather than at first class airfare as is now required. It will also require disclosure of itinerary, purpose, and the identity of others who were on the plane for any such trips. Slowing the Revolving Door -- · Increases cooling off period for executive and legislative branch employees from one to two years. Former Members and very senior executive branch officials (cabinet members, heads of agencies) will be prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities as well as lobbying contacts for that period. This will prevent a former Member from supervising or designing a lobbying campaign while avoiding any direct contact with Members or staff. · Former congressional staff will be restricted from making lobbying contacts to the entire House of Congress they worked for, rather than just the employing office as under current law. · Requires lobbyists to disclose on their lobbying registrations any previous employment with the executive or legislative branch, rather than only such employment within two years prior to acting as a lobbyist. · Requires Members and senior staff to publicly disclose possible conflicts of interest if they are engaged in discussions of future employment. · Provides that any benefit available equally and only to all former members of the Senate shall not be available to former Senators who are registered lobbyists (e.g., floor privileges, gym membership).

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