Ethics, Lobbying, and Related Procedural Reforms Proposed in S. 1, 110th Congress

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Politics

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Abstract:

This report discusses and analyzes the proposals in S. 1, 110th Congress, as passed by the Senate on January 18, 2007, concerning congressional ethics, lobbying reform, and proposals to amend Senate procedures to increase legislative transparency. Proposed changes in ethics and lobbying provisions are examined in five general areas: (1) proposed amendments and additions to internal Senate Rules governing such things as the acceptance of gifts by Senators and staff, including gifts of free travel; official contacts with Senators' family members who are lobbyists; influencing private hiring decisions; and mandatory ethics training; (2) amendments to Senate Rule provisions and changes in the federal criminal law concerning "revolving door" restrictions and regulations on former Members and employees of Congress concerning various post-employment "lobbying" activities and privileges, including the requirement to disclose negotiations for future private employment; (3) amendments to the statutory provisions requiring the disclosure of lobbying activities and other activities of registered lobbyists under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended; (4) the establishment in the legislative branch of a study commission on ethics and lobbying; and (5) the statutory provisions concerning the forfeiture of federal pension annuities for former Members of Congress for the conviction of certain crimes. Finally, the procedural changes that have been proposed in S. 1, including procedural matters concerning so-called "earmark reforms," matters in conference reports, and cost scoring provisions are also analyzed.

Contributors to the report include Jack Maskell, legislative attorney, American Law Division, (coordinator, primarily responsible for covering the provisions concerning congressional ethics, receipt of gifts by Members and staff, "revolving door" and other post-employment conflicts of interest, and pension reform); R. Eric Petersen, analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division (lobbying reform); Sandy Streeter, analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division (congressional earmark reform); Bill Heniff Jr., analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division (CBO scoring); and Todd B. Tatelman, legislative attorney, American Law Division (Senate procedures, conference reports, and COLA adjustments). This report will be updated as warranted.