Reid Letter to Frist , re: Frist request for lobby reform task force

[Skinner]

Below is the letter that Reid sent back to Frist in response to his request to have a bipartisan task force to explore lobbying reform legislation:


January 25, 2006

The Honorable William Frist
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Frist:

Thank you for your letter requesting the establishment of a bipartisan lobbying reform task force to address the growing scandal that has gripped the Republican controlled Congress and the White House.

As you know, I have discouraged the creation of task forces in our caucus and in this instance, I believe another working group like this could only slow the process and provide Senators with political cover in order to avoid taking a position on existing legislation. The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and the Rules Committee are both very capable and should be encouraged to review and to act upon the proposals pending before their committees in an expeditious manner.

In addition, the hearings to be conducted by Senate committees on reform of lobbying and ethics rules need to be open and honest discussions and seek to expose the heart of this system of corruption which is embodied in the so called K Street Project. The public has a right to know the extent of activities under this project and full public confidence in the Congress cannot be restored until a thorough review these matters is completed.

We do owe it to the American people to work in a bipartisan fashion and I would encourage you and others in your caucus to consider co-sponsoring S. 2180, the Honest Leadership Act, which was introduced on Friday, January 20, 2006 and already has 39 co-sponsors. It is the strongest bill introduced to date which provides real enforcement, broadens the type of information disclosed by lobbyists and makes fundamental changes to eliminate these pay to play schemes that subvert our democratic processes.

It is long past time that we put our house in order and I hope we can do so as soon as possible.

Sincerely,


Harry Reid
Democratic Leader


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