Sham ethics reform passes

[SHRED]

Inspite of Cunningham and Abramoff scandals.
Inspite of Delay.
Inspite of the rampant cronyism and corporate takeover of our country we get this instead.

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– No Restrictions on Lavish Gifts:
Current gift limits will remain unchanged.

– No Ban on Free Exotic Trips:
Lawmakers will still be able to accept lavish privately-funded trips from lobbyists.

– No Increase in Lobbyist Transparency:
Lobbyists can continue to pay $25,000 or $50,000 for a campaign fundraiser, with no oversight.

– No Ethics Training for Members:
Ethics training will be mandatory for all congressional staff, but not for members.

– No Revolving Door Slow-Down:
A companion piece of legislation to the lobbying bill would require administration officials to wait at least two years after they leave office before becoming lobbyists. But there is no legislation to create a similar two-year waiting period for lawmakers.

– No Grassroots Lobbying Regulation:
There are no disclosure rules “for professional lobbying firms that are retained to spend money on campaigns aimed at stimulating the public to lobby Congress, including multimillion dollar advertising campaigns.”

– No Enforcement of Existing Rules:
The bill “includes no mechanism for enforcing and monitoring old and new rules.”

– Weak Earmark Reform:
The bill restricts appropriations earmarks, but does not reform earmarks in tax and authorization bills.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/03/house-sham-ethics/

Republicans strike again.

How they voted:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll119.xml

[acmejack]

1. Fortunately they didn't pass a resolution honoring the GOP

Leadership for fostering an environment in the House which allowed such a successful ethics climate to exist that no possible improvement could be made. 435 of the best minds in the Country were unable to legislate any enhancements to the successful system we have in place.

[NI4NI]

2. 8 DEMS voted for it! WHY???

Barrow, Marshall(Georgia), Boren(Okla), Boswell(Iowa), Cueller(Texas), Matheson(Utah), Melancon(La.) Taylor(Mississippi)......Republican Wolf (Va) voted against it.