http://www.chetedwards.com/taxonomy/term/78/0 en http://www.chetedwards.com/node/275 <p><font size="2" color="#990000"><b>Ethics Reform</b></font></p> <p>Chet believes the status quo in Washington today is unacceptable and must change for Congress to effectively address the issues our nation faces. He has supported several bills to strength the ethics process.<br /> <!--break--></p> <p><b>Chet voted to:</b></p> <ul> <li>Establish a non-partisan Office of Congressional Ethics to review alleged violations by Members, delegates, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives. </li> <p>

 <li>Ban travel and gifts from lobbyists and requires lobbyists to disclose campaign contributions, so that unethical lobbyists cannot buy influence in Congress. </li> <p>
 <li>Close the Revolving Door, strengthening the 1 year ban on lobbying for former members of Congress preventing Members and senior staff from conflict of interest negotiations regarding employment. Prohibit Members and senior staff from influencing employment decisions of private entities for partisan political gain; violators face fines and prison terms of up to 15 years.</li> <p><br> <li>Require quarterly electronic filing of lobbying reports, establishes a public database of lobbyist disclosure information, requires the House Clerk to provide public Internet access to lobbying reports within 48 hours. </li> <p>
 <li>Increase civil penalties for violation of the lobbying disclosure rules from $50,000 to $100,000 and adds criminal penalty of up to 5 years for failure to comply. </li> <p>

 <li>Require Members to prohibit their staff from having any official contact with the Member’s spouse who is a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by such an individual and establishes a public database of Member Travel and Personal Financial Disclosure Forms.</li> <p> 
 <li>Require a “registered lobbyist” who “bundles” two or more contributions totaling more than $5,000 a quarter ($40,000 an election cycle) made to a candidate or PAC to file quarterly reports with the House and Senate Clerks.</li> <p> 
 <li>Deny pensions to Members of Congress convicted of a felony.</li> <p> 
 <li>Change House Rules to end the “dead of night” special interest provisions and requiring disclosure of earmarks in tax, spending, and authorizing legislation so that the public may see exactly what their elected representatives are doing in Washington.</li> <p> 
</p> http://www.chetedwards.com/node/275#comment On the Issues Ethics Reform Thu, 22 May 2008 14:02:09 -0700 econnor 275 at http://www.chetedwards.com