aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

More on Pelosi’s agenda

Is this what Republicans are complaining about?

If Democrats gain the 15 seats they need to win control of the House—and most analysts think they will—one of the first things the new House will do is restrict or end outright a slew of lobbying practices.

In a little-publicized statement, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the House Democratic leader, has promised to change the chamber’s rules to reflect the provisions of her not-so-modestly-named Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006. The months-old measure would, among other things, prohibit House members from accepting gifts and travel from lobbyists or from organizations that employ lobbyists. [...]

That would be a major development for K Street. If the House rules were altered in ways that even came close to Pelosi’s preferences, lobbying of House members would be changed significantly and immediately. The new rules would apply as soon as they were approved by a simple majority.

Read the whole thing. A ban on gifts and travel; limit the access perks of former congressmen, require disclosure of earmarked spending and create an Office of Public Integrity. Right on Nancy!