Ernest Istook: “we have had debate previously in this Chamber about the activity of different groups that receive Federal taxpayer's…”

“we have had debate previously in this Chamber about the activity of different groups that receive Federal taxpayer's money, sometimes in hundreds of millions or tens of millions of dollars, and their lobbying activity. Previously this body voted, on two different occasions, passing legislation that would put some commonsense limitations on the scope of lobbying by groups dependent upon the taxpayer's money. The Senate also had a similar vote, adopting that in principle as well. This amendment, however, Mr. Chairman, does not go that far. It simply says that groups that are recipients of taxpayers' money will make a disclosure of the total amount once a year that they have spent on lobbying. That will certainly help both sides in that debate, Mr. Chairman. Some have said oh, they are not doing big time lobbying. Others have said, yes, they are. But the problem is we have never required them to report that, along with the other information grant recipients report. This will give us the information so that both sides may consider this issue based upon the facts. I urge its adoption.”