Earl Blumenauer: “I support H.R. 2316 and 2317--bills that significantly reform the lobbyist-lawmaker relationship for the better. By…”

“I support H.R. 2316 and 2317--bills that significantly reform the lobbyist-lawmaker relationship for the better. By opening the lobbying process to greater oversight, we will reaffirm our commitment to accountability and transparency in Congress. Although I am deeply frustrated that stronger reform measures were abandoned, I believe this pair of bills represents an essential step toward a more honest and open government. Earlier this year, my colleague Greg Walden and I reintroduced H.R. 1136, the ``Ethics Reform Act of 2007,'' with provisions that tighten lobbyist disclosure and reporting. I am pleased to see similar provisions--such as quarterly disclosure requirements, electronic filing, and a public database of disclosure data--in H.R. 2316. I am also pleased to see increased gift restrictions, tightened reporting requirements, and stiffened noncompliance penalties included in these bills. These are critical components of effective lobbying reform whose adoption will help to clearly delineate an appropriate boundary between lobbyists and lawmakers. However, I must also voice a deep concern: these bills do not go far enough.”