WASHINGTON-Congress, stung by growing cynicism about the clout of lobbyists in the law-making process, is moving forward with tough lobbying reform legislation.
Lobbying has been particularly intense over the past year with the progression toward passage of a landmark telecommunications reform bill.
A measure passed by the House last month and a similar one approved by the Senate last July places stricter limits on gifts lawmakers can receive.
The goal is to end appearances of lawmakers at charity golf, tennis and ski outings and to prevent them and their staffs from accepting free meals, sports tickets and other gifts.
However, it appears congressmen will still be able to receive expense-paid travel to make speeches. Public officials are typically big draws at industry trade shows and events.
ABC Prime Time Live not long ago aired a segment on junkets and highlighted, among other things, a golf outing at a Wireless Leadership Forum held in June at Harrah’s Casino in Lake Tahoe that the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association sponsored. A House member and congressional staff members attended the meeting at a time when telecommunications reform legislation was being crafted. CTIA President Thomas Wheeler accused ABC/CapCities of retaliating against his trade group for speaking out in favor of digital TV auctions.
A separate bill passed by the House last week would force lobbyists to disclose their identity, their mission and their expenses.
