CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
July 31, 2007 – 1:06 p.m.
House Passes Lobbying and Ethics Overhaul

By an overwhelming 411-8 vote, the House passed a lobbying and ethics bill Tuesday that would increase disclosure requirements for earmarks and lobbying activities. The bill now goes back to the Senate for final action.

The measure is primarily designed to give the public more information, faster, about the work of lobbyists and their political fundraising efforts, while slowing the revolving door that leads from Capitol Hill to K Street.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was expected to file a cloture motion later Tuesday on a motion to call up the House-passed measure. That would set up a showdown vote Thursday that will test the strength of GOP earmark foes who contend the measure does little to scale back the practice of targeting projects to member’s home states and districts.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said that the margin of passage showed the broad consensus behind the bill in both parties and both chambers. “It’s going to send a message to the Senate,’’ Hoyer said.

Because the measure would change Senate rules to require disclosure of earmarks and their authors in appropriations, tax and tariff measures, Reid will need two-thirds of those present and voting to invoke cloture and limit debate.

Source: CQ Today Midday Update
Political Clippings compiled from BNN Frontrunner and CQ Politics.com.
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