Now that both sides of the aisle have produced the starting point for a Lobbying Reform bill what is on your wishlist?

Democratic Proposal for Lobbying Reform

Republican Proposal for Lobbying Reform

Whats on your wishlist for a Lobbying Reform Bill?


While both sides have similar as well as different ideas that they are bringing to the table here's what I would like to see in the Lobbying Reform Bill.....

1. A minimum of 2 years between when a person from the Federal Government (lawmakers, Congressional staff and Executive Branch offcials ) can work within a lobbying firm to lobby their former employment. Immediate family members (spouse, children, grandchildren) are prohibited from working in lobbying firms to lobby Federal Government offices/officials while a member of their family is working within the Federal Government.

2. Eliminate floor and gym privileges to former members who return to lobby.

3. Ban all gifts from Lobbyist - prohibit all gifts, meals, entertainment and travel from lobbyists.

4. Toughen Public Disclosure of Lobbyist Activities and more frequently.

5. Prohibit Special Interest Provisions, Lobbyists from writing the laws and last minute additions in bills without the full consent of members, the appropriate full committees or full conference committee members.

6. All members of congress need ample time to read bills before voting for them on the floor of each house. Minimum of 24 hours before a bill or amendment is voted on either floor of Congress.

7. Forfeiture of Federal pension's for anyone covered under this proposal if convicted of a felony relating to their official duties.

While most of these things are from the Republican and Democratic proposals I changed or added some stuff like the immediate family member prohibitions because both sides would not but should go that far. We can see on both sides were it has become a family business between lobbying and representing the public, but it has become to cozy when the general public is not that informed and needs to be changed.