[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      THE LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. 1060, the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended last night by the compromise 
language developed by our distinguished colleagues, Senators McConnell 
and Levin. I am pleased that the McConnell-Levin amendment solves both 
of the principal problems with lobbying reform legislation that caused 
me to vote against it last year.
  First, the McConnell-Levin amendment assures that this legislation is 
not directed at grassroots lobbying. Grassroots lobbyists will not be 
required to report their activities or disclose their contributors. 
Unlike last year's bill, moreover, S. 1060 does not threaten to make 
grass roots lobbyists divulge their entire mailing lists.
  Second, the McConnell-Levin amendment removes from S. 1060 the 
provisions that would have created a new government agency, which would 
have been called the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public 
Disclosure. It replaces those provisions with language that establishes 
administrative enforcement by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk 
of the House of Representatives. Those officers, and not a new 
government agency, will receive the lobbying reports that will be 
required if S. 1060 becomes law.
  Mr. President, S. 1060 represents a reasonable compromise that 
properly balances the first amendment rights of the people against the 
demand of the public for meaningful reform of the way in which 
Washington does business. I remain convinced that last year's bill went 
too far and threatened to abridge the first amendment rights of 
grassroots lobbyists. Moreover, last year's bill made the age-old 
mistake of attempting to address a problem by creating yet another new 
government agency. I am pleased that last year's bill was defeated and 
that, this year, the opposing sides in that battle have come together 
to produce this bill.
  Mr. President, I commend the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, 
Senator McConnell, for his able leadership with respect to this bill. 
He has done an outstanding job in achieving the imminent overwhelming 
approval of the Senate for this bill.


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