[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1785-E1786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONEST LEADERSHIP OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
Honest Leadership Open Government Act and commend Speaker Pelosi and 
Chairman Conyers for their work to take this important step to restore 
accountability to Washington and implement this much-needed reform.
  S. 1 puts the priorities of American families before special 
interests, bringing real transparency to lobbyists' activities by 
doubling the

[[Page E1786]]

frequency of lobbyists' reporting and establishing a searchable public 
database of this disclosure information. It also requires Members of 
Congress to disclose job negotiations for post-Congressional employment 
and creates a public database online of Member travel and financial 
disclosure forms. Further, the Honest Leadership Open Government Act 
prohibits Members convicted of certain felonies from receiving a 
congressional pension.
  In the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, we passed new House 
Rules imposing the toughest ethics standards ever. These rules banned 
gifts, meals and trips paid for by lobbyists. Today, the House takes 
the next step in voting on this final House-Senate agreement on ethics 
and lobby reform.
  S. 1 has the support of a wide range of organizations working to 
increase openness and honesty in government. I would like to include 
for the Record a letter from several major groups including Common 
Cause, League of Women Voters, and Public Citizen, expressing their 
support for this bill.
  These important reforms cannot be delayed any longer. The Democratic 
Congress will send this tough lobbying reform bill to the President's 
desk. I urge him to listen to the American public and sign this bill 
into law.

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