[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2107-2117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

  On Thursday, January 18, 2007, the Senate passed S. 1, as amended, as 
follows:

                                  S. 1

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Table of contents.

    TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

Sec. 101. Short title.

[[Page 2108]]

Sec. 102. Out of scope matters in conference reports.
Sec. 103. Congressional earmark reform.
Sec. 104. Availability of conference reports on the Internet.
Sec. 105. Sense of the Senate on conference committee protocols.
Sec. 106. Elimination of floor privileges for former Members, Senate 
              Officers, and Speakers of the House who are lobbyists or 
              seek financial gain.
Sec. 107. Proper valuation of tickets to entertainment and sporting 
              events.
Sec. 108. Ban on gifts from lobbyists and entities that hire lobbyists.
Sec. 108A. National party conventions.
Sec. 109. Restrictions on lobbyist participation in travel and 
              disclosure.
Sec. 110. Restrictions on former officers, employees, and elected 
              officials of the executive and legislative branch.
Sec. 111. Post employment restrictions.
Sec. 112. Disclosure by Members of Congress and staff of employment 
              negotiations.
Sec. 113. Prohibit official contact with spouse or immediate family 
              member of Member who is a registered lobbyist.
Sec. 114. Influencing hiring decisions.
Sec. 115. Sense of the Senate that any applicable restrictions on 
              Congressional branch employees should apply to the 
              Executive and Judicial branches.
Sec. 116. Amounts of COLA adjustments not paid to certain Members of 
              Congress.
Sec. 117. Requirement of notice of intent to proceed.
Sec. 118. CBO scoring requirement.
Sec. 119. Effective date.

     TITLE II--LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

Sec. 201. Short title.

               Subtitle A--Enhancing Lobbying Disclosure

Sec. 211. Quarterly filing of lobbying disclosure reports.
Sec. 212. Quarterly reports on other contributions.
Sec. 213. Additional disclosure.
Sec. 214. Public database of lobbying disclosure information.
Sec. 215. Disclosure by registered lobbyists of all past executive and 
              Congressional employment.
Sec. 216. Increased penalty for failure to comply with lobbying 
              disclosure requirements.
Sec. 217. Disclosure of lobbying activities by certain coalitions and 
              associations.
Sec. 218. Disclosure of enforcement for noncompliance.
Sec. 219. Electronic filing of lobbying disclosure reports.
Sec. 220. Electronic filing and public database for lobbyists for 
              foreign governments.
Sec. 221. Additional lobbying disclosure requirements.
Sec. 222. Increased criminal penalties for failure to comply with 
              lobbying disclosure requirements.
Sec. 223. Effective date.

              Subtitle B--Oversight of Ethics and Lobbying

Sec. 231. Comptroller General audit and annual report.
Sec. 232. Mandatory Senate ethics training for Members and staff.
Sec. 233. Sense of the Senate regarding self-regulation within the 
              Lobbying community.
Sec. 234. Annual ethics committees reports.

                 Subtitle C--Slowing the Revolving Door

Sec. 241. Amendments to restrictions on former officers, employees, and 
              elected officials of the executive and legislative 
              branches.

    Subtitle D--Ban on Provision of Gifts or Travel by Lobbyists in 
                   Violation of the Rules of Congress

Sec. 251. Prohibition on provision of gifts or travel by registered 
              lobbyists to Members of Congress and to Congressional 
              employees.

Subtitle E--Commission to Strengthen Confidence in Congress Act of 2007

Sec. 261. Short title.
Sec. 262. Establishment of commission.
Sec. 263. Purposes.
Sec. 264. Composition of commission.
Sec. 265. Functions of commission.
Sec. 266. Powers of commission.
Sec. 267. Administration.
Sec. 268. Security clearances for commission Members and staff.
Sec. 269. Commission reports; termination.
Sec. 270. Funding.

            TITLE III--CONGRESSIONAL PENSION ACCOUNTABILITY

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Denial of retirement benefits.
Sec. 303. Constitutional authority.
Sec. 304. Effective date.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 401. Knowing and willful falsification or failure to report.
Sec. 402. Public availability of Senate committee and subcommittee 
              meeetings.
Sec. 403. Free attendance at a bona fide constituent event.
Sec. 404. Prohibition on financial gain from earmarks by Members, 
              immediate family of Members, staff of Members, or 
              immediate family of staff of Members.
Sec. 405. Amendments and motions to recommit.
Sec. 406. Congressional travel public website.

    TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Legislative Transparency 
     and Accountability Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 102. OUT OF SCOPE MATTERS IN CONFERENCE REPORTS.

       (a) In General.--A point of order may be made by any 
     Senator against any item contained in a conference report 
     that includes or consists of any matter not committed to the 
     conferees by either House.
       (1) For the purpose of this section ``matter not committed 
     to the conferees by either House'' shall include any item 
     which consists of a specific provision containing a specific 
     level of funding for any specific account, specific program, 
     specific project, or specific activity, when no such specific 
     funding was provided for such specific account, specific 
     program, specific project, or specific activity in the 
     measure originally committed to the conferees by either 
     House.
       (2) For the purpose of Rule XXVIII of the Standing Rules of 
     the Senate ``matter not committed'' shall include any item 
     which consists of a specific provision containing a specific 
     level of funding for any specific account, specific program, 
     specific project, or specific activity, when no such specific 
     funding was provided for such specific account, specific 
     program, specific project, or specific activity in the 
     measure originally committed to the conferees by either 
     House.

     The point of order may be made and disposed of separately for 
     each item in violation of this section.
       (b) Disposition.--If the point of order raised against an 
     item in a conference report under subsection (a) is 
     sustained, then--
       (1) the matter in such conference report shall be stricken;
       (2) when all other points of order under this section have 
     been disposed of--
       (A) the Senate shall proceed to consider the question of 
     whether the Senate should recede from its amendment to the 
     House bill, or its disagreement to the amendment of the 
     House, and concur with a further amendment, which further 
     amendment shall consist of only that portion of the 
     conference report that has not been stricken (any 
     modification of total amounts appropriated necessary to 
     reflect the deletion of the matter struck from the conference 
     report shall be made);
       (B) the question shall be debatable; and
       (C) no further amendment shall be in order.
       (c) Supermajority Waiver and Appeal.--This section may be 
     waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote 
     of \3/5\ of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An 
     affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the Members of the Senate, duly 
     chosen and sworn, shall be required in the Senate to sustain 
     an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order 
     raised under this section.

     SEC. 103. CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK REFORM.

       The Standing Rules of the Senate are amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

                               RULE XLIV

                                earmarks

       ``1. It shall not be in order to consider--
       ``(a) a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee 
     unless the report includes a list, which shall be made 
     available on the Internet in a searchable format to the 
     general public for at least 48 hours before consideration of 
     the bill or joint resolution, of congressional earmarks, 
     limited tax benefits, and limited tariff benefits in the bill 
     or in the report (and the name of any Member who submitted a 
     request to the committee for each respective item included in 
     such list) or a statement that the proposition contains no 
     congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited 
     tariff benefits;
       ``(b) a bill or joint resolution not reported by a 
     committee unless the chairman of each committee of 
     jurisdiction has caused a list, which shall be made available 
     on the Internet in a searchable format to the general public 
     for at least 48 hours before consideration of the bill or 
     joint resolution, of congressional earmarks, limited tax 
     benefits, and limited tariff benefits in the bill (and the 
     name of any Member who submitted a request to the committee 
     for each respective item included in such list) or a 
     statement that the proposition contains no congressional 
     earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits to 
     be printed in the Congressional Record prior to its 
     consideration; or
       ``(c) a conference report to accompany a bill or joint 
     resolution unless the joint explanatory statement prepared by 
     the managers on the part of the House and the managers on the 
     part of the Senate includes a list, which shall be made 
     available on the

[[Page 2109]]

     Internet in a searchable format to the general public for at 
     least 48 hours before consideration of the conference report, 
     of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, and limited 
     tariff benefits in the conference report or joint statement 
     (and the name of any Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
     or Senator who submitted a request to the House or Senate 
     committees of jurisdiction for each respective item included 
     in such list) or a statement that the proposition contains no 
     congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited 
     tariff benefits.
       ``2. For the purpose of this rule--
       ``(a) the term `congressional earmark' means a provision or 
     report language included primarily at the request of a 
     Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator 
     providing, authorizing or recommending a specific amount of 
     discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other 
     spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, 
     grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an 
     entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or 
     Congressional district, other than through a statutory or 
     administrative formula-driven or competitive award process;
       ``(b) the term `limited tax benefit' means--
       ``(1) any revenue provision that--
       ``(A) provides a Federal tax deduction, credit, exclusion, 
     or preference to a particular beneficiary or limited group of 
     beneficiaries under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
       ``(B) contains eligibility criteria that are not uniform in 
     application with respect to potential beneficiaries of such 
     provision; or
       ``(2) any Federal tax provision which provides one 
     beneficiary temporary or permanent transition relief from a 
     change to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
       ``(c) the term `limited tariff benefit' means a provision 
     modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
     in a manner that benefits 10 or fewer entities.
       ``3. A Member may not condition the inclusion of language 
     to provide funding for a congressional earmark, a limited tax 
     benefit, or a limited tariff benefit in any bill or joint 
     resolution (or an accompanying report) or in any conference 
     report on a bill or joint resolution (including an 
     accompanying joint explanatory statement of managers) on any 
     vote cast by another Member, Delegate, or Resident 
     Commissioner.
       ``4. (a) A Member who requests a congressional earmark, a 
     limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit in any bill 
     or joint resolution (or an accompanying report) or in any 
     conference report on a bill or joint resolution (or an 
     accompanying joint statement of managers) shall provide a 
     written statement to the chairman and ranking member of the 
     committee of jurisdiction, including--
       ``(1) the name of the Member;
       ``(2) in the case of a congressional earmark, the name and 
     address of the intended recipient or, if there is no 
     specifically intended recipient, the intended location of the 
     activity;
       ``(3) in the case of a limited tax or tariff benefit, 
     identification of the individual or entities reasonably 
     anticipated to benefit, to the extent known to the Member;
       ``(4) the purpose of such congressional earmark or limited 
     tax or tariff benefit; and
       ``(5) a certification that the Member or spouse has no 
     financial interest in such congressional earmark or limited 
     tax or tariff benefit.
       ``(b) Each committee shall maintain the written statements 
     transmitted under subparagraph (a). The written statements 
     transmitted under subparagraph (a) for any congressional 
     earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits 
     included in any measure reported by the committee or 
     conference report filed by the chairman of the committee or 
     any subcommittee thereof shall be published in a searchable 
     format on the committee's or subcommittee's website not later 
     than 48 hours after receipt on such information.
       ``5. It shall not be in order to consider any bill, 
     resolution, or conference report that contains an earmark 
     included in any classified portion of a report accompanying 
     the measure unless the bill, resolution, or conference report 
     includes to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with 
     the need to protect national security (including intelligence 
     sources and methods), in unclassified language, a general 
     program description, funding level, and the name of the 
     sponsor of that earmark.''.

     SEC. 104. AVAILABILITY OF CONFERENCE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Amendment.--Rule XXVIII of all the Standing Rules of 
     the Senate is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``7. (a) It shall not be in order to consider a conference 
     report unless such report is available to all Members and 
     made available to the general public by means of the Internet 
     for at least 48 hours before its consideration.
       ``(b) This paragraph may be waived or suspended in the 
     Senate only by an affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the Members, 
     duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the 
     Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be 
     required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of 
     the Chair on a point of order raised under this paragraph.
       ``8. It shall not be in order to consider a conference 
     report unless the text of such report has not been changed 
     after the Senate signatures sheets have been signed by a 
     majority of the Senate conferees.''.
       (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect 60 
     days after the date of enactment of this title.
       (b) Implementation.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of enactment of this title, the Secretary of the Senate, in 
     consultation with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, 
     the Government Printing Office, and the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration, shall develop a website capable of 
     complying with the requirements of paragraph 7 of rule XXVIII 
     of the Standing Rules of the Senate, as added by subsection 
     (a).

     SEC. 105. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE 
                   PROTOCOLS.

       It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) conference committees should hold regular, formal 
     meetings of all conferees that are open to the public;
       (2) all conferees should be given adequate notice of the 
     time and place of all such meetings; and
       (3) all conferees should be afforded an opportunity to 
     participate in full and complete debates of the matters that 
     such conference committees may recommend to their respective 
     Houses.

     SEC. 106. ELIMINATION OF FLOOR PRIVILEGES FOR FORMER MEMBERS, 
                   SENATE OFFICERS, AND SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE WHO 
                   ARE LOBBYISTS OR SEEK FINANCIAL GAIN.

       Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended 
     by--
       (1) inserting ``1.'' before ``Other'';
       (2) inserting after ``Ex-Senators and Senators-elect'' the 
     following: ``, except as provided in paragraph 2'';
       (3) inserting after ``Ex-Secretaries and ex-Sergeants at 
     Arms of the Senate'' the following: ``, except as provided in 
     paragraph 2'';
       (4) inserting after ``Ex-Speakers of the House of 
     Representatives'' the following: ``, except as provided in 
     paragraph 2''; and
       (5) adding at the end the following:
       ``2. (a) The floor privilege provided in paragraph 1 shall 
     not apply, when the Senate is in session, to an individual 
     covered by this paragraph who is--
       ``(1) a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign 
     principal; or
       ``(2) is in the employ of or represents any party or 
     organization for the purpose of influencing, directly or 
     indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any 
     legislative proposal.
       ``(b) The Committee on Rules and Administration may 
     promulgate regulations to allow individuals covered by this 
     paragraph floor privileges for ceremonial functions and 
     events designated by the Majority Leader and the Minority 
     Leader.
       ``3. A former Member of the Senate may not exercise 
     privileges to use Senate or House gym or exercise facilities 
     or member-only parking spaces if such Member is--
       ``(1) a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign 
     principal; or
       ``(2) in the employ of or represents any party or 
     organization for the purpose of influencing, directly or 
     indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any 
     legislative proposal.''.

     SEC. 107. PROPER VALUATION OF TICKETS TO ENTERTAINMENT AND 
                   SPORTING EVENTS.

       Paragraph 1(c)(1) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The 
     market value of a ticket to an entertainment or sporting 
     event shall be the face value of the ticket or, in the case 
     of a ticket without a face value, the value of the most 
     similar ticket sold by the issuer to the public. A 
     determination of similarity shall consider all features of 
     the ticket, including access to parking, availability of food 
     and refreshments, and access to venue areas not open to the 
     public. A ticket with no face value and for which no similar 
     ticket is sold by the issuer to the public, shall be valued 
     at the cost of a ticket with the highest face value for the 
     event.''.

     SEC. 108. BAN ON GIFTS FROM LOBBYISTS AND ENTITIES THAT HIRE 
                   LOBBYISTS.

       Paragraph 1(a)(2) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate is amended by--
       (1) inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)''; and
       (2) adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) A Member, officer, or employee may not knowingly 
     accept a gift from a registered lobbyist, an agent of a 
     foreign principal, or a private entity that retains or 
     employs a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign 
     principal, except as provided in subparagraph (c).''.

     SEC. 108A. NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTIONS.

       Paragraph (1)(d) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``5. A Member may not participate in an event honoring that 
     Member at a national party convention if such event is paid 
     for by any person or entity required to register pursuant to 
     section 4(a) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or any 
     individual or entity identified as a lobbyist or a client in 
     any current registration or report filed under such Act.''.

[[Page 2110]]



     SEC. 109. RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYIST PARTICIPATION IN TRAVEL 
                   AND DISCLOSURE.

       (a) Prohibition.--Paragraph 2 of rule XXXV is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (a)(1), by--
       (A) adding after ``foreign principal'' the following: ``or 
     a private entity that retains or employs 1 or more registered 
     lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal'';
       (B) striking the dash and inserting ``complies with the 
     requirements of this paragraph.''; and
       (C) striking clauses (A) and (B);
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (a)(2) as subparagraph 
     (a)(3) and adding after subparagraph (a)(1) the following:
       ``(2) Notwithstanding clause (1), a reimbursement 
     (including payment in kind) to a Member, officer, or employee 
     of the Senate from an individual other than a registered 
     lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal that is a private 
     entity that retains or employs one or more registered 
     lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal for necessary 
     transportation, lodging, and related expenses for travel to a 
     meeting, speaking engagement, factfinding trip or similar 
     event in connection with the duties of the Member, officer, 
     or employee shall be deemed to be a reimbursement to the 
     Senate under clause (1) if it is, under regulations 
     prescribed by the Select Committee on Ethics to implement 
     this clause, provided only for attendance at or participation 
     for 1-day at an event (exclusive of travel time and an 
     overnight stay) described in clause (1) or sponsored by a 
     501(c)(3) organization that has been pre-approved by the 
     Select Committee on Ethics. When deciding whether to pre-
     approve a 501(c)(3) organization, the Select Committee on 
     Ethics shall consider the stated mission of the organization, 
     the organization's prior history of sponsoring congressional 
     trips, other educational activities performed by the 
     organization besides sponsoring congressional trips, whether 
     any trips previously sponsored by the organization led to an 
     investigation by the Select Committee on Ethics and any other 
     factor deemed relevant by the Select Committee on Ethics. 
     Regulations to implement this clause, and the committee on a 
     case-by-case basis, may permit a 2-night stay when determined 
     by the committee to be practically required to participate in 
     the event.'';
       (3) in subparagraph (a)(3), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``clause (1)'' and inserting ``clauses (1) and (2)'';
       (4) in subparagraph (b), by inserting before ``Each'' the 
     following: ``Before an employee may accept reimbursement 
     pursuant to subparagraph (a), the employee shall receive 
     advance authorization from the Member or officer under whose 
     direct supervision the employee works to accept 
     reimbursement.'';
       (5) in subparagraph (c)--
       (A) by inserting before ``Each'' the following: ``Each 
     Member, officer, or employee that receives reimbursement 
     under this paragraph shall disclose the expenses reimbursed 
     or to be reimbursed and authorization (for an employee) to 
     the Secretary of the Senate not later than 30 days after the 
     travel is completed.'';
       (B) by striking ``subparagraph (a)(1)'' and inserting 
     ``this subparagraph'';
       (C) in clause (5), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
       (D) by redesignating clause (6) as clause (7); and
       (E) by inserting after clause (5) the following:
       ``(6) a description of meetings and events attended; and'';
       (6) by redesignating subparagraphs (d) and (e) as 
     subparagraphs (f) and (g), respectively;
       (7) by adding after subparagraph (c) the following:
       ``(d) A Member, officer, or employee of the Senate may not 
     accept a reimbursement (including payment in kind) for 
     transportation, lodging, or related expenses under 
     subparagraph (a) for a trip that was planned, organized, or 
     arranged by or at the request of a registered lobbyist or 
     agent of a foreign principal, or on which a lobbyist 
     accompanies the Member, officer, or employee on any segment 
     of the trip. The Select Committee on Ethics shall issue 
     regulations identifying de minimis activities by lobbyists or 
     foreign agents that would not violate this subparagraph.
       ``(e) A Member, officer, or employee shall, before 
     accepting travel otherwise permissible under this paragraph 
     from any person--
       ``(1) provide to the Select Committee on Ethics a written 
     certification from such person that--
       ``(A) the trip will not be financed in any part by a 
     registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal;
       ``(B) the source either--
       ``(i) does not retain or employ registered lobbyists or 
     agents of a foreign principal and is not itself a registered 
     lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; or
       ``(ii) certifies that the trip meets the requirements 
     specified in rules prescribed by the Select Committee on 
     Ethics to implement subparagraph (a)(2);
       ``(C) the source will not accept from any source funds 
     earmarked directly or indirectly for the purpose of financing 
     the specific trip; and
       ``(D) the trip will not in any part be planned, organized, 
     requested, or arranged by a registered lobbyist or agent of a 
     foreign principal and that the traveler will not be 
     accompanied on any segment of the trip by a registered 
     lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal, except as permitted 
     by regulations issued under subparagraph (d), and 
     specifically details the extent of any involvement of a 
     registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; and
       ``(2) after the Select Committee on Ethics has promulgated 
     regulations mandated in subparagraph (h), obtain the prior 
     approval of the committee for such reimbursement.'';
       (8) by striking subparagraph (g), as redesignated, and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(g) The Secretary of the Senate shall make all advance 
     authorizations, certifications, and disclosures filed 
     pursuant to this paragraph available for public inspection as 
     soon as possible after they are received.''; and
       (9) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h)(1) Not later than 45 days after the date of adoption 
     of this subparagraph and at annual intervals thereafter, the 
     Select Committee on Ethics shall develop and revise, as 
     necessary--
       ``(A) guidelines on judging the reasonableness of an 
     expense or expenditure for purposes of this clause, including 
     the factors that tend to establish--
       ``(i) a connection between a trip and official duties;
       ``(ii) the reasonableness of an amount spent by a sponsor;
       ``(iii) a relationship between an event and an officially 
     connected purpose; and
       ``(iv) a direct and immediate relationship between a source 
     of funding and an event; and
       ``(B) regulations describing the information it will 
     require individuals subject to this clause to submit to the 
     committee in order to obtain the prior approval of the 
     committee for any travel covered by this clause, including 
     any required certifications.
       ``(2) In developing and revising guidelines under clause 
     (1)(A), the committee shall take into account the maximum per 
     diem rates for official Government travel published annually 
     by the General Services Administration, the Department of 
     State, and the Department of Defense.
       ``(3) For purposes of this subparagraph, travel on an 
     aircraft operated or paid for by a carrier not licenced by 
     the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for 
     compensation shall not be considered a reasonable expense.
       ``(i) A Member, officer, or employee who travels on an 
     aircraft operated or paid for by a carrier not licenced by 
     the Federal Aviation Administration shall file a report with 
     the Secretary of the Senate not later than 60 days after the 
     date on which such flight is taken. The report shall 
     include--
       ``(1) the date of such flight;
       ``(2) the destination of such flight;
       ``(3) the owner or lessee of the aircraft;
       ``(4) the purpose of such travel;
       ``(5) the persons on such flight (except for any person 
     flying the aircraft); and
       ``(6) the charter rate paid for such flight.''.
       (b) Reimbursement for Noncommercial Air Travel.--
       (1) Charter rates.--Paragraph 1(c)(1) of rule XXXV of the 
     Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by adding at the end 
     the following: ``Fair market value for a flight on an 
     aircraft operated or paid for by a carrier not licensed by 
     the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for 
     compensation or hire, excluding an aircraft owned or leased 
     by a governmental entity or by a Member of Congress or a 
     Member's spouse (including an aircraft owned by an entity 
     that is not a public corporation in which the Member or 
     Member's spouse has an ownership interest, provided that the 
     Member does not use the aircraft anymore than the Member's or 
     spouse's proportionate share of ownership allows), shall be 
     the pro rata share of the fair market value of the normal and 
     usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable plane of 
     comparable size (as determined by dividing such cost by the 
     number of members, officers, or employees of the Congress on 
     the flight).''.
       (2) Unofficial office accounts.--Paragraph 1 of rule 
     XXXVIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) For purposes of reimbursement under this rule, fair 
     market value of a flight on an aircraft operated or paid for 
     by a carrier not licensed by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration to operate for compensation or hire, shall be 
     the pro rata share of the fair market value of the normal and 
     usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable plane of 
     comparable size (as determined by dividing such cost by the 
     number of members, officers, or employees of the Congress on 
     the flight).''.
       (3) Candidates.--Subparagraph (B) of section 301(8) of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (42 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) 
     is amended by--
       (A) in clause (xiii), striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (xiv), striking the period and inserting ``; 
     and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following :
       ``(xv) any travel expense for a flight on an aircraft that 
     is operated or paid for by a carrier not licensed by the 
     Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation 
     or

[[Page 2111]]

     hire, but only if the candidate, the candidate's authorized 
     committee, or other political committee pays--
       ``(I) to the owner, lessee, or other person who provides 
     the airplane the pro rata share of the fair market value of 
     such flight (as determined by dividing the fair market value 
     of the normal and usual charter fare or rental charge for a 
     comparable plane of appropriate size by the number of 
     candidates on the flight) by not later than 7 days after the 
     date on which the flight is taken; and
       ``(II) files a report with the Secretary of the Senate not 
     later than 60 days after the date on which such flight is 
     taken, such report shall include--

       ``(aa) the date of such flight;
       ``(bb) the destination of such flight;
       ``(cc) the owner or lessee of the aircraft;
       ``(dd) the purpose of such travel;
       ``(ee) the persons on such flight (except for any person 
     flying the aircraft); and
       ``(ff) the charter rate paid for such flight.''.

       (4) Rules committee review of travel allowances.--Not later 
     than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, the Senate 
     Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative 
     Branch, in consultation with the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration of the Senate, shall consider and propose, as 
     necessary in the discretion of the subcommittee, any 
     adjustment to the Senator's Official Personnel and Office 
     Expense Account needed in light of the revised standards for 
     reimbursement for private air travel required by this 
     subsection, and any modifications of Federal statutes or 
     appropriations measures needed to accomplish such 
     adjustments.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 110. RESTRICTIONS ON FORMER OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND 
                   ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND 
                   LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

       (a) In General.--Section 207(j)(1) of title 18, United 
     States Code, is amended, by--
       (1) striking ``The restrictions'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--The restrictions''; and
       (2) adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Indian tribes.--The restrictions contained in this 
     section shall not apply to acts done pursuant to section 104 
     of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 450i).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 104(j) of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450i(j)) is amended by striking ``and former officers and 
     employees of the United States employed by Indian tribes may 
     act as agents or attorneys for or'' and inserting ``or former 
     officers and employees of the United States who are carrying 
     out official duties as employees or as elected or appointed 
     officials of an Indian tribe may communicate with and''.

     SEC. 111. POST EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph 9 of rule XXXVII of the Standing 
     Rules of the Senate is amended by--
       (1) designating the first sentence as subparagraph (a);
       (2) designating the second sentence as subparagraph (b); 
     and
       (3) adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) If an employee on the staff of a Member or on the 
     staff of a committee whose rate of pay is equal to or greater 
     than 75 percent of the rate of pay of a Member and employed 
     at such rate for more than 60 days in a calendar year, upon 
     leaving that position, becomes a registered lobbyist under 
     the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or is employed or 
     retained by such a registered lobbyist for the purpose of 
     influencing legislation, such employee may not lobby any 
     Member, officer, or employee of the Senate for a period of 1 
     year after leaving that position.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 60 days 
     after the date of enactment of this title.

     SEC. 112. DISCLOSURE BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND STAFF OF 
                   EMPLOYMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

       Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``14. (a) A Member shall not directly negotiate or have any 
     arrangement concerning prospective private employment until 
     after his or her successor has been elected, unless such 
     Member files a statement with the Secretary of the Senate, 
     for public disclosure, regarding such negotiations or 
     arrangements within 3 business days after the commencement of 
     such negotiation or arrangement, including the name of the 
     private entity or entities involved in such negotiations or 
     arrangements, the date such negotiations or arrangements 
     commenced, and must be signed by the Member.
       ``(b) A Member shall not directly negotiate or have any 
     arrangement concerning prospective employment until after his 
     or her successor has been elected for a job involving 
     lobbying activities as defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act 
     of 1995.
       ``(c)(1) An employee of the Senate earning in excess of 75 
     percent of the salary paid to a Senator shall notify the 
     Committee on Ethics that he or she is negotiating or has any 
     arrangement concerning prospective private employment.
       ``(2) The disclosure and notification under this 
     subparagraph shall be made within 3 business days after the 
     commencement of such negotiation or arrangement.
       ``(3) An employee to whom this subparagraph applies shall 
     recuse himself or herself from any matter in which there is a 
     conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict for that 
     employee under this rule and notify the Select Committee on 
     Ethics of such recusal.''.

     SEC. 113. PROHIBIT OFFICIAL CONTACT WITH SPOUSE OR IMMEDIATE 
                   FAMILY MEMBER OF MEMBER WHO IS A REGISTERED 
                   LOBBYIST.

       Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating paragraphs 10 through 12 as paragraphs 11 
     through 13, respectively; and
       (2) inserting after paragraph 9, the following:
       ``10. (a) If a Member's spouse or immediate family member 
     is a registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
     1995, or is employed or retained by such a registered 
     lobbyist for the purpose of influencing legislation, the 
     Member shall prohibit all staff employed by that Member 
     (including staff in personal, committee, and leadership 
     offices) from having any official contact with the Member's 
     spouse or immediate family member.
       ``(b) Members and employees on the staff of a Member 
     (including staff in personal, committee, and leadership 
     offices) shall be prohibited from having any official contact 
     with any spouse of a Member who is a registered lobbyist 
     under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or is employed or 
     retained by such a registered lobbyist.
       ``(c) The prohibition in subparagraph (a) shall not apply 
     to the spouse of a Member who was serving as a registered 
     lobbyist at least 1 year prior to the election of that Member 
     to office or at least 1 year prior to their marriage to that 
     Member.
       ``(d) In this paragraph, the term `immediate family member' 
     means the son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, son-in-law, 
     daughter-in-law, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, 
     mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister, stepbrother, 
     or stepsister of the Member.''.

     SEC. 114. INFLUENCING HIRING DECISIONS.

       Rule XLIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``6. No Member shall, with the intent to influence on the 
     basis of partisan political affiliation an employment 
     decision or employment practice of any private entity--
       ``(1) take or withhold, or offer or threaten to take or 
     withhold, an official act; or
       ``(2) influence, or offer or threaten to influence the 
     official act of another.''.

     SEC. 115. SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT ANY APPLICABLE 
                   RESTRICTIONS ON CONGRESSIONAL BRANCH EMPLOYEES 
                   SHOULD APPLY TO THE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL 
                   BRANCHES.

       It is the sense of the Senate that any applicable 
     restrictions on Congressional branch employees in this title 
     should apply to the Executive and Judicial branches.

     SEC. 116. AMOUNTS OF COLA ADJUSTMENTS NOT PAID TO CERTAIN 
                   MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--Any adjustment under section 601(a) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31) 
     (relating to the cost-of-living adjustments for Members of 
     Congress) shall not be paid to any Member of Congress who 
     voted for any amendment (or against the tabling of any 
     amendment) that provided that such adjustment would not be 
     made.
       (b) Deposit in Treasury.--Any amount not paid to a Member 
     of Congress under subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the 
     Treasury for deposit in the appropriations account under the 
     subheading ``MEDICAL SERVICES'' under the heading ``VETERANS 
     HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.''
       (c) Administration.--The salary of any Member of Congress 
     to whom subsection (a) applies shall be deemed to be the 
     salary in effect after the application of that subsection, 
     except that for purposes of determining any benefit 
     (including any retirement or insurance benefit), the salary 
     of that Member of Congress shall be deemed to be the salary 
     that Member of Congress would have received, but for that 
     subsection.
       (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or 
     after February 1, 2008.

     SEC. 117. REQUIREMENT OF NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROCEED.

       (a) In General.--The majority and minority leaders of the 
     Senate or their designees shall recognize a notice of intent 
     of a Senator who is a member of their caucus to object to 
     proceeding to a measure or matter only if the Senator--
       (1) submits the notice of intent in writing to the 
     appropriate leader or their designee; and
       (2) within 3 session days after the submission under 
     paragraph (1), submits for inclusion in the Congressional 
     Record and in the applicable calendar section described in 
     subsection (b) the following notice:
       ``I, Senator __, intend to object to proceeding to __, 
     dated __.''.
       (b) Calendar.--The Secretary of the Senate shall establish, 
     for both the Senate Calendar of Business and the Senate 
     Executive

[[Page 2112]]

     Calendar, a separate section entitled ``Notices of Intent to 
     Object to Proceeding''. Each section shall include the name 
     of each Senator filing a notice under subsection (a)(2), the 
     measure or matter covered by the calendar that the Senator 
     objects to, and the date the objection was filed.
       (c) Removal.--A Senator may have an item with respect to 
     the Senator removed from a calendar to which it was added 
     under subsection (b) by submitting for inclusion in the 
     Congressional Record the following notice:
       ``I, Senator __, do not object to proceeding to __, dated 
     __.''.

     SEC. 118. CBO SCORING REQUIREMENT.

       (a) In General.--It shall not be in order in the Senate to 
     consider a report of a committee of conference unless an 
     official written cost estimate or table by the Congressional 
     Budget Office is available at the time of consideration.
       (b) Supermajority Requirement.--This section may be waived 
     or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of \3/
     5\ of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote 
     of \3/5\ of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, 
     shall be required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the 
     ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this 
     section.

     SEC. 119. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       Except as otherwise provided in this title, this title 
     shall take effect on the date of enactment of this title.

     TITLE II--LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Legislative Transparency 
     and Accountability Act of 2007''.

               Subtitle A--Enhancing Lobbying Disclosure

     SEC. 211. QUARTERLY FILING OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

       (a) Quarterly Filing Required.--Section 5 of the Lobbying 
     Disclosure Act of 1995 (in this title referred to as the 
     ``Act'') (2 U.S.C. 1604) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Semiannual'' 
     and inserting ``Quarterly''; and
       (B) by striking the first sentence and inserting the 
     following: ``Not later than 20 days after the end of the 
     quarterly period beginning on the 1st day of January, April, 
     July, and October of each year, or on the first business day 
     after the 20th day if that day is not a business day, in 
     which a registrant is registered with the Secretary of the 
     Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, a 
     registrant shall file a report or reports, as applicable, on 
     its lobbying activities during such quarterly period.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``semiannual report'' and inserting ``quarterly report'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``semiannual filing 
     period'' and inserting ``quarterly period'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``semiannual period'' and 
     inserting ``quarterly period''; and
       (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``semiannual filing 
     period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Definition.--Section 3(10) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1602) 
     is amended by striking ``six month period'' and inserting 
     ``three-month period''.
       (2) Registration.--Section 4 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(3)(A), by striking ``semiannual 
     period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)(3)(A), by striking ``semiannual 
     period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''.
       (3) Enforcement.--Section 6(a)(6) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 
     1605(6)) is amended by striking ``semiannual period'' and 
     inserting ``quarterly period''.
       (4) Estimates.--Section 15 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1610) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``semiannual period'' 
     and inserting ``quarterly period''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``semiannual period'' 
     and inserting ``quarterly period''.
       (5) Dollar amounts.--
       (A) Registration.--Section 4 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603) is 
     amended--
       (i) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(i), by striking ``$5,000'' and 
     inserting ``$2,500'';
       (ii) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii), by striking ``$20,000'' 
     and inserting ``$10,000'';
       (iii) in subsection (b)(3)(A), by striking ``$10,000'' and 
     inserting ``$5,000''; and
       (iv) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``$10,000'' and 
     inserting ``$5,000''.
       (B) Reports.--Section 5 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604) is 
     amended--
       (i) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``$10,000'' and 
     ``$20,000'' and inserting ``$5,000'' and ``$10,000'', 
     respectively; and
       (ii) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``$10,000'' both 
     places such term appears and inserting ``$5,000''.

     SEC. 212. QUARTERLY REPORTS ON OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS.

       Section 5 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(d) Quarterly Reports on Other Contributions.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the end of 
     the quarterly period beginning on the 20th day of January, 
     April, July, and October of each year, or on the first 
     business day after the 20th if that day is not a business 
     day, each registrant under paragraphs (1) or (2) of section 
     4(a), and each employee who is listed as a lobbyist on a 
     current registration or report filed under this Act, shall 
     file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk 
     of the House of Representatives containing--
       ``(A) the name of the registrant or lobbyist;
       ``(B) the employer of the lobbyist or the names of all 
     political committees established or administered by the 
     registrant;
       ``(C) the name of each Federal candidate or officeholder, 
     leadership PAC, or political party committee, to whom 
     aggregate contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were made 
     by the lobbyist, the registrant, or a political committee 
     established or administered by the registrant within the 
     calendar year, and the date and amount of each contribution 
     made within the quarter;
       ``(D) the name of each Federal candidate or officeholder, 
     leadership PAC, or political party committee for whom a 
     fundraising event was hosted, co-hosted, or sponsored by the 
     lobbyist, the registrant, or a political committee 
     established or administered by the registrant within the 
     quarter, and the date, location, and total amount (or good 
     faith estimate thereof) raised at such event;
       ``(E) the name of each Federal candidate or officeholder, 
     leadership PAC, or political party committee for whom 
     aggregate contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were 
     collected or arranged within the calendar year, and to the 
     extent known the aggregate amount of such contributions (or a 
     good faith estimate thereof) within the quarter for each 
     recipient;
       ``(F) the name of each covered legislative branch official 
     or covered executive branch official for whom the lobbyist, 
     the registrant, or a political committee established or 
     administered by the registrant provided, or directed or 
     caused to be provided, any payment or reimbursements for 
     travel and related expenses in connection with the duties of 
     such covered official, including for each such official--
       ``(i) an itemization of the payments or reimbursements 
     provided to finance the travel and related expenses, and to 
     whom the payments or reimbursements were made with the 
     express or implied understanding or agreement that such funds 
     will be used for travel and related expenses;
       ``(ii) the purpose and final itinerary of the trip, 
     including a description of all meetings, tours, events, and 
     outings attended;
       ``(iii) whether the registrant or lobbyist traveled on any 
     such travel;
       ``(iv) the identity of the listed sponsor or sponsors of 
     such travel; and
       ``(v) the identity of any person or entity, other than the 
     listed sponsor or sponsors of the travel, who directly or 
     indirectly provided for payment of travel and related 
     expenses at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist, the 
     registrant, or a political committee established or 
     administered by the registrant;
       ``(G) the date, recipient, and amount of funds contributed, 
     disbursed, or arranged (or a good faith estimate thereof) by 
     the lobbyist, the registrant, or a political committee 
     established or administered by the registrant--
       ``(i) to pay the cost of an event to honor or recognize a 
     covered legislative branch official or covered executive 
     branch official;
       ``(ii) to, or on behalf of, an entity that is named for a 
     covered legislative branch official, or to a person or entity 
     in recognition of such official;
       ``(iii) to an entity established, financed, maintained, or 
     controlled by a covered legislative branch official or 
     covered executive branch official, or an entity designated by 
     such official; or
       ``(iv) to pay the costs of a meeting, retreat, conference, 
     or other similar event held by, or for the benefit of, 1 or 
     more covered legislative branch officials or covered 
     executive branch officials;
       ``(H) the date, recipient, and amount of any gift (that 
     under the standing rules of the House of Representatives or 
     Senate counts towards the $100 cumulative annual limit 
     described in such rules) valued in excess of $20 given by the 
     lobbyist, the registrant, or a political committee 
     established or administered by the registrant to a covered 
     legislative branch official or covered executive branch 
     official; and
       ``(I) the name of each Presidential library foundation and 
     Presidential inaugural committee, to whom contributions equal 
     to or exceeding $200 were made by the lobbyist, the 
     registrant, or a political committee established or 
     administered by the registrant within the calendar year, and 
     the date and amount of each such contribution within the 
     quarter.
       ``(2) Rules of construction.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     contributions, donations, or other funds--
       ``(i) are `collected' by a lobbyist where funds donated by 
     a person other than the

[[Page 2113]]

     lobbyist are received by the lobbyist for, or forwarded by 
     the lobbyist to, a Federal candidate or other recipient; and
       ``(ii) are `arranged' by a lobbyist--

       ``(I) where there is a formal or informal agreement, 
     understanding, or arrangement between the lobbyist and a 
     Federal candidate or other recipient that such contributions, 
     donations, or other funds will be or have been credited or 
     attributed by the Federal candidate or other recipient in 
     records, designations, or formal or informal recognitions as 
     having been raised, solicited, or directed by the lobbyist; 
     or
       ``(II) where the lobbyist has actual knowledge that the 
     Federal candidate or other recipient is aware that the 
     contributions, donations, or other funds were solicited, 
     arranged, or directed by the lobbyist.

       ``(B) Clarifications.--For the purposes of this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `lobbyist' shall include a lobbyist, 
     registrant, or political committee established or 
     administered by the registrant; and
       ``(ii) the term `Federal candidate or other recipient' 
     shall include a Federal candidate, Federal officeholder, 
     leadership PAC, or political party committee.
       ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following 
     definitions shall apply:
       ``(A) Gift.--The term `gift'--
       ``(i) means a gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, 
     hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item having monetary 
     value; and
       ``(ii) includes, whether provided in kind, by purchase of a 
     ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the 
     expense has been incurred--

       ``(I) gifts of services;
       ``(II) training;
       ``(III) transportation; and
       ``(IV) lodging and meals.

       ``(B) Leadership pac.--The term `leadership PAC' means with 
     respect to an individual holding Federal office, an 
     unauthorized political committee which is associated with an 
     individual holding Federal office, except that such term 
     shall not apply in the case of a political committee of a 
     political party.''.

     SEC. 213. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE.

       Section 5(b) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end of the following:
       ``(5) for each client, immediately after listing the 
     client, an identification of whether the client is a public 
     entity, including a State or local government or a 
     department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
     instrumentality controlled by a State or local government, or 
     a private entity.''.

     SEC. 214. PUBLIC DATABASE OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE INFORMATION.

       (a) Database Required.--Section 6 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 
     1605) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) maintain, and make available to the public over the 
     Internet, without a fee or other access charge, in a 
     searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner, an electronic 
     database that--
       ``(A) includes the information contained in registrations 
     and reports filed under this Act;
       ``(B) directly links the information it contains to the 
     information disclosed in reports filed with the Federal 
     Election Commission under section 304 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434); and
       ``(C) is searchable and sortable, at a minimum, by each of 
     the categories of information described in section 4(b) or 
     5(b).''.
       (b) Availability of Reports.--Section 6(a)(4) of the Act is 
     amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: 
     ``and, in the case of a report filed in electronic form under 
     section 5(e), shall make such report available for public 
     inspection over the Internet not more than 48 hours after the 
     report is filed''.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     paragraph (9) of section 6(a) of the Act, as added by 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 215. DISCLOSURE BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS OF ALL PAST 
                   EXECUTIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT.

       Section 4(b)(6) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603) is amended by 
     striking ``or a covered legislative branch official'' and all 
     that follows through ``as a lobbyist on behalf of the 
     client,'' and inserting ``or a covered legislative branch 
     official,''.

     SEC. 216. INCREASED PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH 
                   LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 7 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1606) is amended by striking 
     ``$50,000'' and inserting ``$200,000''.

     SEC. 217. DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES BY CERTAIN 
                   COALITIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 
     1603(b)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) participates in a substantial way in the planning, 
     supervision, or control of such lobbying activities;''.
       (b) No Donor or Membership List Disclosure.--Section 4(b) 
     of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``No disclosure is required under paragraph (3)(B) if it is 
     publicly available knowledge that the organization that would 
     be identified is affiliated with the client or has been 
     publicly disclosed to have provided funding to the client, 
     unless the organization in whole or in major part plans, 
     supervises, or controls such lobbying activities. Nothing in 
     paragraph (3)(B) shall be construed to require the disclosure 
     of any information about individuals who are members of, or 
     donors to, an entity treated as a client by this Act or an 
     organization identified under that paragraph.''.

     SEC. 218. DISCLOSURE OF ENFORCEMENT FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

       Section 6 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1605) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The Secretary of the 
     Senate'';
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and'';
       (4) after paragraph (9), by inserting the following:
       ``(10) make publicly available the aggregate number of 
     lobbyists and lobbying firms, separately accounted, referred 
     to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia 
     for noncompliance as required by paragraph (8) on a semi 
     annual basis''; and
       (5) by inserting at the end the following:
       ``(b) Enforcement Report.--The United States Attorney for 
     the District of Columbia shall report to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee 
     on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Government Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
     House of Representatives on a semi annual basis the aggregate 
     number of enforcement actions taken by the Attorney's office 
     under this Act and the amount of fines, if any, by case, 
     except that such report shall not include the names of 
     individuals or personally identifiable information.''.

     SEC. 219. ELECTRONIC FILING OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

       Section 5 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(e) Electronic Filing Required.--A report required to be 
     filed under this section shall be filed in electronic form, 
     in addition to any other form. The Secretary of the Senate 
     and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall use the 
     same electronic software for receipt and recording of filings 
     under this Act.''.

     SEC. 220. ELECTRONIC FILING AND PUBLIC DATABASE FOR LOBBYISTS 
                   FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

       (a) Electronic Filing.--Section 2 of the Foreign Agents 
     Registration Act (22 U.S.C. 612) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Electronic Filing of Registration Statements and 
     Updates.--A registration statement or update required to be 
     filed under this section shall be filed in electronic form, 
     in addition to any other form that may be required by the 
     Attorney General.''.
       (b) Public Database.--Section 6 of the Foreign Agents 
     Registration Act (22 U.S.C. 616) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Public Database of Registration Statements and 
     Updates.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall maintain, and 
     make available to the public over the Internet, without a fee 
     or other access charge, in a searchable, sortable, and 
     downloadable manner, an electronic database that--
       ``(A) includes the information contained in registration 
     statements and updates filed under this Act;
       ``(B) directly links the information it contains to the 
     information disclosed in reports filed with the Federal 
     Election Commission under section 304 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434); and
       ``(C) is searchable and sortable, at a minimum, by each of 
     the categories of information described in section 2(a).
       ``(2) Accountability.--Each registration statement and 
     update filed in electronic form pursuant to section 2(g) 
     shall be made available for public inspection over the 
     Internet not more than 48 hours after the registration 
     statement or update is filed.''.

     SEC. 221. ADDITIONAL LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 5(b) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
     U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(8) a certification that the lobbying firm, or 
     registrant, and each employee listed as a lobbyist under 
     section 4(b)(6) or 5(b)(2)(C) for that lobbying firm or 
     registrant, has not provided, requested, or directed a gift, 
     including travel, to a Member or employee of Congress in 
     violation rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate or 
     rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives.''.

     SEC. 222. INCREASED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY 
                   WITH LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 7 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
     1606) is amended--

[[Page 2114]]

       (1) by inserting ``(a) Civil Penalty.--'' before 
     ``Whoever''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Criminal Penalty.--Whoever knowingly, willfully, and 
     corruptly fails to comply with any provision of this section 
     shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or fined 
     under title 18, United States Code, or both.''.

     SEC. 223. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle 
     shall take effect January 1, 2008.

              Subtitle B--Oversight of Ethics and Lobbying

     SEC. 231. COMPTROLLER GENERAL AUDIT AND ANNUAL REPORT.

       (a) Audit Required.--The Comptroller General shall audit on 
     an annual basis lobbying registration and reports filed under 
     the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to determine the extent 
     of compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of that 
     Act by lobbyists and their clients.
       (b) Annual Reports.--Not later than April 1 of each year, 
     the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on 
     the review required by subsection (a). The report shall 
     include the Comptroller General's assessment of the matters 
     required to be emphasized by that subsection and any 
     recommendations of the Comptroller General to--
       (1) improve the compliance by lobbyists with the 
     requirements of that Act; and
       (2) provide the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
     the House of Representatives with the resources and 
     authorities needed for effective administration of that Act.

     SEC. 232. MANDATORY SENATE ETHICS TRAINING FOR MEMBERS AND 
                   STAFF.

       (a) Training Program.--The Select Committee on Ethics shall 
     conduct ongoing ethics training and awareness programs for 
     Members of the Senate and Senate staff.
       (b) Requirements.--The ethics training program conducted by 
     the Select Committee on Ethics shall be completed by--
       (1) new Senators or staff not later than 60 days after 
     commencing service or employment; and
       (2) Senators and Senate staff serving or employed on the 
     date of enactment of this Act not later than 120 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 233. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING SELF-REGULATION 
                   WITHIN THE LOBBYING COMMUNITY.

       It is the sense of the Senate that the lobbying community 
     should develop proposals for multiple self-regulatory 
     organizations which could provide--
       (1) for the creation of standards for the organizations 
     appropriate to the type of lobbying and individuals to be 
     served;
       (2) training for the lobbying community on law, ethics, 
     reporting requirements, and disclosure requirements;
       (3) for the development of educational materials for the 
     public on how to responsibly hire a lobbyist or lobby firm;
       (4) standards regarding reasonable fees to clients;
       (5) for the creation of a third-party certification program 
     that includes ethics training; and
       (6) for disclosure of requirements to clients regarding fee 
     schedules and conflict of interest rules.

     SEC. 234. ANNUAL ETHICS COMMITTEES REPORTS.

       The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House 
     of Representatives and the Select Committee on Ethics of the 
     Senate shall each issue an annual report due no later than 
     January 31, describing the following:
       (1) The number of alleged violations of Senate or House 
     rules including the number received from third parties, from 
     Members or staff within each House, or inquires raised by a 
     Member or staff of the respective House or Senate committee.
       (2) A list of the number of alleged violations that were 
     dismissed--
       (A) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction; or
       (B) because they failed to provide sufficient facts as to 
     any material violation of the House or Senate rules beyond 
     mere allegation or assertion.
       (3) The number of complaints in which the committee staff 
     conducted a preliminary inquiry.
       (4) The number of complaints that staff presented to the 
     committee with recommendations that the complaint be 
     dismissed.
       (5) The number of complaints that the staff presented to 
     the committee with recommendation that the investigation 
     proceed.
       (6) The number of ongoing inquiries.
       (7) The number of complaints that the committee dismissed 
     for lack of substantial merit.
       (8) The number of private letters of admonition or public 
     letters of admonition issued.
       (9) The number of matters resulting in a disciplinary 
     sanction.

                 Subtitle C--Slowing the Revolving Door

     SEC. 241. AMENDMENTS TO RESTRICTIONS ON FORMER OFFICERS, 
                   EMPLOYEES, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE 
                   EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES.

       (a) Very Senior Executive Personnel.--The matter after 
     subparagraph (C) in section 207(d)(1) of title 18, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``within 1 year'' and 
     inserting ``within 2 years''.
       (b) Restrictions on Lobbying by Members of Congress and 
     Employees of Congress.--Subsection (e) of section 207 of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``within 1 year'' and 
     inserting ``within 2 years'';
       (2) by striking paragraphs (2) through (5) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2) Congressional staff.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--Any person who is an employee of a 
     House of Congress and who, within 1 year after that person 
     leaves office, knowingly makes, with the intent to influence, 
     any communication to or appearance before any of the persons 
     described in subparagraph (B), on behalf of any other person 
     (except the United States) in connection with any matter on 
     which such former employee seeks action by a Member, officer, 
     or employee of either House of Congress, in his or her 
     official capacity, shall be punished as provided in section 
     216 of this title.
       ``(B) Contact persons covered.--Persons referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) with respect to appearances or 
     communications are any Member, officer, or employee of the 
     House of Congress in which the person subject to subparagraph 
     (A) was employed. This subparagraph shall not apply to 
     contacts with staff of the Secretary of the Senate or the 
     Clerk of the House of Representatives regarding compliance 
     with lobbying disclosure requirements under the Lobbying 
     Disclosure Act of 1995.
       ``(3) Members of congress and elected officers.--Any person 
     who is a Member of Congress or an elected officer of either 
     House of Congress and who, within 2 years after that person 
     leaves office, knowingly engages in lobbying activities on 
     behalf of any other person (except the United States) in 
     connection with any matter on which such former Member of 
     Congress or elected officer seeks action by a Member, 
     officer, or employee of either House of Congress shall be 
     punished as provided in section 216 of this title.''.
       (3) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) by striking ``paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (2)'';
       (B) by striking ``(A)'';
       (C) by striking subparagraph (B); and
       (D) by redesignating the paragraph as paragraph (4); and
       (4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (5).
       (c) Definition of Lobbying Activity.--Section 207(i) of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) the term `lobbying activities' has the same meaning 
     given such term in section 3(7) of the Lobbying Disclosure 
     Act (2 U.S.C. 1602(7)).''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (b) 
     shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

    Subtitle D--Ban on Provision of Gifts or Travel by Lobbyists in 
                   Violation of the Rules of Congress

     SEC. 251. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF GIFTS OR TRAVEL BY 
                   REGISTERED LOBBYISTS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND 
                   TO CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.

       The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 25. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF GIFTS OR TRAVEL BY 
                   REGISTERED LOBBYISTS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND 
                   TO CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.

       ``(a) Prohibition.--Persons described in subsection (b) may 
     not make a gift or provide travel to a Member, Delegate, 
     Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of Congress, if 
     the person has knowledge that the gift or travel may not be 
     accepted under the rules of the House of Representatives or 
     the Senate.
       ``(b) Persons Subject to Prohibition.--The persons subject 
     to the prohibition in subsection (a) are any lobbyist that 
     registers under section 4(a)(1), any organization that 
     employs 1 or more lobbyists and registers under section 
     4(a)(2), and any employee listed as a lobbyist by a 
     registrant under section 4(b)(6).
       ``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates this section shall 
     be subject to the penalties provided in section 7.''.

Subtitle E--Commission to Strengthen Confidence in Congress Act of 2007

     SEC. 261. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Commission to 
     Strengthen Confidence in Congress Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 262. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       There is established in the legislative branch a commission 
     to be known as the ``Commission to Strengthen Confidence in 
     Congress'' (in this subtitle referred to as the 
     ``Commission'').

     SEC. 263. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of the Commission are to--
       (1) evaluate and report the effectiveness of current 
     congressional ethics requirements, if penalties are enforced 
     and sufficient, and make recommendations for new penalties;

[[Page 2115]]

       (2) weigh the need for improved ethical conduct with the 
     need for lawmakers to have access to expertise on public 
     policy issues;
       (3) determine whether the current system for enforcing 
     ethics rules and standards of conduct is sufficiently 
     effective and transparent;
       (4) determine whether the statutory framework governing 
     lobbying disclosure should be expanded to include additional 
     means of attempting to influence Members of Congress, senior 
     staff, and high-ranking executive branch officials;
       (5) analyze and evaluate the changes made by this Act to 
     determine whether additional changes need to be made to 
     uphold and enforce standards of ethical conduct and 
     disclosure requirements; and
       (6) investigate and report to Congress on its findings, 
     conclusions, and recommendations for reform.

     SEC. 264. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Members.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
     members, of whom--
       (1) the chair and vice chair shall be selected by agreement 
     of the majority leader and minority leader of the House of 
     Representatives and the majority leader and minority leader 
     of the Senate;
       (2) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of 
     the Senate leadership of the Republican Party, 1 of which is 
     a former member of the Senate;
       (3) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of 
     the Senate leadership of the Democratic Party, 1 of which is 
     a former member of the Senate;
       (4) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of 
     the leadership of the House of Representatives of the 
     Republican Party, 1 of which is a former member of the House 
     of Representatives; and
       (5) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of 
     the leadership of the House of Representatives of the 
     Democratic Party, 1 of which is a former member of the House 
     of Representatives.
       (b) Qualifications; Initial Meeting.--
       (1) Political party affiliation.--Five members of the 
     Commission shall be Democrats and 5 Republicans.
       (2) Nongovernmental appointees.--An individual appointed to 
     the Commission may not be an officer or employee of the 
     Federal Government or any State or local government.
       (3) Other qualifications.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     individuals appointed to the Commission should be prominent 
     United States citizens, with national recognition and 
     significant depth of experience in professions such as 
     governmental service, government consulting, government 
     contracting, the law, higher education, historian, business, 
     public relations, and fundraising.
       (4) Deadline for appointment.--All members of the 
     Commission shall be appointed on a date 3 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (5) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall meet and begin 
     the operations of the Commission as soon as practicable.
       (c) Quorum; Vacancies.--After its initial meeting, the 
     Commission shall meet upon the call of the chairman or a 
     majority of its members. Six members of the Commission shall 
     constitute a quorum. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not 
     affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in 
     which the original appointment was made.

     SEC. 265. FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.

       The functions of the Commission are to submit to Congress a 
     report required by this title containing such findings, 
     conclusions, and recommendations as the Commission shall 
     determine, including proposing organization, coordination, 
     planning, management arrangements, procedures, rules and 
     regulations--
       (1) related to section 263; or
       (2) related to any other areas the commission unanimously 
     votes to be relevant to its mandate to recommend reforms to 
     strengthen ethical safeguards in Congress.

     SEC. 266. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Hearings and Evidence.--The Commission or, on the 
     authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member 
     thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this title hold 
     such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take 
     such testimony, receive such evidence, administer such oaths.
       (b) Obtaining Information.--Upon request of the Commission, 
     the head of any agency or instrumentality of the Federal 
     Government shall furnish information deemed necessary by the 
     panel to enable it to carry out its duties.
       (c) Limit on Commission Authority.--The Commission shall 
     not conduct any law enforcement investigation, function as a 
     court of law, or otherwise usurp the duties and 
     responsibilities of the ethics committee of the House of 
     Representatives or the Senate.

     SEC. 267. ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Compensation.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     members of the Commission shall receive no additional pay, 
     allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the 
     Commission.
       (b) Travel Expenses and Per Diem.--Each member of the 
     Commission shall receive travel expenses and per diem in lieu 
     of subsistence in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (c) Staff and Support Services.--
       (1) Staff director.--
       (A) Appointment.--The Chair (or Co-Chairs) in accordance 
     with the rules agreed upon by the Commission shall appoint a 
     staff director for the Commission.
       (B) Compensation.--The staff director shall be paid at a 
     rate not to exceed the rate established for level V of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Staff.--The Chair (or Co-Chairs) in accordance with the 
     rules agreed upon by the Commission shall appoint such 
     additional personnel as the Commission determines to be 
     necessary.
       (3) Applicability of civil service laws.--The staff 
     director and other members of the staff of the Commission 
     shall be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 
     5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
     competitive service, and shall be paid without regard to the 
     provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
     such title relating to classification and General Schedule 
     pay rates.
       (4) Experts and consultants.--With the approval of the 
     Commission, the staff director may procure temporary and 
     intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code.
       (d) Physical Facilities.--The Architect of the Capitol, in 
     consultation with the appropriate entities in the legislative 
     branch, shall locate and provide suitable office space for 
     the operation of the Commission on a nonreimbursable basis. 
     The facilities shall serve as the headquarters of the 
     Commission and shall include all necessary equipment and 
     incidentals required for the proper functioning of the 
     Commission.
       (e) Administrative Support Services and Other Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--Upon the request of the Commission, the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Administrator of General 
     Services shall provide to the Commission on a nonreimbursable 
     basis such administrative support services as the Commission 
     may request.
       (2) Additional support.--In addition to the assistance set 
     forth in paragraph (1), departments and agencies of the 
     United States may provide the Commission such services, 
     funds, facilities, staff, and other support services as the 
     Commission may deem advisable and as may be authorized by 
     law.
       (f) Use of Mails.--The Commission may use the United States 
     mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
     Federal agencies and shall, for purposes of the frank, be 
     considered a commission of Congress as described in section 
     3215 of title 39, United States Code.
       (g) Printing.--For purposes of costs relating to printing 
     and binding, including the cost of personnel detailed from 
     the Government Printing Office, the Commission shall be 
     deemed to be a committee of the Congress.

     SEC. 268. SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS AND 
                   STAFF.

       The appropriate Federal agencies or departments shall 
     cooperate with the Commission in expeditiously providing to 
     the Commission members and staff appropriate security 
     clearances to the extent possible pursuant to existing 
     procedures and requirements, except that no person shall be 
     provided with access to classified information under this 
     title without the appropriate security clearances.

     SEC. 269. COMMISSION REPORTS; TERMINATION.

       (a) Annual Reports.--The Commission shall submit--
       (1) an initial report to Congress not later than July 1, 
     2007; and
       (2) annual reports to Congress after the report required by 
     paragraph (1);
     containing such findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
     for corrective measures as have been agreed to by a majority 
     of Commission members.
       (b) Report Regarding Political Contributions.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a report 
     to Congress detailing the number, type, and quantity of 
     contributions made to Members of the Senate or the House of 
     Representatives during the 30-month period beginning on the 
     date that is 24 months before the date of enactment of the 
     Acts identified in paragraph (2) by the corresponding 
     organizations identified in paragraph (2).
       (2) Organizations and acts.--The report submitted under 
     paragraph (1) shall detail the number, type, and quantity of 
     contributions made to Members of the Senate or the House of 
     Representatives as follows:
       (A) For the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
     Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 
     2066), any contribution made during the time period described 
     in paragraph (1) by or on behalf of a political action 
     committee associated or affiliated with--
       (i) a pharmaceutical company; or
       (ii) a trade association for pharmaceutical companies.
       (B) For the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer 
     Protection Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-8; 119 Stat. 23), any 
     contribution made during the time period described in 
     paragraph (1) by or on behalf of a political action committee 
     associated or affiliated with--

[[Page 2116]]

       (i) a bank or financial services company;
       (ii) a company in the credit card industry; or
       (iii) a trade association for any such companies.
       (C) For the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 
     119 Stat. 594), any contribution made during the time period 
     described in paragraph (1) by or on behalf of a political 
     action committee associated or affiliated with--
       (i) a company in the oil, natural gas, nuclear, or coal 
     industry; or
       (ii) a trade association for any such companies.
       (D) For the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
     States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Public Law 
     109-53; 119 Stat. 462), any contribution made during the time 
     period described in paragraph (1) by or on behalf of a 
     political action committee associated or affiliated with--
       (i) the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National 
     Association of Manufacturers, the Business Roundtable, the 
     National Federation of Independent Business, the Emergency 
     Committee for American Trade, or any member company of such 
     entities; or
       (ii) any other free trade organization funded primarily by 
     corporate entities.
       (3) Aggregate reporting.--The report submitted under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall not list the particular Member of the Senate or 
     House of Representative that received a contribution; and
       (B) shall report the aggregate amount of contributions 
     given by each entity identified in paragraph (2) to--
       (i) Members of the Senate during the time period described 
     in paragraph (1) for the corresponding Act identified in 
     paragraph (2); and
       (ii) Members of the House of Representatives during the 
     time period described in paragraph (1) for the corresponding 
     Act identified in paragraph (2).
       (4) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       (A) the terms ``authorized committee'', ``candidate'', 
     ``contribution'', ``political committee'', and ``political 
     party'' have the meanings given such terms in section 301 of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431); and
       (B) the term ``political action committee'' means any 
     political committee that is not--
       (i) a political committee of a political party; or
       (ii) an authorized committee of a candidate.
       (c) Administrative Activities.--During the 60-day period 
     beginning on the date of submission of each annual report and 
     the final report under this section, the Commission shall--
       (1) be available to provide testimony to committees of 
     Congress concerning such reports; and
       (2) take action to appropriately disseminate such reports.
       (d) Termination of Commission.--
       (1) Final report.--Five years after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a final 
     report containing information described in subsection (a).
       (2) Termination.--The Commission, and all the authorities 
     of this title, shall terminate 60 days after the date on 
     which the final report is submitted under paragraph (1), and 
     the Commission may use such 60-day period for the purpose of 
     concluding its activities.

     SEC. 270. FUNDING.

       There are authorized such sums as necessary to carry out 
     this title.

            TITLE III--CONGRESSIONAL PENSION ACCOUNTABILITY

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Congressional Pension 
     Accountability Act''.

     SEC. 302. DENIAL OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

       (a) In General.--Section 8312(a) of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (1), by 
     striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting 
     ``; or'', and by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) was convicted of an offense described in subsection 
     (d), to the extent provided by that subsection.''; and
       (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by 
     striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and 
     inserting ``; and'', and by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
     the following:
       ``(C) with respect to the offenses described in subsection 
     (d), to the period after the date of conviction.''.
       (b) Offenses Described.--Section 8312 of such title 5 is 
     amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e), 
     and by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) The offenses to which subsection (a)(3) applies are 
     the following:
       ``(1) An offense within the purview of--
       ``(A) section 201 of title 18 (bribery of public officials 
     and witnesses); or
       ``(B) section 371 of title 18 (conspiracy to commit offense 
     or to defraud United States), to the extent of any conspiracy 
     to commit an act which constitutes an offense within the 
     purview of such section 201.
       ``(2) Perjury committed under the statutes of the United 
     States or the District of Columbia in falsely denying the 
     commission of any act which constitutes an offense within the 
     purview of a statute named by paragraph (1), but only in the 
     case of the statute named by subparagraph (B) of paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(3) Subornation of perjury committed in connection with 
     the false denial or false testimony of another individual as 
     specified by paragraph (2).

     An offense shall not be considered to be an offense described 
     in this subsection except if or to the extent that it is 
     committed by a Member of Congress (as defined by section 
     2106, including a Delegate to Congress).''.
       (c) Absence From United States To Avoid Prosecution.--
     Section 8313(a)(1) of such title 5 is amended by striking 
     ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at 
     the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ``or'', and by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) for an offense described under subsection (d) of 
     section 8312; and''.
       (d) Nonaccrual of Interest on Refunds.--Section 8316(b) of 
     such title 5 is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of 
     paragraph (1), by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
     (2) and inserting ``; or'', and by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(3) if the individual was convicted of an offense 
     described in section 8312(d), for the period after the 
     conviction.''.

     SEC. 303. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

       The Constitutional authority for this title is the power of 
     Congress to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper 
     as enumerated in Article I, Section 8 of the United States 
     Constitution, and the power to ascertain compensation for 
     Congressional service under Article I, Section 6 of the 
     United States Constitution.

     SEC. 304. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title, including the amendments made by this title, 
     shall take effect on January 1, 2009 and shall apply with 
     respect to convictions for offenses committed on or after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SEC. 401. KNOWING AND WILLFUL FALSIFICATION OR FAILURE TO 
                   REPORT.

       Section 104(a) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), as so designated, by striking 
     ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly 
     and willfully falsify, or to knowingly and willingly fails to 
     file or report, any information that such person is required 
     to report under section 102.
       ``(B) Any person who violates subparagraph (A) shall be 
     fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not 
     more than 1 year, or both.''.

     SEC. 402. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF SENATE COMMITTEE AND 
                   SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph 5(e) of rule XXVI of the 
     Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by--
       (1) by inserting after ``(e)'' the following: ``(1)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Except with respect to meetings closed in accordance 
     with this rule, each committee and subcommittee shall make 
     publicly available through the Internet a video recording, 
     audio recording, or transcript of any meeting not later than 
     14 business days after the meeting occurs.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect October 
     1, 2007.

     SEC. 403. FREE ATTENDANCE AT A BONA FIDE CONSTITUENT EVENT.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph 1(c) of rule XXXV of the Senate 
     Rules is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(24) Subject to the restrictions in subparagraph (a)(2), 
     free attendance at a bona fide constituent event permitted 
     pursuant to subparagraph (h).''.
       (b) In General.--Paragraph 1 of rule XXXV of the Senate 
     Rules is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h)(1) A Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer 
     of free attendance in the Member's home State at a 
     convention, conference, symposium, forum, panel discussion, 
     dinner event, site visit, viewing, reception, or similar 
     event, provided by a sponsor of the event, if--
       ``(A) the cost of meals provided the Member, officer or 
     employee does not exceed $50;
       ``(B)(i) the event is sponsored by bona fide constituents 
     of, or a group that consists primarily of bona fide 
     constituents of, the Member (or the Member by whom the 
     officer or employee is employed); and
       ``(ii) the event will be attended primarily by a group of 
     at least 5 bona fide constituents of the Member (or the 
     Member by whom the officer or employee is employed) provided 
     that an individual registered to lobby under the Federal 
     Lobbying Disclosure Act shall not attend the event; and
       ``(C)(i) the Member, officer, or employee participates in 
     the event as a speaker or a panel participant, by presenting 
     information related to Congress or matters before Congress, 
     or by performing a ceremonial function appropriate to the 
     Member's, officer's, or employee's official position; or
       ``(ii) attendance at the event is appropriate to the 
     performance of the official duties or representative function 
     of the Member, officer, or employee.
       ``(2) A Member, officer, or employee who attends an event 
     described in clause (1) may

[[Page 2117]]

     accept a sponsor's unsolicited offer of free attendance at 
     the event for an accompanying individual if others in 
     attendance will generally be similarly accompanied or if such 
     attendance is appropriate to assist in the representation of 
     the Senate.
       ``(3) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `free 
     attendance' has the same meaning as in subparagraph (d).

     SEC. 404. PROHIBITION ON FINANCIAL GAIN FROM EARMARKS BY 
                   MEMBERS, IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF MEMBERS, STAFF OF 
                   MEMBERS, OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF STAFF OF 
                   MEMBERS.

       Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``15. (a) No Member shall use his official position to 
     introduce, request, or otherwise aid the progress or passage 
     of a congressional earmark that will financially benefit or 
     otherwise further the pecuniary interest of such Member, the 
     spouse of such Member, the immediate family member of such 
     Member, any employee on the staff of such Member, the spouse 
     of an employee on the staff of such Member, or immediate 
     family member of an employee on the staff of such Member.
       ``(b) For purposes of this paragraph--
       ``(1) the term `immediate family member' means the son, 
     daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, 
     mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother-in-law, 
     father-in-law, brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister of 
     a Member or any employee on the staff (including staff in 
     personal, committee and leadership offices) of a Member; and
       ``(2) the term `congressional earmark' means--
       ``(A) a provision or report language included primarily at 
     the request of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or 
     Senator providing, authorizing or recommending a specific 
     amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, 
     or other spending authority for a contract, loan, loan 
     guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with 
     or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or 
     Congressional district, other than through a statutory or 
     administrative formula-driven or competitive award process;
       ``(B) any revenue-losing provision that--
       ``(i) provides a Federal tax deduction, credit, exclusion, 
     or preference to 10 or fewer beneficiaries under the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986; and
       ``(ii) contains eligibility criteria that are not uniform 
     in application with respect to potential beneficiaries of 
     such provision;
       ``(C) any Federal tax provision which provides one 
     beneficiary temporary or permanent transition relief from a 
     change to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
       ``(D) any provision modifying the Harmonized Tariff 
     Schedule of the United States in a manner that benefits 10 or 
     fewer entities.''.

     SEC. 405. AMENDMENTS AND MOTIONS TO RECOMMIT.

       Paragraph 1 of Rule XV of the Standing Rules of the Senate 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``1. (a) An amendment and any instruction accompanying a 
     motion to recommit shall be reduced to writing and read and 
     identical copies shall be provided by the Senator offering 
     the amendment or instruction to the desks of the Majority 
     Leader and the Minority Leader before being debated.
       ``(b) A motion shall be reduced to writing, if desired by 
     the Presiding Officer or by any Senator, and shall be read 
     before being debated.''.

     SEC. 406. CONGRESSIONAL TRAVEL PUBLIC WEBSITE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2008, the 
     Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives shall each establish a publicly available 
     website without fee or without access charge, that contains 
     information on all officially related congressional travel 
     that is subject to disclosure under the gift rules of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, that 
     includes--
       (1) a search engine;
       (2) uniform categorization by Member, dates of travel, and 
     any other common categories associated with congressional 
     travel; and
       (3) all forms filed in the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives relating to officially-related travel 
     referred to in paragraph (2), including the ``Disclosure of 
     Member or Officer's Reimbursed Travel Expenses'' form in the 
     Senate.
       (b) Extension Authority.--If the Secretary of the Senate or 
     the Clerk of the House of Representatives is unable to meet 
     the deadline established under subsection (a), the Committee 
     on Rules and Administration of the Senate or the Committee on 
     Rules of the House of Representatives may grant an extension 
     of such date for the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of 
     the House of Representatives, respectively.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this section.

  Mr. DURBIN. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________