[House Report 110-162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    110-162

======================================================================



 
                   LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2007

                                _______
                                

  May 21, 2007.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Conyers, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2317]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill 
(H.R. 2317) to amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to 
require registered lobbyists to file quarterly reports on 
contributions bundled for certain recipients, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do 
pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
The Amendment....................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     3
Background and Need for the Legislation..........................     3
Hearings.........................................................     4
Committee Consideration..........................................     4
Committee Votes..................................................     4
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     5
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................     5
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     5
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................     6
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     7
Advisory on Earmarks.............................................     7
Section-by-Section Analysis......................................     7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     8
Additional Views.................................................    11

                             The Amendment

  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. QUARTERLY REPORTS BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS ON CONTRIBUTIONS 
                    BUNDLED FOR CERTAIN RECIPIENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 
(2 U.S.C. 1604) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d) Quarterly Reports on Contributions Bundled For Certain 
Recipients.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the end of 
        the quarterly period beginning on the first day of January, 
        April, July, and October of each year, each registered lobbyist 
        who bundles 2 or more contributions made to a covered recipient 
        in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 for such covered 
        recipient during such quarterly period shall file a report with 
        the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
        Representatives containing--
                    ``(A) the name of the registered lobbyist;
                    ``(B) in the case of an employee, his or her 
                employer; and
                    ``(C) the name of the covered recipient to whom the 
                contribution is made, and to the extent known the 
                aggregate amount of such contributions (or a good faith 
                estimate thereof) within the quarter for the covered 
                recipient.
            ``(2) Exclusion of certain information.--In filing a report 
        under paragraph (1), a registered lobbyist shall exclude from 
        the report any information described in paragraph (1)(C) which 
        is included in any other report filed by the registered 
        lobbyist with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
        House of Representatives under this Act.
            ``(3) Requiring submission of information prior to filing 
        reports.--Not later than 25 days after the end of a period for 
        which a registered lobbyist is required to file a report under 
        paragraph (1) which includes any information described in such 
        section with respect to a covered recipient, the registered 
        lobbyist shall transmit by certified mail to the covered 
        recipient involved a statement containing--
                    ``(A) the information that will be included in the 
                report with respect to the covered recipient; and
                    ``(B) the source of each contribution included in 
                the aggregate amount referred to in paragraph (1)(C) 
                which the registered lobbyist bundled for the covered 
                recipient during the period covered by the report and 
                the amount of the contribution attributable to each 
                such source.
            ``(4) Definition of registered lobbyist.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, the term `registered lobbyist' means a person 
        who is registered or is required to register under paragraph 
        (1) or (2) of section 4(a), or an individual who is required to 
        be listed under section 4(b)(6) or subsection (b).
            ``(5) Definition of bundled contribution.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, a registered lobbyist `bundles' a contribution 
        if--
                    ``(A) the contribution is received by a registered 
                lobbyist for, and forwarded by a registered lobbyist 
                to, the covered recipient to whom the contribution is 
                made; or
                    ``(B) the contribution will be or has been credited 
                or attributed to the registered lobbyist through 
                records, designations, recognitions or other means of 
                tracking by the covered recipient to whom the 
                contribution is made.
            ``(6) Other definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `contribution' has the meaning given 
                such term in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
                (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), except that such term does not 
                include a contribution in an amount which is less than 
                $200;
                    ``(B) the terms `candidate', `political committee', 
                and `political party committee' have the meaning given 
                such terms in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
                (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.);
                    ``(C) the term `covered recipient' means a Federal 
                candidate, an individual holding Federal office, a 
                leadership PAC, or a political party committee; and
                    ``(D) the term `leadership PAC' means, with respect 
                to an individual holding Federal office, an 
                unauthorized political committee which is associated 
                with such individual, except that such term shall not 
                apply in the case of a political committee of a 
                political party.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to the second quarterly period described in section 
5(d)(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (as added by subsection 
(a)) which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act and each 
succeeding quarterly period.

                          Purpose and Summary

    Federal lobbying is a multi-billion dollar industry, and 
spending to influence Members of Congress and Executive Branch 
officials has continued to increase over the last decade. While 
the Lobbying Disclosure Act was intended to promote 
transparency and accountability in the Federal lobbying 
industry, it falls far short of a complete solution. Its 
shortcomings were highlighted during the 109th Congress by the 
conviction of a high-profile lobbyist, as well as a number of 
highly publicized incidents involving and the provision of 
privately-funded travel, free meals, and lavish entertainment 
by lobbyists to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and 
some Executive Branch officials in exchange for favorable 
treatment for clients with specific interests before the 
Government.
    H.R. 2317, the ``Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007,'' helps 
to bring greater transparency to one aspect of lobbying that 
has been of concern, the practice of ``bundling'' campaign 
contributions. ``Bundling'' is the term used to describe when a 
lobbyist arranges with a candidate to raise and receive credit 
for specific contributions that are collected or coordinated by 
the lobbyist. Under current law, there is no requirement that 
this type of bundling be disclosed to the public.
    H.R. 2317 would require disclosure by registered lobbyists 
of certain types of bundled contributions. By linking campaign 
finance and lobbying activities, the bill is intended to 
provide a clearer picture of who is participating in this 
practice.

                Background and Need for the Legislation

    H.R. 2317 requires the lobbyist to disclose the Member of 
Congress for whom they have aggregated contributions in the 
Lobbying Disclosure Report. The consolidation of all lobbying 
activity within this one report will improve transparency, 
making it easier for the public to better assess the 
intersection of fundraising and public policy. As Justice Louis 
Brandeis famously observed, ``Sunlight is said to be the best 
disinfectant.'' \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ Louis D. Brandeis, Other People's Money and How the Bankers Use 
It 92 (1914).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Specifically, H.R. 2317 would require a ``registered 
lobbyist'' \2\ who ``bundles'' two or more contributions made 
to a ``covered recipient'' \3\ in an aggregate amount in excess 
of $5,000 in a calendar quarter to file a report 45 days after 
the end of each quarter with the Secretary of the Senate and 
the Clerk of the House. The report must include the name of the 
lobbyist, the employer of the lobbyist, the name of the covered 
recipient to whom the contribution is made, and, to the extent 
known, the aggregate amount of the contributions bundled within 
the quarter for such recipient (or a good faith estimate of the 
amount).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\ The bill defines ``registered lobbyist'' to include (1) an 
individual who is required to register as a lobbyist under the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act (LDA), (2) a lobbying organization which is required to 
register under the LDA, or (3) the employees of a lobbying organization 
who must be listed as lobbyists under the LDA.
    \3\ The bill defines ``covered recipient'' to include a Federal 
candidate, a Federal officeholder, a leadership PAC, or a political 
party committee. The terms ``contribution,'' ``candidate,'' ``political 
committee,'' and ``political party committee'' have the same meanings 
as in the Federal Election Campaign Act. The term ``leadership PAC'' 
means an unauthorized political committee associated with a Federal 
officeholder, but does not include a political party committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    H.R. 2317 requires a lobbyist to give a covered recipient 
of a bundled contribution prior notice, by certified mail, of 
the lobbyist's intent to report it. Notice must be given not 
later than 25 days after the close of the quarterly reporting 
period; the report is due 45 days after the close of the 
reporting period. The prior notice is to contain the 
information that the lobbyist is planning to include in the 
report, as well as the source and amount of each contribution 
bundled. This notice enables the covered recipient to raise any 
questions with the lobbyist about the information, and to take 
any appropriate action, prior to the public filing of the 
information.
    H.R. 2317 defines a ``bundled contribution'' as either (1): 
a contribution that a registered lobbyist receives for, and 
forwards to, the ``covered recipient'' to whom the contribution 
is made, or (2) a contribution that is credited or attributed 
to the registered lobbyist through some means of tracking by 
the covered recipient to whom the contribution is made. 
Contributions can come to a covered recipient in a number of 
ways, including by mail, through a website, and as a result of 
fundraising events. Examples of crediting or tracking include 
having donors put a lobbyist's name in the memo of a check, or 
using a code that has been pre-assigned to the lobbyist, to 
track contributions from those attending a fundraising event 
sponsored or arranged by the lobbyist.

                                Hearings

    On March 1, 2007, the Subcommittee on the Constitution, 
Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a legislative hearing to 
examine the issue of lobbying reform. The hearing focused on 
the current state of the lobbying industry, the need for 
reform, and the extent to which the Senate-passed proposal 
(S.1) addressed that need. Witness testimony was provided by 
Kenneth A. Gross, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 
Flom; Sarah Dufendach, Chief of Legislative Affairs at Common 
Cause; Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow for Governance Studies at 
the Brookings Institution; and Bradley A. Smith, former 
Chairman of the Federal Election Commission.

                        Committee Consideration

    On May 16, 2007, the Committee met in open session and 
ordered the bill, H.R. 2317, favorably reported with an 
amendment, by a voice vote, a quorum being present.

                            Committee Votes

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that there 
were no recorded votes during the Committee's consideration of 
H.R. 2317.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the 
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on 
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the 
descriptive portions of this report.

               New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures

    Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives is inapplicable because this legislation does 
not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax 
expenditures.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth, with 
respect to the bill, H.R. 2317, the following estimate and 
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, May 18, 2007.
Hon. John Conyers, Jr., Chairman,
Committee on the Judiciary,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2317, the Lobbying 
Transparency Act of 2007.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis, 
who can be reached at 226-2860.
            Sincerely,
                                           Peter R. Orszag,
                                                  Director.

Enclosure

cc:
        Honorable Lamar S. Smith.
        Ranking Member
H.R. 2317--Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007.
    H.R. 2317 would amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 
to require registered lobbyists to file new quarterly reports 
with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives. The reports would provide information on 
contributions that the lobbyists receive and forward to federal 
candidates and other political entities. Subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that 
implementing the bill would increase administrative costs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate by less than 
$500,000 a year. Enacting the bill would not affect direct 
spending or revenues.
    The bill contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined 
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no 
costs on State, local, or tribal governments.
    H.R. 2317 would impose private-sector mandates, as defined 
in UMRA, on the lobbying industry. The bill would require 
registered lobbyists that bundle contributions to submit 
additional reports and disclosures to the Secretary of the 
Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bill 
also would require those lobbyists to notify the recipients of 
those bundled contributions about their intent to file a report 
on such contributions. Based on information from the Secretary 
of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, CBO estimates that 
the aggregate direct cost of all of those mandates would fall 
below the annual threshold established by UMRA for private-
sector mandates ($131 million in 2007, adjusted annually for 
inflation).
    H.R. 2317 would require any registered lobbyist who bundles 
two or more contributions in excess of $5,000 in a calendar 
quarter made to a covered recipient, as defined in the bill, to 
file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
the House of Representatives 45 days after the end of each such 
quarter. The report would include information about the 
lobbyist, the name of the recipient to whom the contribution is 
made, and an estimate of the aggregate amount of contributions 
bundled in the quarter for the recipient. Such information 
would have to be filed only if the information is incremental 
to the information reported by registered lobbyists in certain 
other reports. Currently, registered lobbyists must file 
semiannual disclosure reports.
    Because the bill would require quarterly (rather than 
semiannual) reporting, it would increase the number of reports 
filed by registered lobbyists. Since such entities already 
collect the information requested in the disclosure reports, 
however, CBO estimates that the incremental costs associated 
with the new reporting requirements in the bill would be 
minimal.
    The bill also would require registered lobbyists to send 
each recipient of a bundled contribution a notice of the 
lobbyists' intent to file a disclosure. The notice would be 
sent in the quarter that the report is to be filed. The notice 
would contain the information that the lobbyist intends to 
report and an explanation of the aggregate contribution along 
with the names of the contributors. Such notices would have to 
be sent by certified mail. CBO estimates that the costs 
associated with those mailings would not be substantial 
relative to the annual threshold established by UMRA for 
private-sector mandates.
    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Deborah Reis 
(for federal costs), who may be reached at 226-2860, Elizabeth 
Cove (for the State and local impact), who may be reached at 
225-3220, and Craig Cammaratta (for the private-sector impact), 
who may be reached at 226-2940. This estimate was approved by 
Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget 
Analysis.

                    Performance Goals and Objectives

    The Committee states that pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H.R. 
2317 is intended to create a system requiring registered 
lobbyists to disclose contributions they have arranged for 
``covered recipients.''

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for 
this legislation in article I, section 5, clause 2, and article 
I, section 8, clauses 3 and 18 of the Constitution.

                          Advisory on Earmarks

    In accordance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, H.R. 2317 does not contain any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

    Sec. 1. Short Title. Section 1 sets forth the bill's short 
title as the ``Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007.''
    Sec. 2. Quarterly Reports by Registered Lobbyists on 
Contributions Bundled for Certain Recipients. Section 2 amends 
section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 
Sec. 1604, to add a new subsection (d) pertaining to quarterly 
reports on contributions bundled for certain recipients. New 
subsection (d)(1) provides that not later than 45 days after 
the end of the quarterly period beginning on the first day of 
January, April, July, and October of each year, each registered 
lobbyist who bundles 2 or more contributions made to a covered 
recipient in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 for such 
covered recipient during such quarterly period shall file a 
report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives. The report must contain: (1) the name 
of the registered lobbyist; (2) in the case of an employee, his 
or her employer; and (3) the name of the covered recipient to 
whom the contribution is made, and to the extent known the 
aggregate amount of such contributions (or a good faith 
estimate thereof) within the quarter for the covered recipient.
    New subsection (d)(2) requires a registered lobbyist to 
exclude from the report any information described in new 
subsection (d)(1)(c) (pertaining to the covered recipient) that 
is included in any other report filed by the registered 
lobbyist with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
    New subsection (d)(3) provides that not later than 25 days 
after the end of a period for which a registered lobbyist is 
required to file a report under paragraph (1) that includes any 
information described in such section with respect to a covered 
recipient, the registered lobbyist shall transmit by certified 
mail to the covered recipient a statement. The statement must 
contain: (1) the information that will be included in the 
report with respect to the covered recipient; and (2) the 
source of each contribution included in the aggregate amount 
referred to in paragraph (1)(c) (pertaining to the covered 
recipient) which the registered lobbyist bundled for the 
covered recipient during the period covered by the report, and 
the amount of the contribution attributable to each such 
source.
    New subsection (d)(4) defines ``registered lobbyist'' as a 
person who is registered or is required to register under 
paragraph (1) or (2) of section 4(a) of the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act, or an individual who is required to be listed under 
section 4(b)(6) or section 5(b) of that Act.
    Under new subsection (d)(5), a registered lobbyist 
``bundles'' a contribution if: (1) the contribution is received 
by a registered lobbyist for, and forwarded by a registered 
lobbyist to, the covered recipient to whom the contribution is 
made; or (2) the contribution will be or has been credited or 
attributed to the registered lobbyist through records, 
designations, recognitions, or other means of tracking by the 
covered recipient to whom the contribution is made.
    This definition for bundling covers various recognized ways 
in which lobbyists are known to bundle contributions for 
candidates. It includes, for example, situations where a 
lobbyist physically collects checks for a candidate and 
delivers them to the candidate. It includes situations where a 
lobbyist is given a title or other recognition to reflect a 
commitment by the lobbyist to raise a certain amount of 
contributions, and where the lobbyist is given a code or other 
means of tracking so that the donors can make clear to the 
candidate that the lobbyist should be given credit for raising 
the funds, and funds are in fact raised using the tracking 
means. It includes situations where the lobbyist raises 
specific contributions for a candidate in connection with 
hosting a fund-raising event for the candidate, which the 
candidate tracks. And it includes situations where a lobbyist 
arranges for contributions to be given to a candidate along 
with information that allows the candidate to track that the 
lobbyists raised the money, and the candidate tracks and 
credits the lobbyist for doing so.
    These examples are intended to convey the essence of 
bundling, which is the mutual awareness and agreement between 
the lobbyist and the covered recipient that the lobbyist is 
gathering the contributions. In this respect, bundling is 
distinguished from more generalized expressions of support for 
a candidate that may lead others to decide independently to 
make contributions.
    New subsection (d)(6) provides that ``contribution,'' 
``candidate,'' ``political committee,'' and ``political party 
committee'' have the meaning given such terms in the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971, with one qualification. The term 
``contribution'' does not include a contribution in an amount 
which is less than $200. New subsection (d)(6) also provides 
that the term ``covered recipient'' means a Federal candidate, 
an individual holding Federal office, a leadership PAC, or a 
political party committee. The provision also defines the term 
``leadership PAC'' to mean, with respect to an individual 
holding Federal office, an unauthorized political committee 
which is associated with that individual, except that such term 
shall not apply in the case of a political committee of a 
political party.
    Subsection 2(b) sets forth the Act's effective date. The 
Act applies with respect to the second quarterly period 
described in section 5(d)(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (as added by subsection (a)) that begins after the date of 
the enactment of this Act and each succeeding quarterly period.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is 
printed in italics and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

                    LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1995



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SEC. 5. REPORTS BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS.

    (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Quarterly Reports on Contributions Bundled For Certain 
Recipients.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the 
        end of the quarterly period beginning on the first day 
        of January, April, July, and October of each year, each 
        registered lobbyist who bundles 2 or more contributions 
        made to a covered recipient in an aggregate amount 
        exceeding $5,000 for such covered recipient during such 
        quarterly period shall file a report with the Secretary 
        of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
        Representatives containing--
                    (A) the name of the registered lobbyist;
                    (B) in the case of an employee, his or her 
                employer; and
                    (C) the name of the covered recipient to 
                whom the contribution is made, and to the 
                extent known the aggregate amount of such 
                contributions (or a good faith estimate 
                thereof) within the quarter for the covered 
                recipient.
            (2) Exclusion of certain information.--In filing a 
        report under paragraph (1), a registered lobbyist shall 
        exclude from the report any information described in 
        paragraph (1)(C) which is included in any other report 
        filed by the registered lobbyist with the Secretary of 
        the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
        Representatives under this Act.
            (3) Requiring submission of information prior to 
        filing reports.--Not later than 25 days after the end 
        of a period for which a registered lobbyist is required 
        to file a report under paragraph (1) which includes any 
        information described in such section with respect to a 
        covered recipient, the registered lobbyist shall 
        transmit by certified mail to the covered recipient 
        involved a statement containing--
                    (A) the information that will be included 
                in the report with respect to the covered 
                recipient; and
                    (B) the source of each contribution 
                included in the aggregate amount referred to in 
                paragraph (1)(C) which the registered lobbyist 
                bundled for the covered recipient during the 
                period covered by the report and the amount of 
                the contribution attributable to each such 
                source.
            (4) Definition of registered lobbyist.--For 
        purposes of this subsection, the term ``registered 
        lobbyist'' means a person who is registered or is 
        required to register under paragraph (1) or (2) of 
        section 4(a), or an individual who is required to be 
        listed under section 4(b)(6) or subsection (b).
            (5) Definition of bundled contribution.--For 
        purposes of this subsection, a registered lobbyist 
        ``bundles'' a contribution if--
                    (A) the contribution is received by a 
                registered lobbyist for, and forwarded by a 
                registered lobbyist to, the covered recipient 
                to whom the contribution is made; or
                    (B) the contribution will be or has been 
                credited or attributed to the registered 
                lobbyist through records, designations, 
                recognitions or other means of tracking by the 
                covered recipient to whom the contribution is 
                made.
            (6) Other definitions.--In this subsection--
                    (A) the term ``contribution'' has the 
                meaning given such term in the Federal Election 
                Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), 
                except that such term does not include a 
                contribution in an amount which is less than 
                $200;
                    (B) the terms ``candidate'', ``political 
                committee'', and ``political party committee'' 
                have the meaning given such terms in the 
                Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
                431 et seq.);
                    (C) the term ``covered recipient'' means a 
                Federal candidate, an individual holding 
                Federal office, a leadership PAC, or a 
                political party committee; and
                    (D) the term ``leadership PAC'' means, with 
                respect to an individual holding Federal 
                office, an unauthorized political committee 
                which is associated with such individual, 
                except that such term shall not apply in the 
                case of a political committee of a political 
                party.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                            Additional Views

    During the last Congress, the committee, by a vote of 28-4, 
adopted an amendment to H.R. 4975, which provided increased 
disclosure by lobbyists of ``bundled'' campaign contributions 
they facilitated collecting and transmitting to campaigns. This 
legislation addresses the very same issue.
    Indeed, regarding all the ethics reform provisions that 
were reported out of the committee last Congress, Mr. Conyers 
said ``I am very pleased to join in this cooperative effort . . 
. Ladies and gentlemen, what we do with the manager's amendment 
in short has considerably strengthened the measure before us 
that is within our jurisdiction and I urge its support.'' \1\ 
Mr. Nadler said ``I support the manager's amendment which 
advances this legislation. This legislation goes to the very 
heart of this institution's credibility and integrity . . .'' 
\2\ And Representatives Conyers, Nadler, Scott, Watt, Lofgren, 
Jackson Lee, Meehan, Wexler, Weiner, Schiff, Sanchez, Van 
Hollen, and Wasserman Schultz all stated the following of that 
amendment last Congress in the committee report on the 
legislation: ``At the markup, we were able to develop a 
bipartisan provision concerning the areas of Judiciary 
Committee jurisdiction--principally the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act.'' \3\
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    \1\ H. Rep. 109-439 Part I (109th Congress, 2d Sess.) at 109-110.
    \2\ H. Rep. 109-439 Part I (109th Congress, 2d Sess.) at 111.
    \3\ H. Rep. 109-439 Part I (109th Congress, 2d Sess.) at 154 
(emphasis added).
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    We are pleased to see that the majority has revisited the 
same issue Republicans addressed last Congress.

                                   Lamar Smith.
                                   Howard Coble.
                                   Chris Cannon.

                                  
