    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 19, 1995]
    [Page 1907]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
    December 19, 1995

        Today I am pleased to approve S. 1060, the ``Lobbying Disclosure Act
    of 1995.'' I have strongly supported the purposes and principles
    embodied in this legislation since the beginning of my Administration.
    During my first days in office, I barred all top executive branch
    officials from lobbying their agencies for 5 years after leaving office
    and from ever lobbying for foreign governments. During the 103rd
    Congress, my Administration lent its strong support to congressional
    backers of legislation that served as the model for the Lobbying
    Disclosure Act of 1995.
        As a general matter, S. 1060 provides for the disclosure of efforts
    by paid lobbyists to influence the decision-making process and actions
    of Federal legislative and executive branch officials. It replaces the
    existing patchwork of lobbying disclosure laws with a single, uniform
    statute that covers the activities of all professional lobbyists. Among
    other things, the bill streamlines lobbyist disclosure requirements and
    requires that professional lobbyists register and file regular reports
    identifying their clients, the issues on which they lobby, and the
    amount of their compensation. These are important steps in the right
    direction.
        The Department of Justice has identified certain provisions in the
    Act that raise constitutional concerns--in particular, the role given to
    the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of
    Representatives and the specific manner in which the legislation seeks
    to protect the exercise of religion. I shall instruct the Attorney
    General to apply and enforce the Act in a constitutional manner. This
    will ensure that the Act survives any challenge in court and thereby
    guarantee that the Act is fully effective in accomplishing its
    objectives, including the protection of religious expression.
        In addition, section 21(b) of the Act would forbid the appointment
    as United States Trade Representative or Deputy United States Trade
    Representative, of anyone who had ever ``directly represented, aided, or
    advised a foreign [government or political party] . . . in any trade
    negotiation, or trade dispute with the United States.'' The Congress may
    not, of course, impose broad restrictions on the President's
    constitutional prerogative to nominate persons of his choosing to the
    highest executive branch positions, and this is especially so in the
    area of foreign relations. However, because as a policy matter I agree
    with the goal of ensuring the undivided loyalty of our representatives
    in trade negotiations, I intend, as a matter of practice, to act in
    accordance with this provision.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    December 19, 1995.

    Note: S. 1060, approved December 19, was assigned Public Law No. 104-65.