In spite all of the rhetoric on display on Capitol Hill in recent days, lobbying efforts are on the increase. There have been over 2,000 new lobbyists registered since the November, 2006 election when the Democrats took control of Congress. This was not exactly what I had hoped for when Speaker Pelosi spoke of more honesty and openness in government. However, recently two bills passed that will hopefully result in restrictions on lobbyists who seek to have undue influence on members of Congress. One is H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, which provides more rigorous requirements with respect to disclosure and enforcement of lobbying laws and regulations, and for other purposes." The "other purposes" includes the establishment of an online database that would be free to the public, which would list travel and financial disclosure information for each Congressman.

Congressman John Conyers wanted to amend this bill to allow members to strike any information from this database that they wished. This would not improve transparency regarding interaction between lobbyists and members that the public deserves to know about. This amendment failed.

The second bill, H.R. 2317, the Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007, requires Quarterly reports by lobbyists regarding contributions bundled for certain recipients.

Analysis of the recorded votes raises the question, "What do members have to hide?" In analyzing the vote on Conyers’ amendment, 135 votes were cast in the affirmative. 17 of these yes votes were by Republicans. When Republicans crossover and vote with the majority of Democrats there is cause to wonder. Possible answers are 1. This amendment was critical to the bill. It either corrected an error or inserted essential language germane to the nature of the bill. 2. The member's vote had been bought through previous backroom (read, hidden from the public) arrangements. 3. Certain members have been involved in unethical behavior that they do not want to be made public. In other words, they have done some shady deals and they know that their constituents would not approve of their conduct.

The constituents of the following Congressmen ought to look into why their representative voted to hide certain activities from public view. In addition, they should find out what committees they serve on. Questions should be asked about who receives favored treatment by the bills that come out of his/her committees. If your representative is frequently crossing over to vote with the majority, ask him/her why. Also, ask yourself, if in doing so he/she is really representing you and the people of your district.

1. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
2. Christopher Shays (R-CT)
3. Michael Castle (R-DE)
4. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
5. Bobby Jindal (R-LA)
6. Fred Upton (R-MI)
7. Dave Camp (R-MI)
8. Michael Ferguson (R-NJ)
9. Frank Lobiondo (R-NJ)
10. Frank Pallone (R-NJ)
11. Steve Chabot (R-OH)
12. Phillip English (R-PA)
13. Jim Gerlach (R-PA)
14. John Peterson (R-PA)
15. John Duncan (R-TN)
16. Ralph Hall (R-TX)
17. Michael McCaul (R-TX)

With all the posturing in Washington about a new era of openness, honesty, and transparency why would these men go on record indicating their opposition to full disclosure regarding their contact with lobbyists. Only those who have something to hide would oppose the truth being made known to the public.

Gentlemen, shame on you!

During the vote on the bill itself, H.R. 2316, there were 22 members who voted no. Of the 22, 7 were Republicans. Constituents of the following Congressmen need to ask them why they are opposed to lobbying reform.

1. Don Young (R-CA)
2. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
3. Connie Mack (R-FL)
4. Edward Whitfield (R-KY)
5. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
6. Sam Johnson (R-TX)
7. Ron Paul (R-TX)

Six of these seven (Rep. Sam Johnson being the exception) joined 10 other Republicans in voting no on H.R. 2317.

1. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
2. Devin Nunes (R-CA)
3. Steve Buyer (R-IN)
4. Richard Baker (R- LA)
5. Charles Pickering (R-MS)
6. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
7. John Boehner (R-OH)
8. J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC)
9. Pete Sessions (R-TX)
10. Barbara Cubin (R-WY)

Again, constituents need to find out why they oppose lobbying reform. Are there legitimate reasons or are they hiding something? This is all about holding them accountable! If you aren’t, who is?