A bill that would impose new rules on lobbyist's contributions to campaigns has passed the House with flying colors. Republicans in the Senate actually threatened to filibuster it, with esteemed Senator Ted Stevens (cough cough..criminal..cough cough) leading the threat. This is the same senator who's Alaska resort home was raided by the FBI this week.
The legislation would also end "secret holds" of legislation in the senate, a despicable practice if there ever was one. Currently, any senator can place an anonymous hold on any legislation he or she pleases, and no one is ever the wiser on who did it. Sounds like something that would happen at Hogwarts, not on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
Another benefit of the legislation: Instead of wading through paper lobbyist filings, all of the paperwork will be posted online and be searchable. The current system is archaic and limited only to those willing to travel to the basement of the capitol and wade through thousands of pages of disclosure forms.
I give the democratic congressional leaders full credit for this one. They said they'd clean up the lobbying ethics rules in congress, and that's exactly what they're attempting to do. The bill is by no means perfect, but it's a great start and a breath of fresh air.
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