New Lobby Reform Law Targets Fundraisers
On September 14, President Bush
signed a CALPIRG-backed lobby
reform bill that could shed light on
the often-hidden activities of lobbyists
and their interactions with
legislators.
Under the new law, lobbyists will
need to disclose their fundraising
efforts on behalf of candidates.
Increasingly, candidates rely on
outside fundraisers, often paid
lobbyists, called “bundlers,” who
quietly raise up to hundreds of
thousands of dollars for candidates.
President Bush’s “Pioneers”
and “Rangers” each raised between
$100,000 and $200,000. Sen.
Hillary Clinton’s “Hillraisers” are each charged with raising
$1 million.
“This information will help the
public better identify the powerful
interests who use fundraising to
build access and influence,” said
CALPIRG’s Federal Democracy
Advocate Gary Kalman.
We’re cheered by progress like this
on ethics, but disappointed that
Congress has not yet overhauled
ineffective ethics enforcement.
CALPIRG has been working closely
with a special ethics task force and
House leadership to fight for changes
that will hold members who
break the rules accountable.
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