Senate Republicans are blocking Congress from moving forward on the most significant lobbying and ethics reforms seen in decades. When faced with the option of “put up or shut up,” Republicans reached into their bag of tired, old tricks and pulled out the worn and tattered “unacceptable amendment.” This one was adding the provision of the line item veto. You may recall this from around 10 or so years ago as what Republicans then called on of the most dangerous pieces of legislation in the history of our young republic. They argued, at the time, that the line item veto would strip the Congress of its constitutional authority and make the executive branch all too powerful. So, they pulled it out and stapled it to ethics reform.
The line item veto is a pathetic pretext, and it should be obvious to everyone what has happened. Senate Republicans have determined this ethics bill was too muscular for their sensibilities and appetites, and have tried to kill it. This reminds me of when the Republican controlled Congress under Newt Gingrich tried to float a budget as an amendment on a Hurricane Ivan relief bill. The government shut down and hundreds of thousands of storm victims were denied much needed aid until Newt and the gang finally pulled their heads out.
Lobbying and ethics reform is not dead. Senate Republicans have the opportunity to reconsider opposing reform, and they will have another chance to support this vital legislation. Will Senators Hatch and Bennett rally and support ethics reform? I doubt it, but, this time, I hope to be wrong.
