The new ethics and lobbying legislation will:

  • Bar lawmakers from accepting gifts and travel paid for by lobbyists.
  • Extend from one to two years the time a former member must wait before he can engage in lobbying activities.
  • Deny pensions to lawmakers convicted of serious crimes.
  • Require more reporting by lobbyists on their activities.
  • Require public disclosure of those home-state projects.
  • Require senators hitching rides on private jets to pay full charter rates rather than the current practice of paying the far cheaper equivalent of a first class ticket.
  • Require reporting by lobbyists who obtain small donations from clients and then “bundle” them into larger contributions to politicians.
  • Prevent spouses of sitting members from lobbying.

So, why did Senator Hatch vote against this bill?