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The Sunlight Foundation was founded in 2006 with the goal of using technology to enable citizens to learn more about what their elected representatives are doing, to help reduce corruption, ensure greater transparency and... [more]
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Sunlight's Reform Agenda
Sunlight has updated and refined our legislative priorities in order to generate greater change and a more transparent Congress.
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Lobbying reform
And the Beat Goes On
Despite repeated denials by some reform groups, the recently passed ethics reforms are full of loopholes. USA Today and The Washington Post are now beginning to report on how "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
None of this is a great surprise, I suppose. That's why it seems to us that transparency -- 21st century style -- may do more to stop bad things from happening than all the new laws that Congress passes.
Written by Ellen Miller on October 24, 2007 - 2:38pm.
Read more: Lobbying reform | Sunlight Foundation | Transparency (see all terms)
Is There More Backsliding on Earmark Reform?
Over at Porkbusters, N.Z. Bear relays the latest word on the shape that earmark reforms will take in the new lobbying bill, and offers readers a chance to check for themselves.
Rather than clutter the home page up with a million updates, I'll take a closer look myself over on RealTime...
Written by Bill Allison on July 30, 2007 - 1:06pm.
Read more: Earmark Reform | Lobbying reform | Online Transparency | porkbusters (see all terms)
New roadblocks delay negotiations on security, ethics bills
Written by Paul Blumenthal on July 17, 2007 - 3:02pm.
Read more: Lobbying reform | Lobbying/Ethics Reform (see all terms)
Read more: Lobbying reform | Lobbying/Ethics Reform (see all terms)
Source Name
CongressDaily
Snippit
Senate Republican opposition to sending ethics and homeland security measures to conference set off a round of partisan bickering Monday, clouding prospects for wrapping up the bills before the August recess.
Senate headed for new clash over ethics
Written by Paul Blumenthal on July 9, 2007 - 9:29am.
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Source Name
Politico
Snippit
As Congress returns from its July 4th recess, Democratic leaders are expected to try to jumpstart negotiations on a stalled lobbying reform and ethics package. And they are expected to run into opposition from Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who dealt the Democrats a stinging defeat prior to the July 4th recess with a procedural move that split the Democratic caucus.
DeMint Blocks Leadership Deal on Ethics Bill Conference
Written by Paul Blumenthal on June 29, 2007 - 11:32am.
Read more: Jim DeMint | Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Read more: Jim DeMint | Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Source Name
Roll Call
Snippit
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) scuttled a deal between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to start long-stalled conference proceedings on an ethics and lobbying reform package Thursday afternoon, raising an objection at the last minute even as McConnell and Reid were formalizing the agreement.
Immigration Battle Exposes Inadequacies of Lobby Disclosure
Yesterday, the Senate moved one step closer to passing S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, which has been less than popular with the public, and with those on the left, the center left, the center right and the right. Of course, some are supporting the bill, but sadly, lobbying records are no help in determing who might be supporting it.
Written by Bill Allison on June 27, 2007 - 2:35pm.
Read more: Immigration | lobbying disclosure | Lobbying reform | Online Transparency (see all terms)
Congressional Staff Need to be Transparent Too
Writing in the Washington Post, Paul Kane explicates the fine print on a fundraiser flier sent out by Sen. Charles Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and finds that the draw for prospective lobbyist fundraisers will be congressional staff members -- not members of Congress:
Officially, lobbyists are asked to give or raise $2,000 to be a "host" or $1,000 to be a "DSCC friend" in order to meet "individuals representing" Senate Democrats. That's code word for chiefs of staff and staff directors of committees, according to lobbyists who received the fundraising pitch. The image of the invite that was e-mailed to Capitol Briefing included the file name of "chiefs invitation".
Written by Bill Allison on June 20, 2007 - 5:31pm.
Read more: Campaign Finance | Foreign Agent Registration Act | Incumbency Fundraising | Lobbying reform | Online Transparency | Sen. Charles Schumer (see all terms)
Lobbyists United In Dismay Over Disclosure Rules
Written by Paul Blumenthal on June 6, 2007 - 9:20am.
Read more: Lobbying reform | Lobbyists (see all terms)
Read more: Lobbying reform | Lobbyists (see all terms)
Source Name
Washington Post
Snippit
For the first time, lobbyists will be held personally accountable for obeying dozens of complicated contribution, gift, travel, and sponsorship rules. Jail time, a remote but unnerving new prospect, has K Street working to interpret the rules. With lawmakers back this week from Memorial Day recess, some angry lobbyists vow to do what they're paid to do: persuade members to change the bill before it becomes law in July.
How the Lobby Bill Sailed In
Written by Paul Blumenthal on May 29, 2007 - 9:27am.
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Source Name
Roll Call
Snippit
Shortly after noon Thursday, with the temperature inching closer to 80 degrees, Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center parked herself in a shady spot across the street from the Longworth House Office Building.
Ethics Legislation Easily Passes House
Written by Paul Blumenthal on May 25, 2007 - 9:18am.
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Read more: Lobbying reform (see all terms)
Source Name
Washington Post
Snippit
Prodded by Democratic leaders and by freshmen elected partly on promises to clean up Washington, the House approved new ethics legislation yesterday that would penalize lawmakers who receive a wide range of favors from special interests, and would require lobbyists to disclose the campaign contributions they collect and deliver to lawmakers.
Current Projects
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Where Are They Now? Former Congressional Staffers head through the Revolving Door on to K Street.
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Past Projects
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Congressional Web Site Investigation:Employing citizen oversight to find out if we are getting our money’s worth from congressional Web sites.
Today's Ethics Watch
No money coming to Young’s legal defense: Alaska congressman Don Young (R) is having trouble getting contributions to his legal defense fund. A document filed with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shows “no activity” since the fund was approved by the committee on Jan. 9. (The Hill)
Seats of Power: A Return to Skybox Lobbying?: Not long ago, lobbyists regularly entertained lawmakers and their aides in skyboxes at local sports arenas. But after a series of scandals on Capitol Hill, the law was changed to forbid congressional officials from accepting anything of value from lobbyists without repayment -- let alone the best seats in the house. (Washington Post)
Companies Start to Lift Veil on Political Spending: Ever wonder how much companies really spend to influence government through trade associations? Well, a few corporations are coming clean, or at least cleaner. (Washington Post)
Dems, GOP together nix Murtha earmark: Democrats and Republicans joined together to strip a pet project of Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) from the 2009 intelligence authorization bill — the same project Democrats defended last year. (The Hill)
NAPA launches collaboration Web site: If you’ve ever wished your federal agency could adopt wikis, use YouTube or delve into the virtual world but feared the security, technology and political barriers were too high to overcome, take heart. You’ve got supporters, and they have success stories. (NextGov)
Jefferson lawyers cite race case in change of venue request: Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-La.) lawyers have asked a federal judge to reconsider a ruling denying a change of venue for his corruption trial. (The Hill)
Jefferson Tries New Argument: Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) has asked a federal court to use an international criminal law treaty to force the depositions of three people in Nigeria who have been implicated in corruption charges levied against him. (Roll Call)
Foreign Gifts Test Rules: Even as new ethics restrictions have made it difficult for Members and staff to accept gifts — aside from token baseball caps or T-shirts — one area remains where lawmakers and their staffs can collect trinkets more or less guilt-free: foreign travel. (Roll Call)
K St.’s ‘Max Out’ Crowd: The 20 top K Street donors this election cycle have handed federal candidates nearly $1.8 million in personal cash. The majority of that money, $1.3 million, has gone to help Democrats as the party in charge of Capitol Hill looks to expand its majority. (Roll Call)
Senator’s Ties to Real Estate Draw Criticism: He has made millions as a title insurance executive, landlord and real estate developer in this college town, where the economy, despite trouble nationwide, is still growing nicely. Now, as a United States senator, with the mortgage mess fueling a national economic slowdown, Richard C. Shelby has more say over the revamping of housing finance laws than almost anyone else in Congress. (New York Times)
Oil Lobby Reaches Out to Citizens Peeved at the Pump: Faced with a national outcry over the high price of gasoline and soaring profits for energy companies, the oil and gas industry is waging an unusually pricey campaign to burnish its image. (Washington Post)
[ More in the Archive ]
Seats of Power: A Return to Skybox Lobbying?: Not long ago, lobbyists regularly entertained lawmakers and their aides in skyboxes at local sports arenas. But after a series of scandals on Capitol Hill, the law was changed to forbid congressional officials from accepting anything of value from lobbyists without repayment -- let alone the best seats in the house. (Washington Post)
Companies Start to Lift Veil on Political Spending: Ever wonder how much companies really spend to influence government through trade associations? Well, a few corporations are coming clean, or at least cleaner. (Washington Post)
Dems, GOP together nix Murtha earmark: Democrats and Republicans joined together to strip a pet project of Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) from the 2009 intelligence authorization bill — the same project Democrats defended last year. (The Hill)
NAPA launches collaboration Web site: If you’ve ever wished your federal agency could adopt wikis, use YouTube or delve into the virtual world but feared the security, technology and political barriers were too high to overcome, take heart. You’ve got supporters, and they have success stories. (NextGov)
Jefferson lawyers cite race case in change of venue request: Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-La.) lawyers have asked a federal judge to reconsider a ruling denying a change of venue for his corruption trial. (The Hill)
Jefferson Tries New Argument: Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) has asked a federal court to use an international criminal law treaty to force the depositions of three people in Nigeria who have been implicated in corruption charges levied against him. (Roll Call)
Foreign Gifts Test Rules: Even as new ethics restrictions have made it difficult for Members and staff to accept gifts — aside from token baseball caps or T-shirts — one area remains where lawmakers and their staffs can collect trinkets more or less guilt-free: foreign travel. (Roll Call)
K St.’s ‘Max Out’ Crowd: The 20 top K Street donors this election cycle have handed federal candidates nearly $1.8 million in personal cash. The majority of that money, $1.3 million, has gone to help Democrats as the party in charge of Capitol Hill looks to expand its majority. (Roll Call)
Senator’s Ties to Real Estate Draw Criticism: He has made millions as a title insurance executive, landlord and real estate developer in this college town, where the economy, despite trouble nationwide, is still growing nicely. Now, as a United States senator, with the mortgage mess fueling a national economic slowdown, Richard C. Shelby has more say over the revamping of housing finance laws than almost anyone else in Congress. (New York Times)
Oil Lobby Reaches Out to Citizens Peeved at the Pump: Faced with a national outcry over the high price of gasoline and soaring profits for energy companies, the oil and gas industry is waging an unusually pricey campaign to burnish its image. (Washington Post)
[ More in the Archive ]