On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled their lobbying “reform” proposal, which, oddly enough, makes it easier for lawmakers to accept campaign contributions while enjoying lobbyist-paid perks. Yesterday, Dems from both chambers unveiled a plan with more teeth.
Rather than limiting the value of a gift to $20, as House Republicans are considering, Democrats would prohibit all gifts from lobbyists. Democrats also take direct aim at some of the legislative practices that have become established in the past 10 years of Republican rule in Congress. They vowed to end the K Street Project, under which Republicans in Congress pressure lobbying organizations to hire only Republican staff members and contribute only to Republican candidates.
Lawmakers would have to publicly disclose negotiations over private-sector jobs, a proposal inspired by then-House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman W.J. “Billy” Tauzin’s job talks in 2003 that led to his hiring as president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America in January 2005. Executive branch officials who are negotiating private-sector jobs would need approval from the independent Office of Governmental Ethics.
Under the Democrats’ plan, House and Senate negotiators working out final versions of legislation would have to meet in open session, with all members of the conference committee — not just Republicans — having the opportunity to vote on amendments. Legislation would have to be posted publicly 24 hours before congressional consideration. Democrats also proposed to crack down on no-bid contracting and to require that any person appointed to a position involving public safety “possess proven credentials.”
The plan is not without flaw — Dems didn’t ban privately-financed travel — but on the whole, it’s clearly a more sweeping, comprehensive approach to changing the way Congress does business than anything House Republicans have considered.
And while the substance is obviously far more important than the symbolism, I was nevertheless struck by the unusually good stagecraft Dems utilized in unveiling their plan. It was, well, almost Republican-like.
Take a look at the picture the New York Times ran. Dems, who usually pay almost no attention to stagecraft, treated yesterday’s announcement as a key moment for political theater. Ryan Lizza captured the mood nicely:
It looked like a wedding. The setting was the majestic Great Hall of the Library of Congress, an absurdly ornate cavern of white marble, grand staircases, brass inlayed floors, stained glass sky lights, and 75-feet high ceilings. Reporters were warned not to block one staircase landing as it was being used for the “procession.” And sure enough, as a treacly orchestral soundtrack echoed through the room, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, followed by dozens of their fellow Democrats, slow-walked two-by-two down the aisle and assembled on a makeshift stage. […]
You could tell it was a big-deal event. Unlike most of the quickie pressers on the Hill, the Democrats’ unveiling of their lobbying reform legislation had presidential campaign-level atmospherics — hectare-sized American flags, slogan-emblazoned banners, stage risers, little duct-tape crosses so the principals knew exactly where to stand. Reid and Pelosi were shrewd and modest enough to make Barack Obama their main voice on the issue. And he added a dose of credibility to the reform package by acknowledging, “Democrats are certainly not without sin.”
The last time we saw such theatrics, Newt Gingrich and House Republicans were unveiling the Contract with America. And just as the GOP put their signatures on their contract in 1994, congressional Dems did the same thing yesterday.
For that matter, the Dems came up with clever little names for the various proposals, including:
The Tony Rudy Reform: Close the Revolving Door. Close the revolving door between the Congress and lobbying firms by doubling (from one year to two) the cooling-off period during which lawmakers, senior Congressional staff, and Executive Branch officials are prohibited from lobbying their former offices. Eliminate floor privileges for former Members of Congress and officers of the Senate and House who return to lobby.
The Ralph Reed Reform: Toughen Public Disclosure of Lobbyist Activity. Significantly expand the information lobbyists must disclose – including campaign contributions and client fees. Require them to file disclosure reports electronically, and increase the frequency of those filings. Require lobbyists to certify that they did not violate the rules, and make them subject to criminal penalties for false certifications.
The Jack Abramoff Reform: Ban Lobbyist Gifts and Travel. Prohibit the receipt of gifts, including gifts of meals, entertainment and travel, from lobbyists.
The Grover Norquist Reform: Shut Down Pay-to-Play Schemes Like the “K Street Project.” End efforts like the “K Street Project,” which Republicans created to tell corporations and lobbying firms whom they should hire in exchange for political access.
The Frist & Hastert Reform: Prohibit “Dead of Night” Special Interest Provisions. Require that all conference committee meetings be open to the public and that members of the conference committee have a public opportunity to vote on all amendments. Make copies of conference reports available to Members, and post them publicly on the Internet, 24 hours before consideration (unless waived by a supermajority vote).
I even like the fact that Harry Reid keeps comparing Republicans to organized crime.
To be sure, these political and theatrical considerations are superficial compared to the policy details. The WaPo noted that the “Democratic plans go further than the Republicans’ proposals,” and added that “ethics watchdogs commended the Democratic effort,” suggesting the Dems’ policy specifics are on the right track. I can’t help but notice, though, that Dems also seem to be getting better at crafting a forceful message and presenting it in a compelling way.
Yesterday’s event looked like the kind of thing Karl Rove would have put together if he were on our side. And in this case, that’s a complement.