Congressional Democrats today laid out a plan to change what they called a Republican "culture of corruption" in Washington, trying to secure a political advantage even as they wrestle with ethics charges against their own lawmakers.
Democratic leaders from the House and Senate endorsed a set of proposals that closely mirror Republican plans unveiled this week to tighten regulations on lobbyists in the wake of the Jack Abramoff political corruption scandal. But in a sign that an ethical "arms race" may be developing, the Democratic plans go further than the Republicans' proposals.
Rather than limiting the value of a gift to $20, as House Republicans are considering, the Democrats would prohibit all gifts from lobbyists. And the Democrats take direct aim at some of the legislative practices that have taken root in the last 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 and contribute only to Republican candidates.
The Washington Post story.
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