BACKGROUND: There are two bills in Congress that address lobby reform. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (S. 1060) is a bill the broadens the definition who is considered a lobbyist and would require more lobbyists to register and report their activities. The bill would simplify the registration of lobbyists by creating one registration form and a computer filing system in one location. The bill would also make it easier to reveal how much lobbyists spend on their activities, how much they are paid, whom they represent, and what issues they are lobbying. Lobbyists from small organizations, lobbyists from outside Washington, D.C., and lobbyists who spend a certain fraction of their time and money on lobbying efforts would not be subject to the bills requirements. A study by the General Accounting Office indicates that of the over 13,000 lobbyists listed in a lobbyists' directory, only 3,500 lobbyists are registered with Congress.

The Congressional Gift Reform (S. 1061) is a provision that attempt to prohibit lobbyists and public interest group from giving gifts to members of Congress. The current provision would limit individual gifts to a value of no more than $20 and a maximum of $50 in gifts within a year period with exception for gifts from relatives or close friends. The bill would also ban lobbyists from making donations to charity that a particular Congressman supports or to legal defense funds. Attempts are being made to raise the maximum gift values and to exempt gifts of trips to charity events. The Congressional Gift Reform is proposal to change a Senate rule, so it would not have to be approved by the House and would be enforced, not by law, but by the Ethics Committee.

KEY PLAYERS: The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (S. 1060) is sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and 7 others. The Congressional Gift Reform is sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and 8 others. Neither of the proposals have been sent to a committee.

STATUS: The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (S. 1060) was passed by the Senate (98-0) on July 25, 1995) and was received in the House the next day. There is substantial support for lobby reform in the House, but it is not certain what the House bill will look like.

The Congressional Gift Reform provision (S. 1061) was debated July 27, 1995. It is still being hammered out and will probably be debated the first week in August.

PRO: Supporters of lobby reform state that there are too many loopholes in the registration and reporting process, so many lobbying activities are unreported. Proponents also claim that it is wrong that, and tarnishes the legislative process when, lobbyists are able to spend a lot of money buying Congressmen meals and sending them on vacations.

"[The people] want to feel that this Government is our Government. When public opinion show that a majority of Americans feel that lobbyists are the real power in Washington, only 22 percent believe it's Congress, and only 7 percent the President, we must act to restore confidence that in fact their elected representatives control the power in Washington." -- Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)

CON: Opponents argue that lobbying is a part of the democratic process that anyone has available. Critics of these specific bills argue that the limits on lobbyists' gifts, especially those to charitable events and organizations, is wrong and the provisions should be revised.

"You do not waive your constitutional rights because you are paid to represent a group that may be too busy to come to Washington. That is what lobbyists largely do, represent American citizens who choose not to become experts on legislation and employ someone else to speak for them. There is nothing un-American about that. Under the Constitution, we have the obligation not to interfere with this constitutional right to express ourselves that each of us enjoy." -- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

WHAT'S NEXT: The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (S. 1060) was sent to the House for consideration on July 26, 1995. The Congressional Gift Reform will be discussed during the first week of August and if approved, whatever form it takes will go into effect January 1, 1996.