(Washington, D.C.)–Today, Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-02) joined dozens of his colleagues in introducing legislation, the “Special Interest Lobbying and Ethics Accountability Act,” to set a new ethical standard in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This Congress – both Republicans and Democrats - must be held accountable to those who sent them to Washington, by passing comprehensive legislation to reform the relationship between Congress and special interest lobbyists,” said Langevin.

The bill would set a new ethical standard in the House by:

• Curbing excesses in congressional travel and ending lobbyist-organized junkets.
• Slowing the “revolving door” between government and lobbying.
• Enhancing lobbying disclosure and giving the American people access to more complete and timely information about who is lobbying their representatives.
• Strengthening enforcement and oversight of ethics and lobbying rules.
• Punishing Members who take or withhold official action based on partisan affiliation or campaign contributions

This reform also slows the “revolving door” between government and lobbying while strengthening enforcement and oversight. The bill doubles the current one-year waiting period for members, senior staff, and senior executive personnel lobbying Congress. It requires members of Congress to disclose any job negotiations that pose a conflict of interest with their official duties.

“The unprecedented access of lobbyists has resulted in ethical scandals in which lobbyists have funded foreign travel in return for legislative favors, and this reform bill is a critical first step to setting a new ethical standard in the House of Representatives,” said Langevin. “I am proud to sponsor this reform, and I will fight to make it law.”

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