Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA – 02) released the following statement regarding his opposition to the Republican Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R. 4975).

“Congress had the opportunity to create legislation that would stamp out the inappropriate lobbying practices that threaten our democracy.  Instead, we were handed a watered-down bill that lacks accountability and provides little transparency to lobbyists’ activities.

“I am disappointed by the inability of Congress and both sides of the aisle to reach a consensus and create bipartisan legislation that would protect and preserve the integrity of our democracy.

“The Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act is an empty bill that fails to publicly disclose all earmarks, slow the revolving door between congressional service and lobbying, or ban members from using corporate owned or privately owned jets for official travel.

“True lobbying reform starts with government accountability that allows the public to see exactly what their elected representatives are doing in Washington, DC.

“We need to fix the gift and travel rules that allowed lobbyists like Jack Abramoff to buy influence in Congress.

“Congress needs to ensure that legislation will never again be written in back rooms by industry lobbyists - but rather by the constituents that we represent.

“And Congress needs to close the revolving door between government and lobbying firms by strengthening the ban on lobbying by former Members of Congress and senior government officials after they leave to work in the private sector, and requiring lawmakers to disclose when they are negotiating private-sector jobs.

“I intend to fight for measures that will hold elected officials to the same standards as hard-working, honest Americans - bringing accountability, openness and honesty back to all forms of government.

Larsen is a co-sponsor of the Honest Leadership Open Government Act which addresses lobby reform by:
Prohibiting former Members of Congress and senior government officials from lobbying their former colleagues for two years after they leave to work in the private sector
Banning Members from using corporate owned or privately owned jets for official travel
Mandates public disclosure of Members who sponsor earmarks and whether Members have a financial interest in the earmark, and prohibits any Member from offering or withholding an earmark to influence how another Member votes. 

Congressman Larsen represents Washington state’s 2nd Congressional district.

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