(Washington, DC)—Two provisions of the Congressman’s civility agenda passed today as a part of the new Congress’ ethics reform package. The new House of Representatives rules will encourage civility by prohibiting the practice of holding votes open for undue amounts of time for the sole purpose of twisting arms and threatening committee or District projects in order to affect the outcome of a vote.
Additionally, the measure reforms the conference committee process by requiring adequate notice of meetings to provide for increased Member attendance, guarantee information is available to all conferees and ensure that the text of the conference reports will not be changed after both parties have agreed and signed the report.

“These may sound like small common sense changes, and frankly they are. However, compared to the way the Congress has been run in the last decade these measures represent a sea change in the respect given to the minority party,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The people’s House should not operate by closed door meetings, shady back room deals and arm twisting. With the adoption of these reforms, so close to my heart, I believe we are turning the corner toward greater transparency and respect.”

Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-03), whose initiative to require full disclosure of all earmarks also passed today, added, “In a time when people are increasingly distrustful of government, we have a responsibility to bring meaningful openness and accountability to Congress.  In doing so, I believe we can increase public confidence and trust, and ensure that our government is more thoughtful and responsible in the way it spends our money.”

In addition to the two ethics reforms advocated by Congressmen Cleaver and Moore, yesterday the House passed reform measures aimed at curtailing influence peddling. All gifts are now banned from lobbyists and they are now prohibited from paying for Members travel.
 
The new Congress has shut down “Pay-to-Play” schemes like the "K Street Project” which amounted to a revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms, in which corporations and lobbying firms were encouraged to hire Congressional aides, family, and friends in exchange for political access. 

Finally the House passed "pay-as-you-go" budget rules to stop any new deficit spending as the first step toward reversing record setting deficits mortgaging our children's future.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.