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Most Americans Urge for Tougher Lobbying Rules
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the behaviour of lobbyists in federal politics must be more transparent, according to the George Washington University Battleground 2006 poll by Lake Snell Perry and Associates and The Tarrance Group. 87 per cent of respondents call for greater disclosure by lobbyists about their work and their level of congressional contacts.
Also, 86 per cent of respondents want greater disclosure by members of Congress about their contacts and campaign contributions.
In January, lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion charges as part of a deal to cooperate with a federal corruption investigation. More than 70 per cent of respondents call for a broader gift ban, more transparency on congressional pay raises, increasing the lobbying ban on former members to two years, and changing the contribution limits on political action committees and individuals.
Last week, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs said the creation of an independent office to investigate congressional ethics charges was unnecessary. Republican senator George Voinovich declared, "The ethics committee is already doing this. There's no need to reinvent the wheel."
Polling Data
Support for specific proposals of congressional reform and lobbying reform
Greater disclosure by lobbyists about their work | 87% |
Greater disclosure by members of Congress about | 86% |
A broader gift ban | 79% |
Greater transparency on congressional pay raises | 76% |
Increasing the lobbying ban on | 75% |
Changing the contribution limits on PACs | 73% |
Banning lobbying on the floor of the House | 67% |
A broader travel ban | 67% |
Ending earmarks | 59% |
Source: George Washington University Battleground 2006 / Lake Snell Perry and Associates / The Tarrance Group
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 registered American voters, conducted from Feb. 12 to Feb. 15, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.