PIRG-backed Bill Exposes Big Money From Lobbyists

This summer, OSPIRG backed a lobby reform bill that will shed light on the often-hidden activities of lobbyists and their interactions with members of Congress.

For the first time, lobbyists will disclose their fundraising efforts on behalf of candidates. Increasingly, candidates rely on outside fundraisers, often paid lobbyists called “bundlers,” who quietly raise up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for candidates.

President Bush’s “Pioneers” and “Rangers” each raised between $100,000 and $200,000. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s “Hillraisers” are each tasked with raising $1 million.

“This information will help the public better identify the powerful interests who use fundraising to build access and influence,” said Democracy Advocate Gary Kalman.

We’re cheered by this progress, but disappointed that Congress has not yet overhauled the ineffective ethics enforcement process. U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State PIRGs, has been working closely with a special ethics task force and House leadership to fight for changes that will hold accountable members who break the rules.