Legislation that passed Congress fails to ban lobbyist- sponsored trips, meals or gifts

HUDSON, N.Y. --- Kirsten Gillibrand, candidate for New York's 20th Congressional District, continued to stress her ethics reform package as Congress failed to take real action.

"Real ethics reform is needed, and my Ethics IOU is a strong personal pledge to clean up Congress.  It is apparent to me that we will need new ideas and real change in Washington if there is going to be any meaningful reform," said Gillibrand

The current legislation that passed the House will not permanently ban trips sponsored by lobbyists and does not forbid lobbyists from buying meals or giving gifts to our federal lawmakers. In March, Gillibrand proposed a comprehensive ethics package that included: banning trips and gifts from lobbyists; closing the revolving door between lobbyists and lawmakers and their staffs; a call for an independent ethics commission to investigate allegations of corruption and fraud; and disclosure of any meetings with lobbyists.

"The lack of accountability and the role of influence in Washington are undermining our confidence and trust in our Government.  The public deserves better representation," Gillibrand added.

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Click here to view Kirsten's Ethics IOU in PDF Format [1]
 

Click here to view Kirsten's updated Sunshine Report [2]