Boston Globe

01/09/06

Worried that the case of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff may trigger a backlash at the polls this fall, Congress is showing new interest in sweeping changes to rules on lobbying, with Republican leaders poised to embrace major alterations they'd rejected when Democrats introduced them last year. Yesterday, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert announced that he would 'move forward aggressively and quickly to have the House of Representatives address lobbying reform.' 'Now is the time for action,' said Hastert, an Illinois Republican. He directed a top lieutenant, House Rules Committee chairman David Dreier, to spearhead the effort. Senate majority leader Bill Frist also publicly committed to changing laws and legislative rules to 'improve transparency and accountability,' shortly after Abramoff pleaded guilty last week in connection with a bribery scheme...

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Informant: Thomas L. Knapp