House approves measure to require details on fundraising

Updated: August 1, 2007 - 1:03 AM

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WASHINGTON - The House voted 411 to 8 Tuesday to make lawmakers disclose more details of their efforts to fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists, responding to a rash of recent scandals. Senate Democratic leaders hope to give it final passage this week.

"Passing this bill is the final nail in the coffin of the Republican era of corruption," said Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn.

The bill would require lawmakers to disclose those lobbyists who raise $15,000 or more for them within a six-month period by "bundling" donations from many people. The requirement would also cover party-affiliated campaign committees.

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said, "The bill will help to ensure that ... those dedicated to serving the public are able to do so in an honorable and transparent manner." Minnesota's other representatives did not return calls for comment.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said he will fight the bill because it "guts key earmark reforms." He noted that it would allow the majority party's leaders -- not the Senate parliamentarian -- to rule on whether earmark disclosure requirements have been met in bills reaching the Senate floor.

DIVESTMENT VOTES

The House voted to protect from lawsuits managers of mutual and pension funds that divest holdings in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan. Under two bills, the government is to periodically update a list of companies that do business with Sudan or Iran's energy sector.

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