Executive Order Contains Toughest and Most Far Reaching 'Revolving Door' Provisions Ever Adopted

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 21, 2009 -- President Barack Obama issued a ground breaking Executive Order today that establishes unprecedented new rules to govern the role of lobbyists in the Obama Administration, according to Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer.

The ethics Executive Order issued by the Obama Administration goes further than any previous action taken by a President to restrict the ability of presidential appointees who serve in the Executive Branch from coming back to lobby the Administration, and also to limit the role of lobbyists coming in to serve in the Administration.

It also bans presidential appointees from accepting gifts from lobbyists and lays the groundwork for extending this gift ban to all Executive Branch employees.

The new Executive Order contains the toughest and most far reaching revolving door provisions ever adopted.

The new Executive Order, for the first time, prohibits presidential appointees who leave the government from coming back to lobby high level executive branch officials throughout the entire government, not just in their own department or agency, and from doing so for the entire period that President Obama serves as president. This includes a second term if the President is reelected.


The Executive Order also contains reverse "revolving door" provisions that will for the first time restrict the ability of lobbyists entering the Obama Administration from helping their former clients or influencing decisions on issues on which they have lobbied.

It prohibits any presidential appointee who served as a lobbyist during the two-year period prior to joining the Administration from working in any agency or department that they had lobbied, for a two-year period after they join the Administration.

It also provides that a person who served as a lobbyist during the two-year period prior to joining the Obama Administration cannot for the first two years after being appointed to the Obama Administration participate in any particular matter on which the person lobbied or in the specific issue area in which the particular matter falls.

These are unprecedented restrictions on what lobbyists can do when they join an Administration.

The Executive Order requires all presidential appointees to sign a binding agreement that they will comply with the Executive Order and sets up an important oversight and enforcement process, giving responsibilities to the Office of Government Ethics and the Justice Department to ensure compliance with the new Order.

President Obama's Executive Order follows on the important leadership he provided on lobbying reform in the last Congress when, along with Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), then-Senator Obama led a hard fought, successful battle to enact key lobbying transparency provisions. The provisions require members of Congress and federal candidates, for the first time, to disclose the lobbyists who bundled contributions for them and the total amounts each raised.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, President Obama stated that he was "firmly committed to reforming the [presidential public financing] system as president so that it's viable in today's campaign climate."

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Ramos And Compean Are Going Home

by Chuck Baldwin

After tens of thousands of phone calls and emails, after the combined efforts of columnists such as myself and radio and television talk show hosts such as Lou Dobbs, and even after persistent appeals by congressmen such as Dana Rohrabacher, former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean finally received a commutation of their 10-plus year prison sentences from outgoing President George W. Bush and will soon be going home. It's about time! What took Mr. Bush so long?

Ramos and Compean were victimized by an out-of-control U.S. Attorney by the name of Johnny Sutton (who should be fired for his despicable conduct), and by a White House that cared more about appeasing the Mexican government than it did about protecting the American border and the Border Patrol agents who were trying to do their jobs.

I won't rehash the details of this unbelievable miscarriage of justice, as I have already covered this atrocity in past columns. See two of these columns at:

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070731.html

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070131.html

I was also privileged to appear with Agent Ramos' wife, Monica, on the Lou Dobbs show last year. As such, I was the only Presidential candidate in 2008 who publicly promised to fully pardon (not just grant commutation to) Ramos and Compean. See the video at:

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=G-DyfFa0tZg

According to press reports, now that President Bush has commuted the sentences of Ramos and Compean, they should be released from prison "within the next two months." In issuing the commutation, it was made clear that "Bush didn't pardon the men for their crimes, but decided instead to commute their prison sentences because he believed they were excessive and that they had already suffered the loss of their jobs, freedom and reputations."

The senior administration official quoted also said, "The action by the president, who believes the border agents received fair trials and that the verdicts were just, does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes."

Ramos and Compean have served about two years of their sentences.

And, as far as what the Bush administration official said, let's set the record straight. First of all, while Ramos and Compean have lost their jobs and more than two years of freedom (not to mention untold grief and agony by their family members), they have not lost their reputations. If anyone has lost their reputation, it is Johnny Sutton and George W. Bush, his act of clemency notwithstanding.

Secondly, if the trial and conviction of Ramos and Compean is an example of a "fair trial," everyone in the country better pray they never have to go to trial. The truth is, if there ever was an example of a Kangaroo Court in these United States, it was the trial of Ramos and Compean.

Thirdly, the "crimes" that were committed were perpetrated by a serial drug-smuggling illegal alien, and then by a groveling, grotesque U.S. Attorney's office under the leadership of Johnny Sutton.

And lest readers think that Ramos and Compean were alone in the wake of a Presidential administration bent on sacrificing American law enforcement personnel on the altar of appeasement to the Mexican government, please familiarize yourself with the case of the brave Texas Sheriff's Deputy, Gilmer Hernandez; and with the case of the heinous Mexican murderer, Jose Ernesto Medellin. It is incomprehensible what the Bush administration has done to facilitate illegal immigration. See the story at:

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070413.html

Am I happy that President Bush has at least commuted the sentences of Ramos and Compean? Of course I am. I am happy for the two agents; I am happy for their families. They deserve to be together. I pray it will not take months to release them. And I also pray that both of these gentlemen will find gainful employment sufficient to adequately meet the needs of their wives and children.

It is shameful that the country agents Ramos and Compean were so proud and diligent to serve treated them (and their families) so disgracefully. Furthermore, it is totally disgusting to realize that the Bush administration treated a serial drug-smuggling illegal alien better than two Border Patrol agents who were simply trying to enforce our country's immigration laws. Bush's commutation of sentence does nothing to erase that humiliation.

*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/donate.php

(c) Chuck Baldwin

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The Weekend Voting Act

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 11, 2009 -- Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) announced the introduction of the Weekend Voting Act in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislation would move Election Day from the first Tuesday in November to the first full weekend in November. Kohl and Israel both sponsored the legislation in previous sessions of Congress.

“Holding elections on the first Tuesday of November makes it difficult, even impossible, for many Americans with work and family responsibilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” Kohl said. “Weekend voting would remove unnecessary obstacles to voting and ensure more fair, open, and credible elections for citizens to choose their representatives in government.”

“When Congress decided, in 1845, that we should vote on a Tuesday it made sense. It was the easiest day for farmers in our agrarian society to get to the polls. Times have changed, and Tuesday voting just doesn’t make sense anymore,” said Rep. Steve Israel. “Voting should be easy. It should be accessible. By moving Election Day from a single day in the middle of the work week to a full weekend, we are encouraging Americans to participate. Our democracy will be best served when our leaders are elected by as many Americans as possible.”

The Weekend Voting Act would mandate national polls to be open from 10 a.m. (Eastern Time) Saturday to 6 p.m. (ET) Sunday in the 48 contiguous states. Election officials would be permitted to close polls during the overnight hours if they determine it would be inefficient to keep them open.

"Despite the excitement of the 2008 campaign, all the early predictions of record voter turnout proved to be too optimistic,” said Dr. Norman Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and co-founder of Why Tuesday?, a nonpartisan group seeking to increase voter participation. “Turnout was up, but barely higher than in 2004. At the same time, many voters found their experience at the polls marred by long lines at peak hours early in the morning before work or at the end of the day after work. During the campaign, President-Elect Obama talked about bringing our antiquated voting system into the modern age. The number one reason given by nonvoters in the U.S. Census for not casting a ballot is that they're too busy. This proposal to move Election Day from Tuesday, where it has been since 1845, to the weekend, is a giant step in the right direction."

The long-standing tradition of holding federal elections on the first Tuesday of November began with an act of Congress in 1845. Tuesday was selected for its comparative convenience because it was a designated “court day” and the day in which land-owners would typically be in town to conduct business. The tradition was based on the then-agrarian American society.

In today’s America, 60 percent of all households have two working adults. Since most polls are open only 12 hours (from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) voters only have one or two hours to vote. As seen in the 2008 and 2004 elections and primaries, long lines in many polling places kept voters waiting longer than one or two hours.

The Weekend Voting Act would also build on individual state efforts to increase voter participation by providing absentee ballots and early voting. Thirty-two states permit in-person early voting at election offices or at other approved satellite locations. Twenty-eight states allow registered voters no-excuse absentee voting by mail.

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Fortenberry Seeks to Reform American Health Care System

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 11, 2009 -- Congressman Jeff Fortenberry NE 1st reintroduced America’s Affordable Health Care Act (AAHCA), legislation he authored to promote affordable insurance options for individuals who do not receive health coverage through their employer and create coverage opportunities for those with complex health conditions.

“Our health care system faces serious challenges,” Fortenberry said. “Rising costs, chronic diseases, and lack of choices are impediments to quality health insurance for too many families in Nebraska and nationwide. Americans deserve better, more innovative policies that will lower costs and improve care while protecting our most vulnerable.

“This bill would increase accessibility, affordability, and portability of health insurance, three major challenges for Americans struggling to find adequate coverage,” said Fortenberry.

AAHCA would permit insurance companies to offer policies with limited benefit mandates, called “health benefit plans.” The legislation would also allow individuals to purchase personalized health plans with benefits and services they need while not being required to pay for those they do not. Individuals and families who do not receive health insurance coverage through their employer or from the government would have the option of purchasing these lower cost plans.

AAHCA also provides coverage opportunities for those with chronic health conditions, who might otherwise have difficulty finding insurance, by providing more funding for high-risk pools. High-risk pools offer insurance coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions who are unable to individually obtain or afford insurance.

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New Bills Introduced by Dreier: Stimulus, Immigration, and Water

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 10, 2009 - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA), House Rules Committee Ranking Republican, has introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at stimulating the economy, enhancing our border security and meeting local needs in the Foothills. Dreier said the current economic conditions require bi-partisan cooperation and he looks forward to working with both Republican and Democratic colleagues to secure passage of these bills.

"As the 111th Congress begins, getting our economy back on track is my top priority," Dreier said. “The economic turmoil we’ve been experiencing is taking its toll on working Americans across the country. Families in the Foothill Communities are hurting. From falling home prices to rising unemployment, now more than ever, we need bi-partisan solutions to help working families through these tough times and get our economy growing again. That is why I am introducing three pieces of legislation specifically aimed at addressing the needs of working Americans.”

The centerpiece of Dreier’s economic plan, the Fair and Simple Tax (FAST) Act, H.R. 99, is legislation that will dramatically simplify the tax-filing process by creating an optional, one-page tax form, while reducing the tax burden on working families. The new form implements three simplified income tax brackets – 10% on the first $40,000 in income, 15% on incomes between $40,000 and $150,000 and 30% on any income above $150,000. The FAST Act also retains all the major deductions, including mortgage interest, state and local sales tax, charitable contributions, the child tax credit and the personal exemption.

The economic package also includes two bills to jumpstart the housing and auto industries. The Economic Recovery Through Responsible Homeownership Act, H.R. 101, creates a new tax credit for 2009 and 2010 for every home purchase made with a down payment of at least 5 percent. Under the legislation, prospective home buyers will be eligible for three different tax credits based on the size of their down payment. A home buyer making a down payment of 5 percent will receive a tax credit of $2,000, while a home buyer making a down payment of 10 percent will receive a tax credit of $5,000 and a home buyer making a down payment of 15 percent will receive a credit of $10,000.

The Commonsense Auto Recovery (CAR) Act, H.R. 100, will provide an immediate and important stimulus to aid with the purchase of an automobile by creating a tax credit in the amount of state and local sales taxes paid on the purchase of a new or used vehicle in 2009 and 2010.

“While simplifying the tax code and reducing the overall tax burden through the FAST Act is my ultimate goal, I believe that current economic conditions also require immediate, targeted solutions designed to provide a much-needed stimulus. My proposed legislation will make the purchase of homes and automobiles more affordable for working Americans over the next two years. These are the types of solutions that can provide the shot in the arm that our economy needs,” said Dreier.

In keeping with his commitment to securing our borders and cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, Congressman Dreier also re-introduced his border security legislation, the Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protect Act, H.R. 98. Said Dreier, "I am reintroducing my bipartisan legislation to make the Social Security card counterfeit-proof and crack down on the hiring of illegal immigrants, because securing our borders remains a top priority. I believe this proposal must be a critical component of any legislation aimed at fixing the broken immigration system in this country.”

As a continuation of his long-standing commitment to water quality and water safety, Congressman Dreier has also re-introduced his bill to provide funds for ongoing perchlorate clean-up in the San Gabriel Valley. "The San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has a proven track record of success," Dreier said. "I am proud to say that this partnership is an example of good stewardship of taxpayer money. Making sure we maintain a safe drinking water supply is critical priority for all of us and I am gratified to once again have the strong bipartisan support of the San Gabriel Valley Members of Congress."

To view summaries of the legislation, please click on bill titles below.

Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act
Fair and Simple Tax (FAST) Act
Commonsense Auto Recovery (CAR) Act
Economic Recovery Through Responsible Homeownership Act
San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative

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Congressman Cardoza introduces bill targeting political corruption

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 10, 2009 -- Congressman Dennis Cardoza (CA 18th) introduced legislation aiming to provide more severe penalties for elected officials who violate the trust of their public office.

Specifically, the bill would give judges discretion to double the length of a sentence for any elected official who is convicted of bribery, fraud, extortion, or theft of public funds greater than $10,000. The recent alleged auctioning of an Illinois senate seat by Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes the issue especially relevant, said the congressman.

“Elected officials are afforded an enormous amount of trust from the public they represent,” said Congressman Cardoza. “That trust should be held to the highest standard. Unfortunately, time and time again we are reminded of the potential for abuse of public offices. This legislation marks a significant step in deterring such abuses and punishing those who commit it.”

During the past two years, the United States Congress has passed several landmark measures addressing ethics violations. Restrictions have been placed on travel, dining and lobbying practices.

“These are significant first steps in ensuring a higher standard of ethics,” Congressman Cardoza said. “However, my bill goes much further by providing even stiffer sentencing to those who violate the trust of those they represent.”

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Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act

PN - Washington, D.C. - January 10, 2009 - New Legislation called Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act has been introduced in the House. The legislation would block the automatic pay increase Members of Congress are set to receive next year.

“I have consistently voted against this pay raise and will continue to support this effort,” Congressman Baron P. Hill (IN 9th) said. “Particularly during this time of economic hardship, Members of Congress need to step up to the plate and do the right thing here.”

According to an article that appeared in The Hill on December 17, 2008, forgoing the anticipated 2010 pay raise for Members of Congress would save taxpayers approximately $2.5 million.

In addition, Hill was an original cosponsor of H.R. 5087, which would have blocked the automatic pay adjustment for this year.

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