House members voted yesterday (217-213) to hold lawmakers responsible for the earmarks they insert into spending bills. Not only will their names be placed alongside the spending projects but an explanation for the request must be filed as well.
The legislation (H.R. 4975) was coupled with an effort to provide lobby reform measures that would call for more disclosure. Statements would be filed by lobbyists quarterly instead of semiannually and all donations would have to be disclosed - whether to federal candidates or political action groups. Also, any gift giving would have to be made public.
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