A scandal like this can have huge repercussions. This could lead to a new day on K Street. |
Earmarks usually are slipped into appropriation bills without a vote, without debate and without notice. That's why a seat on the Appropriations Committee is so coveted. |
I think most of the American people already expected their representatives to pay their own way. |
If you want to be serious about it, there has to be some enforcement mechanism. |
It raises the specter of a conflict of interest. It's an ethical question. |
It raises the specter of a conflict of interest. It's an ethical question. They're supposed to be watchdogs. Does it make you a lap dog if they're funding you? Is your loyalty to -- the environment _or is it to the bottom line? |
It's always about following the money. |
It's business as usual in Washington. The feeding frenzy for reform right now is mostly a war of words. |
It's like the sun coming up on K Street right now. There is the possibility and hope of there being a lot more scrutiny and accountability. |
Lobbying is like the fourth branch of government. It's a very powerful part of our government and our democracy. |
States, local governments, even school boards spend millions of taxpayer dollars competing to become favorites of the federal decision-makers. The way this game is played, no one can afford not to play. |
Their interest is waning because the public's interest is waning. |
There's a feeding frenzy for transparency and disclosure on Capitol Hill, and that's not a good way to start. You can't plead national security. The public has a right to know. |
There's no question that they are abused. |