Posted: 7/3/06
Klobuchar calls for Washington ethics reform
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar called for an injection of Minnesota-style ethics into Washington politics, a town the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate depicts as steered by special interest.
Indeed, Klobuchar, appearing in a candidateís forum at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs on Thursday (June 29), argued the great issues canít really be addressed until the power of special interest is checked.
ìWe need Minnesota-style ethics reform, with a new law that bans all gifts (to members of Congress), all gifts, all free travel, all free meals,î said Klobuchar.
ìI believe reform is possible,î she said.
Klobuchar cited a number of practices in Washington she sees as ripe for reform.
For instance, she called for a sunshine approach to so-called earmark or pork barrel spending often slipped with little or no debate into spending bills ó bridges to nowhere-type spending.
Klobuchar called for conference committees to be open.
And lawmakers should be willing to stand by their pork, she quipped.
Klobuchar, who worked as a lobbyist earlier in her career, called for increased disclosure on lobbying.
She backed the creation of an independent commission on ethics, arguing Congressional ethic committees have been neutered by leadership.
ìCongress canít be its own judge and jury,î said Klobuchar.
In taking questions from the audience ó whether an independent commission could get out of hand, for one ó Klobuchar judged the risks ìminorî compared to the lack of trust the public currently feels towards Congress.
On earmark spending, Klobuchar explained that she didnít believe all earmark spending was bad.
Still, lawmakers should be willing to stand by their pork.
Klobuchar proposed applying Minnesotaís approach to campaign financing to federal elections.
She pointed to the number of millionaires serving in Congress as indicative of big money politics where personal wealth matters.
Klobuchar joked that she had raised $15,000 from former boyfriends, ìwhich my husband points out is not an expanding base.î
Asked about her former lobbying, Klobuchar explained that sheís been open about her past career but added it was the experience she gained as Hennepin County Attorney ó as a prosecutor ó that best prepared her to reform the system.
The Institute will present other candidates in upcoming weeks.
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