New House ethics rules have limited effect

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- New ethics rules meant to limit lobbyists from paying for congressional travel have failed to ground U.S. legislators.

In the first eight months of 2007, U.S. senators and representatives took $1.9 million in free trips, USA Today reports. While the number of trips dropped to 337 from 588 in the first eight months of 2006, the dollar figure this year was greater than all of last year.

The House ethics rules took effect in March, and the Senate rules go into effect next month.

The regulations were inspired by the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal after it was revealed he flew lawmakers to Scotland to play golf on historic courses. House members must now get pre-approval for paid trips with restrictions on the types of trips allowed and lobbyists can only pay for one-night stays, extended to two nights for long distances.

"There's a realization that these trips and meals are getting extra scrutiny," says Meredith McGehee of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. "That will last for a while, but we know it won't last forever. The ethos of politics is, 'What can we get away with?' "