WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- Asserting their leadership, U.S. House of Representatives Republicans have taken control of the lobbying and earmarking reform effort.
The move comes less than a week after the U.S. Senate stalled progress on lobbying overhaul because of last-minute amendment blocking the U.A.E. ports deal, reports The Hill.
The House version is expected to impose new disclosure standards on lobbyist-paid gifts and meals, restrictions on privately sponsored travel and transparency requirements for member earmarks, the report said.
House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., who was at Tuesday's meeting of the majority's deputy whips, .expected the bill to be introduced to the GOP conference at the next weekly meeting.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Dreier have urged Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., to coordinate the GOP's legislative push. House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, was quoted as saying this week would bring "a pretty good idea of where we are going."
