LIEBERMAN VOTED AGAINST CLOSING MAJOR SPECIAL INTEREST GIFT LOOPHOLE ABUSED BY LOBBYISTS LIKE ABRAMOFF

When the Senate took up lobbying reform, Lieberman voted against a bipartisan proposal to close a major loophole deliberately left in the bill that allows special interests to continue giving lawmakers and government officials gifts, such as those detailed in the new congressional report about Jack Abramoff. Specifically, while the bill limits gifts from lobbyists, the bill permits companies to have their top executives give gifts to lawmakers instead – a major loophole according to government watchdog groups. Legislation was brought forward to close this gaping loophole, and Lieberman voted against it, sending it down to defeat. [San Francisco Chronicle, 3/30/06; Senate Roll Call Vote #80, 3/29/06]