Senate Ethics and Lobbying Bill

•Bans gifts from lobbyists and companies that hire lobbyists.

•Ensures that members pay the full price for skybox tickets and other tickets to sporting and entertainment events.

•Bans congressional travel paid for by lobbyists and generally bans travel paid for by companies that hire lobbyists. Members must obtain pre-approval from the ethics committee for official travel paid for by outside groups.

•Requires senators traveling on private jets to pay the full charter rate, rather than the equivalent of a first-class ticket rate.

•Extends from one year to two years the waiting period before a former member can engage in lobbying activities.

•Bars the spouses of sitting members from lobbying.

•Requires public disclosure by members of negotiations for private sector employment.

•Takes away the federal pension benefits of lawmakers convicted of serious crimes.

•Allows members to file a point of order against ¿out-of-scope¿ matters that are slipped into House-Senate conference reports.

•Requires public disclosure of earmarks ¿ pet projects and targeted tax breaks ¿ inserted in legislation.

•Ends the practice of a single member being able to secretly hold up action on legislation. Those putting ¿holds¿ on legislation will have to identify themselves.

•Requires lobbying disclosure forms to be filed quarterly rather than semiannually.

•Requires lobbyists to report their campaign contributions and fundraisers and the ¿bundling¿ of small donations from clients for political contributions.

•Prevents lobbyists and lobbying organizations from hosting lavish parties at national conventions.

•Mandates ethics training for members and staff.