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Members and senior staffers will be prohibited from working as lobbyists for two years after leaving Congress.Most significantly, the practice of earmarking, by which members of Congress insert funds for favored projects without review or debate, will be subject to disclosure and other restrictions.
The ebb and flow of money and favors, however, will continue.
Trips paid for by lobbyists will not be banned, and members of Congress can still accept flights on corporate jets at steeply discounted rates.
The revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms will keep on turning.
Earmarks will still be permitted.
Sen.
John McCain, one of eight senators who opposed the bill, described it as "very, very weak" - and House concurrence in the legislation is by no means assured.
A bipartisan majority, however, proclaimed a great victory for political virtue.
Sen.
Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., boasted that after Wednesday's vote, "There's a sign that's now up in...
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