Republicans trying hard to appear ethical and critical of Bush

House Leaders Propose New Ethics Rules

House Republicans Propose Temporary Ban on Funded Travel, Disclosure of Gifts by Lobbyists
By DAVID ESPO
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Stung by scandal, House Republican leaders announced plans Wednesday to impose at least a temporary ban on privately funded travel by lawmakers, along with a requirement for lobbyists to disclose the gifts they bestow on House members.

The recommendations will "sustain the integrity of the Congress as we move forward," House Speaker Dennis Hastert said at a news confernece.

"We need to bring about bold, strong reform," added Rep. David Dreier, the California Republican involved in assembling a set of proposals generally designed to limit the influence of lobbyists.

There was no immediate reaction from Democrats, who have already unveiled ethics legislation of their own and accuse Republicans of creating a "culture of corruption" in Congress.

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http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1729474&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

White House dismisses speculation of staff shake-up

Wed Mar 15, 2006 04:45 PM ET

By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush's spokesman on Wednesday dismissed calls for a White House shake-up as "inside Washington babble" after a series of controversies that have pushed Bush's approval ratings to new lows.

"The president has a smart, capable and experienced team that is fully committed to helping him advance his agenda and get things done for the American people," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

A variety of critics, including a member of Bush's own Republican Party this week, have complained it is time to bring in some fresh faces to reinvigorate a White House team that has faced crisis after crisis.

Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman cited as the most recent example a Republican revolt over an Arab company's attempt to manage some terminals at six U.S. ports.

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http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=11545494&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

GOP Senators Step Back From Bush Budget

Wednesday March 15, 2006 5:48pm

Washington (AP) - Senate Republicans are trying to show their support for politically sensitive programs like education and veterans' benefits, distancing themselves from President Bush (website - news - bio) 's budget for next year. During debate on a stripped-down budget plan for the third day, Republicans also pushed amendments to boost funding for port security, immigration enforcement and community development block grants.

As the chamber discussed the budget, a nonbinding measure proposing tax and spending guidelines for the next five years, GOP and Democratic leaders planned a debate late Wednesday on a bill to increase the debt limit by $781 billion to almost $9 trillion.

The debt limit bill is expected to squeak by on a vote Thursday.

GOP-sponsored spending increases pushed Wednesday for next year's budget include $1 billion for port security, $900 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies, $2 billion for immigration enforcement and $1.3 billion for community development block grants.

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http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0306/310788.html

March 16, 2006

DeWine joins Dems on health amendments

By Carrie Sheffield

Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine broke ranks seven times with his fellow Republicans on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, voting for Democratic amendments to a bill on small-business health insurance.

The other 10 Republicans on the committee opposed the amendments, which failed on 10-10 votes. DeWine voted against 10 other amendments that failed 11-9, on party lines.

The seven Democratic amendments DeWine voted for were on issues affecting women's health, infant health, clinical trials, autism and disease prevention. They were offered by Sens. Tom Harkin (Iowa), Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), Patty Murray (Wash.) and Chris Dodd (Conn.).

Snip...

However, a Democratic Senate aide said Ohio chapters of national healthcare advocacy groups pressured DeWine, who faces a tough election race against Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). DeWine's office did not return calls.


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http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/031606/dewine.html