McCain-Feingold Anew

"It's obvious why [the McCain-Feingold lobbying bill is] needed," McCain told reporters at the Capitol yesterday. "One word: Abramoff."

The bill would require lobbyists to file quarterly electronic reports on their activities, specifically on where they get money and where it goes. It would also lengthen the waiting period between when lawmakers leave and when they are allowed to lobby their former colleagues. This bill has always been necessary, but as McCain noted, the revelations about Abramoff and Scanlon's lobbying activity that may bring down several GOP members of Congress (1st Ney, then DeLay) in an election year it may now be politically feasible.