From CQ: A bipartisan group of 10 senators led by John McCain, R-Ariz., on Thursday announced they were introducing legislation designed to curb the use of earmarks in spending bills. Their measure, backed by eight Republicans and Democrats Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Evan Bayh of Indiana, would allow senators to raise a point of order against unauthorized appropriations earmarks. Sixty votes would be needed to overcome the point of order and keep the earmarks in a spending bill.

In a letter sent Monday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told Sen. Barack Obama that he was guilty of "partisan posturing" on the issue of lobbying ethics reform.

On Wednesday, the House passed a resolution, sponsored by Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) revoking the floor and gymnasium privileges of former members who are lobbyists. Surprisingly, the vote was markedly controversial. At a closed-door meeting earlier in the day, members balked at the resolution, saying they felt blindsided by the proposal that many considered unnecessary. The backlash forced Republican leaders to do some last-minute arm-twisting and persuading. The House voted, 379-50, in favor of the resolution (H Res 648), which also bars from the gym those members’ spouses who are lobbyists.

The House on Wednesday will vote on a measure that would revoke the floor and gymnasium privileges of former members who are registered lobbyists. The resolution (H Res 648), approved in the Rules Committee by voice vote Tuesday, would also bar from the gym the lobbyist-spouses of current and former members. House Rules Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., called the measure “a first step toward our package of reforms” aimed at overhauling the way lobbyists and members do business. Dreier is expected to introduce a sweeping lobbying overhaul bill as