Hopefully this time the Senate will act. The House voted 411-8 to pass S.1, the ethics and lobbying reform bill that would increase disclosure requirements for lobbying activities and for earmarks. The next step is for the bill's passage in the Senate, which may prove a bit more difficult. Read previous reactions by OMB Watch below.

Today, the Democratic leadership in Congress released their long-awaited compromise lobbying and ethics bill - The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (text of the legislation). The bill is 107 pages long, but already there has been some criticism of changes to the bill, particularly the earmark disclosure sections (see Mark Tapscott's reaction and the Porkbusters blog for a sampling). Two Senators, Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) - whose amendment to the bill earlier this year on earmark disclosure greatly strengthen the bill - have also posted disappointing reactions. At first glance it does appear the final version of the bill is not as strong (i.e. transparent) as the original and it is unclear why those changes were adopted at this point in the debate. DeMint has announced he will offer an amendment during final consideration of the bill to "restore real earmark reform." It's yet to be seen whether that amendment will be adopted of if this version is the best the House and Senate will be able to do this year.

Late yesterday afternoon the House voted 215-205 approving Rep. Mike Pence's (R-IN) amendment to the Department of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies appropriation bill (H.R. 3093). The Pence amendment prohibits funds appropriated in the bill from being used by the Department of Justice to enforce provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) dealing with ''electioneering communications.'' The amendment does not change the ability of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to charge civil penalties.

Yesterday the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, led by Chairman John Lewis (D-GA), held a hearing on tax-exempt charitable organizations. Chairman Lewis set the overall tone with his opening statement praising the work of nonprofits. "These organizations play such an important role in our country. Charities and foundations make up the very fabric of our communities. They know the deepest human needs of our friends and neighbors and they know the solutions that work." All other committee members emphasized their appreciation for the nonprofit sector as well.