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<PRE>[DOCID: f:sr188is.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 188

Expressing the sense of the Senate that lobbyists should not be granted 
special access privileges to the Capitol and congressional offices that 
             are not available to other American citizens.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 7, 2001

  Mr. Corzine (for himself and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following 
     resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
                             Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate that lobbyists should not be granted 
special access privileges to the Capitol and congressional offices that 
             are not available to other American citizens.

Whereas a fundamental principle of American democracy is that all citizens are 
        created equal and all should have access to Government leaders;
Whereas there is a perception among many Americans that special interest groups 
        and lobbyists for special interest groups have access to decision makers 
        that ordinary citizens do not have;
Whereas this perception contributes to a belief that middle-class citizens, and 
        those of more modest means, are treated unfairly in the political 
        process;
Whereas it is important that Americans have confidence that Congress will treat 
        all citizens equitably, regardless of whether they are represented by 
        professional lobbyists;
Whereas recent terrorist events have increased the need for security precautions 
        at the Capitol and surrounding congressional office buildings;
Whereas tightened security measures may make it more difficult for members of 
        the public and lobbyists to gain access to the Capitol complex;
Whereas some lobbyists are now seeking to gain special privileges for access to 
        the Capitol complex that would not be available to other members of the 
        general public who have official business before Congress;
Whereas giving lobbyists privileged access to congressional offices that is not 
        available to the general public who have official business before 
        Congress would further contribute to the perception that ordinary 
        citizens are treated unfairly in the legislative process; and
Whereas granting privileged access for lobbyists is likely to increase public 
        cynicism about Congress and the political process and heighten concerns 
        about the excessive influence of special interests and lobbyists: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that in establishing 
rules governing access to the Capitol or congressional offices for 
those who have official business before Congress, lobbyists should not 
be granted special privileges that are not available to other American 
citizens.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

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