Times editorial: Lobbying reform bill is important first step

An editorial in today's New York Times praises the lobbying reform bill passed by the U. S. House of Representatives Tuesday as "a good start," but correctly notes that more needs to be done:

The bill is not perfect. It doesn't place enough restrictions on the rush of lawmakers into lobbying careers, but it is a major step toward resisting the Capitol corruption laid bare in the downfall of Jack Abramoff. He's the über-lobbyist whose lavish wooing of dodgy lawmakers led to the Republicans' loss of Congressional control. In the minority now, Senate Republicans would be foolish to block this urgently needed reform, as some are threatening.

The commitment to reform goes far beyond any party's campaign pledge. The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, has an opportunity to join the majority leader, Harry Reid, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in delivering bipartisan reform. Voters are watching closely to see if Congress finally has the courage to clean itself up.