THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release September 18, 1995 STATEMENT BY LEON E. PANETTA WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF The President is pleased that the House leadership has promised to act this year to require full disclosure by lobbyists and to restrict lobbyists' gifts to lawmakers. There is no reason for Congress to delay this legislation another day. The American people know that lobbyists have too much access and influence in the halls of Congress, and they know that Congress has repeatedly failed to restrict that access. This year will be different. President Clinton believes that Congress should pass a bill now that will go into effect at the beginning of next year. No matter what Congress does, the President is moving forward to require full, public disclosure from lobbyists who want plead their case before the executive branch. One way or another, the President will make certain that the American people finally see real lobbying reform this year. -30-30-30-