Fixing Congress: Oil Companies Out, Voters In

• By Laura MacCleery and Jafreen Uddin
• Special to Roll Call
• Aug. 11, 2008, Midnight

The indictment and arraignment two weeks ago of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens (Alaska) are yet more signs that Congress should move next year to decisively clean up its own house, rather than continuing to allow big business to furnish its house for it. Record lows in Congress’ approval rating indicate that the public is weary of the pay-to-play culture on Capitol Hill. Sorely needed campaign finance changes are the next frontier now that new ethics laws are being implemented.