February 9, 2012

GOP Congressman Steve King Talks Transparency, Gripes That His Leadership Didn’t Allow His Sunlight Bill

Congressman Steve King
Republic Report’s Zaid Jilani contributed to this piece.

Republic Report is here at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. today, where thousands of conservative activists and politicians are gathering to discuss politics and policy. We’re curious to find out what conservatives think about the issue of money in politics and were excited to catch up with Congressman Steve King (R-IA).

King recently introduced the Sunlight Act, which would strengthen financial disclosure rules for members of Congress, both in terms of campaign contributions and their personal investments. King told us that his bill would have help the public discover instances of lawmakers using their personal office to enrich themselves. He pointed to the example of former Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV), who for years was embroiled in a scandal that surrounded allegations the he had used earmarks to boost his own wealth.

King also talked a little bit about his bill, and his disappointment with House Republican leadership for now allowing it to be added to the Stock Act, the legislation passed today to curb insider trading in Congress:

KING: I thought it should have been amended to the Stock Act that just passed. The fact is it was denied under the rules because the people who make the decisions on the rules are usually the ones who write them or amend them.

King has pressed for more transparency in Congress since 2006.