House "Ethics" Bill Passes By 4 Votes

From the Washington Post:

The House narrowly approved ethics legislation yesterday that would expand the amount of information that lobbyists must disclose about their interactions with lawmakers and would also rein in big-money political groups that spent heavily in the last presidential election.

...Democrats voted overwhelmingly against the House bill, saying it was weak and would not make any important changes in ethics rules at a time when they are needed. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.) called the measure "a sham" and said, "There is no reason to vote for this bill."

Yet eight Democrats voted for final passage: Reps. John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Leonard L. Boswell (Iowa), Henry Cuellar (Tex.), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Charlie Melancon (La.) and Gene Taylor (Miss.).

The fact that Cuellar voted FOR this bill - my local Senator and he of the famous SOTUS hug-fest with Dubya - tells me pretty much everything I need to know about how likely it is to actually change the situation for the better...

*Sound of blowing Texan tumbleweed*