Lobbying and ethics reform have been big topics in Congress, with the American public understandably demanding that their elected representatives take action to right some of the wrongs that have made headlines this year.

That process is ongoing. Like many issues in politics, partisan sniping and political calculations have characterized much of the debate so far. But the committee I chair, the Government Reform Committee, recently reached unanimous consensus on a wide range of important initiatives — changes we believe will strengthen our government and help restore the public trust in our government leaders.