For Immediate Release January 15, 2006
Contact: Jen Saunders, Public Relations Chair
E-mail: pr@nyyrc.com

THE NEW YORK YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB, INC SUPPORTS PROPOSALS TO RESTRICT CONGRESSIONAL GIFTS & TRAVEL

New York, NY - The New York Young Republican Club, Inc. (NYYRC) supports Senate Majority Leader William Frist and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's decisions to consider proposals that would ban gifts and privately funded travel for all, as a result of the recent Jack Abramoff scandal, which rocked Washington. There have been numerous calls to restrict or ban lobbying practices, that have become commonplace and the NYYRC is encouraged by the Leaders' considerations.

NYYRC President Dennis Cariello stated, "It is important that both the House and Senate thoroughly examine the current Congressional rules on gifts, travel and lobbying. They should act quickly on the proposals put forth to restore confidence among the voting public and to dispel any notions of impropriety going forward."

Though Democrats have painted this as a Republican scandal and have been pointing fingers at the GOP, Abramoff's clients also contributed to many Democrats, including New York Congressman Charles Rangel, who is only returning a small portion of the approximately $47,000 raised by Abramoff.

Cariello also said, "The Democrats have been pleading innocence in a scandal they are knee-deep in. Are we really supposed to believe that money given to Republicans was tainted, but money given to Democrats from the same sources was clean? They can't have it both ways."

The New York Young Republican Club, Inc., is a not-for-profit political organization that exists to bring Republicans aged 18-40 together to discuss the Republican Party platform and aid the Republican Party in the education of the public about the Republican agenda and the promotion of Republican candidates for office. To find out more about the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. please visit the Website at http://www.nyyrc.com.