Republicans of the U.S. House of Representatives announced proposals Tuesday to restrict lobbying activities, days after a lobbyist pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in a scandal investigation that could implicate as many as 20 lawmakers.

The plan included a ban on privately sponsored travel, and increasing the waiting period from one year to two years before former legislators and senior staff members could lobby Congress.

It also included enhanced disclosure of lobbying contacts and spending, and a virtual ban on gifts such as meals and tickets to sporting or entertainment events as well as travel.

Under current rules, approved interest groups and think tanks can pay for travels by lawmakers and their staff for speeches, meetings and fact-finding missions, and lobbyists are prohibited from paying for such travels. Members of Congress can also accept gifts valued at under 50 U.S. dollars, with a ceiling of 100 dollars from any one individual in a year.

House Democrats were expected to announce their lobbying ethics package on Wednesday.

"I know that fact-finding trips are important, but private travel has been abused by some," House Speaker Dennis Hastert said at a news conference.

Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty early this month to corruption-related federal charges and agreed to cooperate in a corruption investigation.

Republican Representative Bob Ney, who was implicated in the Abramoff investigation, has said he would step aside temporarily as chairman of the House Administration Committee, and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who had ties to Abramoff and faced a Texas felony trial on campaign finance charges, has also announced he would not try to regain the leadership post he was forced to relinquish last September.

Source: Xinhua