. . . AND THE SENATE TARGETSREFORM BILL

Senate Republicans successfully filibustered a lobbying reform designed to put a stop to influence peddling in Congress. The bill required strict registration of paid lobbyists and would have banned virtually all gifts to lawmakers, including meals that cost more than $20. In the last few days, Rush Limbaugh and his corps of right-wing radio jockeys conducted an airwave campaign against the legislation, saying it would effectively keep the "grass roots" from pursuing any agenda. The bill may be resurrected in the next session of Congress, but TIME congressional correspondent Julie Johnson says lobbyists aren't sweating it. "By and large the bill won't change much on its own. It will prevent you from buying a $20 meal for a Congress member, but without campaign finance reform you could then give thousands of dollars in PAC money to him or her."