Congress' newest lawmakers find no lack of parties

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Ken Dilanian and Fredreka Schouten

DENVER -- First-term Democrats, who were swept into Congress in the 2006 elections on a campaign against Republican lobbying-related scandals, were among the most vocal backers of the new ethics law passed last year.

Now, many of them are here at the Democratic National Convention, where the calendar is chockablock with receptions paid for by corporations, unions and others with important business before Congress. The parties are legal, as long as they fit a set of exceptions to the rules banning members from accepting gifts and meals from lobbying groups, including that the food is eaten standing up or that the event is raising money for charity.

Freshman Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, who won his 2006 race in a landslide, said he has attended many functions,...