A series of Washington scandals, the latest involving a sleaze probe against fallen power-broker Jack Abramoff, has 44 per cent of Americans thinking that federal lawmakers are more dishonest than most people, the Washington Post-ABC News poll found.
Abramoff's links to powerful Republicans and his guilty plea to federal corruption charges last week prompted the resignation of Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives and a key ally of President George W. Bush.
Americans also believe federal officials are more corrupt than local governments, the poll found.
Abramoff provided favours to Washington lawmakers as part of lobbying for the gambling interests of American Indian tribes, while allegedly also trying to defraud the tribes.
The survey was conducted after he pleaded guilty to some corruption charges in return for testifying in other cases.
Washington's political elite is now bracing for the fallout, with some insiders saying that up to 60 legislators could face legal trouble if Abramoff talks.
Senator John McCain, a Republican, proposed legislation last month that would drastically change the way lobbyists and lawmakers can conduct business.
'We must act now to ensure that the erosion we see today in the public's confidence in Congress does not become a collapse of confidence,' he said.
McCain, who has investigated Abramoff's dealings, said the lobbyist's alleged defrauding of Indian tribes 'is alarming in its depth and breadth of potential wrongdoing.'
Abramoff lobbied on behalf of Indian tribes but also attempted to extract millions from them in a scheme that eventually attracted the attention of the authorities.
McCain, who also helped bring about sweeping U.S. campaign finance legislation, now wants to make the lobbying business more transparent.
His bill would require lobbyists to report making gifts of more than 20 dollars, and that lawmakers and their staff have to pay 'fair market value' for travel on private planes and visiting sporting and entertainment events.
Nine of 10 Americans believe it should be illegal for lobbyists to give members of Congress trips or other things of value, and 67 per cent think lobbyists should not be allowed to make campaign contributions.
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