Insufficient ethics rules and weak enforcement allow powerful interests special access and undue influence in Congress. Privately funded junkets, lavish gifts and conflicts sparked by negotiations for future employment all serve to undermine legislators’ primary responsibility to serve in the public interest. The cost to the American people of ‘insider’ deals with wealthy interests – in high gas prices, affordable healthcare, a clean environment and more – is staggeringly high. The recent scandals highlight the worst abuses, but much of what goes on goes unpunished. We deserve a Congress that plays by the rules in an open environment.