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On the same day that the Senate passed a lobby reform bill making it harder for cheats like Abramoff and Ney to bribe and take bribes, Bob Ney is sentenced to prison.

This will put a serious crimp in the plans of senators who have enjoyed "studying legislative issues" while improving their golf game at luxury resorts. They can still work on their putting, but now they will have to pay for it themselves. The Senate package also requires former members to wait two years before they can start lobbying their old pals on Capitol Hill. In the past, they had to wait only one year after leaving Congress.

Lobbyists will find that not only are they limited in handing out goodies to Congress, they must also provide more information in writing about their activities.

Spouses of sitting members will no longer be permitted to lobby the Senate. ABC News: Congress Moves Forward on Ethics Reform

WASHINGTON – Former Republican Rep. Bob Ney was sentenced to 2½ years in prison Friday for trading political favors for golf trips, campaign donations and other gifts in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.
Ney, the first congressman convicted in the federal bribery investigation involving lawmakers, their aides and Bush administration officials, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy and making false statements.

The six-term lawmaker from Ohio, who once chaired the powerful House Administration Committee, accepted golf and gambling trips, tickets to sporting events, free meals and campaign donations arranged by Abramoff and his associates.

“You violated a host of laws that you as a congressman are sworn to enforce and uphold,” said U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, who recommended that Ney serve his time at a federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., about an hour-and-a-half drive from his home in Wheeling, W.Va.

Ney will also serve two years probation and must pay a $6,000 fine. There may be more trials for more Republicans that did dirty business with Abramoff. One down, a few more to go.

Among those still under scrutiny for their ties to Abramoff are former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas; former Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.; Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif.; Steven Griles, a former deputy secretary at the Interior Department, and Italia Federici, a political fundraiser for former Interior Secretary Gale Norton. SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Politics -- Former GOP Rep. Bob Ney sentenced to 2½ years in bribery scandal