Lawmakers say rules are a ‘pain in the ass’ It’s taken just three convention days for Democratic lawmakers to get buyer’s remorse over sweeping new ethics rules they passed last year. Members of Congress attending the Democratic National Convention are expressing frustration with the thicket of restrictions that they say have caused confusion and pointless irritation. “It’s a pain in the ass!” said Rep. Jim Moran (Va.), one of 221 Democrats who voted for the final version of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. Lawmakers have paid as much as $90 from their own pocket to attend parties that many guests attend for free and that members of Congress used to enjoy gratis at past conventions. “I think the whole thing is ridiculous,” said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.)....The poor things. The general public has to put up with "ridiculous" laws every day. It's nice to see they gored their own ox.