WASHINGTON – Four Democratic House members on Monday proposed rules changes that would make it more difficult for lawmakers to sneak provisions into legislation on behalf of special interests.

The proposals also aim to stop lobbyists from arranging and secretly financing travel for House members.

Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said he did not seek support from majority Republicans and didn’t expect any.

Rather, Obey and his colleagues hope for public support, after revelations that members of Congress gave legislative help to lobbyist Jack Abramoff – who returned the favors with contributions and privately financed travel.

Obey is joined in the effort by Reps. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Tom Allen of Maine and David Price of North Carolina.

Obey, in an interview, said he was angry that a recently passed food and farm spending bill included a measure that allowed small amounts of nonorganic substances in products labeled “USDA Organic.” He said many appropriators who approved the compromise bill did not know the provision was there.

“If you got some lobbyist working the system so he gets something slipped in without a vote, or he convinces the leadership to take something out, you might as well hire the lobbyist to be your congressman,” Obey said.

The Justice Department is investigating whether Abramoff, already charged with fraud in a Florida case, won any undue influence through donations and favors for lawmakers.

Obey said the travel restrictions were designed to “separate legitimate travel from illegitimate travel. You get stories that make the whole institution look bad.”

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, was among lawmakers whose travel was financed by Abramoff, although DeLay said he was not aware of that at the time. A nonprofit group was listed as the sponsor.

House ethics rules ban lawmakers from accepting trips financed by lobbyists or registered agents of foreign countries.

Among the changes proposed by Obey’s group:

. The House could not join the Senate in a conference committee on a spending bill unless the Senate clearly identified its changes. This would make it easier to spot any buried special-interest provision, especially in a bill that might total hundreds of pages.

. The House could not consider legislation unless printed copies were made available at least 24 hours before the vote. The rule could be waived only by a two-thirds majority.

. It would be a violation of House ethics rules if a lawmaker advocates a special spending provision, called an “earmark,” without disclosing that he or she has a financial interest or any control over the entity being funded.

. Lawmakers could not accept travel or lodging without obtaining assurances from the trip sponsor that lobbyists were not financing the travel or having influence over it.