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Blog
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Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you
up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this
blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations
affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups
and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics
arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.
On behalf of the Holtzman Vogel team, I hope you find this site helpful and interesting.
And we hope you'll become a regular visitor. (If you'd like to receive our newsletter,
please click here to sign up.)
Jill Holtzman Vogel
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Friday, June 25, 2010
White House Avoids Lobbyist Transparency by Crossing Street and Using Personal Email Accounts
The New York Times reports that "the Caribou Coffee across the street from the White House has become a favorite meeting spot to conduct Obama administration business. Here at the Caribou on Pennsylvania Avenue, and a few other nearby coffee shops, White House officials have met hundreds of times over the last 18 months with prominent K Street lobbyists — members of the same industry that President Obama has derided for what he calls its 'outsized influence' in the capital....But because the discussions are not taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, they are not subject to disclosure on the visitors’ log that the White House releases as part of its pledge to be the 'most transparent presidential administration in history.' ... Attempts to put distance between the White House and lobbyists are not limited to meetings. Some lobbyists say that they routinely get e-mail messages from White House staff members’ personal accounts rather than from their official White House accounts, which can become subject to public review. Administration officials said there were some permissible exceptions to a federal law requiring staff members to use their official accounts and retain the correspondence."
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wash. Post: New records show some lobbyists are top fundraisers for political candidates
The Washington Post examined the lobbyist bundling filings at the FEC and came up with this report. From the report: "For the first time, the records provide a clear public view into one of the most influential subcultures in Washington: lobbyists who moonlight by bundling campaign contributions for candidates and their political parties. The fundraising occurs even as the same lobbyists attempt to shape legislation to benefit their clients, including energy firms, insurers and other corporations with major financial stakes in the outcome of federal legislation."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
CQ Politics: In-House Underreporting Obscures Millions in Lobbying
CQ Politics reports " More than 1,200 companies, unions and other groups have underreported at least $338 million worth of lobbying during the past 12 years, according to a CQ MoneyLine study.... Florida Citrus Mutual appears to have made the common mistake of reporting only its in-house expenses on its lobbying disclosure reports. But the Lobbying Disclosure Act requires that lobbying entities with in-house lobbying operations disclose all lobbying costs on their in-house filings, including money spent on outside firms, even though the outside firms must also separately disclose the revenue they receive from the clients. Companies, unions and other groups that seem to have made a similar error have underreported at least $338 million worth of lobbying during the past 12 years, according to the study."
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Wash. Post: Thin wall separates lobbyist contributions and earmarks
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wash. Post: Ethics panel clears 7 on earmarks
The Washington Post reports "The House ethics committee ruled Friday that seven lawmakers who steered hundreds of millions of dollars in largely no-bid contracts to clients of a lobbying firm had not violated any rules or laws by also collecting large campaign donations from those contractors. In a 305-page report, the ethics committee declared that lawmakers are free to raise campaign money from the very companies they are benefiting so long as the deciding factors in granting those 'earmarks' are 'criteria independent' of the contributions. The report served as a blunt rejection of ethics watchdogs and a different group of congressional investigators, who have contended that in some instances the connection between donations and earmarks was so close that it had to be inappropriate. 'Simply because a member sponsors an earmark for an entity that also happens to be a campaign contributor does not, on these two facts alone, support a claim that a member's actions are being influenced by campaign contributions,' the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct said in a unanimous statement. "
(This is the PMA Group lobbying/earmarks matter.)
The Committee's statement and the full report are available here.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
CQ Politics on Lobbyists "Honoring" Lawmakers
From CQ Politics: " The practice of lobbyists lavishing huge sums of money on charitable causes championed by members of Congress — and on events to honor lawmakers and other federal officials — may be losing some of its appeal. Corporations, labor unions and other professional groups spent $25.2 million on such events and causes in 2009 — a drop of $15 million, or 38 percent, from the previous year, the first time such reporting was required....While federal laws limit the amount of money that individuals and groups can contribute to congressional campaigns, there are no restrictions on donations to lawmakers’ favorite causes, charities and institutions. Congress approved new disclosure laws that went into effect in 2008 after a series of ethics controversies involving lobbyists contributing to lawmakers’ pet causes."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Politico: Members get bundles of lobbyist cash
From Politico: "Even as President Barack Obama vows to take on special interests, lobbyists continue to bundle millions in donations for lawmakers, often when they have a direct stake in the lawmakers’ policy portfolio. Tourism interests are bundling thousands for Missouri Republican Rep. Roy Blunt, who represents the tourist mecca of Branson. A Wal-Mart lobbyist is piling together money for Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s reelection bid, and environmental interests are bundling checks for California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer’s campaign."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Wash. Post: Success of President Obama's crackdown on lobbying questioned
The Washington Post reports "President Obama is escalating his war on K Street, proposing a series of tough restrictions a year after he first issued policies aimed at tamping down the influence of lobbyists. . . . Although White House supporters say the number of registered lobbyists has declined, some public interest groups say that power has shifted to other Washington insiders and business executives, who do not have to register their activity."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The Hill: Obama vs. K St. intensifies
From The Hill: "The White House has started a war of words with a trade association representing the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies over new campaign finance reform legislation."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, February 01, 2010
CNSNews: U.S. Attorney Reviews Call for Probe of SEIU Activities with White House, Congress
CNSNews reports "Federal prosecutors are reviewing a request for an investigation into whether Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), violated the Lobbying Disclosure Act for his frequent visits to the White House and with members of Congress in 2009. Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) and its subgroup the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) sent letters to acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia asking for a probe."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Hill: White House looking to expand lobbying registration requirements
From The Hill: "The White House is looking to expand lobbying registration requirements to those who spend less than a fifth of their work time lobbying. The Obama administration wants to close a 'loophole' in the 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) that allows individuals to avoid registering as lobbyists if they spend less than 20 percent of their time lobbying."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Legal Times: Ethics Groups Want Changes to Obama Lobbying Ban
From the Legal Times Blog: "A group of nonprofits that lobby have sent President Barack Obama a letter requesting changes in the year-old executive order restricting lobbyists from jobs in the administration. The letter, dated Jan. 21, describes the current ban as well-intended, but flawed. They want to revise who is covered by the law."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Another Lobbyist De-Registration Story
This time, from the New York Times: "Before the new rules, the number of advocates who registered as lobbyists appeared to have grown steadily, peaking in late 2007. A tally by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics (another group founded by Ms. Miller) put the count at about 13,200. The number fell by nearly 2,000 by the fall of last year. The falloff began shortly after Congress passed a sweeping ethics and lobbying law that imposed on registered lobbyists both heavier reporting requirements and potential criminal penalties. The law required lobbyists to report four times a year instead of two, and to detail any campaign contributions and certain meetings with public officials. The law also made it a crime for registered lobbyists to provide gifts or meals to lawmakers or their aides. . . . Lobbyists were further motivated to adopt new tactics after President Obama limited their access to meetings and to government officials. He barred administration officials from talking to registered lobbyists about any projects involving federal stimulus money. He blocked lobbyists from working on his transition or taking jobs in his administration."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wash. Examiner: Coakley in trouble? Pharma and HMO lobbyists to the rescue
This column in the Washington Examiner notes that "an army of lobbyists for drug companies, health insurance companies, and hospitals has teamed up to throw a high-dollar Capitol Hill fundraiser for Coakley next Tuesday night. . . . Of the 22 names on the host committee--meaning they raised $10,000 or more for Coakley--17 are federally registered lobbyists, 15 of whom have health-care clients."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Liberal Interest Groups Give Obama Administration High Marks For Transparency, Ethics
Liberal interest groups Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters and U.S. PIRG (generally referred to by the media as "watchdogs," "good government groups," and "reformers") gave the Obama Administration a strong report card yesterday, praising its efforts "on the Executive Branch lobbying, ethics and transparency reforms." According to their report, "The cumulative effect of the Administration's actions has been to adopt the strongest and most comprehensive lobbying, ethics and transparency rules and policies ever established by an Administration to govern its own activities."
Notably, fellow travelers Campaign Legal Center and Public Citizen did not sign on. As a Politico report noted, "representatives of other groups advocating for transparency said the 'A' grade for open government was either inflated or premature, singling out the C-SPAN pledge, the administration’s use of the state’s secrets provision and the incomplete nature of its transparency initiatives."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Huffington Post: Lobbying's New Frontier: 'Not Lobbying'
From Huffington Post comes this piece about "the newest trend in lobbying: 'not lobbying.'" The article tells the story of "Brien Bonneville and Larry Mitchell [who] have officially deserted the lobbying profession. Lobbyists have become too despised and stigmatized, are banned from certain government jobs and subject to all sorts of onerous disclosure requirements. Bonneville and Mitchell needed out. So they rented space in their former K-Street lobbyshop, KSCW, and founded a new 'non-lobbying entity' called K Street Research."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Politico: Lobbyists on pace for record year
Politico reports "Washington’s influence industry is on track to shatter last year’s record $3.3 billion spent to lobby Congress and the rest of the federal government — and that’s with a down economy and about 1,500 fewer registered lobbyists in town, according to data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, December 14, 2009
CLC Memo on Obama Administration Lobbying Initiatives
The self-styled "reformers" at the Campaign Legal Center have issued this memorandum (to no one in particular) summarizing the Obama Administration's lobbying initiatives.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, December 14, 2009
USA Today: More companies disclose their political activity; Businesses want to be transparent with the public about lobbying
From USA Today: "Sweeping ethics rules passed by Congress in 2007 require corporate interests that lobby Washington to reveal more information than ever, such as how much they donate to politicians' favorite charities. Yet companies don't have to detail how much money they give to powerful trade associations, nor does federal law require trade groups to disclose the amount they receive from each member for political activity. . . . Merck, which started disclosing association dues in 2008, is one of a handful of companies shedding more light on their political activity under pacts with the non-profit Center for Political Accountability. . . . Today, the Center for Political Accountability will announce that software giant Microsoft, Time Warner, Campbell Soup and Wisconsin Energy have agreed to detail their trade-association donations, along with other political spending."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, December 07, 2009
NY Times: New Rules for Congress Curb but Don’t End Paid Trips
The New York Times reports "Despite changes intended to curb Congressional junkets, some lawmakers and even their families continue to take trips hosted by private groups and companies that revel in their access to Washington power brokers.
An examination by The New York Times of 1,150 trips shows that some of them bent or broke rules adopted in 2007 to limit corporate influence in Washington. Others exploited glaring loopholes in the guidelines, enacted with much fanfare after scandals involving the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Politico: President Obama's lobbying reforms praised by Congressional Research Service
Politico reports "this week, congressional researchers concluded that the administration’s crackdown has 'already changed the relationship between lobbyists and covered executive branch officials' and suggested that Congress might consider enacting similar restrictions on itself. . . . But not everyone was convinced. A lobbying trade group and a left-leaning government watchdog that have been critical of Obama’s clampdown dismissed the report as hollow and slanted toward the administration."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, December 04, 2009
New York Times Editorial: No Place for (Registered) Lobbyists
The New York Times editorializes, "The Obama administration has roiled Washington’s special-interest galaxy by deciding to unseat hundreds of registered lobbyists from government advisory boards. A precise roster has yet to be done. But lobbyists clearly should have no place on the more than 915 advisory panels (with 60,000 members) laced across 52 federal agencies that seek 'outside' expert advice. The White House decree to gradually remove them is hardly the death knell of lobbying. But it raises hopes that the administration may be serious about its pledge to ratchet back the in-your-pocket influence of Washington’s — count them — 13,000 registered lobbyists. . . . No one is arguing that the advisory boards are worthless or that their unpaid members are all out for themselves. But 'let some new voices be heard,' as Norm Eisen, the White House ethics counsel, put it. More to the point, why should a registered advocate be afforded an insider’s seat at the table of supposedly objective advisers?"
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
ABC News: Lobbyists Furiously Lobby White House to Preserve Lobbyist Power
From ABC News' Political Punch: "Lobbyists have been furiously lobbying the Obama White House to oppose restrictions on their ability to lobby. The kafuffle began on September 23 when special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform Norm Eisen wrote that 'the White House has informed executive agencies and departments that it is our aspiration that federally-registered lobbyists not be appointed to agency advisory boards and commissions.'"
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Washington Post: Lobbyists pushed off advisory panels; White House initiative to limit influence could affect thousands
The Washington Post reports "Hundreds, if not thousands, of lobbyists are likely to be ejected from federal advisory panels as part of a little-noticed initiative by the Obama administration to curb K Street's influence in Washington, according to White House officials and lobbying experts.
The new policy -- issued with little fanfare this fall by the White House ethics counsel -- may turn out to be the most far-reaching lobbying rule change so far from President Obama, who also has sought to restrict the ability of lobbyists to get jobs in his administration and to negotiate over stimulus contracts.
The initiative is aimed at a system of advisory committees so vast that federal officials don't have exact numbers for its size; the most recent estimates tally nearly 1,000 panels with total membership exceeding 60,000 people."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Huffington Post: How Tom Daschle Lobbies In Secret: Influence Laundering
Huffington Post has this piece on Tom Daschle and what they term "influence laundering," which is lobbying without registering as a lobbyist.
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wash. Times Editors on the SEIU's Lobbying Flap and the Administration's Lobbyist Policies
The Washington Times editors argue that the case of SEIU President Andrew Stern "demonstrates how federal lobbying laws fail to ensure full transparency" because an SEIU "spokesman told us that Mr. Stern 'is not a lobbyist' because he doesn't meet the quarterly percentage requirements." According to the Times, "Instead of addressing the inadequacies of disclosure laws, Mr. Obama has focused his ire on registered lobbyists, imposing toothless limits on their access to administration officials and how they can serve in public office. Those efforts arguably drove the decisions by at least some of the 1,400 federal lobbyists who withdrew their government registrations during the second quarter of the year. Mr. Stern shows how ending registration doesn't end influence. It only limits transparency."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
WSJ Blog: Groups Seek Probe of Lobbying by SEIU’s Stern
This Wall Street Journal blog posting notes "When union leader Andy Stern turned up as the most frequent visitor to the White House during the first nine months of this year, critics raised questions about whether his activities constitute lobbying. Today, Americans for Tax Reform and the Alliance for Worker Freedom took action, sending a letter to acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Channing D. Phillips, requesting an investigation into “the potentially illegal lobbying activities” of Stern, who heads the Service Employees International Union." According to ATR and AWF, Mr. Stern de-registered as a lobbyist in January 2007.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, November 16, 2009
CQ Politics: Missed Deadlines Make for PAC-Sized Headaches
According to CQ Politics, "Apparent computer glitches and confusion over new reporting rules for political action committees have ensnared some of the nation’s biggest lobbying organizations, which missed a campaign finance deadline by more than seven months.
Under new rules enacted by the Federal Election Commission this year, PACs are required to report before the end of March whether they are controlled by an entity that is registered to lobby. But such well-known lobbying groups as the National Mining Association, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the National Community Pharmacists Association were among more than 800 PACs that failed to report their K Street ties by the deadline, according to an analysis by CQ MoneyLine."
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
NYT: In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’
The New York Times has this article on the recent "success" of one companies lobbyists. According to the Times, "In the official record of the historic House debate on overhauling health care, the speeches of many lawmakers echo with similarities. Often, that was no accident. Statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists working for Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies. . . . Genentech, a subsidiary of the Swiss drug giant Roche, estimates that 42 House members picked up some of its talking points — 22 Republicans and 20 Democrats, an unusual bipartisan coup for lobbyists."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Hill: White House won’t give in on new lobbying changes
The Hill reports "The White House has stonewalled lobbyists seeking changes to a new policy that prohibits them from serving on agency advisory boards. presentatives of trade associations have pleaded with the administration to change the guidance, but won no real concessions at a meeting on Monday. . . . In a post on the White House blog Monday, Eisen indicated the policy will stay despite the complaints."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The Hill: Study: Lobbyists are quitting at record pace
The Hill reports "Lobbyists are quitting the business at a record pace, according to a study released Monday. Over 1,400 lobbyists "deregistered" with Congress in the second quarter of 2009, according to a study conducted jointly by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) and OMB Watch. . . . The giant spike in resignations came just after the Obama administration instituted strict new rules on lobbyist activity. The White House banned employees from receiving gifts from lobbyists and announced that any lobbyist hired by the executive branch could not work on the same issues on which he or she lobbied."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Joel Jankowsky in the WSJ: Obama and 'Special Interests'; Campaign contributors hold critical posts in the administration, while those who didn't donate a single cent are barred from service.
Joel Jankowsky has this op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on the Obama Administration's treatment of lobbyists. He writes, "For the past nine months, the Obama team has waged a campaign of political convenience against lobbyists.
Its policies against so-called special interests include: a refusal to accept lobbyists' campaign contributions, a ban on employing lobbyists within the administration, discouraging lobbyists' contact with government workers, new rules that will result in the public disclosure of every lobbyist who visits the White House, and a directive to exclude lobbyists from serving on department and federal agency boards and commissions. . . . Talented women and men who registered themselves as lobbyists under the Lobbying Disclosure Act are being excluded from contributing their expertise at a critical time in our nation's history."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, October 30, 2009
CQ Politics: Lobbying From The Great Beyond
More from CQ Politics: "With a little planning, you can lobby Congress from beyond the grave.
Every year, hundreds of Americans continue to make campaign contributions, lobby Congress and in some states cast votes after they have died. And it’s all completely legal."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyists receive DNC fundraiser invites
The Hill reports "Dozens of lobbyists were invited to a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser Tuesday night with a Cabinet member even though President Barack Obama has sworn off taking money from lobbyists.
A DNC official said it was a mistake that lobbyists were invited to a small gathering with Lisa Jackson, Obama’s administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The official said a review of attendees indicates that no lobbyists attended the event."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NYT: Lobbying Disclosure Forms Don't Tell Full Story
The New York Times features this report, which notes that Congress' definition of "lobbying activity" does not include grassroots efforts. As the Times explains, "Congress allows groups that file lobbying reports to choose from three formats for totaling their spending. One is a narrower disclosure as defined by Congress. The other two, defined by the Internal Revenue Service, use a far broader definition for lobbying. ACCCE -- along with groups that include the American Petroleum Institute, the American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association -- uses the format that excludes grass-roots activity, leaves out most advertising spending and does not show money spent on state and local lobbying."
Mixed in with liberal advocacy groups' complaints about the lack of grassroots lobbying disclosure, the article includes a useful summary of the three disclosure methods.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Hill: Healthcare lobbyist bundles big bucks for key Senate Democrats' campaigns
The Hill reports "A vital player in the battle over healthcare reform raised the most campaign contributions for Senate Democrats so far this fall, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. Ken Raske, president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association, collected donations worth more than $152,000 for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in September alone, according to the latest FEC reports. . . . Under an ethics law Congress passed in 2007, politicians must report to the FEC lobbyists who have bundled money for their campaigns."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Hill: Eisen lays out case for limiting lobbyists role
From The Hill: "The White House’s top ethics cop on Thursday defended the Obama administration’s lobbying restrictions that have much of K Street up in arms. Norm Eisen, counsel to the president on ethics and government reform, told attendees of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) fall conference that President Barack Obama was trying to fundamentally change how Washington works, which gives an outsized influence to lobbyists."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
WSJ: Wall Street Steps Up Political Donations, Lobbying; Firms Boost Outlays Amid Debate on Financial-Services Overhaul, After Slowing Spending While Getting Bailout Cash
The Wall Street Journal reports "Some of the biggest Wall Street firms are back in the political-spending game after hunkering down while they were getting government bailout funds.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Bank of America Corp., Morgan Stanley and other large financial-services firms stepped up their political donations in September to members of Congress, for many the first time this year they have joined the fray.
Most Wall Street firms stopped making donations to lawmakers when they were receiving government funds, and many lawmakers stopped accepting them. But now that the companies have begun returning the bailout funds, they are making campaign donations again. At the same time, they are increasing their spending on lobbying after a yearlong slump."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Norm Eisen on the White House Blog: Why We Bar Lobbyists from Agency Advisory Boards and Commissions
Norm Eisen defends the Administration's new policy here. Eisen explains, "While we recognize the contributions some of those who will be affected have made to these committees, it is an indisputable fact that in recent years, lobbyists for major special interests have wielded extraordinary power in Washington DC, resulting in a national agenda too often skewed in favor of the interests that can afford their services. It is that problem that the President has promised to change, and this is a major step in implementing that change."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Politico: Former lawmakers donate cash while cooling off
From Politico: "Fresh off their congressional retirements, former Reps. Bud Cramer and Jim McCrery are prohibited from lobbying for a year — a ban reinforced by a sweeping crackdown under the Democratic Congress. . . . As long as they don’t technically lobby, it’s legal for them to advise clients — and to make political donations under looser rules than those applied to members of Congress. But lobbyists and legislative aides say the campaign giving is a sure effort by former lawmakers to stay involved in policymaking while they’re officially on the sidelines." (USA Today did this story back in September).
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Deadlocked Jury, Mistrial in Abramoff-Related Trial
Roll Call reports "U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle officially declared a mistrial Thursday afternoon in the public corruption trial of former House-aide-turned-lobbyist Kevin Ring after jurors declared themselves deadlocked for the third time in as many days. . . . Ring has been on trial for his role working with imprisoned ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Ring was accused of providing tickets to sporting events and other gifts to Congressional staff in exchange for assistance for Abramoff’s clients."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Hill: Some agencies set to implement lobbyist ban
The Hill reports "Several of the biggest departments in the federal government plan to adhere to the White House prohibition on lobbyists serving on their advisory boards and committees. . . . When issuing the guidance, Norm Eisen, special counsel to President Barack Obama for ethics and government reform, said it was the administration’s hope that lobbyists would not be appointed to advisory positions but it was up to the agencies to follow through."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
National Journal: Trial Shows Much Has Changed Post-Abramoff
National Journal uses the ongoing Kevin Ring trial to show how lobbying rules have changed over the past few years. "The trial has illustrated how different life was for lobbyists not long ago."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
AP: Jury in Abramoff-Related Case Heads Into 3rd Day
According to the AP, "A jury is entering its third day of deliberations in the trial of a former lobbyist in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling scandal. . . . Prosecutors allege Ring paid 'bribe after bribe' while seeking congressional appropriations and a Justice Department grant of $16.3 million. Defense lawyers say their client was using the traditional tools of the lobbying trade."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, October 05, 2009
CQ Politics: Lobbyists Stew After Being Bounced From Boards
From CQ Politics: "A tide of anger and dismay is rippling down K Street as the Obama administration implements a new policy limiting the roles of lobbyists on federal advisory committees.
The policy change, described by the White House as the next step in President Barack Obama ’s drive to limit influence-peddling in Washington, could affect hundreds of lobbyists who serve on the panels, which were created by Congress in the 1970s to provide private-sector advice to the government.
By removing a key point of access to the administration, many lobbyists will be less useful to their clients, who will be forced to appoint others to take up the slack. And the information about federal government intentions gleaned from committee meetings will now be unavailable to many lobbyists as they strategize on how to work various issues."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, October 05, 2009
USA Today: Most lobbyist money going to Dems
USA Today reports, "Fundraising by Washington lobbyists so far this year has chiefly benefited the Democratic Party, according to a USA TODAY analysis of campaign finance reports available for the first time under a new ethics law. Federal lobbyists helped collect more than $3.7 million during the first six months of 2009, and nearly $2.3 million went to Democrats, the analysis shows."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, October 02, 2009
The Hill: White House lobbying rules could hurt smaller trade groups, leaders say
According to this report in The Hill, "Leaders at smaller trade groups worry they could be particularly hurt by a new White House ban on lobbyists serving on advisory committees.
They argue that their organizations do not have the staff or the money to hire more employees to get around the new rule. Executives at these associations often do double duty, managing the trade group and lobbying on their industry’s behalf.
Some business associations will either have to stop lobbying or give up their spots on advisory boards, which are scattered throughout the federal government."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Christian Science Monitor: How Washington lobbyists peddle power
The CSM has this report on the business of lobbying.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Los Angeles Times: State and local governments look to lobbyists for an edge in Washington; Many cities, counties and states are spending more on lobbying to get a leg up on competition for federal funds in these times of tight budgets.
The Los Angeles Times reports "local and state governments ... spent more than $41 million through June of this year on lobbying firms. That is more than they spent in all of 2001, according to the watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, September 25, 2009
CQ Politics: Charitable Donations Offer Way Around Lobbying Limits
From CQ Politics: "Federal law limits the amount individuals and groups can contribute to congressional campaigns, but there are no restrictions on donations to lawmakers’ favorite causes, charities and institutions — and such giving has long been widespread. Only since Jan. 1, 2008, however, has there been a requirement to disclose it. In the 18 months ending June 30, corporations, unions and other professional associations registered to lobby Congress reported more than $56 million in contributions to organizations and events honoring lawmakers and administration officials, according to a CQ MoneyLine analysis of lobbyist filings."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Politico: Martinez heads straight to K Street
Politico reports "when Florida Republican Mel Martinez this week accepted a position with the mega-lobbying and law firm DLA Piper — less than two weeks after resigning from the Senate — it brought to five the number of former lawmakers since 2007 who have abandoned their constituents midterm and almost immediately resurfaced with lobbying firms . . . ."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyists say new restriction likely to reduce registrations
From The Hill: "More lobbyists are expected to terminate their registrations because of the White House’s announcement this week that federal agencies should not appoint them to advisory boards. It is unclear how many people will be affected by the decision, but at least 1,000 federal advisory committees report to the General Services Administration under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and many of them now include registered lobbyists. . . . Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council, said the White House position is 'absurd' and the administration does not understand how private-sector expertise can help the federal government. He said lobbyists are bound to de-register as lobbyists while continuing to help their companies." The Obama Administration announced yesterday that federal agencies should no longer appoint lobbyists to advisory boards and commissions.
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
New White House Policy Bars Lobbyists From Executive Agency Advisory Boards and Commissions
The White House, through Norm Eisen, announced that it "has informed executive agencies and departments that it is our aspiration that federally-registered lobbyists not be appointed to agency advisory boards and commissions. These appointees to boards and commissions, which are made by agencies and not the President, advise the federal government on a variety of policy areas. Keeping these advisory boards free of individuals who currently are registered federal lobbyists represents a dramatic change in the way business is done in Washington."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Politico: ACORN fights back
Politico reports "A week after undercover videotapes made it the butt of a national joke, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now is launching a three-pronged effort to rebuild its reputation and try to hold on to the millions of dollars in funding it gets each year from the federal government. First, ACORN’s top officials have been on a media apology tour and have dismissed the wayward employees in the infamous pimp video as bad apples who shouldn’t diminish the important work the group does in housing and low-income assistance. Then on Wednesday afternoon, ACORN went on the legal offensive, suing conservative filmmakers James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles for secretly videotaping in their office. And finally, the group is launching a charm offensive on Capitol Hill, as its Washington lobbying shop has been quietly meeting with sympathetic congressional offices, reminding them that ACORN’s services help low-income residents of urban areas."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BNA Money & Politics: White House May Bar Lobbyists From Federal Advisory Committees
The Obama Administration's assault on lobbyists continues. BNA Money & Politics reports "The White House is considering barring registered lobbyists from serving as members of federal advisory committees used by agencies to provide outside perspectives on government policy, sources knowledgeable about the proposal told BNA Sept. 22.
The new policy, which is still being fleshed out by Norm Eisen, the White House ethics adviser, would either impose a flat ban on participation by lobbyists on advisory committees or discourage agencies from including lobbyists on the panels, according to sources familiar with the discussions." If the Administration moves forward with this proposal, expect many observers to point out that lobbyists are widely acknowledged to be among the most knowledgeable persons when it comes to policy.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Hill: Bundling rule doesn’t capture all the fundraising by lobbyists
The Hill has this piece on lobbyist bundling disclosure. The article begins, "A law designed to shine a bright light on big political campaign contributors on K Street has in practice not been particularly illuminating, watchdogs charge." FEC Commissioner Weintraub is quoted: "'If I had my way, we wouldn’t just have disclosure of bundlers as lobbyists. We would have more,' said FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub. 'It was a compromise. It was not perfect, but it was the best thing we could do.'" While Commissioner Weintraub may be trying to distance herself from the FEC's regulation (for which she voted to approve), she does capture a crucial point that critics seem to be either missing or willfully ignoring (see this recent AP article, for instance). The law that was enacted requires only the disclosure of lobbyist "bundlers," and not every instance of a lobbyist crossing paths with a campaign fundraiser.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
San Angelo (TX) Standard-Times: Two fundraisers unreported for Conaway and Cornyn; spokesmen said they didn't have to disclose
A few days ago, the AP published a story about how lobbyists were "helping" candidates raise money, but were evading lobbyist bundling disclosure requirements. Now comes more of the same from the San Angelo Standard-Times: "Two lobbyists hosted a fundraising breakfast for San Angelo Congressman Mike Conaway in May at Bistro Bis, a chic French restaurant on Capitol Hill.
Price of admission: $500 a person and $1,000 for a political action committee.
That same month several lobbyists hosted U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s Cinco de Mayo fundraising event at the National Republican Senatorial Committee near the Capitol complex.
Contributions: $2,500 per host, $1,000 for a PAC and $250 for an individual.
Neither fundraiser turned up in reports required by a new campaign finance law designed to stem illegal influence peddling in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. The idea is to force lawmakers to disclose connections between themselves and lobbyists promoting agendas." According to a Conway spokesman, the lobbyist involved only raised $9,000, which is below the $16,000 reporting threshold. Sen. Cornyn's spokesman said simply that disclosure was not required. This article attempts to create a scandal out of nothing in exactly the same way as the earlier AP article.
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Monday, September 21, 2009
USA Today: Campaign funds put to use for lobbying firms
According to USA Today, "Ex-lawmakers working as lobbyists or advisers to those seeking to influence federal policy are pumping leftover campaign funds into the accounts of their former congressional colleagues — including colleagues who oversee the industries the ex-lawmakers now represent, a USA TODAY review of campaign-finance records shows. The donations are legal. Federal law allows former members of Congress to keep campaign accounts active and dole out the money to candidates, political parties and charities." USA Today's report cites Jim McCrery, Bud Cramer, and Patricia Schroeder, but the article contains nothing else to suggest that this practice is widespread.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
AP: PROMISES, PROMISES: Much lobbyist help undisclosed
The AP's Sharon Theimer (who used to spread the "reformers'" gospel while on the FEC beat) reports (opines?) that "Few members of Congress are disclosing that lobbyists are helping them raise campaign cash despite a new law that was supposed to shed light on the ties between lawmakers and the capital's influence brokers, an Associated Press review found." That could be because the law requires reporting of "bundlers," not all who fit Ms. Theimer's undefined notion of "help." Explains Theimer, "When it comes to disclosing lobbyist fundraising for lawmakers, there are so many loopholes that it basically amounts to an honor system." Fred Wertheimer himself couldn't have said it better.
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Reuters: How many lobbyists are there in Washington?
Reuters has this report: "As of June, there were 12,553 federal lobbyists registered in Washington, down from 14,800 at the end of 2008, and well below a record 15,137 in 2007, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit group that tracks such activities. Experts say the total number of people engaged in non-covered lobbying activities such as grassroots initiatives and advertising may be seven times that high."
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Reuters: Obama lobbying rules having unintended effects
Reuters reports "President Barack Obama's new special interest rules are having unexpected consequences with some lobbyists giving up their formal registrations and finding other ways to influence policy as they try to maintain access to key agencies or hope for future government jobs. Congressional aides, industry executives and watchdog groups say the rules have also slowed Obama's ability to fill key government jobs, eliminated some highly qualified candidates and kept away some others who worry tougher 'revolving door' rules could tie their hands in the future."
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Saturday, September 12, 2009
Treasury Issues TARP Lobbying Guidelines
The Treasury Department has issued lobbying guidelines for matters involving TARP funds.
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Unregistered Lobbyist Fined In Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports "A Pittsburgh-based lobbyist agreed she violated Pennsylvania's lobbying law by working unregistered for about 200 days on behalf of a California film company that pushed for passage of a $75 million state film tax credit program. Leslie Merrill McCombs will pay $5,025, a fine of $25 for each day she was not registered for Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. in 2007, according to a recently released state Ethics Commission ruling."
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Wednesday, September 09, 2009
CNNMoney.com: Health care lobbying: Political power machine; Lobbying. TV ads. Political donations. Nearly $400 million has already been spent to influence the debate - the most expensive fight ever to hit Congress.
CNNMoney.com reports "The fight over health care overhaul is on track to be the most expensive issue ever to hit the hallways of Congress. The bill for lobbyists, television ads and political donations has topped $375 million -- or enough to pay the entire insurance tab for about 30,000 families a year. The big spenders range from drug companies, hospitals and doctor groups to organizations that advocate for unions, immigrants and retirees. The largest chunk has gone to direct lobbying of lawmakers and other policymakers. In the first half of 2009, the health care industry spent nearly $280 million on lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
AP: Appeals court upholds lobbying disclosure law
AP reports "A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a 2007 law that requires trade associations to disclose their members who contribute to lobbying activities.
The National Association of Manufacturers said the law, which requires that the organization release the names of members that contribute more than $5,000 in a quarterly period for lobbying activities, violates their members' rights to privacy and freedom of association.
The Court of Appeals in Washington disagreed, saying there is nothing unconstitutional about the congressional effort 'to shine increasing light on the efforts of paid lobbyists to influence the public decision making process.'"
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Sunday, September 06, 2009
Washington Post: Lobbyists Feel the Pinch As Downturn Hits K Street
The Washington Post reports "In a year when Washington's influence industry should be thriving, with epic battles over health-care and energy legislation, lobbying in many sectors is in marked decline as defense contractors, real estate firms and other companies pull back in a down economy. Overall spending on lobbying has leveled off for the first time in a decade, according to disclosure data filed with Congress. Lobbying revenue for many of the city's most powerful advocacy firms, including bellwethers such as Patton Boggs and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, plunged 10 percent or more in the first half of the year. Washington also has 2,200 fewer registered lobbyists than it did a year ago, the lowest tally since shortly after George W. Bush took office in January 2001."
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Friday, September 04, 2009
WSJ op-ed: In Defense of Lobbying; The Constitution protects the right to petition.
Joel Jankowsky and Thomas Goldstein defend lobbyists and their trade in this Wall Street Journal op-ed.
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Wash. Times: Obama's lobbyist curbs are political, watchdog told
The Washington Times reports this truly shocking revelation: "A former Treasury official has told the watchdog for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout program that President Obama's promise to restrict lobbyist access to the bailout was made purely for political reasons. Months after the administration's pledge, the lobbyist rules haven't been implemented and Neel Kashkari, the one-time czar of the agency's Troubled Asset Relief Program, told the office of the special inspector general for TARP that the pledge to craft safeguards against lobbyist influence was a defensive move."
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Monday, August 31, 2009
AP on Stimulus Fund Lobbying
According to the headline of this AP article ("U.S. Meetings With Lobbyists Go Unreported"), the work that lobbyists do in connection with stimulus funding is not being reported by government agencies. However, no evidence is presented in the article that any government agency has failed to report a lobbyist meeting that is required to be disclosed - and in fact, the article describes the reporting requirements, which explain why so few government agency reports have been filed.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Politico: Lobbyists sent 13 fake letters to Hill
Politico reports "A lobbying firm working for a pro-coal industry group sent lawmakers a total of 13 fraudulent letters opposing the House climate bill — five more than initially believed, the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming said Tuesday. The fake letters — sent to Reps. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), Christopher Carney (D-Pa.) and Tom Perriello (D-Va.) — purported to be from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, senior citizens groups and Creciendo Juntos, a Hispanic advocacy organization."
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Ohio Lobbying Restriction Enjoined
Ballot Access News reports "On August 4, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott, a Clinton appointee, enjoined Ohio from enforcing a state law that makes it illegal for a former state legislator to represent any organization at the state legislature within one year of having served in office. However, the order only applies to ex-legislators who are not being paid to lobby. Brinkman v Budish, sou. dist., 1:09-cv-326. . . .
The decision says the plaintiff, Thomas E. Brinkman, 'is not seeking pecuniary benefit from his representation of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes. Therefore, a concern for quid pro quo corruption is not implicated.'"
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
The Hill: Heightened focus on compliance captures more lobbying activities
The Hill reports "A new lobbying and ethics law that went into effect in January 2008 didn’t change the definition of what constitutes lobbying.
But the law, which Congress passed in the wake of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, did raise the penalties for not reporting activities that should be disclosed.
Ethics experts say that more companies and K Street firms are playing it safe and reporting activities that before might not have been included in their lobbying revenue reports filed to Congress."
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
The Hill: No hard feelings - lobbyists pay $1M to honor Obama
The Hill reports "Lobbyists and special interests spent more than a million dollars during the first six months of 2009 honoring a man who is no fan of K Street: President Barack Obama. Corporate sponsorship paid for Inaugural festivities as well as events after Obama took office. . . . The recently released records were required under revamped ethics laws. In the reports, trade associations, companies and individual lobbyists reported spending more than $495,000 in honor of the new president, Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Termed 'honorary expenses,' the records list a broad range of lunches and conferences where Obama and others were commended and which the special interests helped finance via sponsorship. Expenses surrounding the presidential inauguration were required to be reported separately from honorary expenses. Firms and lobbyists reported spending little more than $700,000 on tickets, galas and even souvenirs surrounding Obama’s inauguration in January. Only the entities and individuals registered to lobby have to file a disclosure report, which means the total amount companies spent on the inauguration and other events could be much higher."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
CQ Politics: Lobbyists Pay Tribute to Kennedy’s Role in Health Care
From CQ Politics: "Some of the largest expenditures from lobbyists and their clients during the first six months of this year went to hosting events and making charitable donations in honor of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass. On Wednesday, the American Medical Association, for example, reported spending $195,965 on an event in March honoring Kennedy, who is chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, as well as Rep. Nathan Deal , R-Ga, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. . . . The expenditures continue a trend that began last year of health care companies focusing on Kennedy and his anticipated role in health care overhaul efforts. At least two dozen registered lobbying organizations spent more than $5.9 million paying tribute to Kennedy and his legacy during 2008, according to a CQ MoneyLine study."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Hill: The registering (and deregistering) dilemma
Thomas Spulak writes in The Hill about the recent flurry of lobbyist deregistration in the face of public criticism of lobbyists and the Obama Administration's stimulus bill policy. He notes, "Increasingly, many lobbyists are asking, 'If registering in good faith under a statute that is designed to create transparency makes an otherwise honest person an object of ridicule, can I terminate my registration?' And while there is no indication how many are considering 'deregistering,' the question is being asked enough to prompt House and Senate officials to address the issue. In the most recent guidance issued in connection with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), lobbyists were informed that they may terminate their registration if they reasonably expect that they would not be making any lobbying contacts in the future."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Hill on Lobbyist Bundling Reports
The Hill reports that Rudy Giuliani and Al D’Amato both bundled contributions for New York Congressman Peter King. Meanwhile, "the DSCC collected more than $731,000 in bundled contributions from lobbyists and companies registered to lobby, making it the most among all political committees so far. The DCCC took in more than $325,000 in contributions raised by lobbyists or firms registered to lobby."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyists gain upper hand in Obama battle
According to The Hill, "Lobbying interests that President Obama campaigned against last year have gained the upper hand on the White House in recent weeks. In stark contrast to Obama’s first few months in office, special interest groups this summer have aggressively opposed the president’s top domestic priorities. And they have succeeded in slowing legislation to revamp the nation’s healthcare system, won an essential change to climate change legislation and put off efforts to set up a consumer agency in the financial sector."
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Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Hill: White House eases stimulus lobbyist restrictions
The Hill reports "In a significant change, the Obama administration will now allow lobbyists to meet and have telephonic discussions with government officials regarding economic recovery projects. . . . In March, President Obama announced that government officials would not be allowed to consider the views of lobbyists regarding specific stimulus projects unless the requests are put in writing. The materials also had to be posted on an agency’s website within three business days of receipt. Lobbyists have said that the policy was one more example of the administration's disdain for their industry.
Now, the just-revised rules will allow government personnel to accept meetings and calls from federally registered lobbyists on the implementation of stimulus projects. The head of the Office of Management and Budget, Peter Orszag, issued a new guidance late Friday regarding the administration's communications with registered lobbyists about economic recovery funds."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, July 24, 2009
USA Today: Lobbyists get power access via caucuses
From USA Today: "Lobbyists and businesses that employ them donated $5.8 million last year to foundations affiliated with congressional groups, a USA TODAY analysis of federal lobbying data shows. Nearly all of it — $5.7 million — went to non-profit groups connected to the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, according to the analysis. Under congressional rules, the caucuses face limits on how much public money they can use to support their activities. They also are barred from using private funds to operate. However, nothing stops lobbyists from writing big checks to the non-profits connected to caucuses."
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
BNA: Capitol Hill Lobby Officials Refer to DOJ Another 1,700 Potential Disclosure Violations
BNA Money & Politics reports "Officials on Capitol Hill have continued to refer hundreds of possible violations of lobbying disclosure rules to the Justice Department in recent months, but DOJ has yet to take any formal action to follow up on these referrals besides writing letters to the potential violators, according to officials. . . . Since the LDA came into effect more than a decade ago, only three such referrals have resulted in any enforcement action—out-of-court civil settlements between DOJ and lobbyists, who agreed to pay fines totaling less than $50,000. No court action has ever been taken against an LDA violator, according to department officials."
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
CQ Politics: Pelosi's Door Revolves for Top Lobbyist
CQ Politics reports "The revolving door is wide open in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office just two years after she promised to crack down on the practice of congressional aides moving into lobbying shops and then back into government. Pelosi announced Monday that she is hiring one of Washington's top lobbyists, Richard Meltzer, to be her policy director. It is a position in which Meltzer, a longtime Pelosi friend, is certain to have tremendous input into the shape of legislation affecting the more than 200 clients he represented according to federal lobbying disclosure records."
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Congratulations! You've Been Selected For An Audit
Connecticut's Office of State Ethics announced that it will select 40 registered lobbyists, at random, to be audited. Interested lobbyists may attend OSE's "audit selection ceremony" on July 23. Press release available here.
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
LA Times: Conservative nonprofit offered clout to FedEx -- for millions; The American Conservative Union asked for up to $3.4 million to support the carrier in a legislative battle. When the firm refused, the group's president backed rival UPS' position and blasted FedEx.
The Los Angeles Times has this report: "In an unusual look inside Washington's lobbying culture, a sequence of letters published last week exposed how a conservative nonprofit advocacy group apparently tried to sell its clout in a legislative battle between FedEx and UPS. For a fee of $2.1 million to $3.4 million, the American Conservative Union offered to 'strongly support' FedEx's position and 'rally [the] grass roots,' according to a June 30 letter from Vice President Dennis Whitfield to a top lobbyist for the package carrier."
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Very Few Lobbyist Bundling Reports Filed
BNA Money & Politics reports "Only eight of 435 U.S. House members have reported receiving campaign contributions “bundled” by lobbyists under a new Federal Election Commission rule that went into effect this year, according to FEC reports received by a July 15 deadline. No senators have reported bundled contributions yet, but FEC officials said reports from some senators could still come into the agency over the next few days." The RNC reported that former Representative Bill Paxon bundled $137,500 for them. "The RNC and House members were among just over a dozen candidate campaigns, political party committees, and “leadership” political action committees that have reported bundled contributions since a new FEC rule requiring such reporting went into effect last spring." UPDATE: CQ Politics: Where Are the Donation Bundling Reports?
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Monday, July 13, 2009
WSJ: The Media and the First Amendment; The Washington Post scandal is really about double standards.
Bert Gall and Steve Simpson, of the Institute For Justice, have this editorial in the Wall Street Journal: "Our nation's capital is abuzz over the Washington Post's recent indiscretion. The newspaper planned to host a now-canceled salon at the home of Katharine Weymouth, the Post's publisher. For $25,000, lobbyists and corporate executives would be granted exclusive access to members of the Obama administration, Congress, and Post journalists. Pundits have condemned the Post for acting as an influence peddler. But other news publications routinely host similar events. This shouldn't come as a shock. Media corporations have always had the privilege of influencing politics without the restrictions -- like campaign finance laws -- that other corporations face."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Washington Post: Familiar Players in Health Bill Lobbying; Firms Are Enlisting Ex-Lawmakers, Aides
The Washington Post reports "The nation's largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosures and other records. The tactic is so widespread that three of every four major health-care firms have at least one former insider on their lobbying payrolls, according to The Washington Post's analysis."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Washington Post Becomes A Lobbying Firm?
Politico reports "For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off the record, non-confrontational access to 'those powerful few' — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors. The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health-care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he feels it’s a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its 'health care reporting and editorial staff.' The offer—which essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encounters—is a new sign of the lengths to which news organizations will go to find revenue at a time when most newspapers are struggling for survival. And it's a turn of the times that a lobbyist is scolding The Washington Post for its ethical practices." UPDATE: Washington Post cancels lobbyist event amid uproar.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
CQ Politics: Democrats Welcome Donations, Not Lobbyists
From CQ Politics: "President Obama assumed the mantle of fundraiser-in-chief Thursday evening at a Democratic rally at which money was welcome but lobbyists forbidden, for an evening. Supporters paid between $5,000 and $30,400 to hear the president . . . . The joint fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — the two major congressional fundraising organizations—at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in downtown Washington was heavily anticipated because of the president’s appearance. But debate over Obama’s ethics rules and the relatively meager $3 million the dinner was estimated to reap, overshadowed even an appearance by Washington’s highest-wattage star. The Democrats’ haul is far less than the $14.5 million the Republican House and Senate fundraising committees collected at a comparable dinner June 9. . . . Republicans did not ban lobbyists or PACs from participating and donating to their dinner."
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Politico: Democrats dodge ban on cash from lobbyists
Politico reports "President Barack Obama’s strict ban on lobbyist contributions will limit the haul from Thursday night’s fundraising dinner for congressional Democrats, but organizers have found a way around it: a morning-after event at the same hotel where lobbyists — and their money — will be welcomed with open arms."
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Hill: Lawyers’ complaints spur lobbying guidance review
The Hill reports "Ethics and campaign finance lawyers around Washington are questioning new guidance issued by Congress on when lobbyists can terminate their registrations. The lawyers believe guidance for the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) issued by the House clerk and Senate secretary opens a new loophole for denizens of K Street to avoid lobbying restrictions imposed by the Obama administration. They also see the guidance as conflicting with the actual LDA. . . . The complaints have led the two offices to review the new guidance, and Washington ethics lawyers are advising lobbyists not to de-register as lobbyists until the House clerk and Senate secretary complete their review. The debate centers on when the LDA allows someone to de-register as a lobbyist. Under the new guidance, a lobbyist could de-register if he or she had not made more than one contact with government officials, including congressional aides or administration officials as well as members of Congress, over two consecutive quarters. According to the LDA, lobbyists cannot de-register as long as they spend 20 percent of their time lobbying, even if they have less than two contacts during that same time period. An individual must register as a lobbyist if he spends 20 percent of his working time lobbying and contacts two or more government officials for a client. Several lawyers believe the new guidance is in conflict with the LDA and could lead to many more terminations by lobbyists." UPDATE: "Clarification" of guidance issued.
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wash. Times: After lobbyist boasts, Feinstein cancels event
From the Washington Times: "Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, abruptly canceled a campaign fundraising lunch scheduled for Wednesday after the Washington lobbyist helping to organize the event suggested in an invitation that the committee's work would be served as the 'first course.' Mrs. Feinstein, California Democrat, bowed Monday to concerns that the fundraising solicitation could be misinterpreted. . . . Washington lobbyist Heather Podesta mentioned the intelligence committee in an e-mail invitation attached to a formal notice of the event, saying that the lunch at the upscale Charlie Palmer steakhouse in Washington would begin at noon. In the e-mail, she said donors who gave between $1,000 and $2,500 could order up 'the Select Committee on Intelligence for the first course.'"
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
WSJ: Pro-Business Group Targets Obama Agenda
From the Wall Street Journal: "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it will spend $100 million in an effort to stem the "rapidly growing influence of government over private-sector activity," in a major new move by the powerful business group to counter the Obama administration's regulatory agenda. . . . Chamber president Thomas Donohue said his organization is launching its 'Campaign for Free Enterprise' because an 'avalanche of new rules, restrictions, mandates and taxes' could 'seriously undermine the wealth and job-creating capacity of the nation.' Funds from the Chamber's campaign will be largely spent on advertising and lobbying."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, June 08, 2009
USA Today: Lobbyists unlimited in honoring lawmakers
USA Today has this article on lobbyist spending to "honor" lawmakers. According to the report, "Despite a ban on gifts to lawmakers and limits on campaign contributions, lobbyists and groups that employ them can spend unlimited money to honor members of Congress or donate to non-profits connected to them or their relatives. The public — until now — had little insight into the scope of this largely hidden world of special-interest influence. Under ethics rules passed in 2007, lobbyists for the first time last year had to report any payment made for an event or to a group connected to a lawmaker and other top federal officials. USA TODAY undertook the first comprehensive analysis of the lobbying reports and found 2,759 payments, totaling $35.8 million, were made in 2008. The money went to honor 534 current and former lawmakers, almost 250 other federal officials and more than 100 groups, many of which count lawmakers among their members."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
CNN: House votes to force ethics committee to report whether it's investigating PMA
CNN has this unusual report: "The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to force the House ethics committee to report whether or not it is investigating any misconduct by House members relating to the PMA Group, a lobbying firm that secured millions of dollars in earmarks for its clients. The vote on a resolution offered by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was 270-134. Seventeen members voted present, including all of the members of the ethics committee. The Democratic resolution instructs the panel to report back to the full House in 45 days."
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Hill: K Street, watchdogs praise new lobbying rules
The Hill reports "Lobbyists and government watchdogs are applauding revisions made by the White House on Friday to lobbying restrictions on stimulus funds. After completing a 60-day review last week, the administration modified the rules to extend a speaking ban not just to lobbyists but to others who contact government officials about specific stimulus projects. But that ban only occurs now after a grant application has been filed for the project."
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
AP: Corruption probe heats up on Capitol Hill
AP reports "A federal grand jury has subpoenaed a Democratic congressman in a corruption probe, the first concrete indication that a long-simmering Justice Department investigation of a top lobbying firm also has the potential to seriously damage congressional careers. On Friday, Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., acknowledged the grand jury has demanded documents from his office, some employees and his campaign committees. The probe focuses on the PMA Group, a now-defunct lobbying firm that specialized in securing federal contracts for defense firms from Visclosky, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., and others on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee that Murtha chairs."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
White House Blog: Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules: New Limits on Special Interest Influence
The White House blog announces revisions to the stimulus bill lobbying rules. "Following OMB’s review, the Administration has decided to make a number of changes to the rules that we think make them even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making. First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program. Second, we will focus the restriction on oral communications to target the scenario where concerns about merit-based decision-making are greatest –after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made. Once such applications are on file, the competition should be strictly on the merits. To that end, comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see. Third, we will continue to require immediate internet disclosure of all other communications with registered lobbyists. If registered lobbyists have conversations or meetings before an application is filed, a form must be completed and posted to each agency’s website documenting the contact."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Hill: Only one bundler is disclosed under new campaign finance rule
The Hill reports that the May 20 deadline for monthly FEC filers has yielded only one reported lobbyist bundler: "A pharmaceutical company that collected campaign contributions for Rep. Henry Waxman is the only bundler disclosed under a new ethics rule that took effect earlier this year. The political action committee for Gilead Sciences, Inc. has collected $17,500 in campaign contributions for LA PAC, a leadership political action committee affiliated with Waxman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee." The article fails to mention that monthly filers have the option of filing their lobbyist bundling disclosures on a quarterly basis. And campaign committees aren't required to file monthly, meaning they weren't even subject to the May 20 deadline. The July 15 filings should be much more instructive.
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
OMB Watch Gathers Stimulus Bill Lobbyist Contact Disclosures
The effects of President Obama's restrictions on lobbyist communications with executive branch officials on stimulus spending are beginning to be seen. According to OMB Watch, "of the 29 agencies receiving stimulus money, only 110 contacts had been disclosed as of May 18."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Politico: GOP cashes in on Bruce Springsteen
Politico reports that "At least 15 lawmakers and political committees — including a half-dozen Republican ones — sold tickets to fundraisers at the sold-out concert at the Verizon Center. Although most tickets had face values of less than $100, lobbyists and political action committee directors plunked down upward of $2,000 to watch Springsteen while schmoozing members of Congress . . . ."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, May 18, 2009
CQ Politics: Influencing Congress: Defenders’ Effective Offense
CQ Politics has this interesting report on the tactics used by Defenders of Wildlife: "It’s a deceptively simple political strategy but it works for the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife. Rather than trying to elect dozens of friendly lawmakers, it’s been concentrating its money on just a few high-profile races and flooding them with money and volunteers. . . . The Washington-based wildlife group, founded in 1947 primarily to fight fur trapping, still mainly focuses on the welfare of predators such as wolves and coyotes. And it’s become an example of a shift in the direction of advocacy groups away from general issue campaigns and toward targeted efforts against individual politicians, while at the same time shielding the identity of political contributors. . . . The Defenders in 2006 were involved in 26 races."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
AP: THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbyists seek to avoid curbs
AP has this report on how lobbyists and the clients they represent are adjusting to President Obama's restrictions on stimulus bill lobbying contacts. "Lobbyist Elizabeth Moeller knew Energy Department officials wouldn't let her press them for an economic stimulus project for a California company hoping to turn algae into energy. So she did the next best thing: After a lot of coaching, she sent the client. . . . Her tactic is one of several being used to sidestep the Obama administration's new restrictions on registered lobbyists trying to sway federal agencies to award their clients money from the $787 billion economic stimulus program. Other popular workarounds: Sending colleagues who are not registered lobbyists to pitch federal officials, and getting help from allies on Capitol Hill. . . . The White House says if lobbyists are being restrained, that's just what they had in mind."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Hill: Chamber adds voice against White House lobbying rules
The Hill reports "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has weighed in with the White House against lobbying restrictions placed on the stimulus package, arguing the rules could limit its members’ First Amendment rights. Chamber General Counsel Steven Law laid out two points of concern the business group has with the restrictions, which forbid lobbyists from talking or holding meetings with government officials to discuss specific stimulus projects. Lobbyists instead must submit their views in writing."
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Saturday, May 09, 2009
Washington Post Editors Question Pres. Obama's Lobbyist Policies
From the Post editorial: "too many qualified candidates have been denied positions for which they are suited simply because of a lobbyist taint. This approach could have the perverse consequence of driving lobbying underground and reducing the openness that the Obama administration says it wants to promote. The decision about whether to register as a lobbyist isn't always clear-cut; in the past, many people registered out of an abundance of caution. Now, some are saying privately that they will avoid registering if at all possible, shedding less sunlight on lobbying activities. The Obama administration is also making a mistake by barring lobbyists from, well, lobbying it in some circumstances. The administration's rules on distributing stimulus funds bar registered lobbyists from telephoning or meeting with government officials about specific projects; they can make contact only in writing, with documents to be posted on the government's Web site. We understand the good-government impetus here. But why distinguish between lobbyists and corporate executives or local government officials seeking the funds, who have the biggest interests at stake? The rules are up for review soon. They should be rethought."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Politico: Stimulus memo has lobbyists on edge
From Politico: "The White House doesn’t want lobbyists bugging it about economic stimulus funding decisions, and it seems to be getting its way.
A review of “lobbyist contact” disclosures posted on government department and agency websites shows a relative paucity of inquiries and scant information exchanged about the $787 billion spending spree.
What can be gleaned from the records is an acute paranoia among government workers about being caught in an exchange with a lobbyist and rampant stigmatization of anyone from the advocacy class."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyists adjust to stimulus rules that shut them out
From The Hill: "White House rules prevent lobbyists from meeting in person or talking on the phone with federal officials about specific stimulus projects. They can only submit communications in writing. . . . It has been more than a month since the Obama administration announced its new lobbying guidelines. Since then, lobbyists have tried to adjust, sending firm lawyers who don’t register as lobbyists to meetings or prepping clients on what questions to ask."
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Friday, May 01, 2009
CQ Politics: Watchdog Groups Join Calls for PMA Probe
CQ Politics reports "House Democratic leaders face new pressure from four watchdog groups usually allied with them to open an investigation into the ties between three powerful Democrats and the now-defunct lobbying firm The PMA Group. Democracy 21, Common Cause, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG on Thursday called on the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to probe the relationship PMA had with Democratic Reps. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, Peter J. Visclosky of Indiana and James P. Moran of Virginia. The lawmakers secured lucrative earmarks for defense contractors represented by The PMA Group and received political donations from family members of the lobbying firm’s founder. The groups made the request in a letter sent Thursday and also notified the recently created Office of Congressional Ethics."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, April 27, 2009
National Journal: Are Lobbyists Being Locked Out? Obama's Lobbying Rules Are Imperfect, But Advocates' Complaints Mostly Ring Hollow
From National Journal: "Still, it's hard to feel too sorry for the lobbyists who argue that Obama's ethics rules are either unconstitutionally stringent or should apply to everyone but them. Organizers for nonprofits object that the revolving-door rules, for example, lump public-sector lobbyists together with those representing 'pecuniary' interests. They've asked the White House to essentially carve out a blanket exemption for all job seekers who lobby for 501(c)3 nonprofit or 501(c)4 social welfare groups."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
WSJ: Business Spends Less, Unions More on Lobbying
The Wall Street Journal reports "Big industry trade groups cut their lobbying spending during the first three months of 2009, while large labor unions ramped up expenditures to influence Congress and the Obama administration. Disclosure statements made public Tuesday showed a 31% slide to $62.5 million in spending on lobbying activities by 20 leading business trade associations, compared with $90 million in the previous three months at the end of 2008. The largest labor unions increased lobbying spending by 15% to $5.3 million in the same period, according to the disclosure reports."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
USA Today: Door still revolving between Capitol, lobbyists
USA Today has this report on former members of Congress who have recently taken jobs as lobbyists. "Despite congressional pledges to stop the revolving door between Capitol Hill and the lobbying industry, 16 of the 62 lawmakers who left Congress last year have landed jobs with groups that seek to influence policymakers, a USA TODAY analysis has found. Former House members are barred from lobbying their former colleagues for a year after leaving office and former senators must wait two years. But nothing prohibits former lawmakers from immediately starting to advise clients on how to navigate the congressional process, having contacts with administration officials, or working as a state lobbyist."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New York Times editorial board on Tom Malinowski, of Human Rights Watch: "The Good Lobbyist"
From the Times: "It’s a cliché for a candidate to denounce the power of Washington insiders and the corruption of lobbyists’ wealth. So it was refreshing to see President Obama deliver on his campaign stand and refuse to hire registered lobbyists for jobs in their areas of special advocacy. There also can be too much of a good thing. We think the White House is being overly rigid with its decision not to nominate Tom Malinowski, the Washington advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, to be the administration’s global human rights chief."
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
New York Times: Nonprofit Groups to Push for Exceptions to Lobby Rule
The New York Times reports on the efforts of some "public interest" lobbyists to have President Obama's lobbyist restrictions revised to exempt them.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
CQ Politics: Sources: Wiretap Recorded Rep. Harman Promising to Intervene for AIPAC
According to CQ Politics, "Rep. Jane Harman , the California Democrat with a longtime involvement in intelligence issues, was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington. . . . In exchange for Harman's help, the sources said, the suspected Israeli agent pledged to help lobby Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., then-House minority leader, to appoint Harman chair of the Intelligence Committee after the 2006 elections, which the Democrats were heavily favored to win. Seemingly wary of what she had just agreed to, according to an official who read the NSA transcript, Harman hung up after saying, 'This conversation doesn't exist.'" The New York Times adds a campaign cash angle to the story.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Des Moines Register: Gaps seen in lobbyists' reports
From the Des Moines Register: "State officials concede the disclosure law is not enforced. Senate Ethics Committee Vice Chairman Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, said he does not recall any organization ever being punished for not filing reception disclosures properly."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Washington Post: New Liberal Jewish Lobby Quickly Makes Its Mark; J Street Is Leading Pro-Israel PAC, Filings Show, Though Year-Old Group Has Attracted Criticism
From the Washington Post: "When a group of Jewish liberals formed a lobbying and fundraising group called J Street a year ago, they had modest hopes of raising $50,000 for a handful of congressional candidates. Instead, the group's political arm ended up funneling nearly $600,000 to several dozen Democrats and a handful of Republicans in 2008, making it Washington's leading pro-Israel PAC, according to Federal Election Commission expenditure records. Organizers say 33 of the group's 41 favored House and Senate candidates won their races."
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Hill: Lobbying guidelines criticized
The Hill reports that "A 14-page White House memo designed to clarify the conditions under which federal officials can meet with lobbyists to discuss the $787 billion economic stimulus package has failed to appease critics of the policy. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance attempts to clarify a previous memo issued by the White House that prohibited federal officials from meeting face to face with lobbyists to discuss particular projects competing for economic recovery money. That drew howls of complaints from lobbyists and even some government watchdogs that said the policy was overly restrictive and could violate First Amendment rights to petition the government."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Bloomberg: Obama’s Spending Spurs Former U.S. Lawmakers to Join Lobbyists
Bloomberg reports that "about one-quarter of the House and Senate members who retired or lost elections last year have found new jobs with lobbying firms, where business is booming as Obama pushes for multitrillion-dollar changes in federal banking, health care, energy and military procurement policies."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyist sentenced for destroying evidence
According to The Hill, "A U.S. District judge sentenced a lobbyist and good friend of former Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) to five months home detention for destroying evidence related to a federal probe of the ex-lawmaker, the Justice Department announced Friday. Cecilia Grimes, 43, a partner in a Pennsylvania-based lobbying firm, pleaded guilty last July to charges that she threw her BlackBerry in a trash can near an Arby’s fast-food restaurant after talking with federal agents about her firm’s contacts with Weldon."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Boston Globe: Lobbyists under scrutiny linked to Capuano donors; Earmarks went to Mass. clients
The Boston Globe reports that "US Representative Michael E. Capuano, Democrat of Somerville, received more than $60,000 in campaign contributions from donors associated with a high-powered lobbying firm at the center of an FBI investigation, and inserted earmarks for three of the firm's Massachusetts clients into recent defense spending bills. The firm, the PMA Group, is reportedly under federal scrutiny for using straw donors to funnel illegal campaign contributions to dozens of lawmakers."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
New York Times Editors Support PMA Group Inquiry
From the NY Times editorial page: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Washington Post: Public Interest Groups Decry Obama's Strict Lobbying Rules
From the Washington Post: "President Obama's war with K Street is escalating, this time over stringent new rules on lobbyists attempting to land federal stimulus money for their clients. An unlikely alliance of groups -- including one co-founded by Obama's chief ethics adviser -- argue that the restrictions will penalize those who play by the rules while doing nothing to curb the influence of large corporations and campaign donors."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
National Journal: Bundling Rules Are In The Picture, But Out Of Focus; FEC Finally Sets Guidelines To 2007 Law, But Some Details Are Still Vague
The National Journal's Eliza Carney reports on the FEC's new lobbyist bundling reporting rules.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Politico: Obama order worries speech groups
From Politico: "Free speech advocates from across the political spectrum are accusing President Barack Obama of impinging on First Amendment rights and are gearing up to take their case public. At issue is an unprecedented directive that Obama — who has long railed against lobbyists as the personification of a corrupt Washington culture — issued last week barring officials charged with doling out stimulus funds from talking to registered lobbyists about specific projects or applicants for stimulus cash."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Terry McAuliffe Proposes Lobbyist Gift Ban For Virginia
The Washington Post reports that "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe proposed today a complete ban on gifts from lobbyists to Virginia lawmakers and members of the executive branch. He also said he would create a state-run Website that would detail lawmakers' campaign contributions, bills and the state budget."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Hill: New group offers rare entry to White House for K Street
The Hill reports that "A new business trade group run by Democrats close to President Obama may offer K Street an avenue into a White House extremely wary of lobbyists. Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to and close friend of Obama; Michael Strautmanis, Jarrett’s chief of staff; and Tina Tchen, the White House public liaison director, met with more than 40 executives and lobbyists from several Fortune 500 companies at a reception last Friday at the Hay-Adams Hotel. The reception was the first official function sponsored by Business Forward, a new trade group founded by several Democratic consultants."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Politico: Companies try to clean up their act
Politico notes that "a growing number of corporations are beefing up scrutiny and disclosure of their own political activities to shareholders. The Center for Political Accountability, an organization that works with shareholders to get companies to open their political books, is set to announce Tuesday that seven additional firms have agreed to do so: Alcoa Inc., Dow Chemical Co., Cummins Engine, U.S. Bancorp, El Paso Corp., Baxter International Inc. and Dominion Resources."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
AP: THE INFLUENCE GAME: Fundraising e-mails never stop
The AP on candidates' fundraising e-mails: "Though it's early in a non-election year, politicians and special interests are blasting out daily e-mails by the truckload, beckoning lobbyists and other would-be donors to fundraisers ranging from the mundane to the exotic. A look at scores of them, provided by recipients, shows they share a straightforward message: Members of Congress would like your help getting in re-elected, and contributors can spend time with them."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Hill: New rules on stimulus make lobbyists bristle
From The Hill: "New lobbying rules for the $787 billion stimulus package put in place by the Obama administration are being met with consternation and anger on K Street. Lobbyists say the new policy will have a chilling effect on their interaction with the administration. And while lobbyists are the target, the constituencies they represent could be the ones that are ultimately hurt."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
AP: THE INFLUENCE GAME: Mixing donations, earmarks
The AP provides some interesting background in the PMA Group investigation into possible connections between campaign contributions and earmarks, with the focus on Representatives Murtha, Visclosky and Moran.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Seattle Times: FBI investigates lobbying firm that is generous donor to Dicks, Murray
The Seattle Times examines the PMA Group investigation from Washington State.
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tampa Bay Online: Common Cause Out Of Business In Florida
TBO's March On Politics blog reports that "After 30 years of advocating campaign finance reform, tougher ethics laws, election reform and other 'good government' issues, the Florida chapter of Common Cause is shutting down for lack of funding."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Washington Post: Some Activists Barred From Government Work; Nonprofits and Public Interest Groups Are Hurrying to Meet Obama's Strict New Ethics Guidelines
The Washington Post reports that "Nonprofit and public interest groups are scrambling to adapt to President Obama's stringent new ethics guidelines, which are so sweeping that they have blocked the ability of many sympathetic activists to get hired by the new administration. Many of the groups are rushing to terminate or curtail their lobbying activities as a result of the rules, which bar new officials from making policy on any matter involving their former employer or clients for a period of two years or from working at an agency they lobbied within the past two years. Congressional records show that more than 700 lobbyists or lobbying groups have filed 'de-registration' papers with the House and Senate since Obama took office, including scores of charities and other nonprofits."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Washington Post: Obama Announces Guidelines to Limit Lobbyists' Influence on Stimulus Effort
The Washington Post reports on comments the President made earlier today: "In implementing the Recovery Act, Obama said, he is issuing a directive today that guides federal agencies on 'what does and what does not constitute an acceptable use of taxpayer money.' He told the lawmakers: 'Decisions about how Recovery Act dollars are spent will be based on the merits. . . . They will not be made as a way of doing favors for lobbyists. Any lobbyists who want to talk with a member of my administration about a particular Recovery Act project will have to submit their thoughts in writing, and we will post it on the Internet for all to see.'"
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, March 20, 2009
New York Times Supports Rep. Flake's Efforts to Investigate PMA Group Contributions & Earmarks
The New York Times editorializes: "Mr. Flake has picked the right place to start the investigating: some of the PMA Group’s lobbyists learned their craft as staffers in the appropriations subcommittee led by Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania. Once in the free-enterprise zone, the PMA Group scored numerous defense earmarks and doled out generous gifts to Mr. Murtha and other subcommittee members.
This relationship cries out for an ethics inquiry. And we are pleased that Mr. Flake is refusing to be discouraged by his colleagues’ lack of courage."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Washington Post: Advocates Fault System Of Lobbying Disclosure
From the Washington Post: "The lobbying firm that features Democratic power broker Harold Ickes reported earning nearly $700,000 from its clients last year. But according to disclosure reports filed with Congress, more than half of the money was spent on no lobbying at all. The case illustrates a common phenomenon in the lobbying world, in which firms report collecting money from clients while claiming on public disclosure forms that they did not contact any members of Congress or administration officials in return."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
CQ Politics: Special Interests Spent $37 Million on Lawmakers
CQ Politics reports that "Lobbyists representing special interests spent more than $37 million last year in search of friends and influence on Capitol Hill by hosting events in honor of lawmakers or often providing donations in their names to non-profits and other groups, according to a CQ MoneyLine study of 2008 congressional disclosure reports. More than $35 million of the 3,900 expenditures listed as either 'honorary' or 'meeting' expenses tied to lawmakers were for amounts of $10,000 or more. At least one was for $5 million."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Washington Post: Research Center's Role Faces Scrutiny; Advice From Murtha Allies Guided Funding Requests, Documents Show
The Washington Post reports that "A Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two 'handlers' close to Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) as it collected nearly $250 million in federal funding through the lawmaker, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post and sources familiar with the funding requests. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies that were among Murtha's campaign supporters."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Politico: Lobbyist ban limits Obama's options
Politico's Jonathan Martin has this report on the the Obama Administration's "lobbyist ban": "Having campaigned on a promise that lobbyists won’t run his White House, President Barack Obama is discovering that what may make for a good sound bite on the campaign trail can complicate governing. As he strives to build an administration beyond his top Cabinet officers, Obama is finding that he has limited his pool of potential appointees because of a ban on individuals from agencies that they have lobbied within the past two years."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
CQ Politics: PMA Lobbyist, Relatives Gave Lawmakers $1.5 Million Since 2000
CQ Politics has analyzed the campaign contributions of the PMA Group's founder and family: "A defense lobbyist and his family made $1.5 million in political contributions from 2000 through 2008 as the lobbyist’s now-embattled firm helped clients win billions of dollars in federal contracts. A sizable chunk of those campaign dollars went to the House members who control Pentagon spending."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
AP: Ex-Cochran aide pleads guilty in corruption probe
AP reports that "A former longtime aide to Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran pleaded guilty Tuesday to swapping legislative favors for event tickets and other gifts from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Hill: Recession hits lobby groups
The Hill reports that "AARP is reducing its payroll by about 10 percent, reflecting the pain some interest groups are feeling from the recession even as lobbyists on K Street expect a bonanza." However, "While some trade associations are hurting, lobbying firms appear to be winning new clients as an active new president and Congress try to reshape government."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Former House of Representatives General Counsel Predicts New FEC Lobbyist Bundling Reporting Rules Will Have Little Impact
In an op-ed in The Hill, Thomas Spulak writes, "Lobbyists who fundraise for lawmakers have found themselves under new regulation, but while the headlines portend significant changes in the manner in which lobbyists conduct their trade, in practice, it should have little impact."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Wash. Times: Democrats dine with lobbyists, donors; Members of Congress reject Obama's rules, ride rising tide of power
The Washington Times reports that "House leaders are set to dine Monday night inside the home of two lobbyists with donors who are paying $5,000 or more apiece to attend. The proceeds from the fundraiser at the $1.4 million Woodley Park home of a powerhouse lobbying couple - Heather and Tony Podesta - will go to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 09, 2009
More Abramoff Fallout
From the Anchorage Daily News: "A second former high-level committee aide to Rep. Don Young was accused Friday of violating federal anti-corruption laws in the long-running Abramoff lobbying scandal. A three-count indictment charged Fraser Verrusio, policy director for the House Transportation Committee when Young was chairman of the panel, with conspiracy, accepting an illegal gratuity in the form of an all-expense paid World Series weekend in New York, and failing to report the gift."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, March 06, 2009
The Hill: Lobbyists slipping into Obama administration
From The Hill: "Several former lobbyists are scattered throughout the Obama administration, despite the president’s efforts to slow the revolving door. A review by The Hill of staff announcements for the White House and other departments in the administration found about two dozen people who have registered to lobby in the past, some as late as last year, according to lobbying disclosure records."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Politico: House turns back call for PMA probe
From Politico: "The House on Thursday night turned back another call to investigate the PMA Group, a once-powerful lobbying firm whose offices were recently raided by the FBI and which has close ties to Pennsylvania Rep. John P. Murtha (D). Twenty-one Democrats, including nine freshmen, voted to proceed with debate on the measure offered by Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake (R) calling for an investigation of the lobbying firm."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Washington Times: Sen. Hatch's secret drug firm links; Drugmaker money to Utah senator's charity escaped disclosure
The Washington Times reports this morning, "The pharmaceutical industry that long has benefited from Sen. Orrin G. Hatch´s legislative efforts has directed large sums of money to a charity he helped found - and still raises money for - while also hiring the Republican lawmaker's son as a lobbyist."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, March 02, 2009
CQ Politics: You Too Can Have a Personal Lobbyist
CQ Politics reports on individuals who hire their own lobbyists: "In the 10 years since lobbying records became publicly available, nearly 100 individuals have spent a total of nearly $17 million on their own lobbyists. The number is rising: In 2005 individuals reported spending $1.9 million on lobbyists, and by last year the total had grown to $4.5 million — which still barely registers beside the $3.3 billion spent in 2008 by corporations and other groups."
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
NYT: Liberal Groups Are Flexing New Muscle in Lobby Wars
From the New York Times: "The rush of activity, particularly as it relates to health care, is illuminating a realignment of interests and a shift in the public debate, with liberal interest groups rising up to run vigorous — and expensive — campaigns in support of Mr. Obama’s agenda in a way they did not for the Clinton White House. And they have brought to their side some unexpected corporate support."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
NYT: Bloggers and Unions Join Forces to Push Democrats to Left
From the New York Times: "A group of liberal bloggers said it was teaming up with organized labor and MoveOn.org to form a political action committee that would seek to push the Democratic Party further to the left."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Update: Rep. Flake's Earmark Resolution Tabled
From The Hill: "Democratic leaders were successful in tabling Flake’s measure, essentially killing the bill that would have forced the ethics committee to scrutinize the link between earmarks and campaign cash and report back to the full body in two months."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
CQ Politics: House to Vote on Earmark Ethics Probe as PMA Clients Show up in Omnibus
CQ Politics reports that "the House will vote as early as Tuesday on whether to start an ethics investigation into the relationship between earmarks and campaign contributions."
Click here to read the entire post.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
WP: Abramoff Scandal Yields More Charges
From the Washington Post: "A former legislative aide to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) was accused yesterday of accepting more than $25,000 worth of meals and event tickets from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for helping his clients."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More on Murtha
CQ Politics: Firm with Murtha Ties Got Earmarks From Nearly One-Fourth of House. ("More than 100 House members secured earmarks in a major spending bill for clients of a single lobbying firm — The PMA Group — known for its close ties to John P. Murtha, the congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.")
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Pres. Obama's Executive Order on Administration Appointee Ethics Revised
The Office of Government Ethics issued a memorandum on February 11, 2009, that revises portions of the lobbyist gift ban contained in President Obama's Executive Order requiring Administration appointees to sign an "ethics pledge."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
FEC Rule on Reporting Contributions Bundled By Lobbyists
The FEC's new rule on reporting contributions bundled by lobbyists, registrants, and the PACs of lobbyists and registrants was published in today's Federal Register.
Click here to read the entire post.
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