Easing rules for lobbyists on stimulus projects
Instead of requiring lobbyists to communicate with government officials in writing, the administration's new rules will let them lobby for their projects at cocktail parties.
President Obama, who promised transparency and to shun the influence of Washington lobbyists, is easing the rules for lobbyists looking to secure funding for their projects in the $787 billion stimulus package.
From The Hill:
In a significant change, the Obama administration will now allow lobbyists to meet and have telephonic discussions with government officials regarding economic recovery projects.
The lifting of the ban comes after K Street has cried foul for months and has challenged the White House on its restrictions.
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.
… Lobbyists can make their cases — and agency officials can listen to them — at “widely attended gatherings.” Government officials have to ask whether the person they are talking to at such events is a federally registered lobbyist speaking on behalf of a client.
So lobbyists can avoid the more-strict rules by bombarding government officials at D.C. cocktail parties. Asking your new acquaintance if they’re a registered lobbyists would certainly put a damper on the evening.
