CRS Report on Lobbying Rules
Dec 9, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
Last week, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report asserting that the Obama administration's rules covering federally registered lobbyists have "already changed the relationship between lobbyists and covered executive branch officials." The report titled, "Lobbying and the Executive Branch: Current Practices and Options for Change," did not explain how those relationships have changed.
read in fullMany Agree Lobbying Policies May Not Actually Reduce Corruption
Dec 1, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
The most recent effort to curb lobbyists' influence, excluding registered lobbyists from federal advisory panels, continues to get press coverage since first announced in September. The Washington Post predicts that it, "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."
read in fullLawmakers Use Statements Written by Lobbyists, Is Congress Just Lazy?
Nov 17, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
The New York Times found that more than a dozen members of Congress used almost indistinguishable talking points on health care reform ghostwritten by lobbyists. Lobbyists representing a biotech firm drafted separate language for Democrats and for Republicans. "The lobbyists, employed by Genentech and by two Washington law firms, were remarkably successful in getting the statements printed in the Congressional Record under the names of different members of Congress."
read in fullFDA May Delay Oyster Rule after Industry Pressure
Nov 17, 2009 by Matthew Madia
In response to industry and political pressure, the Food and Drug Administration may be backing away from a regulation that would require oyster sellers to process oysters to kill Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that can sicken or kill those it infects. The regulation was supposed to take effect in 2011, but FDA may delay action while it further studies the issue.
read in fullFederal Lobbyists have Increasingly Terminated Their Registrations
Nov 3, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
OMB Watch and the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) have found that lobbyists have began terminating their formal registrations at significantly higher rates than usual. The OMB Watch-CRP press release states that there have been "1,418 
'deregistrations' of federally registered lobbyists during the second quarter of 2009, a marked increase for any reporting period during all of 2008 and 2009.
Administration Releases More Visitor Logs
Nov 2, 2009 by Roger Strother*
On Friday, the Obama administration released another set of visitor logs. The list of 110 White House guests was compiled from public requests and includes names such as Brad Pitt, Jesse Jackson, and several business leaders. This release is a positive step toward building a system of government transparency that is responsive to the public interest but we would still like to see the administration go further with this effort.
Hearing to Investigate Forged Letters
Oct 30, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming held a hearing on the fraudulent letters sent to Congress on clean energy and climate legislation. Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA) wanted to know why congressional offices were not notified until after the vote occurred, even though the existence of the fake letters was discovered beforehand. The letters were sent out by Bonner & Associates, a subcontractor hired by Hawthorn.
read in fullAdministration Defends Policies toward Lobbyists
Oct 23, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
On Oct. 19 the chairs for the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITAC) sent President Obama a letter expressing opposition to the announcement that registered lobbyists should be prohibited from serving on federal advisory boards. The group asked Obama to reconsider the guidance.
read in full"What's In a Name?"
Oct 22, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
Politico reports on the practice of former Members of Congress giving campaign contributions, and engaging in other perfectly legal advisory roles, and not in fact lobbying. The article focuses on two former Representatives, Bud Cramer (D-AL) and Jim McCrery (R-LA). They have both entered the private sector and plan on registering as lobbyists as soon as their cooling off period is complete, which bans them from directly lobbying former colleagues.
read in fullHearing on Forged Letter Scandal Postponed
Oct 16, 2009 by Amanda Adams*
The Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming scheduled a hearing to investigate the forged advocacy letters sent to members of Congress before the House considered legislation on clean energy. The hearing notice states it will address the specific events of the case and "the practice of Astroturf."
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