Earlier this week Roll Call ($$) noted that formal guidance on lobbying for Recovery Act funding is still absent. Shortly after a post appeared on the White House blog on May 29, it was expected that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would soon release formal guidance. "The lack of a quicker follow-up by the OMB specifically spelling out the new rules means that federal agencies are still operating under the old rules, which forbid lobbyists from having conversations with federal officials about specific client projects."

"OMB spokesman Tom Gavin said in an e-mail late Tuesday, 'We expect to provide the official guidance before the end of the week. We've received substantial comments on the proposal and wanted to ensure that the direction given to departments and agencies is effective and appropriate,' the e-mail continued."