Thursday, January 12, 2006
Republicans Rushing to Enact Lobbying Reform Rules
Republicans caught up in the Jack Abramoff / Tom DeLay scandals are falling all over themselves to put together a "reform" package they can pass as soon as possible. They want to declare "Problem Solved" well before the November elections.
One of the current proposals is to ban lobbyist-funded trips -- the kind DeLay loves so much. Another would require lobbyists to disclose all campaign contributions. (Technically, campaign contributions are public, but it takes lots of work to put the pieces together.)
Most of us on the corporate lobbying side are not as caught up in the Abramoff / DeLay fundraising scandals. The contract lobbyists -- the lobbying firms -- have much greater exposure, since they depend much more on fundraising as a means of access.
Lobbyists inside the Beltway are going through a difficult time now, and the new "reform" measures -- if and when enacted -- may change the way things are done.
Let's hope.
One of the current proposals is to ban lobbyist-funded trips -- the kind DeLay loves so much. Another would require lobbyists to disclose all campaign contributions. (Technically, campaign contributions are public, but it takes lots of work to put the pieces together.)
Most of us on the corporate lobbying side are not as caught up in the Abramoff / DeLay fundraising scandals. The contract lobbyists -- the lobbying firms -- have much greater exposure, since they depend much more on fundraising as a means of access.
Lobbyists inside the Beltway are going through a difficult time now, and the new "reform" measures -- if and when enacted -- may change the way things are done.
Let's hope.
