Lobbyists Annoyed With New Obama Regulations

2 years ago

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Washington Reporter

K Street is awash in anger over new regulations designed to limit influence peddling in Washington, CQ Politics reported Monday. The new policy, announced Sept. 23 by President Obama's "ethics czar," Norm Eisen, prevents federally registered lobbyists from serving on "agency advisory boards and commissions" -- private-sector advisory panels created in the 1970s to give input to the government on various issues. The regulations could decimate the ranks of lobbyists who have been serving on the panels, and who the Obama administration sees as special-interest agents with an unhealthy proximity to federal policy.

Government agencies seem to have acted on the administration's word quickly. Roll Call obtained a letter sent last week from the Commerce Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative saying that lobbyists currently serving on the panels would not be reappointed when they re-charter in 2010 and 2011.

Private-sector clients will now have to pass up registered lobbyists for others who qualify to serve on the panels, and the prospect of a mass exodus from the highly prized positions has not made certain lobbyists happy. "There is fury," said a lobbyist who sits on one of the committees. "Absolute fury."

Lobbyists Stew After Being Bounced From Boards [CQ Politics]

Filed Under: Obama Administration

Tagged: daily guidance, DailyGuidance, k street, KStreet, lobbyists

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