Ethics Policy Expected to Push Lobbyists From Federal Advisory Panels

2 years ago

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The Obama administration's efforts to limit lobbyists' influence in Washington could force thousands of them from federal advisory panels, The Washington Post is reporting.

A new policy, announced quietly in the fall and now being phased in, prohibits lobbyists from holding seats on committees that advise federal agencies on trade rules, environmental regulations, consumer protections, and many of other government policies. Recent estimates put the total number of such committees at nearly 1,000, with membership of more than 60,000. Approximately 13,000 of the members are lobbyists.

"That is just the kind of special interest access that the president objects to," said White House ethics counsel Norm Eisen.

The Post reports that lobbyists and the businesses they represent object to being demonized, and warn that the policy will handicap federal regulators, who rely on the boards' technical advice and middleman role between government and industry.

Administration officials counter that criticism, however, saying that members of the business community can remain on the panels, provided they aren't lobbyists.

Tagged: daily guidance, DailyGuidance, ethics rules, EthicsRules, lobbyists, Norm Eisen, NormEisen

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