Lobbying restrictions are ineffectual, critics say

[RedEarth]

When he was fighting to keep his Senate seat last year, Montana Republican Conrad Burns proposed a commission to study whether to extend the one-year "cooling-off period" before former lawmakers can lobby their old colleagues.

"Congress is not for sale," Burns declared in a news release last year.

After his defeat in November, Burns joined a lobbying firm as an adviser to clients.

Critics of the connection between Capitol Hill and lobbying firms say Burns' case shows the shortcomings of the rules. Although former lawmakers cannot lobby members of Congress or their staff, they can lobby executive branch officials and direct a firm's congressional lobbying efforts.

"It's a completely ineffectual restriction on the revolving door," said Craig Holman of the left-leaning watchdog group Public Citizen, which found that 18 members of Congress who left office in 2004 had lobbying jobs by July 2005.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070222/a_revolveside22.art.htm

[magellan]

1. The CURRENT lobbying restrictions are ineffectual

We need more than bandaids to fix this sucking chest wound. Unfortunately stronger legislation goes against the interests of too many in government; they'll never close the door on their future ability to hold lucrative jobs as lobbyists.

[Kagemusha]

2. Burns is a flaming hypocrite though

If I wanted a reflection of the system he's not the first I'd go to just because he proposed that commission study.. because it was a cynical CYA move..

[Sammy Pepys]

3. "Former lawmakers are valuable to lobbying firms because of their inside knowledge and contacts."

That's an understatement if there ever was one.

The reality is that there is a huge two-way market not only for former members but also former staff in the lobbying business. Former members and staff will likely make a good deal more over time in a lobbying firm than they ever made on the Hill, and firms with major names on their rosters get major contracts/retainers from clients looking for representation.

[brentspeak]

4. Burns almost had the people of Montana fooled, but not quite.

Montanans can feel better about themselves today, knowing they made the right decision by electing Jon Tester.