![]() ![]() That means publicly financed elections, more & better paid congressional staff,” Fang said. “The best way to close the revolving door is to expand existing lobby disclosure law (see above) & radically strengthen the institution of Congress so lawmakers are less reliant on special interests. Auble seconded Fang’s worries that a blanket ban would have exploitable loopholes that could allow unregistered “shadow lobbying” to thrive, and argued more extensive transparency measures would need to be included. “Instead of a ban - Congress should expand enforcement powers to DOJ, the GAO and OCE to crack down on unregistered lobbying, tighten the definition of lobbyist per ABA suggestions, & have lobbyists wear name tags w/client list when they meet with lawmakers/staff,” tweeted Fang.ĭan Auble, a senior researcher with OpenSecrets, spoke to Vox about the importance of insider knowledge for lobbying firm’s success. The progressive journalist then proceeded to list actions he thought would be more effective in reducing corporate influence on public policy. “The only thing the ban accomplishes in Crowley’s case is that we don’t know his full client list,” Fang argued. Crowley evaded the year-long ban former lawmakers are supposed to honor after finishing their service by calling himself a “strategic consultant,” and now works for Squire Patton Boggs, DC’s largest lobbying firm. Very strong case that registered lobbying bans simply reduce transparency and little else,” Fang tweeted.įang used the prominent centrist Democrat Joe Crowley, who was defeated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in November, as an example. “Most lobbyists are unregistered and the ban don’t have any impact on the industry or influence peddling. The investigative journalist Lee Fang responded AOC’s tweet, arguing the proposed ban would only drive fewer lobbyists to formally register while still peddling influence in less transparent ways. But some experts believe an official lobbying ban would fail to change Washington’s revolving-door culture. ![]() In a time of intense political polarization, the twitter exchange appears to be a rare act of bipartisan good faith. Let’s make a deal,” Ocasio-Cortez responded. “If we can agree on a bill with no partisan snuck-in clauses, no poison pills, etc – just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists – then I’ll co-lead the bill with you.” Brian Schatz if you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down. Chip Roy (R-TX), joined in and offered to co-sponsor the lobbying ban, as well as progressive Sen. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?”Ĭruz’s former chief of staff, Rep. “Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. Cruz then tweeted an affirmative response to AOC: At minimum there should be a long wait period,” said the congresswoman. I don’t think it should be legal at all to become a corporate lobbyist if you’ve served in Congress. “If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around & leverage your service for a lobbyist check. In a surprise twitter exchange last Thursday, progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) appeared to find common ground with conservative senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).Īfter Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, released a report that showed nearly 60 percent of lawmakers who left office in 2018 went on to work as lobbyists, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted her disapproval. “Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists.” ![]()
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