Thread: Lobbyists Clamor to Lift Ban on Stimulus Work

Lobbyists Clamor to Lift Ban on Stimulus Work
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 3:18 PM

WASHINGTON -- Lobbyists and two public interest groups asked the White House Tuesday to rescind its ban on lobbyists discussing stimulus package projects with Obama administration officials, saying it violated free speech and would still allow access for others seeking money from the measure.

As a middle ground, the groups suggested requiring the posting of information describing all such contacts with government officials — not just those involving lobbyists — on the Internet.

"Banning lobbyists from engaging in oral communications, but not bank vice presidents, corporate directors, and others who might seek to influence decision makers is unlikely to result in any real public benefit," opponents of the prohibitions wrote in a letter to White House counsel Gregory Craig.

In a memo to federal agencies March 20, President Barack Obama barred registered lobbyists from speaking to government officials about specific projects they are seeking in the $787 billion economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. They may submit written statements, which agencies are to post publicly online.

The rules will prevent special interests from grabbing stimulus funds and make the process more transparent, Obama said in his memo.

By singling out lobbyists, "The administration is responding to the popular political idea that lobbyists are the bad guys, rather than special interests," Caroline Fredrickson, who heads the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington lobbying office, said in a conference call with reporters.

"This isn't how a democracy works, it's how a totalitarian government works," Dave Wenhold, president of the American League of Lobbyists, said during the call.

The ACLU joined the lobbyists' group and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which favors greater government accountability, in the letter to the White House.

The White House did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the groups' letter.

http://www.newsmax.com/politics/stimulu ... 98014.html

By singling out lobbyists, "The administration is responding to the popular political idea that lobbyists are the bad guys, rather than special interests," Caroline Fredrickson, who heads the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington lobbying office, said in a conference call with reporters.

Um, no, it will take care of both special interests AND lobbyists...

The ACLU, whaddya expect? I find banning lobbyist from trying to influence the administration on matters of money a wise move, actually a breath of sanity. Special interests (from all over the world) have been stuffing legislation probably as long as this country has existed. Needless to say the voice of the American people has been silenced, overrun by the big boys. And it is beginning to look like we will not get our voice back very soon, if ever.