Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Lobbyists See Advisory Roles Clipped by New Obama Rule

Feds aim to cut special-interest access; K Streeters demur

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 26, 2009 11:06 PM CST

(Newser) – An Obama administration rule taking effect over the next few months will take potentially thousands of those oh-so-evil Washington lobbyists off panels advising federal officials on everything from consumer protection to environmental policy. The panels’ web is so tangled, the Post reports, that the feds aren’t even sure how many there are. One recent estimate has 1,000 panels with 13,000 members—of whom the capital’s 60,000 lobbyists make a sizeable fraction.

“Some folks have developed a comfortable Beltway perch sitting on these boards while at the same time working as lobbyists to influence the government,” says the White House ethics counsel. “That is just the kind of special-interest access that the president objects to.” Counters one lobbyist who chairs a trade board and, as expected, is among many up in arms over the new rules: “It’s a whole different and specialized world. It is not easily obtained knowledge, and they are crippling themselves terribly by ruling out all registered lobbyists.”

Washington's lobbyists could be spending more time in their K Street offices under the new rule.
Washington's lobbyists could be spending more time in their K Street offices under the new rule.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The White House.
The White House.   (Wikimedia Commons)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
SilenceDogood
Nov 27, 2009 12:35 PM CST
The stranglehold is not just big business you moron, it’s the teachers unions, it the UAW, it’s the IBEW, it’s the Teamsters, it’s the NEA, the SEIU, the UFCW and a plethora of special interest groups.
cochiserocks
Nov 27, 2009 10:59 AM CST
“It’s a whole different and specialized world. It is not easily obtained knowledge, and they are crippling themselves terribly by ruling out all registered lobbyists.” ha ha ha ha ha ha - Like they were anything other than a bunch of ignorant spin doctors with wikipedia on speed dial!
Snowleopard
Nov 27, 2009 8:27 AM CST
this is what obama was elected for! awesome.

More Newser Stories

Thousands Ditch Congress for Lobbying Firms: Study

Obama Aides Take Lobbyist Meetings Across Street

America Is Governable— Just Not by This Man

Health Reform Hit Partisan 'Buzz Saw': Obama

How Obama Screwed Up


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne