SLOWING THE REVOLVING DOOR

Currently, opportunities for abuse are magnified by the blurring of the line between lobbying and writing legislation. In recent years, lobbyists have reportedly written parts of major legislation, such as the Energy, Corporate Tax and Medicare Prescription Drug bills. It is no coincidence that each of these bills benefited the special interests to the detriment of ordinary Americans.

As more Members of Congress, Administration officials and senior staffers move directly from government to lobbying firms, lobbyists have gained nearly unfettered influence over the legislative process. For example, more than 270 former members of Congress have registered as lobbyists after leaving office. This “revolving door” fosters cynicism and can create conflicts of interest. Too often we have read stories about a member of Congress drafting legislation to regulate a field in which he or she plans to work as a lobbyist immediately after leaving the House. Similarly, there have been far too many instances of Administration officials and senior staffers shuttling back and forth between jobs on K Street and Capitol Hill, with little regard for the effect on fair representation and governance. In order to address these and other problems, the Special Interest Lobbying and Ethics Accountability Act:

• Doubles the current one-year waiting period for members, senior staff, and senior executive personnel lobbying Congress to two years.
• Requires the establishment of uniform regulations regarding the standards by which waivers on seeking employment by executive branch officials are granted. Requires the Executive branch to publish waivers that have been granted within 3 business days.
• Requires Members of Congress to disclose publicly their intent to seek outside employment if a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest exists, within 3 days.
• Amends the House’s Code of Official Conduct to affirm that no Member or House employee may take or withhold any official action on the basis of partisan affiliation or the campaign contributions or support of any person or the prospect of personal gain either for oneself or any other person, or to threaten punitive action on the basis of any such consideration.