Lobbying Group Angered By Proposed Rules
September 27, 2011 by Sam Rolley
Proposed rules from the Administration of President Barack Obama that would no longer allow Federal employees to accept gifts of any value from companies that employ lobbyists have drawn criticism from the American League of Lobbyists.
The proposals will also prohibit government officials from receiving free admission to “widely attended” conferences where they brush shoulders with lobbyists from all matter of corporate and special interest groups, according to The Washington Post.
The lobbying organization issued a statement on Monday saying that the President’s proposals will result in a “dumbing down” of government.:
“Lobbyists and their employers have knowledge that Federal employees can use and they have knowledge that we want to tap. Federal workers develop policies and regulations that affect every aspect of our society. To prevent interaction of almost any kind between lobbyists and Federal employees is not in the public interest. It will result in the dumbing-down of government at a time when public trust is at an all-time low.”
Some exemptions to the rules exist, including those for gifts from journalists or friends and gifts in connection with some political work.
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