Rolling back their “landmark” reforms
How did this
not get more attention?
With reporting deadlines looming, congressional officers have
issued revised guidelines that ease some of the lobbying disclosure
requirements enacted last year.The revised guidance, issued by the Clerk of the House and
Secretary of the Senate, relaxed the rules for disclosure
of lobbyist contributions to parties at this summer’s Democratic
and Republican national conventions, among other
changes.
So, just as the Democratic convention is getting
more and more behind in fundraising, they make it easier for
lobbyists for pay for the parties that they can’t afford to pay
for. How bad is it? From the
Wall Street Journal
Under the new guidelines, “it’s hard to envision any
event at the conventions that would trigger disclosure,”
said Kenneth Gross, an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom LLP who advises lobbyists on complying with ethics
rules. “This relieves lobbyists from tracking and reporting much
information about attending or paying for events involving public
officials, that would have been required before.”
Just remember this when you see all the promises. What I wonder
is where the outrage is.