Government Information » Lobbying

Political Intelligence: Financial Market Value of Government Information Hinges on Materiality and Timing

alan zoellner — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:24:36 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653532.pdf

The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 defines political intelligence. This report reviews the legal and ethical issues that might apply to the sale of political intelligence, the effect such sales might have on financial markets, and the potential effects of imposing disclosure requirements on such activities. From the Government Accountability Office

2012 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Lobbyists’ Compliance with Disclosure Requirements

alan zoellner — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:45:22 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653471.pdf

Latest regular report on lobbyist compliance with federal disclosure rules. Finds that about 6% of reports omitted one or more reportable political contributions that were documented in the Federal Election Commission database. From the Government Accountability Office

Lobbying Registration and Disclosure: The Role of the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate

alan zoellner — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:09:22 +0000

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34377.pdf

Explains the role of certain Congressional officers in implementing lobbying registration and disclosure requirements mandated by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. Also summarizes the guidance documents they have issued. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

How Countrywide Used Its VIP Loan Program to Influence Washington Policymakers

alan zoellner — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:33:37 +0000

http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Countrywide-112th-Report-7.3.12-1207-PM.pdf

Reveals how a failed bank offered favored deals to Washington mortgage officials in exchange for influence on Capital Hill. From the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

2011 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Lobbyists’ Compliance with Disclosure Requirements

alan zoellner — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:42:04 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/589804.pdf

Latest annual report on compliance by lobbyists with disclosure requirements and quality of enforcement of lobbyist disclosure legislation. From the Government Accountability Office

Ethics.Data.gov

alan zoellner — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:29:45 +0000

http://explore.data.gov/ethics/

Provides access to records on campaign finance, lobbying, visitors to White House, and government travel reports. From the White House

Lobbying

alan zoellner — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:50:39 +0000

http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN04633

Describes legislation advancing through Parliament that would create a register of lobbying activity and tighten regulations of lobbyists in Great Britain. From the House of Commons Library

2010 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Lobbyists’ Compliance with Disclosure Requirements

alan zoellner — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:45:49 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11452.pdf

The 4^th annual report on lobbyist compliance with disclosure requirements. Also covers any challenges that lobbyists report to compliance and the effectiveness of enforcement of the requirements. From the Government Accountability Office

Former Federal Trade Officials: Laws on Postemployment Activities, Foreign Representation, and Lobbying

alan zoellner — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:28:12 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10766.pdf

Provides information on laws that place restrictions on the activities of former federal officials or create disclosure obligations. The focus is on officials engaged in foreign trade positions. From the Government Accountability Office.

Federal Lobbying Climbs in 2009 …

alan zoellner — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:47:48 +0000

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/02/federal-lobbying-soars-in-2009.html

Reports that federal lobbyists spent more than $3.47 billion last year to influence lawmakers, with the pharmaceutical and health products industry leading with spending of $266 million, the greatest amount ever spent on lobbying by a single industry for one year. Report from a private organization using federal data. From the Center for Responsive Politics.

Lobbying the Executive Branch: Current Practices and Options for Change

Administrator — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:14:00 +0000

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40947_20091201.pdf

Discusses the development of registration requirements for lobbyists engaging executive branch officials since 1995 and summarizes steps taken by the Obama Administration to to limit and monitor lobbying of the executive branch, including restrictions on lobbying for economic recovery funds. Also discusses criticism of current lobbying policies and offers options for revision of lobbying laws and practices. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

Why We Bar Lobbyists from Agency Advisory Boards and Commissions

Administrator — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:47:00 +0000

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Why-We-Bar-Lobbyists-from-Agency-Advisory-Boards-and-Commissions/

Blog entry which explains administration reasons for barring federally-registered lobbyists from serving on executive branch advisory boards and commissions. Includes links to letter of protest to policy from lobbyists and the administration response to their letter. From the White House.

Number of Federal PACs Increases

Administrator — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:07:00 +0000

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2009/20090309PACcount.shtml

Press release which reports that the number of federally registered political action committees increased by 9% from 4,234 on January 1, 2008 to 4,611 on January 1, 2009. Provides counts of PACs by type of sponsor since 1974. From the Federal Election Commission.

Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall

Administrator — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:22:00 +0000

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/36/36i.pdf

First volume of first report since 1991 on the influence of lobbyists on the British government, the lack of transparency, and the need for improved regulation. From the Public Administration Select Committee

Executive Order, Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel

Administrator — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:20:00 +0000

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments/

Text of executive order providing for a two year revolving door ban and other restrictions on lobbying of former agencies or clients by executive branch employees who leave government service. From the White House.

Political Activities of Private Recipients of Federal Grants or Contracts

Administrator — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:47:00 +0000

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34725.pdf

Discusses the permissible political activities in which organizations, associations, or businesses may engage if such entities receive federal funds through a grant or contract. Covers lobbying, election campaign, and voter registration activities. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Jack Abramoff’s Contacts with White House Officials

Administrator — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:24:00 +0000

http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20080609101725.pdf

Follows a September 2006 report on contacts between jailed lobbyist Abramoff and White House officials. This proposed report claims that Abramoff and his associates had contacts with administration officials and influenced some decisions. From the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Presidential Transition Guide to Federal Human Resources Management

Administrator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:37:00 +0000

http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/Attachments/trans1300.pdf

Covers sensitive and ethical personnel matters when presidential administrations come to an end such as guidance on contacts with lobbyists, seeking work outside the federal government, post-employment restrictions, and the protection of federal records from unauthorized removal. Also covers merit system principles, the senior executive service and federal benefits for new political appointees. From the Office of Personnel Management.

Acceptance of Gifts by Members and Employees of the House of Representatives Under New Ethics Rules

Administrator — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:28:00 +0000

http://opencrs.cdt.org/rpts/RS22566_20070109.pdf

Explains the new rules regarding acceptance of gifts and other favors from lobbyists by members of the House of Representatives. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

Investigation of Jack Abramoff’s Use of Tax-Exempt Organizations: Minority Staff Report

Administrator — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:31:00 +0000

http://finance.senate.gov/library/prints/index.cfm?PageNum_rs=1

Examines how Jack Abramoff used several charitable, tax-exempt organizations which received contributions arranged by the lobbyist and then undertook actions on behalf of his clients. Includes profiles of the organizations that were used by Abramoff to carry out his schemes. From the Senate Finance Committee Minority Staff.

Abramoff Report: House Committee on Government Reform

Administrator — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:26:00 +0000

http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/abramoff/docs/abramoff.pdf

Details the nature and extent of lobbying of White House officials by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates. Covers three years of billing records and emails that offer a glimpse into a subculture of fraud and influence peddling. From the House Committee on Government Reform.

Gimme Five: Investigation of Tribal Lobbying Matters: Final Report

Administrator — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:58:00 +0000

http://www.indian.senate.gov/public/_files/Report.pdf

Lengthy report following two years of investigation and hearings on the lobbying activities of Jack Abramoff and others which cost various Indian tribes an estimated $80 million. From the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Lobbying and Related Reform Proposals: Consideration of Selected Measures, 109th Congress

Administrator — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 15:11:00 +0000

http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/62836.pdf

Tracks committee consideration of three particular reform proposals making their way through the 109th Congress in the wake of the Abramoff and Cunningham scandals. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the State Department.

Congressional Gifts and Travel, Legislative Proposals for the 109th Congress

Administrator — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 15:28:00 +0000

http://opencrs.cdt.org/rpts/RS22317_20051108.pdf

With press accounts of scandal involving members of Congress and gifts from lobbyists, this study looks at proposals for reform before the 109th Congress. From the Congressional Research Service via Open CRS.org.