Lobbyists United In Dismay Over Disclosure Rules; Professional Persuaders Vow to Fight

[maddezmom]

Source: Washington Post

By Elizabeth Williamson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 6, 2007; Page A21

The lobbying disclosure bill passed by the House last week hadn't been voted on yet when Kenneth Gross stood at the head of a block-long conference room in New York, supplying 148 lobbyists and lawyers with the new congressional definition of a friend.

"Friendships have been breaking out all over Washington, because they bring the gift limit up from zero to $250," Gross, an ethics lawyer at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, said he told the group.


The House ethics committee, he said, defines a lawmaker-lobbyist friendship as a long-term relationship featuring mutual gift-giving. The lobbyist must select gifts specially for that lawmaker, and not claim them as an expense or tax deduction.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/05/AR2007060501900.html

[blueworld]

1. I learn something new everyday

1. Lobbyists are prostitutes who quote Greek & intend to withhold dime sex from Congress?

2. Lobbyists are furious because they didn't get to write the lobbying reform legislation after years of golf & pizza?

3. If they want to influence Congress with the same power, why don't they spend all the swag on the district voters & bribe us to write & march for the legislation they want? We golf & eat pizza. Big babies. :rofl:

[msongs]

2. if lobbyists are the prostitutes, then democrats in congress are the tricks nt