June 22, 2012

Foreign Lobbying Ban Advances In The House Of Representatives

Foreign Lobbying Ban Advances In The House Of Representatives
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) wants to clamp down on U.S. government officials lobbying for foreign governments.

Earlier this year, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) introduced the Foreign Lobbying Reform Act, which would prohibit federal government officials such as Members of Congress from lobbying for foreign governments until ten years after they have left office.  “I am very serious about this,” said Wolf at the time. “It is not put in for just discussion purposes.”

Wolf has made good on his words as yesterday the ban was inserted into the markup of a 2013 Financial Services spending bill in the House of Representatives. “For those who hold such prominent positions in government service, we must set a high standard to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” said Wolf in a statement.

The American League of Lobbyists — lobbyists for lobbyists — was not pleased at the potential change. “We oppose any change which imposes additional restrictions on former members of Congress, ambassadors and others from representing certain foreign governments, no matter how reprehensible the leadership of those countries may be,” said its president Howard Marlowe.