When Public Servants Become Self-Serving Lobbyists
A report titled Revolving Door released by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) brings to light some interesting facts about what former Bush cabinet members have been up to since resigning their positions with the Bush administration. The report, which was issued on January 12, 2009, sets forth the results of a six-month investigation conducted by CREW focusing on former Bush administration officers and cabinet members who now hold lucrative jobs in the companies they once regulated, as well as some holding jobs lobbying the federal government.
Generally, the report findings show:
17 former cabinet officials hold positions with a total of 119 companies.
17 former officials hold positions with 65 companies that lobby the federal government.
15 former officials hold positions with 40 companies that lobby those officials’ former agencies.
9 former cabinet members hold positions with 15 companies that began or resumed lobbying the former officials’ agencies after those officials joined the companies.
The most prodigious corporate advisor appears to be former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, who has worked for 42 different companies since leaving the Bush administration.
According to CREW’s Executive Director, Melanie Sloan, the investigation has shown that “most of these former Bush administration officials have cannily leveraged their time spent in the public sector. By using their government positions as springboards to new lucrative opportunities, they have successfully made a mint on the backs of American taxpayers. It may be legal, but it is certainly not honorable.”
Before going on to name names, CREW states in its Executive Summary that CREW relied on the Senate Open Public Records website for information on lobbying activities.
While the Revolving Door is an excellent start at calling out the Bush administration officials who have profited off their public service records, it must be mentioned that the list and the information contained in that report may only be scratching the surface of this problem.
According to two BNA Press Reports issued on January 14, 2008 “3,552 Possible LDA Violations Referred to DOJ But Few Cases Apparently Pursued,” and January 22, 2008, “U.S. Attorney Has 900 Unresolved Referrals of Possible Lobbying Violations, Official Says,” there has been little action taken against violators of the the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, which was enacted to attempt to maintain a degree of transparency in the activities of lobbyists whereby lobbyists are required to register with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.
Thus, while laws have been firmly enacted to track the activities of public servants who leave office to pursue lobbying jobs in the private sector, it appears once again that the right hand does not know what the left is doing and what should be prosecutable violations of the Act are left to linger while the lobbyists gain the upper hand in Washington.
Pork Barrel Spending
