• Background: 2006 Jack Abramoff lobbyist scandal
• Country Comparison: Europe has tough restrictions
• Recent Developments: State law, 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act

Background

• Lobbyists represent special interests and use a variety of tactics to influence public policy. Politicians have a lot to gain from lobbyists. They main financial contributors in campaigns, they provide lawmakers with useful information and rewards, and they offer jobs after life in the public sector.
• The 2006 Jack Abramoff scandal represents the problem with the practice of lobbying in the United States. Abramoff, who represented Indian tribes with gambling interests, became known for taking politicians on lavish golfing trip to Scotland in exchange for political favors. By the end of the trial, several congressmen and congressional aids were convicted.
• It is common practice for lobbyists to send send lawmakers, their aides and sometimes their spouses on hundreds of “fact-finding missions” a year. These "fact-finding missions" include airfare, use of corporate jets, hotels, meals and sometimes golf courses.
• U.S. law requires members of Congress and government aides to wait 1 year after leaving public service before entering lobbying positions, but approximately half of all congressmen go on to become lobbyists after leaving the public sector. Current rules impose a $50 limit on individual gifts to senators but there are numerous exceptions.

Country Comparison

• European countries have tough restrictions on the amount of private money that can be given to lawmakers.

Recent Legislation

• Since 2003, 24 states made lobby law changes. 16 states made substantive changes to existing regulations. These measures included: requiring more frequent filings, requiring reporting of lobbying on state contracts, requiring disclosure of executive branch lobbying, and banning contingency fees.
• Following the Abramoff scandal, the Republican congress introduced a failed bill that would make lobbying efforts more transparent.
• The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 requires that the names of sponsors of earmarks be disclosed openly and at an early stage. It is widely criticized for not doing enough. The bill was made law in September 2007.