2Day in #OpenGov 12/19/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

Here is the week’s first look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

Lobbying

  • The Volcker rule, part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law intended to block banks from the type of trading that triggered the 2008 financial crisis, has been the target of a massive lobbying campaign as well as heavy citizen input. (Roll Call $)
  • LightSquared, the wireless firm that the GOP claims benefited from its White House relationships, hired Patton Boggs, a leading lobbying firm. (The Hill)
  • A U.S. Chamber of Commerce staffer is heading to the hill to become Rep. Aaron Schock’s (R-IL) deputy chief of staff. Dave Natonski previously worked as the representative’s communications director before joining the Chamber. (National Journal)
Government
  • Starting January 1, the House of Representatives will make many of its legislative documents available online in open data format. (Tech President)
  • If the House stays in session through Wednesday the Judiciary Committee will resume its markup of SOPA. The markup has already stretched over two days, with opponents of the bill offering numerous amendments in hopes of changing provisions that they view as harmful to internet freedom. (The Hill)
  • Meanwhile, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) vowed to filibuster the PROTECT IP act, the Senate’s version of SOPA. (Politico)
Campaign Finance
  • Five major Democratic political groups are working to coordinate their strategies to raise as much money as possible in advance of the 2012 presidential election. The pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA and four other groups are hoping to target major Democratic donors that have, so far, stayed on the sidelines this year. (Politico)
Ethics
  • House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has pledged to push legislation suppressing congressional corruption next year. His proposal will expand on the STOCK Act, which would only explicitly ban insider trading by members of Congress. (Politico)
  • Four sitting members of Congress may have received discounted loans through a VIP program run by Countrywide Financial. The program was used to build relationships with government officials and other well positioned clients. (Politico)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/19-12/23:

House

  • None currently scheduled.
Senate
  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/19-12/23:
  • None.

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