As leaders in Congress announced a series of hearings this June to tackle huge telecommunications issues with a focus on... View Article
Continue readingYou Spin Me Right Round
Congress doesn’t spin records, they spin in revolving doors. And those doors are spinning faster than ever, according to a... View Article
Continue readingWashington’s Revolving Door
The American News Project has a nice piece today on the revolving door problem in Congress, using as an example... View Article
Continue readingRep. Al Wynn Has A Conflict of Interest Writ Large
Rep. Al Wynn, who's announced he's taken a position with uber-lobbying firm Dickstein Shapiro, is going to have to watch his step to avoid any conflict of interest until he actually resigns in June.
A quick look at the firm's 2006 and 2007 client lists begs the question, what's can he possibly do in his remaining time that wouldn't be a conflict with one of the firm's clients? As The Washington Post wrote Sunday in an editorial titled "Mr. Wynn's Ignoble Exit," the reason for his early exit is clear, "M-O-N-E-Y." The Post said it best, "Don't let the revolving door hit you on the way out."
Continue readingWynn Tests New Transparency Laws
Lame duck Rep. Al Wynn, recently defeated in a Democratic primary, announced that he would be retiring from Congress early to take a lobbying job with the law firm Dickstein Shapiro this June. Unlike previous members who have announced their retirement through the revolving door Wynn will remain in Congress, with a fully negotiated and signed contract to work at the firm, until June, giving him unparralleled access for a newly minted lobbyist. Dickstein Shapiro has already released a press release announcing the hire. Unlike Wynn, Trent Lott, Richard Baker, and Billy Tauzin all retired quickly upon announcing their completed lobbying job negotiations. This poses serious conflict of interest questions for Wynn but also serves as a true test of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and its provisions governing member job negotiations (a provision already filled with loopholes). The Point of Order blog explains:
Continue readingThe Face of Corruption
Matt Stoller at Open Left reveals what the face of corruption looks like: an invitation to a fundraising dinner. (They better be standing while they eat.) It's truly amazing that Verizon has a Good Government Committee. That goes above and beyond all the necessary trappings of traditional Orwellian naming conventions.
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