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House issues 2008 Ethics Manual.

This Month: Michael Berman of the Duberstein Group on how lobbying has and has not changed

Quotable Quotes

"Let's say the president of a lobbying firm went insane and decided to devote his life to the welfare of mankind instead of the accumulation of unconscionable wealth, and that he died in a tragic helicopter accident while trying to ferry food and medicine to starving Third World countries. From an ethical standpoint, how soon after his death would a competing lobbying firm have to wait before trying to steal his clients?"

Gene Weingarten, Washington Post,
asked of Thomas Susman, Ethics Chair
of the American League of Lobbyists

New Guidance" From Senate Ethics on Gifts -- One Less Cup of Coffee?
2.12.2008

In brief:

The Senate Ethics Committee has released new guidance on its interpretation of the gift rules that helps clarify their application to one-on-one interactions with Senators and staff.

Since 1995, the Senate gift rules have had many exceptions. Last year's lobbying reform law didn't change them -- except to add a new one allowing Senators and staff to attend "small constituent events." But the new law's absolute ban on gifts from lobbyists has shone a harsh spotlight on these longstanding exceptions. Before, a lobbyist could buy a Senate staffer a cup of coffee, and have little fear of breaking any rule. Even if the coffee were a "gift," there was a $49.99 limit on such gifts. Now, however, lobbyists cannot provide a gift of any value to a Senator or staffer. Moreover, lobbyists must now certify to the government that they have made no gifts while knowing that they would violate the rules.

Recent Postings

Convention-al Wisdom, Part II
2.6.2008

The Senate Ethics Committee has released its guidance interpreting HLOGA's new restrictions on Member participation at events at the national party conventions

Senate, House Diverge in Advice on Convention Events

The new lobbying reform law contains several provisions common to the House and Senate, but written differently for each chamber. Among these are the restrictions on lobbyist-paid convention events that honor Members.

At first blush, the House and Senate rules seem very much alike. Both apply "during the dates" on which the Member's own party holds its convention, when the Member seeks to "participate in an event honoring that Member." Both prohibit participation when the "event is directly paid for by a registered lobbyist," or by "a private entity that retains or employs such a registered lobbyist." The only apparent, substantive difference between the rules seems to be the scope of the exemption for Members who seek national office. In the House, the rule exempts all Members honored in their capacity as a presidential or vice presidential candidate -- even if their campaigns were not successful. But the Senate rule exempts only presumptive nominees.