Number 7: Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials
“No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.”
(from Obama’s Ethics Plan)
So much for Obama’s pledge to restrict former lobbyists from serving in his administration. His administration granted waivers to several former lobbyists, allowing them to serve. The American people deserve to be reminded that the Obama administration is not adhering to its promise to be open, transparent, and accountable.
Obama’s campaign proposals spelled out that former lobbyists would not be allowed to “work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years.” Obama even signed an executive order to that effect.
The only problem is that the order had a loophole — a “waiver” clause allowing former lobbyists to serve. That clause has been used several times, and in other cases, the administration has allowed former lobbyists to serve even without a waiver.
