News Items
July 29, 2009
“It took some doing, but it was worth it,” says Dave Wenhold, President of the American League of Lobbyists. At issue was a strict prohibition denying registered lobbyists from communicating with government officials regarding Recovery Act funds. The new guidance issued July 24, 2009 revises the policy that banned lobbyists from meetings and telephonic conversations with personnel in charge of projects. Lobbyists and others will be able to provide subject matter expertise to agency decision makers and assist them in making appropriate “merit based” decisions concerning stimulus projects. “Getting us back to the table and ensuring that we are treated equally has been the main goal for ALL,” acknowledges Wenhold.
Other groups who argued for this policy reversal included Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Although diverse in nature, the coalition partners’ objective of “fairness” was the common denominator and it prevailed.
To assist you with a better understanding of the latest OMB guidance regarding communications with registered lobbyists about Recovery Act funds, a summary prepared by the Wiley Rein law firm is attached. Also, the OMB guidance itself and attachments can be viewed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-24.pdf .