Sep 19, 2009

Skirting Disclosure Requirements

President Obama ordered that all agencies report each and every communication between any government agency and a lobbyist regarding expenditures under the economic stimulus bill. Despite this very explicit order, Social Security has reported no communications with any lobbyist regarding its very large expenditures under the economic stimulus bill. In fact, Pro Publica reports that almost no reports have been filed by any federal agency. How to explain this? Pro Publica reports that lobbyists are skirting the rules by assigning the lobbying to junior staffers and attorneys who are not registered lobbyists.

In my opinion, this ought to be stopped. President Obama should amend his order to require that reports be filed regardless of whether the contact is made by a registered lobbyist.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

33 years with SSA in various HQ positions including budget and never once had a communication by a lobbyist or heard of anyone who did. I might expect the political types might be approached by such, but career folks - well, it may have occurred but who knows. Most lobbying would in the past be about policies, not expenditures. You know, lawyers asking for fee rates to be upgraded, AARP meeting with the Commissioner, politician stuff. Salesmen, PR types have been knocking at the door for years but lobbyists. Not something anyone sees too often.

Suspect at least as far as SSA goes, there ain't much here, which is why it hasn't been reported.