Congressional leaders are actively exploring ways to continue the work of Congress as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold. Currently, Congress is not able to have live, in-person hearings, which are the primary tool for conducting oversight of both the private sector and the executive branch. With existing oversight investigations still underway—and the recent establishment
Fight Against Sexual Misconduct Bringing Regulations, Protections for Lobbyists
As sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and other misconduct have dominated national headlines, state capitols and lobbyists have not escaped scrutiny. Amidst a spate of allegations and member resignations, some state legislatures and ethics commissions are taking action. While a variety of measures are being considered, including tightening gift rules, it is apparent that lobbyists and
Revisions to the Department of Defense “Revolving Door” Rules
Buried in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an obscure, and quite significant, change to the post-employment restriction on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and uniformed personnel. This new provision could have a substantial impact on defense contractors and others who recruit DoD personnel to work on policy and procurement matters before
New Year, New Gift Rules for the Federal Executive Branch
Corporations, trade associations, and others who interact with federal executive branch employees should be aware of the Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) recent amendments to the executive branch gift rules, which go into effect on January 1, 2017. Seeking to encourage transparency and advance public confidence in the integrity of federal officials, OGE redefined some
“Market Value” to Events with No Entrance Fee Explained
What is the “market value” of a ticket to an event with no entrance fee? Event sponsors and executive branch employees have long struggled on the best way to estimate the market value of government employees attending free, especially invitation-only, events. Finally, we have an answer.
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued a legal
Despite House Ethics Rule Change, Privately Funded Travel Still Publicly Disclosed
National Journal reported today that the House Ethics Committee quietly scrapped “decades of precedent” requiring Members of the House of Representatives and certain senior staff to disclose privately funded travel on annual financial disclosure forms.
Despite this change, travel costs still must be disclosed. Under the current House travel rules, Members of the House and
Is Alabama’s Revolving Door Closing?
The Alabama Senate unanimously passed a bill to close Alabama’s revolving door last week. The legislation bars a legislator from lobbying either chamber of the Alabama legislature for two years. This bill closes a loophole in Alabama’s current statute, which only prohibits a former legislator from lobbying the chamber he served in.
The
Massachusetts Embraces McCutcheon
Less than twenty-four hours after the McCutcheon decision was issued, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF) announced that it will no longer enforce the state’s $12,500 aggregate limit on the amount that an individual may contribute to all candidates. But, no decision has been made about the $5,000 aggregate party limit. In
National Journal Focuses on Widely Used Exceptions to the Congressional Travel Rules
The influential Washington publication, National Journal, published this week a lengthy examination of two exceptions to the congressional travel rules. The exceptions have permitted Members of Congress to participate in extensive overseas travel, paid by outside interests and often organized by registered lobbyists, in spite of earlier reform efforts designed to restrict privately organized
Washington State Increases Contribution Limits, Tweaks Lobbying Disclosure
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission raised campaign contribution limits last week. Effective January 5, 2014, corporations, PACs, and individuals will be able to donate $950 per election to legislative candidates and $1,900 per election to gubernatorial and other statewide candidates. A primary and general election are considered separate elections for contribution limit purposes. A