Given the outcry on K Street caused by President Obama's restrictions on lobbyist communications with executive branch officials on stimulus projects, I thought it worth a post on lobbyist support of the administration's decision to expand the restrictions to everyone.

From David Wenhold, president of the American League of Lobbyists:

"The American League of Lobbyists applaud the revisions to the White House's previous policy that limited lobbyists' communications on stimulus projects. In working with the WH, ALL, Citizens for Responsiblity and Ethics and the American Civil Liberties Union made suggestions about increasing transparency for all parties petitioning the government and not limiting access to one group of law abiding, compliant citizens who happen to have the job title of lobbyists. Increasing accountability for all parties is important and so is removing the restricting on lobbyists meetings because oftentimes the lobbyists are the subject matter experts and merit based decision making often relies on this expertise. ALL is proud to have represented and ensured that lobbyists voices have and will remain to be heard in these important discussions."