Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:00 PM

Eisen: Lobbyist Ban A Preventive Measure

Norman Eisen, White House special adviser on ethics and government reform, said it wasn't a scandal that drove the Obama administration to issue its latest restrictions on lobbyists -- they're trying to prevent one.

In September, the administration asked all federal agencies to replace lobbyists serving on federal boards and advisory panels with non-lobbyists as part of the president's ongoing efforts to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington.

"While we recognize the contributions some of those who will be affected have made to these committees, it is an indisputable fact that in recent years, lobbyists for major special interests have wielded extraordinary power in Washington DC, resulting in a national agenda too often skewed in favor of the interests that can afford their services," Eisen wrote on the White House blog on Oct. 21. "It is that problem that the President has promised to change, and this is a major step in implementing that change."

When National Journal asked Eisen if there as a particular situation where a scandal or problem of undue influence by lobbyists occurred at these federal boards and advisory panels, he said no and "we wanted to keep it that way."

That comment frustrates some on K Street who feel all lobbyists are being punished because of the actions of others.

"I thought we were a country based upon laws and people are innocent until proven guilty, but not when it comes to lobbyists," said David Wenhold, president of the American League of Lobbyists. He added: "We are all Jack Abramoff in Norm's eyes," in reference to now imprisoned former lobbyist Abramoff, whose illegal activities led to many new restrictions and disclosure rules aimed at lobbyists over the past few years.

The move to block lobbyists from federal panels affects many on K Street. Industry Trade Advisory Committees for example, which provide input to the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy, include at least 130 registered lobbyists. A group of lobbyists, ranging from Boeing to Harley-Davidson Motor Co. wrote a letter in protest of the move on Oct. 19 arguing that removing people from the panels just because they are lobbyists will "undermine the utility of the advisory committee process."

The White House responded here calling their argument "unconvincing." Eisen said that the committees will benefit from "an influx of business people, consumers and concerned Americans who can bring fresh perspectives" to government agencies.

Eisen talked more about the policy at an American Bar Association conference in DC last Thursday Oct. 22. Eisen said the ongoing restrictions aimed at lobbyists have been made with the goal of leveling the policy playing field in Washington which has become "distorted" by special interests who have money to hire lobbyists.