At Least 130 Congressional Staffers Are Former Lobbyists, Study Finds

[Shallah Kali]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/03/02/at-least-130-congressional-staffers-are-former-lobbyists-study

Up to 130 of 990 congressional chiefs of staff and legislative directors are former lobbyists, and many of them worked a number of lobbying jobs before moving to Capitol Hill, according to a study out Wednesday.

Researchers for The Center for Responsive Politics and Remapping Debate found the majority of those staffers lobbied for corporations or trade organizations.

The ex-lobbyists work for Republicans and Democrats in about equal number.

CRP's executive director, Sheila Krumholz, said the relationships of Washington insiders who make the jump from representing special interests to working on behalf of the public's interest "deserve continued scrutiny."


http://www.remappingdebate.org/map-data-tool/revolving-door-ex-lobbyists-now-working-congress

[Wilms]

1. "work for Republicans and Democrats in about equal number"

Damn sad.

[Buzz Clik]

2. "Lobbyist" is a pretty broad term.

Universities, city governments, state governments often employ lobbyists in DC. And some Congressional staffers do nothing more than lick stamps.

The statistic is not nearly as alarming as it sounds.

[former9thward]

5. Sorry but former lobbyists are not licking stamps.

Actually no one is since that job has been automated. Menial jobs are given to interns and campaign volunteers. You seem to imply lobbyists for governments and universities are good as opposed to the rest. I would disagree.

[Buzz Clik]

6. I see. You actually wanted me to document the menial jobs that occur in Congressional offices.

"Licking stamps" was a metaphor. Not everything that happens in those offices involves cool stuff.

I made no implications about lobbyists for everyone. However, lumping all lobbyists together in any form or fashion is silly. Lobbying is legal and a necessary form of communication with those in Congress. Not all lobbyists are immoral, amoral, or go to DC with briefcases filled with unmarked bills (pun intended).

Have you actually known a lobbyist? Be honest.

[former9thward]

7. Yes I did when I worked for a state Department of Labor.

She seemed like a fine person but I really don't know how she handled herself when she was working in the legislature. I certainly agree with you that not all lobbyists are immoral or amoral for that matter. And I agree that many are need to explain information that those they represent are expert in. I don't like the back and forth from Congress/staff to lobbyist because it can lead to corruption.

[Cobalt-60]

9. I guess we'll need a lot of ammunition to do them all

It must be handy to have a bribe clerk right there in the office.

[Riftaxe]

3. Well at least they have been kept out of the White House

Oh...wait...Nevermind.

[Citizen Worker]

4. Up to 130 of 990 congressional chiefs of staff and legislative directors are former lobbyists. They

are stamp lickers or telephone receptionists.

[Doctor_J]

8. Congress is as corrupt as the old Kremlin

The American Experiment has failed.

[jtown1123]

10. It's really hard to get a job as a staffer as a former lobbyist.

Jumping from the private sector to the Hill is extremely rare. These spots pay next to nothing and are highly competitive. If lobbyists do move to the Hill, they do it because they really enjoy policy work. Many take 50% plus pay decreases to make the switch and I would wager a lot of these former lobbyists were not at the senior level.