Is the Revolving Door Big Enough?: 400 Former House Staffers Registered to Lobby in Past 2 Years

[Report1212]

What happens when you leave your job on the Hill? You’re welcomed with open arms on K Street. At least, that was the case for nearly 400 former House staffers who left Congress to register as lobbyists from 2009 to 2011, according to a new Sunlight Foundation study. Sunlight’s Leo Drutman writes:

More than two in five former House staffers who registered as lobbyists went to one of Washington’s many lobbying firms. One in five went to lobby for a for-profit corporation, and another one in five went to lobby for a business or trade association. In other words, corporate America is capturing the lion’s share of former Hill staffers’ expertise. A large number also represent state and local governments and universities in their work for lobbying firms.

Read more: http://www.republicreport.org/2012/revolving-door-sunlight-lobby-house/

[raouldukelives]

1. The great American reach around

Brought to you by Wall St and 401k's everywhere. Selling off our freedom and our families futures for a quick buck.
Thank you investors for assuring the continuance of money trumping peace and the 1% controlling us all.
Hope it's at least a decent return for you. As for the rest of us, well, we'll manage somehow.
Anyone want to invest in a Wax Tree Museum?

[Report1212]

2. And these are the people who registered as lobbyists

Who knows how many "consultants" there are...

[jtown1123]

3. This isn't new or appalling

it's the way careers in D.C. work.

You work on the Hill for several years for shit wages in the hopes you will get a better paying job at a nonprofit, lobby firm, consulting group, etc.

Not all lobbyists are bad. There are lobbyists for the environment, health care, seniors, children, education, birth control access, etc. Every major nonprofit has headquarters here and hire lobbyists to push for good legislation. There is nothing untoward about people with an expertise in how Congress works seeking employment with firms who desire and want that expertise and access to contacts.

[Report1212]

4. So it isn't wrong to use your congressional ties to...

...for example push a bill that no one else has access to push? That isn't special favoring? Please do explain further. Also, it's worthwhile to note that do-gooder nonprofits don't capture the bulk of lobbying, because they don't pay as well as law firms, industry associations, etc. Your first point contradicts the second.