Many Lobbyists Likely To Be Ejected From Federal Advisory Panels

Tennessean (Eggen) reported, "Hundreds, if not thousands, of lobbyists are likely to be ejected from federal advisory panels as part of a little-noticed initiative by the Obama administration to curb their influence in Washington, according to White House officials and lobbying experts." The new policy "may turn out to be the most far-reaching lobbying rule change so far from President Barack Obama." Under the policy, "none of the more than 13,000 lobbyists in Washington could hold a seat on the committees." But "lobbyists and many of the businesses they represent say they are being unfairly demonized by a White House intent on scoring political points with scandal-weary voters." The "panel on automotive equipment and capital goods, for example, stands to lose at least seven of its two dozen members, including lobbyists for the NAM and the auto supplier Delphi, when the committee is reconstituted early next year." Hat Tip: NAM