Lobbying

U.S. Lobbyists Bypass the Financial Crisis

by Bob Burton — November 1, 2009 - 6:19am

The global financial crisis has bypassed the U.S. lobbying industry. The Center for Responsive Politics reports that "the year-to-date total spent on lobbying now stands at $2.5 billion through the end of September, with that sum supporting 13,428 individual active lobbyists.

Main Source: 
Center for Responsive Politics, October 30, 2009

U.K. Government Backs Self-Regulation for Lobbyists

by Bob Burton — October 26, 2009 - 4:59am

The U.K. government has rejected a parliamentary committee's recommendation for the mandatory registration of lobbyists and the disclosure of their meetings with civil servants. The Cabinet Office dismissed the recommendation claiming that this “would involve collating a huge amount of information and divert significant resources within departments”. Nor did the Cabinet Office support the establishment of a mandatory register of lobbyists.

Main Source: 
Times Online, October 23, 2009

Rick Scott Urges Anti-Health Care Front Groups to Coordinate Their Attacks

by Anne Landman — October 23, 2009 - 3:32pm

Multimillionaire former hospital CEO Rick Scott, founder of the anti-health care reform group Conservatives for Patients Rights, last week distributed a memo to allied groups fighting health insurance reform to try and coordinate the groups' opposition to the so-called "public option." In the memo, Scott wrote that heal

Main Source: 
CNN Political Ticker, October 19, 2009

Armey's Anti-Poverty Campaign

by Bob Burton — October 20, 2009 - 6:08am

Dick Armey, who was the Republican Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives between 1995 to 2002, has been doing well for himself as the Chairman of FreedomWorks, a conservative lobby group. Meredith Simons reports that, according to the group's tax filings for 2008, Armey was paid $550,000. “I don't apologize for my paycheck. I'd like to think I'm worth it," he said.

Main Source: 
Houston Chronicle, October 17, 2009

Put out the FIRE on Capitol Hill with a Consumer Financial Protection Agency

by Mary Bottari — October 13, 2009 - 9:22am
  • Topics: Economy, Lobbying, Politics

    • October 14th, the Obama administration's principal piece of financial service reform legislation, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, will be up for committee consideration in the House Financial Services Committee. The most important thing to know about the bill? It creates a new federal agency in Washington whose sole purpose is to protect consumers from the deceptive tricks and traps of the financial services industry. The most important thing to know about the committee reviewing the bill? It's on FIRE.

    A New Deceptive Report from Big Insurance

    by Anne Landman — October 12, 2009 - 3:38pm

    After months of appearing to be cooperative while quietly working behind the scenes to influence health care reform, the health insurance industry has finally launched a wholesale attack against the Senate Finance Committee's health insurance reform legislation on the day before Committee members are set to vote on the plan.

    Main Source: 
    Washington Post, October 12, 2009

    When Big Insurance Rejoices, Something's Wrong

    by Wendell Potter — October 7, 2009 - 12:31am
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Health, Lobbying

    • If you had any doubt about who some Senators on the Senate Finance Committee really, truly care about, consider their recent votes. Just look at the votes against creating a public option to compete against private insurers. Then, consider the giddy response of the industry, according to an article in the trade press:

    "We are pleased by the rejection of both the Rockefeller and the Schumer amendments containing public plan options," says Tom Currey, president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Falls Church, Va.... America's Health Insurance Plans, Washington, is also welcoming committee rejection of the amendments. "The government-run plan is a roadblock to reform," AHIP spokesman Robert Zirkelbach says.... "[W]e are very pleased with this outcome," says Janet Trautwein, president of the National Association of Health Underwriters, Arlington, Va.

    Amy Goodman Interviews CMD's Wendell Potter

    by John Stauber — September 30, 2009 - 9:42am

    CMD's Wendell Potter has become a frequent guest on Democracy Now!. Host Amy Goodman interviewed him again on September 30th: "Efforts to create a government-run health insurance plan were dealt a setback Tuesday after the Senate Finance Committee rejected a pair of amendments to create a public option.

    Main Source: 
    Democracy Now, September 30, 2009
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