Obamas new lobbying ethics reform : a polemic in Washington

Abstract EN

When Barrack Obama took office in 2009, he issued an executive order to stop the influence special interests have had in government and to close the revolving door between government service and financial rewards in the private sector.

It’s no surprise Obama has taken a serious view of the issue.

As a senator, Obama championed ethics and transparency.

The issue led to the signature of legislative accomplishments of his short Senate career- the 2007 ethics bill and a government-spending database he helped create with Senator Tom Coburn.

Watchdog groups that had clashed with the Bush administration previously, have cheered many of Obama’s moves at that time.

One aspect of the Obama order as president puts limits on lobbyists serving in government.

These limits appear to be having unintended consequences for employees of organizations, especially those registered as lobbyists and working in the public interest.