Posted on 05/31/2009 8:25:49 AM PDT by RaceBannon
Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules: New Limits on Special Interest Influence
Another update from Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, in the spirit of transparency as always:
I am writing with an update on the President’s March 20, 2009 Memorandum on Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds. Section 3 of the Memorandum required all oral communications between federally registered lobbyists and government officials concerning Recovery Act policy to be disclosed on the Internet; barred registered lobbyists from having oral communications with government officials about specific Recovery Act projects or applications and instead required those communications to be in writing; and also required those written communications to be posted on the Internet. That Memorandum instructed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review the initial 60 days of implementation of the stimulus lobbying restrictions, toXXevalXXuate the data, and to recommend modifications.
Following OMB’s review, the Administration has decided to make a number of changes to the rules that we think make them even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making.
First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program.
Second, we will focus the restriction on oral communications to target the scenario where concerns about merit-based decision-making are greatest –after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made. Once such applications are on file, the competition should be strictly on the merits. To that end, comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see.
Third, we will continue to require immediate internet disclosure of all other communications with registered lobbyists. If registered lobbyists have conversations or meetings before an application is filed, a form must be completed and posted to each agency’s website documenting the contact.
OMB will be consulting with agencies, outside experts and others about these principles and will publish detailed guidance, but we wanted to update interested parties on the outcome of the initial review. We consulted very broadly both within and outside of government (including as reflected in previous posts on the White House blog) and we are grateful to all those who participated in the process.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Update-on-Recovery-Act-Lobbying-Rules-New-Limits-on-Special-Interest-Influence/
Sorry, RB, I’m not seeing what you’re seeing. I admit I’m not a lawyer. Haven’t even played one on TV.
Never piloted Dr. Quest’s jet, either.
Restricting the First Amendment...what a surprise. /sarc
Posted under the full banner and glory of the White House.
Stimulus questions or comments for the government?
DON’T AKS, DON’T TELL!
Ping.
The Stimulus Package is meant to only stimulate marxism in this nation. It is a sham and a huge Ponzi Scheme itself, crafted by the very people that have brought on the economic woes we are now experiencing, and meant to make it worse as far as the free market and traditional American economics are concerned.
It is meant to empower marxist ideologs like yourself and is not worthy of one centilla of support...and I would to God that 150 million Americans would recognize it for what it is and next April 15 not pay one dime into the federal coffers so that your administration, which has sponsored thiws anti-American and anti-Free Market scheme can go absolutely and wholly bankrupt.
...and I will spread this message to everyone I know.
THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN HIS OWN WORDS
NOW WE KNOW WHAT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER DOES
OBAMA, THE STOCK MARKET, AND ENERGY
THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA'S UPBRINGING
Rush will have a field day with this!
Constituion? What Constitution? Glorious Leader's word is all you need.
in case you need it Sarcasm is now off.
Thanks. Now I see it.
If George Bush had tried this, the New York Times, the Washington Post would have fallen over themselves to try to be the first to publish communications resulting from contacts between registered lobbyists, unregistered lobbiests, and anyone else they could dig up who was in any way connected to “the process.”
And they would have had droves of liberal federal employees lining up at their front doors waiting to be the poster boy/girl for “Bush tears up the Constitution” stories out the wazoo. Whoever got persecuted would be the toast of every media outlet from here to Johannesburg.
I’m guessing that won’t be happening any time soon. The MSM will get right in line with this, like a team of sled dogs.
I am left wondering if "Talk Show" hosts would be considered people of influence and thus covered and restricted under this act?
Remember everything the leftists do is through the back door. (It's all supposed to be "good for us!" So shut up and obey your new father.)
Now, how did they phrase their scheme to close down talk radio?
Actually this may be it. But once Talk Radio is gone, then the rebellion will begin in earnest.
That’s what this is-a back door policy.
Man-I’m really beginning to hate Fridays.
He has now proven he is a dictator-in writing.
This is terrifying!
HotAir has it now too:
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/05/30/white-house-well-cut-off-criticism-of-porkulus/
Fine and good, but how about Executive Orders and bureaucratic regulations?
So do I. I rarely see a Sub Standard, much less read one.
But your's is good news, and we'll take what we can get.
This is so vague and open ended it could apply to anyone, talk show host, editors, internet communications and free assembly.
Just keep pushing obama.
Yeah, “non-registered” is purty darned vague.
I guess they affect only executive branch employees of the Federa Government and (maybe) contractors doing business with the Government.
Perhaps we all got drafted while we weren't looking. I'd believe anything, these days.
I live in Buffalo and don’t read the snooze anymore. I’ll have to scan the front page at the store to see if the Zero love fest is ending.
Obama Man don't need no steenkeeng Congress.
I had the TV on for a few minutes Friday evening. I noticed that the "Obama medallion" and "Obama Coffee-Table Book" and "Obama Special Edition Of Time Magazine" commercials are no longer there, at least in prime time.
no mention of the exec branch though
Ahhh good observation. I didn’t even think about that, I used to grab for the remote to switch channels and didn’t notice I haven’t done that in a while for one of those.
Freudian slip (aks) or the president actually speaking?
You're not paranoid if they really are out to get you.
This is a joke, it must be. Even the Kenyan’s minions would not do this - it is in direct violation of the First Amendment. Phuk Obama and all his bots.
DON'T NATIONALIZE ME!
Ping
Ah, but there’s the 2 hour NBC Inside the White House special coming up soon. Obama should get a po bump out of it from the snips I’ve seen.
I respectfully beg to differ. I see an anger boiling up in the hearts of so many "normal" Americans who, for the first time in their lives, are really getting angry about Obama and the fascist regime in Washington. I watched the civil rights and the anti-war movements and when the middle class finally figured out what was going on, things changed. Reagan was elected and communism was knocked back 30 years. The pendulum is swinging back...
Sorry to be so dark about it on Sunday morning, but what rebellion?
Trees can fall all they want in the forest, who'd hear, now the media is overtaken?
It’s hard to believe that this is for real, although it certainly seems to be legit.
He can’t possibly think he can stop average citizens from calling their Congress critters, gathering to protest vocally (at a Tea Party, for example), or even murmuring among themselves when in the presence of a government official, can he? Can he?
This should tick off even the leftists. But I guess black is thicker than freedom of speech these days.
The language is clear..."required all oral communications between federally registered lobbyists and government officials concerning Recovery Act policy to be disclosed on the Internet; barred registered lobbyists from having oral communications with government officials about specific Recovery Act projects or applications and instead required those communications to be in writing; and also required those written communications to be posted on the Internet."
"between federally registered lobbyists and government officials"
All this does is extend the requirement to non-registered lobbyists and other interested parties as it pertains to the bidding process.
To label this as an attack on free speech is just not accurate or honest.
Article VI should have prevented EOs, Pres. Directives, and bureaucratic regulations. The 0 wishes to silence talk radio and the people. He has made the first move. how will we respond?
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The stimulus is the worst POS to come down the pike since before 'Bammer polluted the universe with his existence.
We need a class action lawsuit against the Impostor in Chief.
I'M NOT YOUR B****, B****!!!!!!!
This stimulus is a complete sham and I for one wil continue to BTTT this and all other posts as well as to blow the whistle on this sorry, lazy miserable good for nothing pseudo president and his actions.
Scintilla; although you may have a point since it involves spend in the family fortune...
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