Ocasio-Cortez, Cruz Lobbying Ban Faces Tough Hurdles
Public Policy and Regulation Attorney Rich Gold talked to The Hill on the current challenges Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ted Cruz are facing from their efforts to create a lifetime-ban on former lawmakers from becoming lobbyists. Majority of lobbyists and K-Street watchers are very skeptical if this ban will be passed in court, considering it is very common for lawmakers to register as lobbyists. According to Mr. Gold, banning lawmakers from registering as lobbyists would be very ineffective since most lawmakers help influence the world and are not registered.
Mr. Gold states, “Fundamentally, you have a First Amendment problem. You’re banning a class of people from petitioning lawmakers. Even if it passes muster, is that really a trend that you want to start? It just seems the opposite direction of where we would want to push for transparency.”
“If you look around town, I’m going to guess close to half of former members who are in advocacy roles are not registered. You would have to see significantly ramped up enforcement for a ban to really bite,” said Mr. Gold.