Lobbying the Administration
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Transcript of Lobbying the Administration
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BIG BROTHER: LOBBYING THE ADMINISTRATION
Women in Government Relations 2009 PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference
Larry NortonWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC
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“I am in this race to tell corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.” – Barack Obama
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AM I LOBBYING?
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THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK
• Is the agency official a “covered executive branch official”?
• Is there an oral or written communication regarding the:
Formulation, modification or adoption of federal legislation Formulation, modification or adoption of a federal rule, regulation, or
executive order, or any program, policy or position of the U.S. government
Administration or execution of a federal program or policy?
• Does the communication fall within a recognized exception to a “lobbying contact”?
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WHO ARE COVERED EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS?
• President and Vice-President• Officer/Employee in Executive Office of
the President• Executive Schedule I-V• Uniformed Services above O-7• Confidential or Policy-Making Position
(Schedule C)
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KEY EXCEPTIONS
• Contacts regarding a law enforcement inquiry (specific cases involving particular parties)
• Contact required by subpoena, or otherwise compelled by statute or regulation
• Administrative requests - status inquiry, request for meeting
• Written comments in response to Federal Register notice; or on the record in a public proceeding; or in compliance with agency procedures regarding a formal adjudication
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HONEST LEADERSHIP & OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2007
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• Lobbyists can be held liable for violating Congressional gift and travel rules
• More disclosure, more often
• Sarbanes-Oxley type certification
• Random audits of LDA filings
• New FEC bundling rules
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TOUGHER SANCTIONS
• Violators can go to jail – 5 years
• Civil penalties up to $200,000
• Can be prosecuted for making false statements in lobbying reports or to GAO
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DAY ONE: NEW ETHICS PLEDGE
• Applies to F/T political appointees
• Restricts gifts from registered lobbyists and lobbyist-employers
• Eliminates $20/$50 exception and free attendance at widely-attended events
• Limited exceptions – refreshments, greeting cards, others
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RECOVERY ACT FUNDING
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OBAMA ADMINISTRATION POLICY
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• Anyone from outside government may communicate with agency about logistics
• Anyone from outside government may say anything at widely-attended gatherings
• No oral communication from anyone outside government following submission of formal application for competitive grant
• Oral communications by LDA-registered lobbyist, on behalf of client for whom he or she is registered, must be disclosed on agency website w/in 3 days
• Written communications by LDA-registered lobbyists are permitted at any time, but must be posted on agency website
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ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO RECOVERY ACT LOBBYING
• Exception to oral communication ban if communication by an elected chief executive of state or local government, or Presiding Officer or Majority Leader of state legislature
• OMB policy does not apply to contacts with members or staff of Congress
• No documentation and disclosure required for contacts by non-registered employees of a company or firm that employs lobbyists
• Grassroots lobbying – Not subject to OMB policy, but expenses may be reportable
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OMB POLICY DOES NOT OVERRIDE OTHER DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
• Communications with covered executive or legislative branch officials are subject to LDA reporting, and disclosure rules of agency
• Byrd Amendment – requires disclosure of communications by LDA-registered lobbyists on behalf of clients if related to federal contracts and grants (OMB Form LLL)
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LOBBYING FOR TARP FUNDS
• Modeled on OMB guidance, but significant differences
• Oral communication ban runs through “preliminary approval” of application
• Prohibits communications from Members of Congress
• No exception for communications from state/local officials
• Treasury must post written communications from applicants or their representatives (disclosure not limited to LDA lobbyists)
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RISK MANAGEMENT
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An effective and ongoing compliance program will greatly reduce the risk that your lobbying will create legal liability and undermine your objectives and reputation.
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. . . AND ENSURE THAT YOU SAIL THROUGH AN AUDIT
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BEST PRACTICES
Establish clear policies that are systematically provided to employees
Train employees to spot issues and raise questions Track lobbying expenses and reportable
disbursements Institute system for pre-approving contacts with
covered officials and covered expenses; and disbursements that may constitute gifts
Conduct legal review of LDA reports LD-203 – Survey and certify
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REVIEW LOBBYING REPORTS
• Senior Legal Officer or Outside Counsel
• Accuracy & Completeness
• Back-up Support• Avoid over- and under-
disclosure
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FINAL THOUGHTS ON COMPLIANCE
• The laws governing lobbying and other political activity have undergone dramatic change
• More change is coming
• Half-hearted attention to compliance can undermine the best work of your lobbying team
• An ounce of prevention . . . .19
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QUESTIONS?
Larry NortonWomble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice PLLC