According to a USA Today story, federal lobbying expenditures exceeded $3 billion in 2008: “The record $3.3 billion lobbying price tag is up from $2.9 billion in 2007 and is more than double what was spent four years ago, according to records compiled by the non-partisan CQ MoneyLine.”
That data (confirmed by the Center for Responsive Politics) begs the question: Is that dramatic increase linked to the rise in contract spending from approximately $200 billion in FY 2000 to over $530 billion in FY 2008? POGO has often used the term “politics of contracting” to explain the relationship among contract awards, lobbying, campaign spending, and the revolving door. Although difficult to prove, it’s assumed that “pay to play” politics and contracting are strongly rooted inside the D.C. Beltway.
Not to beat a dead horse, but protecting government decisions from influence peddlers is why POGO so strongly opposed the nomination of William Lynn, a former Raytheon lobbyist, to be the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Mr. Lynn might be an intelligent government reformer (we hope he is if confirmed by the Senate), but when people continually switch hats, reform is undermined. Appearances of impropriety can be as damaging as actual conflicts. Whether real or perceived, the public’s perception of those activities leads taxpayers to think the government is run by backroom deals and private interests.
Lobbyists surely have their place in being advocates for their company or clients, but a government run by them is a recipe for failure.
-- Scott Amey
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