When Dirty Congressmen Become Dirty Lobbyists

Sleazy lobbyists like Lanny Davis, Michael Steele & Mike Ross are needed to make sure entitled mulimillionaires like Ann Romney can get reimbursed by the taxpayers for their expensive hobbies

You probably read about how two of Washington's biggest laughing stocks, ex-NRC Chairman and media clown Michael Steele and fake Democrat Lanny Davis have started a lobbying firm, Purple Nation Solutions. DC needs another one of those, right? They'll be advocating for... well, let's face it, for whatever they're paid to advocate for. They'd be perfect, for example, for self-entitled "aristocrats" like spoiled multimillionaire Ann Romney demanding that the taxpayers pick up the costs of her dressage horse. But there's another lobbying story bubbling up that's far more interesting than Lanny Davis, Michael Steele or Ann Romney's stinky relationship with Rafalca. Republic Reports has been pressuring Members of Congress who are retiring to make their plans to go into lobbying public while they're still in Congress.

With so many corrupt members retiring, particularly Blue Dogs like Heath Shuler (who has been tending to vote even more than previously for the interests of lobbying clients much more frequently than for the interests of the poor schnooks who voted for him back in NC-11), isn't it reasonable to demand that congressman be a little transparent about their unethical behavior? This week, investigate journalist Lee Fang revealed the relationship between one of the most odious and corrupt of the retiring Blue Dogs, Mike Ross (AR) and his new world as a lobbyist (instead of a recipient of lobbyist bribes).

Last year, Arkansas Representative Mike Ross was the Democratic co-sponsor of an amendment to delay the US Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing the Cross-State Air Pollution rule, which would curb the amount of soot and other dangerous chemicals released by industry. Regulators estimate that the rule could prevent 520 premature deaths in Arkansas every year, particularly because the state borders regions in Texas, Oklahoma, and elsewhere that are home to industries producing high levels of air pollutants.

And just a month ago, Ross, who is retiring from Congress after this term, announced that he will be joining one of the groups leading the charge to lobby against the EPA rule. Starting next year, Ross will be the “Senior Vice President for Government Affairs” at Southwestern Power Pool, a nonprofit that represents several coal-powered utility companies.

Southwestern Power Pool has filed multiple comments and letters demanding that the EPA delay and relax its Cross-State Air Pollution rule.

In one sense, Ross should be applauded for his transparency in revealing his future job to the public. Ordinarily, such job agreements must only be disclosed to the House Ethics Committee. But the arrangement with Southwestern Power Pool raises the possibility that Ross’  legislative activity could have been unduly influenced by the prospect of a high-paying job.

...Although Ethics rules attempt to prevent any quid-pro-quo bribery, there have been virtually no enforcement actions on congressmen moving through the revolving door. And there are literally dozens of examples of lawmakers working to benefit individual companies or industries, before retiring and becoming high paid employees of or lobbyists for those same industries. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) blocked crucial aspects of financial reform legislation before becoming an employee of Goldman Sachs. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) earmarked tens of thousands of dollars to groups that now retain him as a lobbyist.