Part of what the K Street Project was about was making lobbyists indispensable to Congress because of the money they were raising.
The ultimate solution is public financing of campaigns. All this is based on the constant quest for campaign cash that members of Congress are always on. If you get rid of that, members of Congress will be much less susceptible.
We think the heart of the problem is there's no enforcement. There's no one watching to see is anyone getting gifts or not.
People are scared. Both parties are tripping over themselves.
A lot of what was going on was already against the rules. There just wasn't any enforcement.
We don't want members of Congress sitting behind their desk all day long.
Our concern is that this heightened sensitivity is short-lived. And I think it could be unless reforms include credible, strong enforcement of new rules and regulations.
While lobbyists are not allowed to pay for a trip, the parent company can. Which is confusing, because the lobbyist can come along.
There will definitely be reform. The question is, how far will it go and how substantive is it?
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