Trump team announces tough lobbying ban

[Sultan Of Swing]

'President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Wednesday announced that it will require incoming officials to terminate their lobbying registrations, and agree not to lobby again for five years after leaving the administration.

Anyone joining the transition or the administration will have to sign the following pledge: “By signing below I hereby certify that I am not currently registered and reporting as a federal lobbyist as defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act as amended or as a compensated lobbyist at the state level in any state. If I was listed as lobbyist in the most recent lobbying disclosure forms or reported to be filed by federal or state law, I hereby notify the president-elect’s transition team that I have filed the necessary forms to the appropriate government agency to terminate my [lobbying registration]. I will provide the transition team with written evidence of my federal or state lobbyist termination as soon as possible."'

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/donald-trump-lobbying-ban-231534

Thoughts? Do you think they will implement it and stick to it? If they do implement it, does it make you feel better about a Trump presidency, or perhaps worse, if they thin out the talent pool?

 

[crossfire]

I see keeping the lobbyists out of the administration to be a good thing.

Keeping them out of the administration would at least keep those out who blatantly care more about their lobbying job than they care about the country.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

This definitely sounds like a good thing. Looks like Trump has made the right call here... ow. Sorry, part of my socialist soul just died screaming

I'll be interested to see if he keeps this going or changes his tune; and more importantly, why he has done it in the first place. Does he genuinely believe lobbyists need to be kept out of government or does he just want to prevent them from competing with his own business needs?

 

[crossfire]

This definitely sounds like a good thing. Looks like Trump has made the right call here... ow. Sorry, part of my socialist soul just died screaming

I'll be interested to see if he keeps this going or changes his tune; and more importantly, why he has done it in the first place. Does he genuinely believe lobbyists need to be kept out of government or does he just want to prevent them from competing with his own business needs?

Oh, you mean that if he puts the lobbyists on his staff, he has to pay them instead of them paying him?

 

[Sunstone]

The agreement doesn't look legally binding. If it's not, then one is trusting the honesty and integrity of a lobbyist to keep their word. I wonder how many would sign if there were stiff sanctions included in the agreement for breaking it?

 

[crossfire]

The agreement doesn't look legally binding. If it's not, then one is trusting the honesty and integrity of a lobbyist to keep their word. I wonder how many would sign if there were stiff sanctions included in the agreement for breaking it?

I'm sure they'd find a way to use the "stiff sanctions" (if they are monetary) as a way to "lobby' without "lobbying."

 

[Scuba Pete]

MFS: Mostly For Show. No one keeps their lobbying position once in the president's administration in today's political climate. There's really nothing to legally stop them from lobbying or lobbying under the table during or after. Look at Cheney and Haliburton for a clear example of an incestuous relationship. There's a reason many of us call it the "Haliburton War".

 

[Quetzal]

I agree with this. I am just curious to see it's enforcement.

 

[Underhill]

'President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Wednesday announced that it will require incoming officials to terminate their lobbying registrations, and agree not to lobby again for five years after leaving the administration.

Anyone joining the transition or the administration will have to sign the following pledge: “By signing below I hereby certify that I am not currently registered and reporting as a federal lobbyist as defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act as amended or as a compensated lobbyist at the state level in any state. If I was listed as lobbyist in the most recent lobbying disclosure forms or reported to be filed by federal or state law, I hereby notify the president-elect’s transition team that I have filed the necessary forms to the appropriate government agency to terminate my [lobbying registration]. I will provide the transition team with written evidence of my federal or state lobbyist termination as soon as possible."'

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/donald-trump-lobbying-ban-231534

Thoughts? Do you think they will implement it and stick to it? If they do implement it, does it make you feel better about a Trump presidency, or perhaps worse, if they thin out the talent pool?

I think it makes for a good show. But if you want to know how they really feel, just look at the appointees. Based upon that I have a hard time believing it's much more than a show.

If they were really interested in change they would stay away from having bank execs in charge of treasury as just one example...

 

[Brickjectivity]

I have full faith that it will be enforced. There's no harm in accepting this very good idea.

 

[YmirGF]

Even this token act is better than nothing. Will it stop off the books, under the table, lobbying? Not likely, but time will tell.