Lobbying Work Nice Fit for Ex-lawmakers
Despite a number of scandals casting a dark shadow over the influence of interest groups in Washington, a total of five of the the 39 lawmakers voted out last November have found jobs as lobbyists in the capitol. (USA Today) After stepping down as the governer of Maryland, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is opening an office of a North Carolina law firm in the Baltimore area that will include a public affairs consulting group. (The Baltimore Sun)
Libby Jury Begins Deliberations
“After a month of testimony and a day of impassioned debate by the lawyers, a federal jury Wednesday began considering the perjury case against I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton instructed the jurors on the law underlying the five-count indictment against Libby, and urged them to use common sense in deliberations to determine whether Libby was guilty of an illegal coverup or of merely having a bad memory.” (The Los Angeles Times)
Anti-Regulation Lobbyist Nominated To Top Post At Consumer Protection Agency
President Bush yesterday nominated “National Association of Manufacturers” executive vice president and lobbyist Michael Baroody to lead the Consumer Product Safety Commission, where he will be in charge of protecting consumers from dangrous products. Baroody’s previous work is less remarkable for what he lobbied for that for what he lobbied against – namely consumer-friendly legislation to increase asbestos regulation, reduce occupational hazards, or require tire manufacturers to report accident data. (Think Progress)
Pelosi Calling for Tougher Federal Ethics Rules
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for tighter ethics rules in federal agencies Wednesday after government officials approved the purchase of a $980,000 vacation home by a top Justice Department lawyer with an oil company lobbyist.” (Associated Press)
Intel. on Quds Force in Iraq Still Murky
Despite a growing effort on the part of the adminsitration to provide intelligence proving direct Iranian involvement in the Iraq war, U.S. officials are still unable to verify the claim that the Quds force is under direct order from Iran’s government to provide militans with weapons and act against the Americans. (Newsweek)
