Reprinted from Roll Call (July 26,
2011)
Q: I am a former staffer now working as a
lobbyist for a lobbying firm with a question regarding ethics
training. When I was on the Hill, I remember that, ever since the
big ethics act bill in 2007, we were all required to receive formal
ethics training on an annual basis. Now that I am working for a
lobbying firm, I presumed that there would be similar requirement
for lobbyists. The gift rules apply to lobbyists, too, so I figured
lobbyists would also need education regarding the rules. But, my
firm tells me this not the case. Is this right? Is there really no
ethics training requirement for lobbyists?
A: The "big ethics bill" I presume
that you are referring to is the Honest Leadership and Open
Government Act. When it was passed in the fall of 2007, it brought
about many changes in the world of Congressional ethics. It was the
biggest ethics bill in years.
