The Hill News

American League of Lobbyists President Howard Marlowe writes on the Congress Blog today that the president and Congress should stop scapegoating lobbyists. “It is high time we break our code of silence and show our true determination to solve the critical problems that are tying the federal government in knots,” he says.

Sure, lobbyists get a lot of blame for myriad bad things that happen in Washington. In fact, we’ve done our fair share of lobbyist bashing over time (including Mr. Marlowe). And Marlowe hits the reason for our criticism right on the head when he states, “Money is at the heart of the public's concerns about both lobbyists and members of Congress.”

Lobbying itself ! is not the issue. It’s the influence and access these lobbyists are able to buy with their campaign contributions. It’s access and influence that everyday people can only dream of. Behind every dollar of lobbying fees is a network of potential campaign contributors. Already in 2011, lobbyists have donated more than $3.2 million to federal candidates and their clients have contributed even more. Moreover, the lobbying done on the side of big companies concerned about their bottom line more often than not significantly outweighs consumer advocates and other nonprofit groups.

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