Aprill & Hasen: Lobbypalooza

Ellen Aprill and Richard Hasen (both Loyola – Los Angeles) have written Lobbypalooza for The American Interest Online, a must read for anyone interested in rules governing lobbying, including lobbying by tax-exempt nonprofits.   The article describes the history of lobbying regulation at the federal level, both through the tax laws and recently enhanced disclosure requirements, as well as through anti-revolving door rules, limits on gifts to members of Congress, and the Obama Administration’s limits on registered lobbyists.  It also highlights the constitutional tensions created by rules that go beyond the existing tax and disclosure provisions, especially in the wake of Citizens United v. FEC.  A great discussion of the lobbying rules and the issues they raise – not to be missed.

LHM