Former Lawmakers Fly Under Lobbying Radar

Politico reports that lobbying bans on former lawmakers haven't discouraged some former members of Congress from influencing policy.

Their article today spotlights former Reps. Bud Cramer and Jim McCrery, whose hefty donations and new jobs advising clients with interests before Congress allow them to virtually negate their year-long lobbying ban.

Former Alaska Rep. Cramer, now runs Wexler & Walker, and has funneled $90,000 to candidates and political action committees in just nine months out of office.

According to Wexler & Walker's website, the firm works to " ... build upon, or establish solid working relationships with decision-makers in Congress on behalf of our clients, acting as either their primary government liaison or as a complement to existing legal representation or Washington offices."

McCrery, a Louisiana Republican, has become a partner at the Capitol Counsel firm and has donated $74,000 to groups including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

From Politico:

As long as they don't technically lobby, it's legal for them to advise clients -- and to make political donations under looser rules than those applied to members of Congress.

Not that there's anything usual about lawmakers taking jobs on K Street after their tenure on Capitol Hill ends.

Last month Florida Republican Mel Martinez joined DLA Piper, a law firm which engages in lobbying, just two weeks after resigning from the Senate.